235 Carroll Street, NW

Back in Feb. 2012 scuttlebutt was confirmed that a new Busboys & Poets would be coming to the Takoma Central project in Takoma DC. The building is slowly starting to rise and Busboys has recently applied for a liquor license:

“American Bistro with full entrée menu serving breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner with a seating capacity of 216. Total occupancy load of 237. Background music and live entertainment will be provided to include, but not limited to, poetry readings, occasional showing of films, and a pianist. Summer garden with 112 seats.”

3155 Mt Pleasant Street, NW

Today’s Drinking Around Town was written by dcreba. She lives – and often eats – in Logan Circle. Previously, she wrote about the newly renovated Art & Soul .

If you can find the Last Exit on your first try, you’re already ahead of the game. Although there is street level signage for the bar outside, the subterranean space is accessed via a side door within the parent bar, Tonic. The subtle signage and “you have to work to find me” vibe whispers speakeasy, but without a hint of pretension or exclusivity. Rather, once you find your way in, the narrow space is intimate and inviting, a bar within a bar.

Last Exit is busy celebrating its second anniversary this spring, and has re-released a list of infusions and classic craft and barrel aged cocktails. Clare Shipley, beverage manager at Last Exit, explains that all infusions are house made. Most are aged for 6-8 weeks, allowing the flavors to gently meld together. The cocktail menu designed by recently departed head bartender Anthony Rivera is composed of stalwarts and old favorites such as the Harrison, a rosemary and black peppercorn vodka creation. Mixed with tonic and served with a garnish of green grapes, it is a wildly successful combination of savory and sweet with a clean bite and smooth finish.

Continues after the jump. (more…)

Sambonn Lek

From a press release:

DC Historic Landmark, The Hamilton Crowne Plaza, welcomes another DC institution back to town. Sambonn Lek, renowned as DC’s original “celebrity” bartender, returns to DC after a year in his native Cambodia. “Sam” as his regulars know him, will now be serving up his signature “Sam I Am” martinis and magic tricks at the popular 14K Restaurant & Lounge within the historic Hamilton Crowne Plaza Hotel at 14th and K Streets NW.

Sam has spent the past nine months in Cambodia, overseeing Sam Relief, Inc., an organization he founded in 1999 that has helped to build 27 schools and 345 wells, delivered 100 tons of rice to a local hospital and funded local university scholarships.

“The District will always have a special place in my heart,” says Sam. “I have truly missed the people of Washington, DC and look forward to seeing new and familiar faces from behind the bar at 14K Restaurant & Lounge.”

Sam found a home at The Mayflower Renaissance Hotel’s Town and Country Lounge in 1976, two years after moving to the U.S. He was promoted to head bartender in 1980 and won numerous awards throughout his career, including Employee of the Year by DC Hotel Association along with a Best Bartender title from Washingtonian magazine.

Photo by PoPville flickr user antisocialtory

“Dear PoPville,

For those of us who are boxing fans, there’s a big fight (Mayweather-Guerrero) on Saturday. I’m curious what bars in the city are showing it, what their cover is, etc?”

I know Buffalo Billiards is showing it in Dupont for a $10 cover. Anyone else know who’s showing the fight?

2917 Georgia Ave, NW

Potentially huge news for Georgia Ave. Thanks to a reader for sending word that the former Enterprise Theatre & Jazz Lounge is going to become a tavern. But it’s much better than that – I hear it will be called Bravo Lounge and they plan on serving deli food. If it’s true deli food this could be huge. Stay tuned.

2021 K Street, NW

Back in Sept. 2012 we learned that the Froggy Bottom Pub would be moving from 2142 Pennsylvania Ave, NW where it first opened in 1985, to the former Thai Kingdom space at 2021 K Street, NW. Well the new day has arrived. The manager writes:

The Froggy Bottom Pub is excited to be opening our new location this week at 2021 K Street, NW. This Friday we’ll have a soft opening and the grand opening will be next week. We’ll all definitely miss the old pub, but the new place is simply fantastic. The beautiful hardwood bar area now has 18 stools and 11 tables, in the dining area there is seating for 64 people, and the outside patio is twice as large as our old patio.

