Palena on the Move?

Conflicting reports abound...

As reported by Todd Kliman in yesterday's chog...

Frank Ruta and Ann Amernick, Palena's owners, are preparing to sign a lease to take over the Westinghouse Mansion (2000 Massachusetts Avenue, NW) in Dupont Circle within the next year.

As Kliman reported, "the move to new digs spells the demise of the restaurant and cafe 'as we know it.'"

But Tom Sietsema, in today's chat, dispelled that as rumor...

Washington, D.C.: Hi Tom!

What have you heard about the probable Palena move in the near future?

Tom Sietsema: "News to me," says Frank Ruta, who, as Palena's chef, should know.

Palena still has five years to go on its current lease, Ruta tells me, and even if it didn't, there are several obstacles in the way of any imminent move.

One of them is a liquor license: Good luck trying to secure one in Dupont Circle, which is where an investor in Palena recently bought a building, Blaine Mansion, setting off the "Palena is moving" rumors. Another is the property's historic status; and still a third reason Palena won't be relocating anytime soon is the chef's commitment to doing things the right way -- slowly and deliberately, never rashly.

We'll have to keep digging to find the truth of the matter. But one thing's for sure -- those of us who live closer to Dupont than Cleveland Park are rooting for a move, so we can enjoy the wonders of Palena far more often!