WASHINGTON

• Fishing for compliments. Flamboyant restaurateur Nick Nickolas is opening a branch of his Chicago landmark, Nick's Fishmarket, in the historic Riggs Building. After renovations to the tune of $3 million, the restaurant will be ready to open in March 1999. Nickolas's Harman-Nickolas Restaurant Group also operates restaurants in Philadelphia, Boca Raton, and Rosemont, Illinois.

• Pastry chef Bruno Feldeisen (formerly of 5757, New York) has taken over Cafe Didier in Georgetown. The cafe will likely be rechristened Blueberry Cafe.

• Stephen Mayer (Sam & Harry's) is the new chef at Max's of Washington downtown.

• Jeff Tomchek is now at McCormick & Schmick's in Reston, Virginia.

• David Craig of Pesce has crossed Dupont Circle to settle at the Tabard Inn.

• Retired NHLer Bryan "Bugsy" Watson has renamed his Alexandria restaurant Bugsy's, turning the former Armand's licensee into an independent restaurant. The upstairs Penalty Box bar is now Bugsy's Upstairs.

• Roberto Donna, Francesco Ricchi, and Enzo Fargione have opened a fourth Il Radicchio, this time on Chain Bridge Road in Fairfax.

• David Weiner is moving Grillfish to Cordell Avenue in Bethesda. Construction is under way at the new location, and the move is planned for March 1999.

• Peter Pagonis, owner of Mykonos on K Street, has opened Mykonos Grill in the former Café Bethesda North location in "Rockville Pike.

• Nick Srisawat is opening another Tara Thai restaurant, his fifth, in Rockville at Montrose Crossing.

• Chris Kefalas has opened Candy Apple Red bar and grill in the former Bethesda site of Tequila Sunrise.

• Hector Mora is opening Brazilian restaurant Tom Brazil in the Adams Morgan spot that was most recently Sagres.