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From MPD:

On April 27, 2013, at approximately 2:17 A.M., five suspects attacked several citizens in the 1900 block of Calvert Street, NW. The suspects assaulted the citizens by punching them. During the attack, one of the citizens was robbed of his cellphone and wrist watch.

Several minutes later, the same five suspects attempted to rob a second victim about a block away. The suspects demanded the victim’s watch. When the victim did not immediately comply, the suspects began punching him. The suspects were unable to obtain the victim’s watch, and fled the scene.

A short time later, members of the Metropolitan Police Department stopped three of the suspects. Two of the suspects had fled in an unknown direction and remain at large. After a preliminary investigation was completed, the suspects were arrested and charged with Robbery and Assault with Intent to Rob. The victim’s wrist watch was recovered during the on-scene investigation.

Anyone with additional information regarding these crimes is asked to call the Metropolitan Police Department on (202) 727-9099.

2118 18th Street, NW

A patron who was leaving swore to me this was the best Egyptian food in the city. Blend Cafe is located at 2118 18th St, NW above Turquoise Jewelry. The Ful Madames plate does look delicious:

Click photo to enlarge

But I am curious about the Mexican hot dog listed in the sandwich menu.

Breakfast menu after the jump. (more…)

2479 18th Street, NW

Thanks to a reader for sending this one in from Adams Morgan. He notes the interesting sign:

1819 Columbia Road, NW

This edition of Eating Around Town was written by Abbey Becker. Abbey previously wrote about Boundary Stone. She lives near Eastern Market.

Since its opening in 1995, Cashion’s Eat Place (1819 Columbia Rd NW) has always done its best to cook with local ingredients, and it cooks them well. But for a restaurant that’s been around as long as Cashion’s, it’s understandable that though their menu is priced right around other mid-priced to upscale restaurants (depending on your interpretation) in the District, it’s often overlooked by diners. The proprietors themselves admit that their clientele tends to be on the older side, and that younger generations tend to bypass them for restaurants that are new to the city.

Cashion’s held a small preview dinner earlier this week to showcase the additions to their menu and the updated decor, and I was lucky enough to be included as a contributor to PoPville.

Let me say up front that while I am always up for a free meal, I’m wary of someone trying to “sell” me on how innovative the food is, how underrated they are, etc. But everything I ate was flavorful, balanced, and clearly made with care, and it’s obvious that the owners truly love what they do.

Chef John Manolatos has been at Cashion’s since the first day it opened. He had no culinary training aside from working in a deli making sandwiches, but the kitchen took him on and taught him the skills that eventually made him sous-chef. Because of the mentorship he received, he had made it a point to hire kitchen staff not based on experience or professional training, but on the enthusiasm they bring.

Justin Abad, the longtime general manager turned owner who also chooses the wine list, has worked at Cashion’s for the majority of his career. He’s an excellent host–personable, knowledgeable, and eager to please–but it’s clearly genuine. You can tell there’s nowhere he’d rather be.

Continues after the jump. (more…)

This rental is located at 2440 16th Street, NW:

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The listing says:

“Urban living at it’s best! stylish, bright & airy top floor corner unit w/2 MBR suites in sought-after Park Tower, across from Meridian Hill Park, walking distance to metro, Adams Morgan nightlife and Harris Teeter at the back door; kitchen has been renovated w/42 inch cabinets, stainless steel, and granite; w/d in unit, ex storage, bike and exercise rooms, 24 hour front desk, rental parking avlbl”

This 2 bed/2 bath is going for $2,800/Mo.

2440 18th Street, NW

From the owner:

Before it was Adams Morgan, the 18th St and Columbia Road NW area was home for many well-known clubs including the famous Showboat, where top entertainment performed. Many well known businesses got their start on 18th street : The first Toys R Us, the first Peoples Drug and Dart Drug Stores and Gartenhaus Furs.

Al Shapiro spent much of his time in the neighborhood and was a regular at one of the local 18th restaurants called Ballance’s Columbian Restaurant, nicknamed Bobbies. Once he learned his favorite restaurant was for sale, he jumped on it, and renamed it Millie and Al’s. Millie was Al’s girlfriend who bartended and had a great steady following.

