Sook Opens in Washington, D.C., Offering All-Day Dining and Market

In a vibrant transformation, Rose Previte has launched Sook, an all-day café, market, and wine bar, in Washington, D.C. This new establishment replaces her previous venture, Compass Rose, which closed in May 2023 after 11 successful years. Sook aims to provide a more casual dining experience while retaining some of the beloved features from its predecessor.

A New Culinary Concept

Sook has already begun offering daytime pastries and coffee, with its evening menu officially debuting today. The menu features playful comfort foods such as classic grilled cheese sandwiches and unique potato chip “nachos” topped with prosciutto, olives, cornichons, and parmesan. A highlight from Compass Rose, khachapuri, the famous cheesy Georgian flatbread, is now available throughout the day.

Previte designed Sook as a food emporium, occupying a 10,000-square-foot space that also includes an outpost of Maydan and various stalls from California-based restaurants. According to Previte, Sook was initially conceptualized for Los Angeles, but she believed it would be a perfect fit for the D.C. rowhouse that previously housed Compass Rose. “A little of it was just the practicality of not having to create a new concept every single time,” Previte explained.

Community Focus and Innovative Offerings

At Sook, Previte has partnered with longtime friend Sashi Jayatileke, who recently left her position at USAID after 14 years. The two met in Moscow while living abroad, and their friendship has blossomed into this new venture. Previte shared Jayatileke’s vision for Sook as a gathering space for friends and neighbors, stating, “She’s like, ‘You know what? I’m realizing my cohort of friends, who had this horrible thing happen to them unexpectedly, needs a place to gather.’”

The café invites patrons to bring laptops or meet friends in a space filled with jewel tones and greenery. The morning menu includes espresso drinks, alongside unique offerings like a fig-leaf latte and ginger-tamarind espresso tonic. Traditional pastries are available, as well as heartier options like a bacon-egg-and-cheese sandwich on milk bread and a Lebanese breakfast featuring za’atar flatbread, feta, cucumbers, and tomatoes.

Starting at 15:00, Sook transitions to its evening menu, introducing a variety of Middle Eastern dishes. Notable items include Syrian seven-spice chicken wings served with Lebanese-style salsa verde, a chopped salad with labneh ranch, and French fries accompanied by garlicky toum and zhough. Alongside these options, classic American fare like a smash burger, Italian hoagie, and BLT are also available.

The drink menu emphasizes natural wines and features some unique selections, such as a Slovenian amber wine and a sparkling Greek option. Additionally, Sook offers a range of spritzes and an espresso martini, which Previte enthusiastically mentioned, “I can’t have this whole big new espresso machine and not give you an espresso martini.”

Beyond being a café and wine bar, Sook serves as a market showcasing an array of specialty products. Guests can purchase spice blends from Maydan, including a ribeye rub and dukkah, alongside items such as unfiltered Lebanese olive oil and smoky tahini imported from Iraqi Kurdistan. The establishment also operates as a bottle shop, allowing customers to buy wines at retail prices to take home.

With Sook, Rose Previte not only revitalizes a cherished location but also breathes new life into community dining in Washington, D.C. The blend of innovative cuisine and a welcoming atmosphere is poised to attract a diverse clientele eager for both comfort and creativity in their dining experiences.