Komi (restaurant)
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Restaurant |
| Founded | 2003 |
| Founder | Johnny Monis |
| Headquarters | Washington, D.C. , United States |
| Products | Italian cuisine, Greek cuisine |
Komi was a dining establishment in Washington, D.C. managed by Chef Johnny Monis, focusing on Italian cuisine and Greek cuisine.
Situated at 1509 17th St. NW, Komi began operations in 2003, initially serving wood-fired pizzas alongside an à la carte selection for both lunch and dinner.
In the winter of 2006, Monis transformed Komi by removing the majority of its seating and introducing an $84 prix-fixe multi-course dinner menu. This change garnered widespread praise, with Komi securing the top spot on Washingtonian Magazine's Best Restaurants in DC list from 2009 to 2012, solidifying its reputation as one of the premier culinary venues in the city.
A notable moment in Komi’s history includes a visit from President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama in May 2010.
The restaurant was awarded a Michelin star in the 2018 edition of the Michelin Guide for Washington, DC. In the same year, food critic Tom Sietsema honored Komi by placing it within his ten-restaurant Hall of Fame.
By September 2022, Komi had lost its Michelin star and was rebranded as Happy Gyro, operating as a Greek deli-style takeout business.
Chef Johnny Monis
Johnny Monis grew up in Arlington, Virginia, where his family ran La Casa Pizzeria. Drawing from his Greek roots, he named Komi after a beach on Chios, the Greek island where his parents originated.[1]
Monis initially pursued premed studies at James Madison University but shifted paths to attend the College of the Culinary Arts at Johnson & Wales University in Charleston, South Carolina.[2] He did not complete culinary school, instead acquiring hands-on experience at McCrady's Restaurant.[1]
In 2001, Monis joined Washington, D.C.’s Chef Geoff's, quickly advancing to executive chef at a new downtown branch.[2] He departed in 2003 to establish Komi.[1]
Monis earned recognition as one of the Best New Chefs by Food & Wine in 2007,[3] and received the 2013 James Beard Foundation Award for Best Chef in the Mid-Atlantic region.[4]
In 2011, he launched Little Serow beneath Komi—a Thai-inspired restaurant that was acclaimed by Bon Appétit magazine as one of America’s top new dining spots.[5]
Awards
- 2007 Best New Chefs by Food & Wine Magazine.[3]
- Ranked No.1 Very Best Restaurants in DC by Washingtonian Magazine in 2009.[6]
- Winner of the 2013 Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic award from the James Beard Foundation Award.[7]
- Holder of a Michelin Star from 2018 through 2021 according to the Michelin Guide.[8]
See also
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- Articles with short description
- Establishments founded in Washington, D.C. in 2003
- Dupont Circle neighborhood
- Greek-American heritage in Washington, D.C.
- Greek dining establishments in the United States
- Cuisine of Italian-American origin
- Italian-American heritage in Washington, D.C.
- Closed Italian dining venues in the United States
- Former Michelin-starred restaurants located in Washington, D.C.
- Restaurants opened in 2003
- Defunct Michelin-starred restaurants in Washington, D.C.
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