In 60’s patrons could fill the bar from 8:30 am til the wee hours bringing a new meaning to the word, Regulars. Many sat at the bar the same time everyday and the only way they gave up their permanent bar stool was after passing away.

In the early days of Millie and Al’s, a group from the neighborhood car dealership came in everyday after work and sat at the same booth. The manager, who was part of this group died and as a Memorial gesture they brought the horse picture from his office in and placed it above their booth in his honor. Soon after the managers death, a new manager was assigned the position in the same office. He learned of the picture being moved from the office and went to Al to request that the picture be returned. There was no doing by Al, the boys brought it in honor of their friend, who died, and it would remain there . This picture still remains in the same place and has never been damaged or tampered with.

Al existed through so many neighborhood transitions, including some really bad times. Not many would have endured these changes and stayed. This area once had the nickname “Little Harlem”. You could not walk the sidewalks as a pedestrian without fear. Not long after the riots a little Havana was born with crime to match. These were ruff gangsters that could drink until they were blinded. If it was last call and the bar was closing, Al would describe these guys not wanting to leave a drop of beer, so they would chug the remains until it would seem to come out of their ears.

Al was not a very tall or bulky man, but many watched him literally jump up to hit or throw one of these gangster or punks out. They did not resist, whether it was respect or fear, but Al won. He never really boasted in this victory; it was Al defending his turf.

There were riots, gangsters, thugs, and then suddenly there were Yuppies. All the bad` paid off for the good times in Adams Morgan. Soon to explode to an area not duplicated or matched, diversity all the way.

As the neighborhood progressed less violence was occurring and the various cultures were uniting, thus Adams Morgan Day was born. A yearly event that has continued for over 35 years.

2013 marks the 50th year for Millie and Als, a true landmark to Adams Morgan.

The arrival of Yuppie era started a wave of restaurants, bars, and businesses to open so rapid that a Moratorium to new liquor licenses started. Millie and Al’s once a lone bar in a neighborhood with few other businesses was now surrounded by bars, restaurants and clubs. Competition or not, MA maintained its business and it increased its loyal Regulars.

The crowds grew as well as the bathroom lines. More and more couples hooked up and many getting married. There is a large unknown amount of couples that owe their partnership to MA’s: A traveling couple in China bumped into another couple wearing a MA t-shirt and reminisced over meeting at MA.

A young couple on a motorcycle stopped to help a woman with a flat tire on a hot summer day in Minneapolis. Conversation revealed that the couple met at MA and were visiting Minneapolis to announce their engagement to their parents and the misfortunate woman with flat was best friends with the owner of MA.

A couple visiting opening day at a new restaurant were introduced to the owners when they realized they all met at MA’s. Chances are someone you know met their spouse or partner at MA’s, as one of their t-shirts quotes “I met Your Mother at Millie & Al’s”.

Millie and Al’s in the early 70s courtesy of owner Barbara Shapiro

2477 18th Street, NW

Thanks to a reader for sending word of this big change coming to Adams Morgan. The former Saki/District space (which for a second looked like it would become Saki again) is going to become Federal Restaurant & Lounge from the owners of Floriana (located at 1602 17th St, NW in Dupont.) Federal’s Open Table page simply says:

“From the owners of Floriana, opening soon.”

Stay tuned.

2226 18th Street, NW

Back in April ’12 Mig bar closed on the second floor of Rendezvous Lounge in Adams Morgan. An update on the space:

Strange Rumblings from Rendezvous Lounge (DC Tiki/ / /Dr. Clock’s Nowhere Bar)

DOWNSTAIRS: Out with Mr. Marley and in with Mr. Presley: it’s DC Tiki w/ Vlad, every Friday and Saturday night…18th Street’s only home for heavily-accessorized, lovingly-crafted sugar bombs served in bizarre vessels and accompanied by loud Rockabilly, Punk, Surf Rock, and whatever else infiltrates Vlad’s i-Tunes. There will be umbrellas. Little ones. And Saturday the 6th the joint goes Big Top with Jon “the Fireman” Schott at the helm. Jon breathes fire. Often. Also two bucks off the Tiki drinks till ten, as well as specials on Natty Boh and rail drinks. In short, good, cheap, if not flammable, fun…