The new menu has all of the favorites from the old Frog, including the nachos, burger, chicken tenders, and the Pho. The new items include some great new salads, wraps, burgers, and some new Vietnamese items: Bánh Mì sandwiches and Spring rolls. Eight types of draft beer at the old Frog was good, but the new pub will now feature 12 draft selections include some local favorites: DC Brau and Port City Porter. The bartenders got together and came up with some great new drinks that we hope everyone will enjoy.

Check out the full menus here:

Froggy Bottom Drink Menu

Froggy Bottom Menu

Have a look at some preview photos of the inside after the jump. (more…)

876 Cafe opened up in the former Indian Ocean restaurant in Van Ness back in April 2012. We judged them back in Jan. 2013. Thanks to a reader for sending word that the space has been cleaned out:

And since it’s a beautiful day out – check out this map of rooftop bars compiled by map attacks and reddit.

This is freaking awesome. Just zoom in or out (with the plus or minus in the upper left hand corner) and then click on the dots to get name address and whether or not the roof deck is covered. Beautiful!

From a press release:

Capitol Prague Café, a small European café in the heart of Georgetown, is now open daily between 8AM-8PM, serving unique and exquisite illy coffee along with homemade pastries and sweet delicacies of Old Europe. Come and taste illy’s velvety, delicately balancing floral and fruity notes with caramel, toast and chocolate…it will become your next obsession!

Stay tuned… Capitol Prague Restaurant & Bar is opening in May 2013, offering a contemporary Czech & Slovak fare infused by aromas of fresh herbs, smoked meats and authentic Czech beer!

3277 M Street, NW

Thanks to a reader for sending. Tonic is located at 3155 Mt Pleasant Street, NW.

777 I Street, NW

Last week Del Campo opened in the former PS7′s space in Chinatown. They are launching their happy hour Wed. May 1st – from a press release:

In honor of the restaurant’s location at 777 I St. NW, $7 drink specials will be offered seven days a week from 5 to 7pm.

Del Campo Happy Hour Drink Specials
Available 5-7pm in the bar area
$7

Margarita
El Jimador Silver Tequila, Luxardo Triple Sec,
Lime Juice, Agave Nectar

Mojito

Bacardi Superior Rum, Lime Juice,
Simple Syrup, Mint, Carbonated Water

A Las Once

Cristal Aguardiente, Chicha Morada Syrup,
Lime Juice, Pineapple Juice

Viñedor

Strawberry Purée, Torrontes Syrup,
Grilled Lemon Juice, Biutiful Cava Brut

Draft Beer
Brooklyn IPA
Peroni

Wine
Biutiful Cava
Bodegas Lurton Pinot Gris
Nieto Senetiner Bonarda

You can see the full bar menu here and regular dinner menu here.

1301 U Street, NW

A few weeks ago we learned a new wine bar serving Mexican food would be replacing U Scream Ice Cream at 1301 U St, NW. I’d never heard of a wine bar focusing on Mexican cuisine, alas, the liquor license application has been changed:

“**Food will be American /Italian cuisine to include, salads, Panini, small plates, charcuterie and cheeses. Total Load: 61, Seats Inside: 36, Summer Garden Seats: 35.”

917 U Street, NW

One of the best bars on U Street. Congrats! They write:

“Dodge City turns 3! On Monday, April 29 @ 8 PM we want you to help us celebrate our birthday. We have $4 DC Brau and other drink specials, while our delicious friends from 13th St Meats will be manning the grill. DJ’s Neville C and Baby Alcatraz will laying down the tracks to keep it going deep into the night!”

1626 North Capitol Street, NW

When hunting and fishing were recently banned at the North Capitol Firehouse, I knew we were in for some good news… Thanks to all who sent emails about the new facebook page for the Washington Firehouse Restaurant:

“A new restaurant anticipated opening in 2013, The Washington Firehouse, Old Engine Company 12 still serves the neighborhood today, but in a slightly different capacity, with its American Classic menu.”

The Bloomingdale Blog reports:

“An operator was signed last week and should be on course for a early summer opening, late June early July.”

What do you guys think – another tease or is this really happening late June/early July?

Check out some awesome renderings (they have construction shots as well) from the Firehouse’s facebook page:

2101 L Street, NW

A few weeks ago a reader shared some scuttlebutt that a Stoney’s would be moving into the former Lite Stars space at 2101 L St, NW. Washington Business Journal now confirms the lease has been signed pending liquor license approval.