Support

PoP Preview: Matchbox Opening Friday at 14th and T Street, NW


14th and T St, NW

A couple of weeks ago we noted how awesome the renovated Matchbox was looking at 14th and T St, NW across the street from St. Ex. I’m happy to say it is looking equally, if not more awesome on the inside. And they’re opening Friday. From a press release:

matchboxfoodgroup is thrilled to announce its newest location at 1901 T Street NW, set to open Friday, November 30, just over a year after announcing plans for the space. The new kitchen will be under the direction of Executive Chef Jeffrey Richardson, who has been promoted from his previous role as sous chef at the group’s Capitol Hill restaurant. General Manager Michelle Hebert will shift her talents from Assistant Manager at the group’s Rockville, MD restaurant to her role leading the new 14th Street operations.

matchbox 14th Street will be open for dinner daily from 4pm until 10:30pm Sunday through Thursday and until 11:30pm on weekends. Weekend brunch will start at 10am with all day service. The menu will feature many “go-to” favorites like 3.6.9 mini burgers and spicy meatball pizza that guests have grown to love. In addition, a selection of popular dishes from other locations will be offered alongside Chef Richardson’s original entrees like braised beef short ribs with turmeric vegetables and fingerling potatoes in a coconut curry sauce, and seared sea scallops with pork belly risotto.

The 25 foot bar features 23 beers as well as eight wines and one prosecco on tap – one of the largest selections of draught wines found in Washington. Seating for 25 winds along the long bar past not one, but two of matchbox’s signature wood-fired pizza ovens, enclosed by a pizza bar. Every seat in the house has a dramatic view of the three-story tall exposed brick façade.

Design elements new to matchboxfoodgroup include striking exposed rustic wood staircases that connect three levels of seating supported by original exposed girders with each level overlooking the lower. A cantilevered recycled wood chef’s table overlooks the kitchen offering unique re-mastered tree trunk stool seating for eight at the rear of the restaurant. Two floating box tables offer a more private experience, suspended alone high above the main bar between the second and third floors.

This matchbox will also have a permanent “to-go” station near the back of the restaurant complete with its own entrance on T Street. The full menu will be available for phone-in and online carry out orders. A large patio will stretch the length of the T Street façade, dotted with seasonal landscaping and modern brushed metal fixtures. Additional seating around an inviting fire pit sits directly on the corner of 14th & T.

The building on 14th Street was erected as a bowling alley and billiards hall in 1907, became an automobile showroom in 1920, transformed into Club Bali, a well known Jazz club featuring artists like Etta James in 1943, and was most recently the rehearsal hall for the Arena Stage theatre company. matchboxfoodgroup has embraced the building’s past incorporating as many historical features as possible to preserve its spirit, all the while staying true to the rustic vintage style for which matchbox is known.

Check out how awesome the inside turned out:


First floor entry


1st floor bar

Lots more photos after the jump.


First floor booths


Stairs to second floor


Second floor booths


Second floor


Suspended booth view front to back


Suspended booth closeup


Suspended booth view back to front


Old matchboxes throughout


Pizza oven lit for first time


Pizza ovens


Sweet outdoor patio

Recent Stories

12th and M Street, NW Thanks to Lisa for sending around 8:50am: “Fire on M Street at 12th.” From DC Fire and EMS: “Working Fire 1200 block M St NW….

DC Fire and EMS reported: “One Alarm Fire Lincoln Memorial Circle NW. Fire involving small concession kiosk outside. Propane tank involved.” Lucy sends at 8am: “Was out for a run…

575 7th Street, NW Fresh Baguette is on a roll!! [Pun most definitely intended.] After recently opening in Cleveland Park, they’ve already got their next spot mapped out:

photo by airbus777 You can talk about whatever is on your mind – quality of life issues, a beautiful tree you spotted, scuttlebutt, or any random questions/thoughts you may have….

Calling all bookworms, thrill-seekers, supporters of the arts, and ping-pongers at all skill levels! Sign up for Paddlestar Galactica, the ping-pong tournament supporting 826DC’s youth writing programs.

826DC is a local nonprofit that offers free writing programs, homework help, and publishing opportunities for DC students ages 6-18, in our Columbia Heights writing center and in learning spaces across the city.

Paddlestar Galactica helps keep writing education 100% free and accessible for all of our students! It’s also extremely fun.

This year’s games will be Saturday, April 27th, 1 PM to 4 PM at SPIN DC. It’ll be a chaotic afternoon of ping-pong, costumes, terrible Battlestar Galactica puns, and good cheer. We’d love to have you join us!

Read More

Submit your own Announcement here.

Well-Paid Maids, the only certified living-wage cleaning service in the DMV, has added a new service to its online booking menu: office and building cleanings.

This includes offices, building lobbies, shared amenity spaces and more throughout D.C., Arlington, Alexandria and more.

Unlike so many other cleaning services, you can feel good booking Well-Paid Maids to clean your office or building. Cleaners get paid a starting wage of $24 an hour. Plus, all employees are offered health, dental, vision and life insurance; 24 paid days off per year; 100% employer-paid commuting costs; and more.

Read More

Submit your own Announcement here.

Vakili Band at Pie Shop!

Three band rock n rolll lineup at DC’s Pie Shop! Vakili Band with “if you know, you know” DC rockers, Lot 18, and the many minds and songs of artist Kind of Christine.

“If you love Vakili Band like we

×

Subscribe to our mailing list