Sook Opens in Washington, D.C., Revamping Dining Experience

Rose Previte has unveiled a new culinary venture in Washington, D.C., named Sook, which replaces her acclaimed restaurant Compass Rose. After 11 successful years, Previte closed Compass Rose in May 2023 to transition to a more casual concept. Sook serves as an all-day cafe, market, and wine bar, aiming to create a vibrant community space.

A New Dining Concept Emerges

Sook has already been offering daytime pastries and coffee for a few weeks, but its full evening menu debuted on July 3, 2023. The evening offerings feature a variety of playful comfort foods, including a classic grilled cheese and inventive potato chip “nachos” topped with prosciutto, olives, cornichons, and parmesan cheese. Notably, the beloved khachapuri, a cheesy Georgian flatbread that gained popularity at Compass Rose, is now available throughout the day.

Previte describes Sook as a practical evolution from her previous restaurant concept, highlighting the ease of not needing to reinvent the wheel every time. She also incorporated a wine bar menu, emphasizing her passion for wine and creating a welcoming atmosphere for local residents.

Community Focus and Menu Highlights

At Sook, Previte has joined forces with longtime friend Sashi Jayatileke, who recently transitioned from a 14-year career at USAID. The two friends met while living abroad in Moscow and share a vision for Sook as a gathering place for the community. Previte noted, “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 cafe’s design features a jewel-toned interior filled with greenery, making it an inviting space for neighbors to work, socialize, or enjoy a meal. The morning menu includes standard espresso drinks alongside unique options like a fig-leaf latte and ginger-tamarind espresso tonic. Pastries are sourced from local bakers and include a bacon-egg-and-cheese sandwich on milk bread, as well as a Lebanese breakfast featuring za’atar flatbread, feta, cucumbers, and tomatoes.

As the clock strikes 15:00, Sook transitions to its evening menu, which showcases a mix of Middle Eastern-inspired dishes, including Syrian seven-spice chicken wings served with Lebanese-style salsa verde and a chopped salad with labneh ranch. Traditional offerings like a smash burger, an Italian hoagie, and a BLT round out the menu.

The drink selection has been carefully curated to include an expanded variety of natural wines, with some unique finds such as a Slovenian amber wine and a sparkling Greek option. Sook also features a selection of spritzes and, notably, an espresso martini, with Previte quipping, “I can’t have this whole big new espresso machine and not give you an espresso martini.”

Beyond dining, Sook serves as a market where patrons can purchase various spice blends from Maydan, including ribeye rub and dukkah, as well as specialty items like unfiltered Lebanese olive oil and smoky tahini sourced from Iraqi Kurdistan. Additionally, Sook operates as a bottle shop, allowing customers to buy wines at retail prices to enjoy at home.

With its innovative design and diverse menu, Sook aims to carve out a niche in D.C.’s dining scene, offering a blend of casual dining and community engagement. As Previte embarks on this new venture, she hopes Sook will become a cherished neighborhood spot for residents and visitors alike.