Robb Report
Inside This Restaurant’s Unique Marriage of Spanish Tapas and Japanese Kaiseki
“Chef Pepe Moncayo is gushing over Maine uni that he’s never worked with before, which a supplier introduced him to this morning. ‘Wow, wow, wow, I want this!’ he tells the seafood dealer. He’s been discovering new ingredients like this for the past year, when he moved to the U.S. from Singapore, intent on opening his first restaurant on American soil using American ingredients.”
1/30/20
Washington City Paper
Cranes, Combining Catalan and Japanese Kaiseki Cuisines, Opens Feb. 8
“A Barcelona-born chef with a serious crush on Japanese cuisine and sake is behind Cranes opening on Feb. 8 in the space Ruth’s Chris vacated at 724 9th St. NW. Chef Pepe Moncayo’s modern tapas menu bonds the ingredient-driven philosophy and umami flavor profile of Japanese cooking with the Catalan cooking techniques he mastered while working for Michelin-starred Spanish chefs.”
1/21/20
Washingtonian
The Top 12 DC-Area Restaurants Coming in 2020
“Get excited for Indian-inspired cocktails, udon noodles, and sustainable vegetarian fare.”
1/8/20
DCIST
The Most Anticipated Restaurant Openings of 2020
“As 2019 draws to a close, it’s time to look back at all of the great meals of the past 12 months. It’s also an opportunity to get hyped for all that’s set to open in D.C.’s restaurant world. From upscale Middle Eastern fare to casual Indian cooking and all-day eggs . . .”
12/31/19
Eater DC
A Decorated Chef is Bringing a Spanish-Japanese Restaurant to Penn Quarter
“Chef Pepe Moncayo plans to unite his backgrounds in Japanese cooking techniques and Spanish ingredients at Cranes, a restaurant and sake lounge opening later this year in Penn Quarter.”