Cynthia Bistro & Bar, located at 502 H St NE, is a testament to understanding and catering to the evolving tastes of a neighborhood. Phil Coppage, the owner, envisioned a space that resonated with the local community when he reimagined the former Irregardless wine bar. His aim was to create an environment that was both accessible and refined, moving away from the “fancy wine bar” concept of its predecessor, which featured an upscale prix fixe menu. Cynthia emerged as a bistro that strikes a delightful balance: upscale yet welcoming, stylish yet comfortable.
The ambiance at Cynthia is intentionally designed to be inviting for a wide range of patrons. Whether you’re looking for a relaxed family dinner or a sophisticated date night spot, Cynthia fits the bill. The Italian-leaning menu and décor contribute to a setting that is “nice, but not too nice,” as Coppage describes it. This approach ensures that Cynthia feels like a neighborhood gem, a place where locals can feel equally at home for a casual weeknight meal or a special occasion.
The culinary offerings at Cynthia Bistro are thoughtfully curated to be both simple and satisfying. While the bistro retains a notable wine selection from its wine bar days, the beverage program has expanded to include inventive cocktails. A standout is the Cynthia Sour, a bourbon-based concoction presented in an elegant Gatsby-style coupe and topped with a frothy foam. During the opening, Coppage celebrated the restaurant’s namesake by offering this signature cocktail to all guests named Cynthia or Cindy, a charming touch that highlights the bistro’s personal connection to its owner’s family. The bar menu also emphasizes local flavors, featuring craft beers and Virginia wines, reinforcing the bistro’s commitment to community and regional sourcing.
The food menu at Cynthia is designed to be approachable yet flavorful. Appetizers like the black garlic salad, enhanced with anchovies, za’atar croutons, and parmesan, offer a savory start. The pumpkin squash soup, described as “delightfully salty,” exemplifies the bistro’s knack for creating dishes with depth and character. One early diner noted that the appetizers, much like Coppage himself, possessed a “slightly salty but all the more delightful” quality, capturing the essence of Cynthia’s appealingly bold flavors.
For main courses, the Cindy burger takes center stage. Named in honor of Coppage’s mother, just like the bistro itself, this burger features caramelized onions and gorgonzola dulce, accompanied by house-made pickles and parmesan fries. For those seeking alternatives, the “fish burger,” a patty of shrimp topped with salsa verde, lemon aioli, and arugula, presents a lighter yet equally flavorful option. Classic Italian dishes such as pappardelle bolognese and wild mushroom risotto complete the menu, ensuring a range of choices to satisfy diverse palates.
Coppage explains that the menu evolved organically, building upon the foundation of Irregardless. The dishes that resonated most with diners and reflected his culinary vision naturally rose to the forefront. This intuitive approach to menu development highlights Coppage’s attentiveness to customer preferences and his dedication to creating a dining experience that truly pleases the neighborhood.
Beyond the food and drink, Cynthia Bistro is deeply embedded in the H Street NE community. Coppage actively engages with local initiatives, including fundraising collaborations with schools like J.O. Wilson. The strong neighborhood support was evident at the bistro’s ribbon-cutting ceremony in November, where locals turned out in force to celebrate its opening.
Greg, a resident who first experienced the location as Irregardless, praised Cynthia for its “great ambiance, great sense of community, and delicious food.” His return visits for casual cocktails underscore the bistro’s success in creating a welcoming and community-oriented atmosphere.
The name “Cynthia” itself carries significant personal meaning. Named after Coppage’s mother, he describes her not as a celebrity chef like Julia Child, but as “an extraordinarily generous, giving, and kind woman.” This sentiment encapsulates the ethos Coppage aims to instill in Cynthia Bistro – a place defined by generosity, warmth, and community spirit.
Coppage’s journey to becoming a restaurateur on H Street NE is an interesting one. After a career in politics spanning over 20 years in DC, he transitioned away in 2021. He then honed his hospitality skills bartending at Eastern Market’s Duck and the Peach before taking over Irregardless in 2022 and ultimately purchasing it a year later. This career shift reflects a desire to connect more directly with the community and create a welcoming space for people to gather.
Despite the changes, a key element of continuity at Cynthia is Chef Chris Randriarimanana, who has been the head chef since spring 2023, originally at Irregardless. Chef Chris has played a crucial role in shaping the menu’s delicate balance – accessible, classy, and appealing to what diners truly desire.
For Coppage, people are at the heart of his business. He expresses immense pride in being a business owner in the H Street NE community. At the ribbon-cutting, he declared, “H Street, I can tell you, is coming back,” emphasizing the neighborhood’s resurgence and his commitment to Cynthia’s “long and wonderful tenure here on H Street.”
