Modern Market will open its first D.C. metro location in mid-August at 4930 Elm St. at Bethesda Row. The restaurant employs a holistic, pragmatic view to sourcing and serving healthy meals at a reasonable price.
At Modern Market, the focus is on the quality of the food. The company supports producers with the best sustainability practices, both locally and outside of the area, putting a great deal of effort into making sure proteins are all humanely-raised, without hormones or antibiotics. Locally, this includes Compass Coffee, Capital Kombucha, FreeBird Chicken (PA), Atlas Brewing, and more. By making food from scratch, Modern Market avoids added sugar, soy, and bad fats. Through attention to sourcing, the restaurant avoids chemicals most people have never heard of.
Owners Anthony Pigliacampo and Rob McColgan started Modern Market in 2009 when the two health-minded athletes were hard pressed to find good food using whole ingredients while on the go.
“Modern Market isn’t about dieting or calorie counting,” Pigliacampo says. “We truly believe that eating food that is free of additives is the best thing anyone can do for their health.”
While diners may not feel like eating at Modern Market is “dieting,” they will probably notice a difference in how they feel.
“You can eat anything off the menu and go workout after,” Pigliacampo says.
Sustainability applies to more than just the food at Modern Market. Pigliacampo and McColgan believe in a sustainable staff as well, paying a living wage and providing free meals for employees on the job.
Modern Market offers a huge variety of breakfast, lunch, and dinner options to prevent menu fatigue. Breakfast includes egg platters, egg sandwiches, and scrambles made with cage-free eggs and nitrate-free meats as well as whole grain waffles. Beyond soups and salads packed with super-foods, Modern Market serves home-style platters: a balanced plate of protein, vegetable, and starch. The inclusion of vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and kids dishes make it easy for groups and families to eat together without breaking the bank. All Modern Market entrees cost around $10.
“What we love about D.C. is that it’s filled with our customer – active, health-minded folks who care what they eat,” Pigliacampo says. “Expanding Modern Market gives us an opportunity to bring awareness to sustainability, both in food and in employees.”
Modern Market is currently searching for additional locations to operate in the D.C. area.
