Washington DC Restaurants: After repeated requests from diners, Wolfgang Puck’s flagship restaurant, The Source will expand its Asian menu in the lounge replacing the mostly American one starting January 20, 2011. Diners will notice a new menu concept with an Izakaya-style menu that will be available Monday through Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday from 4 p.m. to midnight.

The restaurant looked to Japan and its traditional Izakaya — a form of gastropub — for inspiration for the new concept, which will offer a multitude of new options priced between $8 and $12. In addition to a “Robata” section featuring dishes cooked using this traditional Japanese charcoal grilling technique, the new menu will offer sushi, sashimi and noodle dishes.

While the concept itself derives from Japan, Chef Drewno’s menu at The Source will draw inspiration from all of Asia. To that end, diners can choose between a Chinese-inspired Pork Belly in steamed bao buns, a Mini Banh Mi with country-style pate hailing from Vietnam, and Korean-style Short Ribs with kimchi and kochujan aioli. Innovative sushi offerings will be available, such as Yellowtail Sashimi with pickled jalapeno citrus ponzu and Spicy Tuna Roll with hand cut tuna and chili aioli along with cooked Japanese dishes such as the Black Cod with noodle salad and sesame dressing. The menu will also feature a varying selection of “Noodles & Dumplings,” such as Stir Fried Yaki Udon with wild field mushrooms and oxtail and Sichuan Chicken Dumplings with crushed peanut and chili “Dan Dan.”

The Source by Wolfgang Puck is located at 575 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW (entrance on 6th Street) just a few blocks from the Capitol and a popular dining spot for visitors at the Newseum located in the same building. For reservations call (202) 637-6100.