UPSTAIRS: If you ever wanted to pretend you’re in an episode of Twin Peaks but you’re too lazy to learn how to talk backwards, this is your very own cozy corner of the universe: Dr. Clock’s Nowhere Bar, home of the “Snakeskin Jacket” (Fireball whiskey, Kubler Absinthe, ginger beer, OJ)….Loud New Wave, Britpop, Elsewhere Blues and Rock; regular screenings of Lynch flicks, B-Movies, Film Noir, MST3K; *tasty dance parties* on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, with a host of regular DJs and a fierce little sound system. Pick and choose from an arsenal of craft bubblys or submerge yourself in quantity swill. Or try a “Needle Trax” (Bluecoat gin, Kubler absinthe, orange bitters, soda)….Dress code goes something like the Warriors meets the Fifth Element. Open 7 days a week at 6pm. Come play, friends…

Dear PoPville,

Last week on Lanier (in Lanier Heights) between Quarry and Ontario Roads the street was closed for a day only to reopen with the speed bump there doubled in height. It was not re-painted or labeled so cars have been going by all week at the ‘normal’ speed and you can hear each one smash across. Just a heads up!

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18th Street, NW & California Avenue, NW

A couple weeks ago we learned about this awesome gift. The groundbreaking is tomorrow:

Children and Adams Morgan community members will celebrate the ground breaking of the new UAE- Manchester City Field in the heart of the Adams Morgan along with senior diplomats from the UAE and the US, and local senior DC government officials.

The field will be a gift to the community by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Embassy in Washington, and English Premier League Champions Manchester City Football Club’s City Soccer in the Community program.

For those interested in attending the event starts at 18th Street, NW & Wyoming Avenue, NW; 3:30pm on April 2nd.

A reader sends in Sat. afternoon from 18th and Kalorama Rd, NW in Adams Morgan:

“A bystander says he thinks the car rolled out of a parking space nearby with no one behind the wheel. Strange sight, no driver anywhere. A few minutes later the driver just returned and moved the car. Very bizarre.”

2418 18th Street, NW

Back in mid-January we learned that Shawarma Spot had been closed “For Its Protection” at 2418 18th Street, NW.  Shawarma Spot originally opened back in the Adams Morgan shawarma craze of ’09.  Stay tuned for Kabob Doner coming soon.

Ed. Note: There is a Doner Bistro located nearby at 1654 Columbia Rd, NW. 1654 Columbia Rd, NW was formerly home to Sharama King. So it looks like the Shawarma rivalry between these two storefronts will soon switch to a Doner rivalry.

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Tweeted by @DCPoliceDept last night:

“3D DOUBLE STABBING AT 2300 18th Street, NW (1) adult male stabbed in the lower abdomen. (2) adult male stabbed in the back. /2389″

Emailed by MPD this morning:

On March 23, at approximately 3:00 AM, members of the Metropolitan Police Department responded to the 2300 block of 18th St. NW, to a business establishment for a stabbing. When the officers arrived, they observed two individuals suffering from minor stab wounds. The victims were transported to area hospitals for treatment. Anyone with information relating to this incident is urged to conatct the Third District Detective’s office at 673-6917, 673-6918 or 673-6919.

This rental is located at 1806 Kalorama Road, NW:

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The listing says:

“South-facing 2Br/2.5ba Duplex unit in the heart of Adams Morgan, with a large (350sqft) outdoor terrace and SUV-Sized parking spot. High ceilings, plenty of light, Gourmet chef’s kitchen replete with Cherry Cabinets Wolf/Subzero/Miele appliances, gas fireplace, wood floors throughout. A truly luxurious open contemporary space.”

This 2 bed/2.5 bath is going for $3,400/Mo.

1700 Euclid St, NW

Whoa – it’s been a while since I walked by. The corner is completely transformed (sadly can’t find my before photos.)

It will become “19 Luxury Condos” from Capital City Real Estate: