A team of native Washingtonians— led by Evens Charles, founder and CEO of Frontier and Development & Hospitality Group– is offering one of the best views of the nation’s capital, with Realm Rooftop Bar & Lounge, now open at the Hyatt House Hotel on O Street NW.
A comfortable, stylish, and relaxed space, Realm— the first hotel in his hospitality group to open in D.C. — is a full circle moment for Charles, who grew up in Northwest’s Petworth neighborhood.
“This is the 11th hotel in my hospitality group,” Charles told The Informer August. “I am a native of D.C. and the people who manage this hotel are all natives of D.C. and are all Black men.”
Realm is intimate yet feels spacious. There is an open private dining area for special occasions, with incredible views of the city and the rooftop’s outdoor area features cushioned seating and fire pits, enhancing the tranquil ambiance.
“This was an underutilized space with a swimming pool and a fitness room,” Charles said about the former Cambria Hotel, where Realm is now located. “We saw a vision to try to activate this beautiful top with a beautiful skyline of the city with an unobstructed view of the Capitol Dome and the monument.”
D.C. Natives Dedicated to Quality Service
Donte Johnson, Realm’s general manager, grew up in the Shaw neighborhood and his extensive background in the hospitality industry has placed him in various roles, leading to his current position managing the rooftop.
“Walking into the space and not feeling like you’re in D.C. is what we’re constantly hearing,” Johnson told The Informer. “We want to differentiate ourselves from other places.”
Johnson connected with the highly lauded Chef Keem Hughley, who is now culinary director, and the two have come together to offer the best possible experience at Realm.
“We also want to excel in service,” he added. “We also think we have something special with Chef Keem as our culinary director.”
Hughley, a graduate of McKinley Tech High School, is known for pushing the boundaries of cuisine through an Afrofuturistic approach, as seen at his former restaurant Bronze on H Street NE.
Exploring African American culture through the lens of science fiction has been an Afrofutristic view pursued by author Octavia Butler, and musicians George Clinton and the Black rock group Living Colour.
Overseeing the food and bar operations, Hughley translates Afrofuturism into the menu at Realm by blending French culinary techniques with the vibrant flavors of the Indian Ocean, particularly those rooted in Seychellois Creole cuisine.
“I wanted to tie together the food and beverages with storytelling,” said Hughley. “So when I came into the project, I wanted to make sure we had a shared language for our creation. The scope is rooted in East Africa with Indian Ocean and Mediterranean accents.”
Many of the menu items are shareables with “tropical-forward” flavors like coconut, tamarind, citrus, and curry leaf. Dishes include: Island Oysters with coconut-lime-ginger mignonette; Tamarind-Glazed Lamb Lollipops; Coconut Crab Cakes with mango-tamarind chutney; Ginger-Lemongrass Chicken Skewers; Chili Prawns and Curry Mussels; and Truffle and Curry Leaf Fries.
With Hughley’s mouth-watering menu ready, the inviting space and the great views, Johnson is excited about the overall concept.
“We can’t wait to welcome guests to what we believe will be D.C.’s premier rooftop destination,” Johnson said.
D.C. Team to Give More to the Dining Scene
Now that Realm is off the ground, the team of Washingtonians is working on their next local launch: Syn Dupont Lounge and Bar, opening soon in Dupont Circle.
“D.C. raised me,” Charles told The Informer in August. “Now I’m raising the city back.”