Coming and Going

NoMa/Near Northeast

06/19/13 10:42pm

Polaroid Fotobar Coming to Union Station in July

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Thanks to a reader for sending word about a Polaroid Fotobar coming to Union Station:

UNION STATION – Washington D.C.
OPENING – JULY 2013

The reader writes it’ll be located in “the space will be at the end of Union Station by the McDonalds (obviously, from the reflections in the pic!)”

Engadget explains that it is:

where you can go and have your digital photos professionally printed…each staffed with so-called Photenders to help you get the best results, and equipped with a “patent-pending proprietary technology” that’ll let you wirelessly transfer photos from your phone to a workstation. What’s more, the stores won’t just be producing glossy photos, but what Polaroid describes as handcrafted pieces using canvas, metal, acrylic, wood or bamboo — those will be shipped to the customer within 72 hours.

Sounds cool.

U Street

06/19/13 12:30pm

I’m Already Loving, Riddim, Coming to U Street

3 Comments

1019 U Street, NW

About a month ago we learned, Riddim raw juice bar was coming to the former 4NXC and Arzo space at 1019 U St, NW. You can now see “groovy coconuts” peeking out the front window. Stocking groovy coconuts is a very good sign:

Shaw

06/18/13 11:11pm

Shaw Scuttlebutt: Seafood Restaurant Coming to former Reese’s Space?

12 Comments

606 Florida Ave, NW

A reader sends word:

I wanted to let you know that a new restaurant is going in at 606 Florida Ave, NW (next to Bistro Boehm) in the old Reese’s salon … I asked what it was going to be and the owner? said it was going to be a seafood restaurant.

More details when they become available.

Glover Park

06/17/13 10:22pm

Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches Coming to Glover Park

14 Comments

2428 Wisconsin Ave, NW

Jimmy John’s will be opening a third location in the former Custom TV Solutions space in Glover Park. In 2011 Jimmy John’s opened their first two DC stores at 14th and L St, NW and 1717 Pennsylvania Ave, NW. You can see their menu here.

Downtown

06/17/13 4:30pm

DBGB Kitchen & Bar Coming to Downtown DC

Featured, Restaurants

14 Comments

CityCenter DC Model

Eater DC shares the news:

“superstar chef Daniel Boulud will open a DBGB Kitchen & Bar in the city.”

Eater also says that Boulud has been negotiating for a space in CityCenter near the Convention Center. Stay tuned.

From Boulud’s website:

DBGB Kitchen and Bar is Chef Daniel Boulud’s downtown place where the French brasserie meets the American tavern. Guests enjoy 12 varieties of house-made sausage, mouthwatering burgers and towering shellfish platters, in addition to seasonal Lyonnais-inspired bistro cooking. For beer lovers, there are over 20 drafts to choose from and another 75 by-the bottle, plus a full wine list. At dessert, dig into the classics: baked Alaska, soufflés and ice cream sundaes. Interiors take their cue from the Bowery’s history as New York’s industrial restaurant supply neighborhood with floor to ceiling shelves stocked with the restaurant’s own tools, tableware and dry goods overlook a partially open kitchen. The sidewalk café, open seasonally, is the perfect spot to enjoy weekend brunch, weekday lunch or dinner in warm weather. The private room tucked away through the kitchen accommodates parties for up to 18 people with a view of all the live action at the stove.

You can see their menus here.

Takoma/Takoma Park

06/13/13 12:30pm

New Restaurant from the Black Restaurant Group, Republic, Opening in Takoma Park this Fall

3 Comments

Back in January we learned Jeff Black (owner of Logan Circle’s Pearl Dive and Black Jack among many others) would be opening up a new spot at 6937-6939 Laurel Ave not far from the Takoma metro in Takoma Park, MD. Thanks to a reader for sending photos of the coming soon signs for – Republic:

Coming Fall 2013

The restaurant will feature a bar, patio and raw bar in an offbeat, casual setting.

Adams Morgan

06/11/13 4:30pm

Halal Kabob House Coming to former Piccante Pizza Space in Adams Morgan

9 Comments

Piccante Pizza opened up back in Oct. 2009. Stay tuned for Halal Kabob House.

Petworth

06/10/13 10:22pm

Lyman’s Tavern Still Coming to former Laundromat next to Red Derby?

Coming and Going, Restaurants, What's Shakin' in the Makin'

18 Comments

3720 14th Street, NW June 2013

I’ve been getting this question pretty regularly (most recently on twitter @PoPville) ever since we learned about it back in Oct. 2012:

“Tavern serving bar food with a seating capacity of 70. Occupancy load of 70. Requesting a summer garden with a seating capacity of 20 and entertainment endorsement featuring live music.”

Last month New Columbia Heights reported an ANC Rep heard the owners were shooting for a July opening date. Based on the photo above taken last weekend and word from a reader who peeked in the window, well, I’d guess the likelihood of them opening in July is, uh, let’s say not very likely. Unless they meant July 2014. Anyway, I’m just glad it’s apparently still happening. Though I’ll feel a little more confident when renovations actually start. Stay tuned.

U Street

06/10/13 12:30pm

MOVA Launching Absinthe Focused Speakeasy – La Fée Verte – July 1st

Coming and Going, Restaurants

13 Comments

2204 14th Street, NW

From a press release:

When battling the DC crowds, one might think there is something to the idea of exclusivity. There is also something to the idea of experience. Couple these and add a rooftop locale, signature décor including live grass walls, a very special menu of food and Absenthe cocktails and you have La Fée Verte—a private contemporary speakeasy style club within a club.

