Openings: Ray's Hell Burger, Wagamama, More

To soothe all the bad news about restaurants dropping like flies, I offer some better and meatier news on the DC dining scene.

First, burgers. Michael Landrum caused a virtual (and literal) stampede on donrockwell.com today when he announced the opening of Ray's Hell-Burger, aka Ray's Butcher Burgers. The burger shop is located in the same strip mall as Ray's The Steaks at 1713 Wilson Blvd.

Speaking of burgers, Capitol Hill's Good Stuff Eatery will officially open July 7. Snide commenters across the internets are already hating on the place and on co-owner and Top Chef contestant Spike Mendelsohn, but for heaven's sake, let the place open already. The menu looks damn good. And the proof is in the pudding ... or the toasted marshmallow shake, in this case.

On to noodles ... the word on the street is that Wagamama, which previously announced plans to come to DC, will move into the recently shuttered Olsson's bookstore in Penn Quarter at 418 Seventh St. NW.

Up Seventh Street, the first US location of Nando's Peri-Peri should open in July. The international chain specializes in flame-grilled chicken spiced with the peri peri chile pepper. The DC outpost is located at 819 Seventh St. NW.

Meanwhile, check out the new additions to Metrocurean's coming soon list, including Bryan Voltaggio's Volt and Art Smith's Art and Soul.

(Metrocurean photo, not from aforementioned burger joints.)