WBJ reports on a permit for:

“a fenced outdoor venue, with a tents for food and beverage sales and live music at 101 Tingey St. SE”

From an email:

The Capitol Riverfront in SE Washington is an exciting area of the city, especially during baseball season,” says John Shaw, COO, Hill Country Hospitality. “The team at Hill Country Barbecue Market has started the permitting process for a potential pop-up outdoor barbecue venue in the area, but no deal has been solidified to move forward with this opportunity. If we do proceed, we do not yet know whether it will happen this year or next season.

Hill Country recently kicked off their Backyard Barbecue on the west lawn of the National Building Museum.

From a press release:

sweetgreen, the much-loved, organic, farm-to-table salad shops founded in Washington, D.C., is opening a new location at The Yards in the heart of D.C.’s Capitol Riverfront district at 1212 Fourth Street SE. Opening in mid-2014…

The Yards is a 42-acre urban mixed-use waterfront project located between Nationals Park and the Washington Navy Yard on the riverfront. At completion, The Yards will include 2,800 residential units, 1.8 million square feet of office space, and up to 400,000 square feet of retail and dining space, as well as the already completed five-and-a-half acre riverfront public park. The multi-phased project is expected to total 25-30 buildings.

Yesterday @TheYardsDC tweeted the good news:

“This just in: Nicoletta NYC Pizzeria will be opening in the seasonal stalls at The Yards Park/The Yards DC”

A recent liquor license posted at the Lumber Shed lists Osteria Morini/Nicoletta:

“New full service, fine dining restaurant specializing in authentic Italian food. Separate kiosk for casual dining and takeout/delivery. Inside seating capacity is 165. Two summer gardens with a total of 136 seats. Background music, occasional live music and/or DJ will be provided.”

This is gonna be awesome.

Yesterday we learned Rocklands BBQ would be expanding their Glover Park location. They’ve also some plans to add beer sales to their food truck when they are at to 1st and N Streets, SE while the Nats are in town. From a liquor license application:

“New Tavern, Food Truck. JBS is planning to serve barbeque and related food products from its food truck on private property at Ball Park Square (at the corner of 1st and N Streets, SE) on days of Washington Nationals home games. JBS is seeking an ABRA license to serve beer at the property on those days in conjunction with its food sales.”

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On Thursday The House Subcommittee on Government Operations had a hearing to address the future of 49 L Street SE. The Half Street Market blog wrote:

The hearing is being called to discuss “the costs to the taxpayer of underperforming or vacant Federal assets and, in particular, the status of the vacant GSA Warehouse located on L Street in southeast Washington, D.C.” The committee has invited representatives from the GSA, GAO, and Ward 6 Council to testify on possible uses of the warehouse. Councilmember Tommy Wells (Ward 6) and Ed Kaminski (ANC 6D02) have been invited to testify.

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ANC Rep and Half Street Market Supporter @GarberDC tweeted:

“@HalfStMarket hearing went really well. Congress & GSA very aware of community interest. …What a great building”

However Washington Post reporter @TimCraigPost wondered:

“Has anyone considered some won’t want to spend $19 million to build another Union Market, which many in DC can’t afford?”

Post reporter @OConnellPostbiz also wondered:

“We already have @EasternMarketDC and @UnionMarketDC — hard to see a third this close being best economic use.”

So what do you guys think – should DC buy the vacant L St, SE warehouse for $19 million and convert it into a new Market? If not, what do you think should become of the old warehouse?

When the azaleas are in full bloom Yards Park is a must visit spot in Navy Yard.

The building’s website, Twelve12, says:

COMING SPRING 2014

Convenience meets style
in one of DC’s most interesting urban districts. This newly-constructed signature building will offer its residents unique and exciting amenities, including upscale finishes and a sense of community in a vibrant, growing neighborhood. Additionally, we are proud to announce that a brand new Harris Teeter and a VIDA Fitness will provide unparalleled on-site conveniences for residents to enjoy.

The eagerly anticipated Park Tavern has finally opened at 202 M Street, SE in Navy Yard. Thanks to all who sent emails. Park Tavern joins the recently opened Gordon Biersch brewery near the baseball stadium.

Anyone happen to stop by Park Tavern yesterday?

Ed. Note: This is one of Xavier Cervera’s restaurants that recently sold to a Boston equity firm. Capitol Hill Corner reported:

The equity group that bought out Cervera is reportedly headed by his brother and has other restaurant franchises. Xavier’s brother is currently in Washington and is actively managing the restaurant group. Part of the deal was Xavier’s continued involvement in the management as a consultant.

Last week a commenter pined for a movie theater in Columbia Heights (I also wondered about that possibility back in 2009.) On March 1st, Navy Yard ANC Rep David Garber posted a rendering for a proposed movie theater in Navy Yard:

“Curious to hear what you think of the design for this new 16-screen ShowPlace ICON movie theater near the ballpark!”

Personally I think a movie theater would do very well in Navy Yard as more and more development continues to sprout near the baseball stadium and coming soon to the nearby SW Waterfront as well. Anyway, it got me thinking about what other neighborhoods – could realistically – support a movie theater? I think NoMa probably could as well. Which neighborhoods do you think could support a 16 screen theater? How ’bout a smaller independent two screen theater like West End Cinema?

From a press release:

The Washington Nationals announced today that Blues Traveler (June 8), Thompson Square (July 6), Gavin DeGraw (August 31) and Montgomery Gentry (September 21) will comprise the lineup for the 2013 NatsLive Free Postgame Concert Series following select Nationals home games throughout the summer.

“We are thrilled to be opening the NatsLive Concert Series for the Washington Nationals this year!” said John Popper, lead singer for Blues Traveler. “My visit to Nationals Park last season to perform God Bless America was so rewarding that I’m excited to return and bring the whole band with me.”

The performances will begin approximately 15 minutes after the final out of each Nationals game. Fans who wish to attend the free concerts must have a valid ticket for that day’s Nationals game, which can be purchased at nationals.com/NatsLive.