Since opening the first of his three restaurants in Virginia in 2009, chef Tim Ma has been steadily refining his technique for an appreciative following. The good news is that he’s now crossed the Potomac for his first outpost in Washington, DC’s Shaw District.
Kyirisan is a tasteful and tasty distillation of Ma’s Chinese heritage and training at The French Culinary Institute. Which is to say the menu is recognisably Chinese in its ingredients and DNA, but overlaid with mod slash Gallic touches of sous vide, concasse, and confit.
To set the stage, GrizForm Design Architects have orchestrated a 2,500 sqft space that’s bordered with stone tables, geometric installations that throw corners into unexpected three dimensional forms, oak and walnut wall panels, and bronze conical lights.
On the menu, Ma caters for the gastronomically adventurous by way of 0ffal salad comprising braised tendon, cubes of chicken heart and duck confit atop a bed of tomatoes and Thai basil swathed with a tamarind vinaigrette; and more assured crowd-pleasers like a veal short rib paired with smashed garlic confit, pepper and Chinese BBQ sauce, and an intriguing veal marrow infused with XO sauce and bay leaf crumble.
The adventurousness of the menu is rounded off with the classic sesame ball plated with honey ricotta ice cream and pineapple compote.
INFORMATION
ADDRESS
1924 8th St NW
Suite 140
Washington
PHOTOGRAPHY
Amber Frederiksen
-
Inside a creative couple's magical, circular Indian home, 'like a fruit'We paid a visit to architect Sandeep Virmani and social activist Sushma Iyengar at their circular home in Bhuj, India; architect, writer and photographer Nipun Prabhakar tells the story
-
Ten of the best track jackets for channelling a 1970s-meets-1990s coolAs a ‘Marty Supreme’ track jacket makes a bid for viral garment of 2025 – thanks to one Timothée Chalamet – the Wallpaper* style team selects ten of the best tracksuit and coach jackets for men and women, each encapsulating an easy, nostalgia-tinged elegance
-
Eight questions for Bianca Censori, as she unveils her debut performanceBianca Censori has presented her first exhibition and performance, BIO POP, in Seoul, South Korea
-
NYC’s first alcohol-free members’ club is full of spiritThe Maze NYC is a design-led social hub in Flatiron, redefining how the city gathers with an alcohol-free, community-driven ethos
-
Wallpaper* Design Awards 2026: City of the Year shortlistExplore the nominated urban locations making an impact in design, architecture and contemporary culture
-
A local’s guide to Miami by gallerist Nina JohnsonAs Art Basel Miami Beach 2025 kicks off, gallerist Nina Johnson shares her hometown essentials – from art museums to where to eat, drink and shop
-
Dior’s new Beverly Hills dining salon raises the bar for couture cuisineFrom Peter Marino’s onyx bar and faceted mirrored walls to Nicole Wittenberg’s vast, immersive botanical canvas, Dior’s first restaurant outside Paris is here
-
This new Los Angeles restaurant is a mischievous blend of dive bar and 'psychedelic honky tonk'At Marvito, small-batch tequila and a classic rock soundtrack create a delightfully nostalgic night out
-
Fantasy – and incredible seafood – await at Carbone Riviera, now open at the Bellagio in Las VegasInterior design powerhouse Martin Brudnizki drew on the Côte d'Azur and Picasso’s ceramics for Major Food Group’s latest Sin City outpost
-
Welcome to Polymath Park, where you can spend the night in a Frank Lloyd Wright masterpieceA pair of determined Wright devotees have turned four endangered modernist houses into an overnight design retreat
-
Faena New York just landed in the Big Apple – and it's an excuse for a good timeArgentine hotelier Alan Faena’s first New York address serves up high-octane hospitality with a dash of leopard print
