Washington

• High hopes. Matthew Lake has departed New Heights, the restaurant where he built his reputation. He plans to open a restaurant in New York City with investors, a name and logo to be revealed when the deal is complete. John Wabeck (Restaurant Nora) is now executive chef at New Heights.

• Ron Sofranko, founder and chairman of Red River Grill, the Pittsburgh-based restaurant group specializing in barbecue, has named David Head as president and COO. Head used to be president of Houlihan's. At the same time, Red River Grill has moved its corporate headquarters to Columbia, Maryland, and will open its sixth eatery in Annapolis.

• Michael Sternberg is taking Sam & Harry's on the road. He plans to open in Philadelphia at the new Loews Hotel downtown as well as in Orlando.

• Raul Sanchez, owner of Lauriol Plaza, is building a new, freestanding home for his 15-year-old landmark restaurant at the corner of 18th & T Streets, NW, just a few blocks away from the existing location.

• Fabio and Patricia Beggiato of Sesto Senso have expanded into the down-stairs room. For those with a long restaurant memory, the space used to be Cantina D'Italia. The 80-seat room has Moroccan-style decor, and dancing Thursday through Saturday.

• Jeff Olsson is the new executive chef at Restaurant Nora. His wife, Janet, is the new dining room manager.

• Keith Hemauer, former general manager at 701, has changed places with his counterpart at Occidental Grill, Victoria Arnold.

• Daniel Mahdavian (Asia Nora) is the new maître d' at Mendocino Grill in Georgetown, under new general manager Julie Anderson.

• David Nugent (Restaurant Nora) is the new chef at Ardeo.

• Paul Maher has been promoted from sous-chef to executive chef at Isabella.

• Following the purchase of The Carlton Hotel by Starwood, Lespinasse executive chef Troy Dupuy has departed.