Connecticut Avenue NW between Ordway and Macomb Streets

Back in April we noted that Chevy Chase had upgraded their “Crosswalk Flags” to a “HAWK signal (High-Intensity Activated crossWalK)”. Cleveland Park got one too – from a DDOT:

District law requires motorists to legally stop and give the right of way to pedestrians within crosswalks. However, DDOT research has shown that on busy, high traffic roadways, only about one in four drivers are willing to stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk. If appropriate warrants are met, a HAWK signal can be installed on those roadways that do not meet engineering standards for installing a conventional traffic signal.

This house is located at 2329 Porter Street, NW:

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The listing says:

“Marvelous Arts and Crafts Gearing Bungalow stone home located in a historic enclave under DC Estate/Country House. Over 1/2 acre of landscaped ground, pond, mature trees & pergola with wisteria vines. Remodeled kitchen. Oak floors, bluestone fireplace & original coffered ceiling in Living RM. Oak paneling in separate Dining RM. Country setting yet minutes to downtown DC, Rock Creek Park & Metro.”

You can see more photos here.

This 6 bed/4 bath is going for $1,750,000.

3417 Connecticut Ave NW

From a press release:

Fans of Ripple’s inspired dinner menu can now enjoy the restaurant’s delectable dishes for brunch. Executive chef Marjorie Meek-Bradley and pastry chef Alison Reed work in tandem to create mouth-watering breakfast traditions with a twist. Farm fresh eggs, locally-sourced proteins and vegetables, complemented with house-made pastries can now be found on Ripple’s brunch menu, served Sundays 11:30am to 2:30pm.

The RAMMY nominated duo have collaborated to create inventive brunch dishes, including chicken fried pork belly with sausage gravy, fried egg and cheddar cheese, atop a homemade biscuit, aka The Codester. Meek-Bradley makes her own pastrami for the smoked hash served with potatoes, onions and sunny eggs and Reed’s oatmeal brancakes served with seasonal fruit are much more than just vessels for transporting maple syrup from plate to mouth. Roasted striped bass on a bed of organic greens with artichokes, olives, tomatoes, and lemon vinaigrette provides a filling dish for the diner in search of lunch, but many choose breakfast and the popular sally’s bennie with Maryland blue crab cakes on top of a housemade english muffin. Meek-Bradley offers some lighter fare as well including house-made gravlax with capers, onion, lemon, hard-boiled egg and pretzel chips. Reed applies her signature pastry technique to create cinnamon rolls served in a hot skillet, addictive pecan sticky buns, muffins made with seasonal fruit, scones, fresh breads and assorted pastries.

Known for their reputable wine program, Ripple’s general manager and wine expert, Danny Fisher, opts for the perfect champagne to stock their bubbly bar with a choice of grapefruit, orange, peach or strawberry juice. Ripple also offers a bloody mary bar and unique breakfast cocktails such as the subtle yet complete Colorblind which starts with cucumber infused vodka mixed with rhubarb-tarragon soda and finishes with lime.

The newly designed private dining room at the front, serves as the perfect sun-filled room to people-watch without sweating the heat.

Ed. Note: Wow, I hadn’t realized Sugar Magnolia had closed…

Photo by JoshBassett|PHOTOGRAPHY

Those who follow the Cleveland Park Listserv are well acquainted the “flower thief”. Now our neighbors up north are as well – from the New York Times:

It starts each April with the violation of lilacs. Peonies are the next to fall, then Asiatic lilies. Then, in a painful botanic denouement, hydrangeas meet their demise, yanked at times straight from the roots…

The police seem somewhat befuddled. Possibly bored…

Some residents fear that with every flower destroyed, part of the history of the city and its neighbors goes, too…

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From the DC Department of Health via the Cleveland Park listserv:

On Saturday April 27, a sick raccoon was seen in the 3100 block of Macomb St. NW which later was recently determined rabid by the DC Department of Health. The raccoon was a year old lactating mother covered with dog ticks that left her young ones behind and possibly also rabid.

The attached are flyers on Rabies and Animal Control Laws for the District. Both are for your information since this general area has been affected with wildlife rabies for some time now. The main message here is prevention and caution on approaching any suspicious animals including cats and dogs. Also, for the pet owners, allowing dogs to run at large in the woods is risky due to possible exposure to Rabies and Lyme disease, both of which can be transmitted to humans.

Moreover, the following is pertinent information to assist the residents with advise on exclusionary methods, such as securing trash cans and other food sources, repairing and patching holes in attics and block crawl spaces such as porches, sheds against intrusion of wildlife. Wild animals are attracted to food waste. Thus sanitation issues must be addressed. The city does not to remove the animal from its habitat, unless sick or injured. Therefore, it’s important for residents to read our flyers for tips to discourage the proximity of urban wildlife in their properties and learn about signs of abnormal behavior.