Shifting gears to retail, H Street NE also boasts unique shopping experiences like H Street Thrift and Outreach, located at 1108 H St NE. This establishment is not just a thrift store; it’s a community-centric project driven by the mission of “Selling What You Want, Giving What You Need.”
Andrew Frenkel, the founder of H Street Thrift, embodies this mission in every interaction. In his shop, he recounted an encounter with a young girl who was hesitant to believe that the sweatshirt she liked was free. Frenkel’s immediate and generous response, “Take whatever you need. Touch everything!” encapsulates the store’s philosophy of providing for those in need while creating a welcoming shopping experience for everyone.
H Street Thrift operates as part of Frenkel’s 501(c)(1) nonprofit organization, H Street Community Outreach. A significant portion of the store’s inventory, including children’s clothing, shoes, underwear, men’s and women’s suits, blankets, feminine hygiene products, and first aid materials, are offered free of charge to those in need. The store also accepts donations of clothing, blankets, sleeping bags, and reusable bags, further fueling its charitable efforts. Monetary donations are also welcomed to support the store’s operations and rent.
The retail side of H Street Thrift offers an eclectic mix of items curated by Frenkel’s keen eye for style. From boots and belts to bags and clothing racks, the store presents a diverse selection. Frenkel’s styling talent is evident in displays like a mannequin sporting a Hawaiian shirt, scarf, and cargo khakis, demonstrating his knack for creating appealing and unexpected combinations.
Shoppers who purchase items at H Street Thrift contribute directly to the store’s ability to provide free goods to those in need. This model creates a sustainable cycle of giving and receiving within the community. Beyond retail and donations, H Street Thrift also incorporates community workshare spaces. Currently, it hosts HIPS outreach and a nurse offering CPR certification, with space available for other community-focused initiatives. Frenkel also injects a sense of fun into the venture, as evidenced by the store’s Instagram account, @hstreet.thrift, which showcases fashion inspiration and store updates.
Andrew Frenkel’s personal journey is as unique as his store. His striking appearance, marked by platinum hair and extensive tattoos, mirrors his diverse and unconventional approach to life and business. His fashion sense, described as “edgy and, like the shop, diverse, genderless and fun,” makes a visit to H Street Thrift an experience in itself.
Born into a family of professionals in Virginia Beach, Frenkel initially pursued retail management, working with Urban Outfitters and traveling across the US, gaining insights into diverse urban cultures. He later became a business consultant, notably assisting in the launch of Stichfix in 2013.
A turning point came in 2019 when Frenkel participated in the television singing competition The Voice, showcasing his musical talent. Although he secured a recording contract shortly after, the pandemic in 2020 disrupted his plans and led him on a different path. For a year, Frenkel lived in his van, traveling and supporting the Black Lives Matter movement, an experience that deepened his understanding of societal margins and community needs.
Returning to Virginia Beach, Frenkel sought a way to apply his broadened perspective. An opportunity arose in 2021 when he partnered with a friend’s daughter in Washington DC to open Taste Budz (317 Pennsylvania Ave. SE), a cannabis dispensary focused on education and advocacy. After serving as CMO for two years, Frenkel redirected his focus towards community service, finding the regulatory challenges of the dispensary business less fulfilling than direct community engagement.
H Street NE presented itself as the ideal location for Frenkel’s vision of community outreach and thrift retail. He acknowledges the challenges of any urban environment, including crime, but emphasizes the unique character of H Street NE. “When you come to the District, you come to H Street NE,” he asserts, highlighting its role as a cultural hub where “people who make cool clothes, good food, sing amazing songs” converge.
Frenkel is actively seeking partnerships with individuals and organizations already working to support the H Street NE community. He envisions collaborations to provide needed resources and create holiday resource markets, leveraging H Street Thrift as a hub for community support.
For Andrew Frenkel, H Street NE is more than just a location; it’s a place where he feels a profound sense of belonging and purpose. “I moved for my entire adult life to find a place worth investing in,” he reflects, having found that place on H Street NE.
H Street NE: A Neighborhood on the Rise
H Street NE is more than just a street; it’s a microcosm of Washington DC’s evolving urban landscape. From the culinary delights of Cynthia Bistro to the community-focused mission of H Street Thrift, the businesses along H Street NE reflect a neighborhood deeply invested in its residents and its future. This area is a testament to the power of community, where local businesses are not just commercial entities but integral parts of the social fabric. Exploring H Street NE offers a glimpse into the heart of a vibrant, evolving, and deeply connected urban community. Visit H Street NE to experience firsthand the unique charm and dynamic spirit that makes it a standout neighborhood in Washington DC.