Located atop MOVA on 14th Street, guests wishing to experience La Fée Verte will have a private text number through which they can reserve the space at seatings either 8-10 pm, 10 pm-midnight or midnight -2 am every Wednesday through Saturday. Once on the very limited guest list, patrons will enter La Fée Verte by ascending through the curtained stairs of MOVA, where they will be transported to an emerald embodied world of live green grass walls; a forest of leafy plants, stylish cushy furniture, signature glass and serviceware and personal service.

La Fée Verte will offer an Absenthe cocktail based menu from which guests may make their selection of avariety of libations showcasing 6-8 different Absenthes in varying flavor profiles. A savory farm to table snack menu created by Chef Jerry Hollinger of The Daily Dish will be offered for those wishing to pair their cocktail with the appropriate small dish.

Reservations will be taken beginning July 1. It’s all enough to make anyone not in attendance green with envy.

La Fée Verte is located n the rooftop at MOVA.

Columbia Heights

06/10/13 11:30am

Update on Tinto, Coming to Columbia Heights, Will be a Wine and Whiskey Bistro and Art Gallery

Coming and Going, Restaurants

5 Comments

3463 14th Street, NW

Last week I shared word that a new restaurant called Tinto would be opening up next Taqueria Distrito Federal at 3463 14th Street, NW in Columbia Heights. At the time, a liquor license application posted out front indicated that the restaurant would be South American Fusion. The owner reached out to me via email and says that was an old concept – actually the space will be:

“a wine and whiskey bistro and gallery. We will feature local art every 6 weeks, our menu is Mediterranean influenced tapas/small plates sourced from local farms.”

The goal is to open in late October. Updates as we get closer to the date.

Dupont Circle

06/09/13 10:22pm

New Sports bar, NTH (National Tap House), Coming to Dupont Circle

Coming and Going, Restaurants, Top Stories

3 Comments

1331 Connecticut Avenue, NW

The current Imperial Valet cleaners at 1331 Connecticut Ave, NW just south of Dupont Circle is looking to become a sports bar. A liquor license application posted out front says they will be called NTH (National Tap House). (more…)

Shaw

06/07/13 10:30am

Check Out the Roof Deck Coming to 801 Florida Ave, NW

Restaurants, Top Stories, U Street

8 Comments

801 Florida Avenue, NW

Back in March we learned that a new Mediterranean restaurant, Dunya, was coming to 8th and Florida (just east of 9th and U St, NW). We knew there would be a summer garden but I didn’t realize a roof deck was also in the plans. A very happy surprise. Looks like it has potential:

U Street

06/06/13 4:30pm

Rock It Again Vintage Clothing Store Closing on U Street

Retail

4 Comments

1528 U Street, NW

Rock It Again opened up in the former Nana’s space at 1528 U Street, NW back in Feb. 2011. They are following in Nana’s footsteps again – going online only:

50%-75% OFF! 3 Day Sale at Rock it Again (In-Store only)
In just a few days, Rock It Again will be online only!
That being said, we are having an unbelievable 3-DAY SALE at our store location: 1528 U ST NW, Washington DC.

All items are marked down 50% – 75% with some items as low as $2, $5 and $10.

SALE STARTS TODAY: Come today Thursday June 6, Friday June 7th and Sunday June 9th. (Remember: we’re closed Saturdays!)
The sale lasts only as long as the products do, so come early…

In May the nearby Ginger Root also closed their first floor boutique at 1530 U Street, NW.

Brightwood

06/05/13 10:22pm

Simple Bar and Grill Coming to Brightwood

Coming and Going, Restaurants

30 Comments

5828 Georgia Avenue, NW

Good news for Brightwood residents – a casual neighborhood spot is coming your way. The former Kendejah restaurant and lounge is going to become ‘Simple Bar and Grill’ (next door to Chocolate Crust formerly Washington Deli.) I spoke with owner Wilfredo Guzman (Wil) who says he hopes to have the space open (at least to sample the food) in a month or so. After that they plan on getting their liquor license in hopes of offering a tasty mojito and more.

Since the space was formerly a restaurant, most of the changes going on inside are cosmetic (though the kitchen has been completely reworked.) But right away, for folks who know the area, you’ll notice an improvement because the former cinderblock/bricked front of Kendejah has been replaced by two big open windows. Wil tells me that he plans for the space to be very welcoming. Folks who live in the area can often see Wil cleaning up the area in front of his store (which can be a Sisyphean task on busy Georgia Ave.) not to mention beautifying the tree box and other touches.

Inspired by the many restaurants he has worked at, Wil wants to appeal to everyone’s taste and keep it nice and simple – thus the name. The menu will develop over time but he plans on serving grilled meats and other simple dishes at a very reasonable price. Inside folks will find a small bar in the back and lots of booths and table seating for up to 95 (the space is two storefronts combined and deceivingly large.) There will be tvs as well so folks can watch football during football season and watch other big sporting events as well. Though Wil emphasized that the spot will not be a sports bar and restaurant rather it will be a neighborhood bar and restaurant.

I asked Wil how he decided to open a restaurant while currently owning a tattoo shop and he laughed and said he’s always had two jobs. While Graphic Box is only about 2 1/2 years old and will remain open (5816 Georgia Ave NW) – he’s worked at restaurants for over 16 years. He had to work two jobs to pay his way through the Corcoran School of Art while also supporting a daughter.

I have very high hopes for Simple Bar and Grill to become a casual but comfortable spot. Stay tuned for updates as they get closer to opening.

Bike

Eckington

06/05/13 4:30pm

Wired Cycling Coming to Eckington