Please feel free to share above materials with area residents. You may call me or reply by e-mail if you have any concerns.

Thank you,

Maria Hille
Supervisory Biologist, M.S.
Animal Disease Control/HRLA
DC Department of Health

Anyone ever try a peanut butter and nutella sandwich? You can now get them at the FroZenYo across the street from Zoo.

3000 Connecticut Ave, NW

Josh Berner is lead mixologist at Zentan

These days at Ripple, [3417 Connecticut Ave, NW] there’s been a lot of change. A little over a year ago, Alison Reed came on board as the pastry chef. Then in February, the Cleveland Park eatery tapped Marjorie Meek-Bradley to take the reins as executive chef. To complete the trifecta, long-time Ripple bartender, Caroline Blundell, recently stepped in as Beverage Director. I caught up with the bar bigwig to talk tequila and find out what she has in store for her new job..

The management of Ripple is male, but with you taking over the bar, all of the people who actually make the food and drink are women. How does it feel to be a part of that?

There’s definitely a feminine edge to things right now — some of the garnishes on the food and more delicate arrangements of the plating. A bright future is upon us for all the creative minds at Ripple, Me, Alison and Margie. Yeah, it’s nice to have some female power in the house.

Outside of regulars at Ripple, people might not know you. What’s your bartending background? You used to run a tequila bar, right?

Yes, when I was 21, there was a guy who taught me how to bartend. He took a big chance on me and taught me a lot, which has made me successful as I’ve gotten older. Running that tequila bar and to be in the position to make decisions about what your customers are drinking, and what you want your staff to be informed about were definitely inspiring things to be doing as a 21-year-old. And now being here in DC and learning craft cocktails. People take it very seriously. It’s really nice to be in a culture where people do what they do with a lot of pride.

What’s your first step to putting your stamp on the bar program at Ripple?

I’ve been working with the classic cocktails and created a few spins on things. The cocktail I just released has reposado tequila, yellow Chartreuse, lemon juice and St. Germain. It’s kind of a sweeter twist on a Last Word cocktail.

Continues after the jump. (more…)

This house is located at 3309 Macomb Street, NW:

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The listing says:

“Stunning, expanded Cleveland Park home w/wide front porch in Excellent condition! Living room w/fireplace, banquet-size dining room, library, gourmet kitchen & breakfast room + dining deck, family room w/fireplace, Master BR Suite + 3 BR’s & 2 more baths up, recreation room, game room, 1-2 BR in-law suite & enormous back yard. Near Metro, dining & shops.”

You can see a virtual tour here.

This 5 bed/4.5 bath is going for $2,900,000.

This rental is located at 3900 Connecticut Avenue, NW:

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The listing says:

“Open Saturday 3/30 1-3pm! Classic and sunny 1B/1BA – semi-furnished unit in historic Tilden Gardens. Updated windowed kitchen, updated ceramic tile bathroom. Historic details abound: 9′ ceilings, hardwood floors, chandelier in foyer; French doors; built-in bookcases and pantry. Front desk service. Lots of windows with scenic views. Walk to Metro, shops, etc. Available for immediate occupancy!”

This 1 bed/1 bath is going for $1,850/Mo.

This rental is located at 2755 Ordway Street, NW:

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The listing says:

“Excellent Location – next to CLEVELAND PARK METRO Station – UPTOWN theatre, restaurants, banks, post office, grocery store. Short distance to National Zoo & Rock Creek Park. Newer washers/dryers on lower level. Bright TOP FLOOR efficiency unit with large operable windows. Vertical blinds. Walk-in-Closet, parquet floors, All utils. Incl. except phone/internet/cable.”

This studio is going for $1,500/Mo.

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Back in mid-December there was a report on the Cleveland Park listserv of an Uber driver who had allegedly sexually assaulted a woman on the 3200 block of 36th Street NW. An arrest in that case has now been made.

From MPD:

The Metropolitan Police Department has announced that an arrest has been made in the First Degree Sexual Abuse that occurred in the 3200 block of 36th Street, NW.

On Saturday, December 8, 2012, at approximately 3:00 am, an adult female who had hired a cab service was sexually assaulted while in the 3200 block of 36th Street, NW.

After an investigation by members of the Sexual Assault Unit, a warrant was issued for 35 year-old Anouar Habib Trabelsi of Alexandria, VA, charging him with First Degree Sexual Abuse.

On March 13, 2013, Mr. Trabelsi was arrested by members of the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force.

Ed. Note: Representatives from Uber will be releasing a statement shortly at which point I will update here.

Statement from Rachel Holt, Washington, DC General Manager, Uber:

Immediately upon being told that a driver for Capitol Limo, a limo company utilizing Uber technology, was suspected of committing a crime, we deactivated the partner account. He has not done a single ride through Uber since then. We have worked closely with the police and prosecutors investigating this incident, and will continue to help them in any way possible. The safety of our users is absolutely paramount, and we will continue to be vigilant that riders’ safety and security are protected.

Update 5:45pm:

NBC Washington reports:

“The attorney for Anouar Habib Trabelsi, 35, of Alexandria, said his client is cooperating with police and maintains the sex was consensual. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continued to investigate the woman’s allegations and charges could be brought again.”

From the Washington Post:

“District prosecutors on Thursday said they will not charge a limo driver who city police had arrested and accused of raping a 20-year-old customer outside her home in December.”

3500 Connecticut Avenue, NW

Alero in Cleveland Park is looking to add some music options. From a recent liquor license application amendment:

“Request for Entertainment Endorsement to include acoustic guitarists, DJs, dancing and cover charge.”

Photo by PoPville flickr user Laura_Grageda

From an email:

Thursday February 28th Nanny O’Brien’s (3319 Connecticut Ave, NW in Cleveland Park) will be hosting an Anderson Valley Brewing Company Tap Takeover starting at 5pm and running all night.

The tap list includes two exclusive brews, direct from the brewery that have, we’ve been told, not come to DC before:

The Wild Turkey Bourbon Barrel Stout, AVBC’s Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout aged just enough in Wild Turkey Bourbon barrels to impart a bourbon-y sweetness and character that, at 5.8% abv, you can enjoy more than one of.

Also appearing will be the Brother David’s Triple Abbey Style Ale, a high octane American Tripel at 10% abv, fruity, malty and bubbly with just a bit of bite.

The rest of the list includes the (newish) El Steinber Mexican Dark Lager, Heelch O’Hops Imperial IPA, Hop Ottin IPA, Boondt Amber and the normal Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout.

All beers will be priced at $6.50 throughout the event and a rep will be on hand talking shop and providing brewery swag.

3417 Connecticut Ave, NW

From a press release:

Marjorie Meek-Bradley has been named executive chef of Washington D.C.’s Ripple effective March 15, according to owner, Roger Marmet. Chef Meek-Bradley replaces Logan Cox, who is moving to the Pacific Northwest. Chef Meek-Bradley’s menus will continue in the tradition of Ripple’s creative American cuisine using only the finest local and seasonal ingredients.

Before joining Ripple, Chef Meek-Bradley was the chef de cuisine at Graffiato in Washington, D.C. Previously, she served as sous chef at Jose Andres’ Zaytinya. Before moving to Washington, D.C., she served as chef de partie at Thomas Keller’s three Michelin-starred restaurant Per Se in New York City, and at Bouchon, in Yountville, CA. Prior to Bouchon, Chef Meek-Bradley gained experience in Philadelphia, PA under James Beard Award-winning chef Marcus Samuelsson at Washington Square, and as a pastry apprentice at Lacroix at the Rittenhouse Hotel. Chef Meek-Bradley is a native of Northern California and earned her Associate’s Degree in Culinary Arts from The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College.

“An ever-changing menu of seasonally-inspired and locally-sourced ingredients is part of what has guests dining with us again and again,” said owner, Roger Marmet. “Chef Meek-Bradley’s cooking reflects her stunning creativity, technical excellence, and bright personality – and will serve us well.”

After reviewing qualifications from over 75 applicants, the field was narrowed down to some incredibly talented chefs who hailed from some of the finest restaurants in the United States. Chef Meek-Bradley’s personality and palate match Ripple’s vision perfectly, and after of dozens of interviews, she stood out as uniquely qualified to take the restaurant into the future. She will expand upon Ripple’s strengths and continue to pursue the vision by crafting thoughtfully-sourced ingredients in an intimate and comfortable atmosphere.

“What attracts me to Ripple is their commitment to working closely with local farmers utilizing the freshest, most seasonal ingredients,” said executive chef, Marjorie Meek-Bradley. “I am excited to join the talented team and bring my own style and flavors to the already celebrated D.C. restaurant.”

This house is located at 3534 Porter Street, NW:

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The listing says:

“Lovingly updated detached home with 4+ bedrooms,3 1/2 baths, living room with fireplace, formal dining room,gourmet kitchen with Wolf stove and walnut countertops, large family room off kitchen overlooking enormous back yard, great MBR w/Waterworks bath, in law suite& garage + 1 space. Wonderful entertaining space, inside and out. Close to restaurants and shops.”

You can see a virtual tour here.

This 4 bed/3.5 bath is going for $1,395,000.