Celebrating The Debut Of A New Soul Food Haven
On February 4th, 2023, chefs Lew McAlister and Pinkey Reddick officially opened the doors to Flavorture – the first ever Black-owned restaurant in Northwest D.C.’s Woodley Park area.
The grand opening gala saw city officials and business leaders gather to celebrate the new upscale soul food eatery, a dream realized for its co-owners.
“Flavorture is the dream of two passionate people who came together to redefine what local dining could be like in D.C.,” said Reddick at the debut event. Family, friends and fans filled tents outside the 24th Street venue to toast the momentous milestone for the neighborhood.
Bringing Food With Flavor And Culture
Born from separate catering companies joining forces, Flavorture blends Mac’s rich flavors with Pinke’s vibrant culture into an elevated dining experience. The cozy yet stylish interior exudes down-home charm, complementing their diverse menu of classics like lobster mac and cheese while appealing to vegan and vegetarian diners too.
As Pinke puts it, “When we designed this place, we designed it so when people come in they felt like they were home.” Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie echoed the significance: “It doesn’t happen every day.”
Backed By The District, For The Community
Flavorture’s launch received support from D.C. agencies, securing façade improvement and small business grants. Kristi Whitfield noted that aiding ventures like it fuels economic growth: “More than ever, we must meet business owners where they are and continue providing resources.”
In turn, the owners prioritize community impact – not just through hiring locally but by expanding to more D.C. neighborhoods so their elevated soul food can uplift other areas. As McAlister says, they aim to “provide opportunities to people that look like us, in communities that do not often look like us.”
On February 4th, Flavorture planted their flag as Woodley Park’s first Black-owned eatery. And under the dynamic leadership of its co-owner chefs, this is only the start of surprises in store for devoted foodies across the District.
