The local owners of the Cava chain of fast-casual restaurants and other eateries announced Friday the hiring of an executive chef for their latest project, Julii, slated to open in September at Pike & Rose in North Bethesda.
Julii co-founder Ted Xenohristos said the upcoming French-Mediterranean restaurant and coffee shop has hired Sasha Felikson, a 10-year veteran of the Washington, D.C., dining scene who mostly recently was executive chef at Doi Moi, a District restaurant featuring Southeast Asian cuisine.
“We’re thrilled to have Chef Sasha Felikson join the team at Julii as we build a unique restaurant that incorporates the best of classic French cooking, but with a modern Mediterranean flair,” Xenohristos said. He co-owns Julii along with Ike Grigoropolous and chef Dimitri Moshovitis.
The three childhood friends also own the Cava chain of fast-casual restaurants offering Greek and Mediterranean cooking with locations in Montgomery County and the District and also in California, Connecticut and Massachusetts. The full-service Cava Mezze restaurants owned by the trio are located in Rockville, Olney, D.C., Baltimore and Clarendon, Virginia.
In addition to Doi Moi, Felikson worked in the kitchens of Cityzen by Eric Zeibold; Minibar by Jose Andres; Rogue 24 by R.J. Cooper; and Yona with Jonah Kim, according to Xenohristos. Felikson was a 2017 finalist for rising star chef of the year in the annual RAMMY Awards competition sponsored by the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington.
“I’m excited to be part of Julii,” Felikson said in a release. “I’ve been a fan of Ted, Ike, and Dimitri for a long time and really respect what they’re doing with CAVA Mezze and CAVA and am excited to help bring this new restaurant to life with them.”
The co-owners, who describe Julii as a “passion” project, are anticipating a Sept. 15 opening for the restaurant at 11915 Grand Park Ave., Xenohristos said. The restaurant will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner.