1990 M Street, NW

TakEatEasy opened up in the former China Cafe space back in Feb. 2013. You can see many of their offerings on their facebook page. Anyone check them out yet?

1900 M Street, NW

Uh oh, Washington Business Journal reports that Rumors has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization:

“1900 M Restaurant Associates Inc., which holds a liquor license at 1900 M St. and operates under the trade name Rumors, owes between $50,000 and $100,000 to creditors”

But all is not lost for fans of Rumors, WBJ also reports this has happened before in 1997. Though if they do go out of business this is some prime real estate…

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.

Streets of Washington, written by John DeFerrari, covers some of DC’s most interesting buildings and history. John is the author of Historic Restaurants of Washington, D.C.: Capital Eats, to be published this September by the History Press, Inc. John is also the author of Lost Washington DC.

One of the stateliest private buildings in Washington is the old Masonic Temple at 13th Street and New York Avenue NW, completed in 1908 and now home to the National Museum of Women in the Arts. Like other Masonic temples, the imposing structure was built with unique cross purposes; it was meant to be both a public forum for lectures and performances as well as a private place for the fraternal order’s meetings and rituals. Since the 1980s, this distinctive Renaissance Revival palace has had a remarkably fitting second life as a museum, and now the NMWA is looking to preserve the building for many more years with much-needed roof repairs. As a participant in the Partners in Preservation program, the museum will be hosting a festive open house this Sunday, May 5, from 12 to 5, offering a great, free opportunity to see this extraordinary building up close and appreciate the art it now displays.

Photo by the author.

The sharp-eyed visitor will notice decorative touches denoting the building’s original use as a Masonic Temple. Freemasonry is a centuries-old tradition descended from medieval stone masons’ guilds, although modern masons are a strictly fraternal order dedicated to benevolent acts. Masons organize themselves into lodges, which are chartered by regional Grand Lodges. DC got its own Grand Lodge in the mid 19th century. In 1870 it built a temple, still standing, at 9th and F Streets NW, but by the 1890s, with 49 Masonic lodges chartered throughout the city, the old hall was no longer adequate. The Masons resolved to build a magnificent new temple at a suitably prestigious location.

The site selection committee received some 20 offers for sites all around the city, and in 1899 they chose the distinctive trapezoidal corner lot formed by New York Avenue, 13th Street, and H Street NW, a prominent location that would allow unobstructed vistas of the new temple on three sides. The lot, once a knoll with a clump of trees known as “Seven Oaks,” cost $115,000.

Continues after the jump. (more…)

77 H Street, NW Looking East

Incredible progress at the new 77 H St, NW building. CityPaper reports that the District’s first Walmart is now hoping to open by Nov. 1st. You can see what the building looked like in Dec. 2012 here. Nevermind the Walmart for a moment – do you like the way the building is turning out?

77 H Street, NW Looking West

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…)

1815 M Street, NW

From a press release:

Bub and Pop’s is becoming well known in DC for their sandwiches, soups, salads and Kettle Cooked Sea Salt & Black Pepper Potato Chips. On Friday, April 19, Bub and Pop’s added Water Ice to their list of house made offerings.

Water Ice, also known as Italian Ice, is a Philadelphia tradition sold from Spring well into the first frost of the Fall. Chef Jon’s recipe includes fresh fruit, water and natural sugar – that’s all that’s in it! It gets blended, frozen and then scraped to serving size. Four flavors are currently being featured: Passion Fruit, Black Cherry, Peach and Espresso (no fresh fruit in that one, just real coffee).

Soon to follow this Summer are ice cream sandwiches that consist of our house made Tahitian vanilla ice cream between two house made Oatmeal, Walnut, Chocolate Chip Cookies. And in keeping with Bub and Pop’s way of doing things, every thing will still be made in-house and all natural.

You can see Bub and Pop’s complete menu here. Any fans?

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From MPD:

On Saturday, April 27, 2013, at approximately 4:15 AM, the complainant was physically assaulting his girlfriend when three (3) unknown males approached to render aid to his girlfriend. These unknown males commenced to strike the complainant about the body. The unknown males took the complainant’s cell phone and U.S. Currency and fled the scene on foot. The complainant was arrested and charged with simple assault – domestic violence regarding the assault that he allegedly committed on his girlfriend. This event occurred in the 1000 block of Vermont Avenue, Northwest.

Photo by PoPville flickr user Blinkofanaye

From DDOT:

The Metropolitan Police Department and the District Department of Transportation would like to inform the public about the street closures that will take place surrounding the IMF/World Bank.

Street closures will begin Friday, April 19, 2013, from approximately 6:30 a.m., through Sunday, April 21, 2013, until approximately 7:00 p.m., the streets surrounding the IMF/World Bank will be closed as stipulated below:

19th Street, NW – from G Street to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
H Street (southern side) – from 18th Street to 20th Street, NW

The following streets will remain open with temporary closures beginning Friday, April 19, 2013, at approximately 8:00 p.m., through Sunday, April 21, 2013, at approximately 7:00 p.m.

18th Street, NW – from G Street to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
20th Street, NW – from G Street to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
G Street – from 18th Street to 20th Street, NW
H Street (southern side) – from 18th Street to 20th Street, NW

Motorists are encouraged to exercise caution when traveling in these areas.

Note: The surrounding areas and streets leading to this complex may be closed or affected as well.

Thanks to a reader for sending:

“As of 8:30, the line is wrapping completely around 18th street to K street, and then even wrapping a bit back around to 19th.”

Another reader sends more photos of the scene at 9am:

“The line stretched the entire block of 18th from K to L, and around the corner on K. I don’t understand. I’d thought that I liked Nordstrom Rack as much as the next person, but I guess not.”

1099 New York Avenue, NW

Last month we learned that Casa Luca Italian restaurant from Chef Fabio Trabocchi would be taking over the former Againn Space at 1099 New York Avenue, NW (entrance on 11th Street.) A recent liquor license posted out front says:

“New Italian restaurant featuring traditional and updated cooking from the Marache region of Italy. Live entertainment and dancing for brunch and special events only. Inside seating capacity is 132, total load is 168. Sidewalk Café with seating for 40 patrons.”

Last month we learned the menu would feature:

· Montefeltro Flatbread “Crescia” with Broccoli Rabe
· “Chichirichì di Offida” Stuffed with Onions and Roasted Peppers
· Mussels Alicia with Tomato “Marinara”
· San Leo Ravioli of Greens, Parmigiano, Lemon Zest and Fresh Herbs
· Scrippelle ’Mbusse Crepes of Pecorino, Truffles, and Hen Consomme
· Monkfish with Baby Artichokes, Scallions and Dill “Porchetta” style
· Giuseppe “Braciole” Pork Chop with Zolfino Beans “Cacciatora” style
· Salami al Cioccolato Marchigiano in small and large sizes to share

Updates as the build-out progresses.

1800 L Street, NW

We first heard a Nordstrom Rack would be moving into the former Border’s bookstore space at 18th and L St, NW back in June 2012. Tomorrow’s the big grand opening – hours will be:

Mon-Fri 9am-8pm
Sat 10am-6pm
Sun 12pm-5pm

401 F Street, NW

We first heard about it last year but now it’s really happening! From a press release:

Hill Country Barbecue Market Washington, D.C. is pleased to announce the opening of Hill Country’s Backyard Barbecue, a unique branded outdoor experience featuring Hill Country’s award-winning Texas-style barbecue, ice-cold Shiner beers, and signature cocktails on the spacious and picturesque West Lawn of the National Building Museum (401 F Street, NW; www.nbm.org; 202.272.2448). Hill Country’s Backyard Barbecue is scheduled to open on May 3, 2013, with a live performance by fun and feisty Americana rock n’ rollers, the Kalob Griffin Band. Throughout the spring and summer, Hill Country’s Backyard Barbecue will also feature live American roots music on Friday and Saturday nights, presented by Hill Country Live, Hill Country’s Austin-inspired music program.

“Hill Country Barbecue is excited to be teaming up with the National Building Museum to create the ultimate backyard barbecue for Washingtonians who love to be outside when the weather is warm,” said Jim Foss, Hill Country Barbecue Market’s director of operations. “There’s really no experience that can top a night hanging out on the lawn with friends, having some delicious barbecue with an ice-cold beer, and listening to music during the summer!”

“Hill Country Barbecue will energize our West Lawn, a green space in the heart of downtown Washington, and will complement the Museum’s Mini Golf exhibition and other ‘Summer Block Party’ offerings,” said Chase W. Rynd, executive director of the National Building Museum.

Hill Country’s Backyard Barbecue menu will include some of Hill Country Barbecue Market’s signature dishes, as well as a Barbecue Chicken Sandwich and Barbecue Beef Sandwich, and the brand-new Hill Country Hot Links, a house-made spicy and sweet frankfurter-style sausage.
The menu will also include picnic-friendly sides like Confetti Coleslaw, Potato Salad, and Mini Skillet Cornbread. A selection of Shiner beers, including the Bock, Light Blonde, Premium and Ruby Redbird, as well as hand-crafted cocktails like the Hill Country Margarita, seasonal fruit Sangria, and Hill Country’s Backyard Barbecue signature cocktail, the Porch Swing, made with gin, strawberry simple syrup and fresh lemon juice for a refreshing cocktail you can sip outside all day. Rounding out Hill Country’s Backyard Barbecue menu are non-alcoholic options including fresh-squeezed Lemonade and Iced Tea.

Hill Country’s Backyard Barbecue will operate Wednesday through Friday from 4:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m., Saturdays from 12:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. and Sundays from 12:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. to catch the after-work, happy hour crowd during the week as well as museum visitors on weekends. Additionally, Hill Country’s Backyard Barbecue will be available as a premiere outdoor, private-event venue for corporate events, summer associate parties, fundraisers, birthday parties, rehearsal dinners, weddings, and more. The National Building Museum is open to the public from 10 am – 5 pm Monday through Saturday, and 11 am – 5 pm on Sundays.

1700 K Street, NW

Thanks to an eagle eyed reader for spotting the Dunkin Donuts coming soon sign folded up inside the former Mixt Greens space (which closed back in Dec. 2011) at 1700 K St, NW.

PJ Clarke’s is located at 1600 K Street, NW.