The new restaurant will have 40 seats, including those at an L-shaped bar, and additional outdoor seating. Now, the seasoned restaurateur is bringing the concept to 2000 Pennsylvania Avenue, the new live-work-play development near the Highlands and Little Italy. The well-traveled Irvin, who now lives in Greenville, Delaware, has recently dined in urban eateries that have resurrected the classic approach-but with contemporary twists.

“It was the best Cobb salads and Dover sole-luxury dining,” he recalled. Designed for ladies who lunch, these posh spots had chopped salads so the women wouldn’t spill greens on their garments. When Bill Irvin was growing up in Baltimore, some of the best restaurants were in upscale department stores.