Eating Around: More Global Chains Eye D.C.

Map It:  Gallery Pl-Chinatown   Farragut North 

FIRST IT WAS PIOLA, the Italian pizza chain that's popular in Brazil — and now Rosslyn. Then Vapiano, a German-owned collection of Italian eateries, made its entry last year. Now two other foreign restaurant franchises are apparently looking to the D.C. area as prime expansion territory.

As Penn Quarter Living reports today, South African-based chicken chain Nando's will open at 819 7th St. NW, bringing the Gallery Place and Chinatown areas the global chain's spicy trademark Peri-Peri chicken.

Meanwhile, over at 18th and M streets NW, there are stirrings that the British noodle chain Wagamama will open a location in space formerly occupied by the now-closed Cuban lounge Yuca, which sits across the courtyard from Vapiano. It's a rumor that Kate Shamon, a Boston-based spokeswoman for Wagamama, didn't confirm; she told Express there's no news to report on any future locations in D.C. Currently, Wagamama's U.S. portfolio includes two locations in Boston.

According to a Vapiano publicist, the chain's H Street NW location, which is currently undergoing renovations, will open in early summer.

» "Nando's Restaurant Coming to 819 7th St NW (Old Skate Shop)!" [PQ Living]

Express contributor Marc Zawel contributed to this post.