The death of Richard's Rules of Restaurant Based Revitalization?

I don't think so, despite the New York Times write up today, "Chefs Settle Down in ‘the Real D.C.’," of a number of DC restaurants. (Thanks to Ken F. for the article.)

Richard's Rules posit that in revitalizing areas, the restaurants that are successful are somewhat simple, offering quality food for a decent price, and don't push the envelope too much, i.e., Mexican, "American," or Italian instead of Afghan, etc.

What you are doing is rebuilding interest in coming to a commercial district that has been in decline, and that you need frequent repeat business (oversampling).

I think that's still reasonable advice. Restaurants that go beyond this comfort level do okay but not necessarily stellar.

The reality is that more restaurant meals are eaten by younger people, generally not with children, with more money. So if the demographics of a "revitalizing" neighborhood aren't significantly different from what they were 5 or 10 years ago, even if the neighborhood is changing somewhat it isn't likely changing enough to enable a wave of creative restaurant types. In other words, the "Real D.C." isn't coming out and spending money in restaurants, at least in DC (maybe in Maryland or Virginia).

Restaurants in Logan Circle, U Street, and H Street are succeeding because of significantly changing residential demographics as well as the change in the makeup of nightlife patronage.

It's not clear to me yet that this is happening in Petworth (which is near to where I live) and it's complicated by the fact that up Georgia Avenue, from Petworth to the Maryland State line, is less dense compared to rowhouse neighborhoods in the core of the city.

A typical block is made up of detached housing, not rowhouses, so the number of houses on a block can range from about 32 (my block) to 64 (if rowhouses, duplexes, or triplexes are constructed instead). I haven't been to Sweet Mango Cafe (Post -- "Sweet Mango: In Need of Dressing") or to Moroni & Brother's Pizza Restaurant (Post -- Petworth Has Pizza That Fills a Void Tastefully") yet. I have been to Domku. And there is a good Caribbean place, Peaches Kitchen, a couple blocks from my house. (Places on Georgia Avenue are more of a hike when you don't have two willing bicyclists within one household.)

However, if the place truly is creative then it can do well, if it gets the right media, etc. then the enough of the "Unreal D.C." can come out and spend the money.

But more often than not, if the restaurant operator doesn't have every aspect of the business together, I don't think they will succeed brilliantly, despite the hype.