Tiny DC Restaurant 'Rose's Luxury' Wins James Beard Award

It doesn't look like much -- a converted townhouse tucked away in the midst of a bunch of shops on a street near Eastern Market -- but Rose's Luxury at 717 8th St SE has just taken home a prestigious 2016 James Beard Foundation award.

Its chef, Aaron Silverman, was chosen as the best chef in the Mid-Atlantic region, beating out candidates not only in Washington, D.C. but also Baltimore and Philadelphia for the honor. The James Beard Foundation announced its award winners at a gala hosted at Lyric Operate in Chicago on May 2.

The tiny restaurant, described as an eclectic restaurant that offers New American tapas, serves dinner and drinks nightly Monday through Saturday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

It doesn't accept reservations for most of the dining room, although it does offer limited reservations for groups of six to eight guests, which you must do exclusively through the website (rosesluxury.com). Otherwise, seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis for parties of smaller than six people.

"We maintain this practice for a few reasons," the restaurant's FAQ states. "Our priority since opening has been to remain grounded as a neighborhood restaurant, and we want it to be possible for anyone to dine with us on any given evening without having to book a date several weeks in advance."

A line typically forms before the doors to open, so expect a wait if you want to experience Silverman's cooking -- although at least you can hang out at the bar upstairs before your table is ready, assuming that the bar isn't full as well.

Silverman named the restaurant after his paternal grandmother, Rose.

"Aaron decided to name the restaurant after his grandmother, who was beloved by her family and friends for her poetry and frequent dinner parties," the site says. "She enjoyed life and having fun -- two ideas we all strive to embody at the restaurant that bears her name in neon lights."