OUR CONCEPTS
THE PRESENT CHAPTER
The Popal Group’s portfolio reflects more than two decades of restaurant building in Washington, D.C. From Michelin Guide-recognized destinations to neighborhood institutions and ambitious cultural hubs, each concept represents a distinct point of view shaped by heritage, craft, and a deep belief in hospitality. Across French bistros, Afghan family kitchens, coastal Mexican hearth cooking, wine-forward bars, and European beer halls, the throughline remains the same: thoughtful design, ingredient-driven cuisine, and spaces created for connection. Some concepts continue to evolve today, while others marked important chapters in the group’s growth; each contributing to the story of who we are.
Lapis
Lapis is Chef Shamim Popal’s love letter to Afghanistan. Located in the heart of Adams Morgan, the restaurant brings the flavors, spices, and hospitality of Kabul to Washington, D.C.
Rooted in family recipes and centuries of culinary tradition, the menu showcases dishes like mantu dumplings, slow-braised lamb, house-made chutneys, and fragrant rice layered with dried fruits and warm spices.
Recognized nationally and included in the Michelin Guide, Lapis has become a standard-bearer for Afghan cuisine in America; a space where storytelling, culture, and hospitality converge around the table.
Lutèce
Lutèce is a Michelin Guide-recognized modern French restaurant led by Chef Matt Conroy. Grounded in classical French technique and driven by seasonality, the menu is precise, expressive, and quietly bold.
The restaurant has earned national acclaim, including recognition from the James Beard Foundation, Food & Wine, and Washingtonian, positioning Lutèce as one of Washington’s most exciting contemporary dining destinations. Elegant yet unpretentious, Lutèce balances refinement with warmth and neighborhood energy.
MAISON BAR À VINS
Maison Bar à Vins is a wine-first French bar inspired by the convivial energy of Parisian bistros. Led by Chefs Matt Conroy and Jason Chavenson, the kitchen balances classical French technique with confident, ingredient-driven cooking; from oysters and tartares to refined late-night plates.
In 2026, Maison was named a James Beard Award Semifinalist for Best New Restaurant, cementing its place among the most exciting openings in the country. With a cellar built for discovery and a menu designed to linger over, Maison embodies modern French spirit; cultured, effortless, and distinctly Washington, DC.
LAPOP
Tucked beneath Lapis in Adams Morgan, Lapop is The Popal Group’s vinyl bar, blending music, culture, and experimental cocktails in an intimate, community-driven space. “Popal” spelled backward, Lapop honors the Popal family’s Afghan heritage by reimagining what an Afghan cocktail tradition can be; infusing spirits with flavors like cardamom, saffron, rosewater, and char masala. The beverage program balances spirit-forward creations with thoughtful non-alcoholic offerings, reflecting Afghanistan’s historically dry culture.
With weekly “Bring Your Own Vinyl” nights, craft cocktails, and food from the MICHELIN Bib Gourmand-recognized Lapis kitchen, Lapop serves as a community anchor for food, beverage and music in the Adams Morgan neighborhood.
PASCUAL
Nestled in Capitol Hill, Pascual is a vibrant celebration of coastal Mexican cuisine centered around a live-fire hearth; the literal and spiritual heart of the restaurant. Chef Isabel Coss draws from regional Mexican traditions while embracing contemporary technique, allowing smoke, char, and flame to shape much of the menu’s depth and texture.
Heirloom corn, bold moles, fresh seafood, and vegetable-forward dishes emerge from the hearth with layered complexity. The experience is anchored by a thoughtful agave program highlighting producers rooted in transparency and tradition.
Recognized by the Michelin Guide and the James Beard Foundation, Pascual reflects a modern vision of Mexican cuisine: expressive, culturally grounded, and unmistakably alive.
1819
Set in the heart of Adams Morgan, 1819 is The Popal Group’s dedicated private event space, designed to be as versatile as the gatherings it hosts. From corporate presentations and seated dinners to celebrations, tastings, and creative programming, the space adapts seamlessly to a wide range of formats.
Equipped with a built-in projector, private bar, and curated in-house event amenities, 1819 offers both flexibility and polish. Thoughtful design and full-service hospitality ensure that each event feels elevated, intentional, and distinctly Washington, DC.
OUR LEGACY
Each of our concepts played a meaningful role in shaping The Popal Group’s evolution; from Café Bonaparte’s neighborhood café warmth to Napoleon’s Parisian energy, Malmaison’s all-day cultural hub, and The Berliner’s spirited beer-hall revival. Together, they represent the group’s enduring commitment to community, diversity of flavors, and hospitality that feels both familiar and distinctly Washington, DC.
The Berliner
The Berliner began as a bold reinterpretation of German beer-hall culture in Washington, D.C., transforming a sizeable Georgetown warehouse into a lively home for house-made sausages, pretzels, and an expansive beer lineup inspired by Berlin’s vibrant street-food traditions.
Originally launched by The Popal Group in the 2010s, The Berliner quickly became a neighborhood destination for communal eating, rotating taps, and convivial hospitality reflective of the city’s European influences.
Now poised for a highly anticipated return, The Berliner will once again celebrate its roots with hearty fare and spirited gatherings; honoring the comfort-food ethos that made it a favorite in its first chapter.
The Berliner closed in 2022 and is set to reopen Summer 2026 at a new location.
Napoleon Bistro
Napoleon Bistro & Lounge was a Parisian-leaning French restaurant in Adams Morgan that captured the romance and joie de vivre of classic European dining in the nation’s capital. With cozy seating, rich wood accents, and a menu of thoughtfully executed French fare, Napoleon became known for its welcoming atmosphere and cultural programming; including curated wine lists and film nights that celebrated French culture.
As one of the early pillars of the Popal Group’s portfolio, Napoleon helped define the family’s dedication to heartfelt hospitality and regional European cuisine, laying the groundwork for later concepts such as Lapis and Lutèce.
Napoleon Bistro closed in 2015 and was later reimagined as Lapis.
Malmaison
Malmaison was conceived in the early 2010s as a stylish addition to Washington, D.C.’s restaurant scene; a multi-faceted space combining café, patisserie, bar, and dinner service under one roof. Named after the French château synonymous with elegance and cultural flair, the concept blended contemporary Parisian design with a lively lineup of food and drink.
More than a restaurant, Malmaison served as a welcoming venue for gatherings, celebrations, and cultural moments that echoed the Popal family’s deep appreciation for French cuisine and communal hospitality.
Malmaison closed in 2018 and later reimagined as The Berliner.
Café Bonaparte
Café Bonaparte was The Popal Group’s first Washington, D.C. venture; a Parisian-inspired café and bistro that introduced locals to classic French comfort and casual elegance. With an old-world storefront, cozy interior, and a menu of bistro favorites from morning coffee and crepes to leisurely dinners, Bonaparte became a beloved neighborhood spot for nearly every occasion.
Its warm, inviting energy and commitment to simple, refined food set the stage for future Popal Group concepts rooted in European tradition and hospitality.
Café Bonaparte closed in 2020 and was later reimagined as Lutèce.