A few tears were shed late last year when the Childe Harold — a gritty Dupont Circle institution for decades — poured its last pint. But many of its mourners breathed a bit easier when they learned that locals Fabio and Patricia Beggiato, the owners of Sesto Senso and Cleveland Park Bar & Grill, were taking over the space.

After six months of renovations, they reopened in late spring with a multi-tiered concept: a casual “cantina” on the ground level and a fine dining room upstairs. To helm the kitchen, they called on Alexander Schulte, a former cook at the well-regarded Modern in New York.