225 Pennsylvania Ave, SE

From their website:

Grand Opening Coming Soon!

The Boutique on the Hill is focused on providing high-quality garments for people on the go. Our aim is to satisfy the styling needs of today’s professional women.

The Boutique has a variety of dresses, bags and accessories to bring out your beauty. Whether it’s going to work, happy hour after work, or evening on the town we are sure we can dress you in an alluring style. which you will enjoy wearing. Come and visit the “Boutique” and experience the joy of shopping and the expertise of fashion by our staff. Whether you are looking for a nice dress for an occasion, an every day purse or a cute pair of earrings, the “Boutique” is here to assist you.

5413 Georgia Ave, NW

G Spot Lounge opened up in Sept. 2010 at 5413 Georgia Ave, NW. In Sept. 2012 we learned the space was for rent/sale – $2,500/Mo to rent or a purchase price of $150,000. A liquor license application reveals it will become Cafe Midar:

“New Lounge serving American cuisine with live entertainment, dancing and cover charge. Seating Capacity is 200, total occupancy load is 210.”

Not sure if that is a typo but that seems like an ambitious capacity for such a small spot. Anyway, with the retirement of the G Spot Lounge – Climax Sports Bar now has the honors for the worst/best name in town…

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.”

2030 M Street, NW

Back in Sept. 2012 we learned that Hudson would be closing and would be replaced by an Italian Bistro. A liquor license has recently been posted for Greenhouse Bistro:

“Italian restaurant lounge and bar serving contemporary Italian cuisine in a hip, classy and relaxing environment with a seating capacity of 120. Total occupancy load of 156. Live entertainment will be provided such as violin, guitar and pianist. Sidewalk Café 80 seats.”

2416 Wisconsin Ave, NW via Save Max’s Best Ice Cream

“Dear PoPville,

I read this weekend that the best ice-cream parlor in DC is having its lease terminated. Max’s is the very definition of a neighborhood store.”

A commenter in this morning’s rant/revel shared a facebook page – Save Max’s Best Ice Cream:

Save Max’s Best! Max has just been notified that he is losing his lease on June 30. This will mean that after 20 years he will be forced to leave Glover Park. Please like this page to show your support of Max and his contribution to our neighborhood.

From a Rocklands BBQ Press Release:

Rocklands Barbeque and Grilling Company today announced it will be expanding its restaurant in Glover Park, where the company’s flagship restaurant will extend its business into 2416 Wisconsin Avenue.

Owner John Snedden has long had an interest in increasing the size of Rocklands’ original location. “The single most repeated desire from our fans over the years has been to have more space to sit and eat,” said Snedden.

“For 20 years, at least twice per year, I have written a letter to the landlord saying that if space became available we would love to be able to expand. When we were contacted by the landlord to ask if we were still interested, I said yes: Since we opened more than 22 years ago, we’ve been barbequing for our customers in a space about the size of a one-bedroom apartment. We are sorry to see Max’s Best Ice Cream go; we’ve always enjoyed having Max’s Best as a neighbor. We are thrilled, however, to be able to offer our guests more space so they can sit with family and friends to eat their barbeque.”

2418 Wisconsin Ave, NW

1320 U Street, NW

A new coffee bar, The Wydown, is coming to the former Aroma Cafe space at 1320 U Street, NW. This will be a pop up location for about six months. If all goes well they will be opening later this week.

When the Louis project is finished on 14th Street just south of U Street, NW – they will have a permanent retail space of about 1000 square feet in between the coming Trader Joe’s and the coming Tico restaurant. Sweet!

4231 Wisconsin Avenue, NW

After many years at 4231 Wisconsin Ave, NW Armand’s closed back in June 2012. Thanks to all who sent emails and tweets about the new development. A recent liquor license posted out front says a Nando’s Peri Peri will be taking over the space:

“Restaurant serving primarily chicken and side dishes with seating for 148 patrons and total occupancy load of 160. Sidewalk café with seating for 58 patrions.”

You can see Nando’s menu here.

Back in Jan. 2013 we also learned a Nando’s Peri Peri would be coming to the Navy Yard in the Boilermaker building.

14th and W St, NW – W Street entrance

Thanks to @bonusvir5 for sending word:

“Just stopped by new @sweetgreen on W St @YMCA. Got a couple of free salads & they have more. Opening Wednesday! Looks great!”

Anyone else get a free salad?

1324 14th Street, NW

Logan Circle openings continue on a tear. We noted B Too’s signage had gone up earlier this month but now the plywood has come off the front windows. Eater DC reports a May 7th opening date.

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:

634 Florida Ave, NW

Dear PoPville,

Any word on the Italy Pizza on Florida ave (next to the now for lease capoeira place)? They have been closed for at least a couple days and the sign has been taken down.

While their website is still live, their phone has been disconnected. Anyone know if they plan on reopening in a new space?

Update From a reader who knows the owners:

“They are going to take the summer off and regroup in the fall. As far as I know the space (and the one beside it) are still available for lease from the landlord.”

Italy Pizza in happier times – Feb. 2012:

524 8th Street, SE

Over the weekend, I stopped by Tash to check on Nooshi’s (opening upstairs) opening date and was told they expect to be open by the end of this week or “next Tuesday at the latest”. I can’t wait to see what that glassed in area looks like!

In the meantime, what do you think of their wild new mural?

Ed. Note: I was told the woman is a famous Japanese pop star but they couldn’t remember her name

Closeups of the mural after the jump. (more…)

656 Pennsylvania Ave, SE

From scuttlebutt that started back in June 2012 comes District Taco’s grand opening on Capitol Hill in the former YES! Organic Market space at 656 Pennsylvania Ave, SE. This will be their second DC location. In May ’12 they opened their first DC spot in Penn Quarter.  You can see their menu here.  You can see the new Capitol Hill location is huge and turned out great: