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?

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.”

2101 L Street, NW

A few weeks ago a reader shared some scuttlebutt that a Stoney’s would be moving into the former Lite Stars space at 2101 L St, NW. Washington Business Journal now confirms the lease has been signed pending liquor license approval.

1901 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Back in late July 2012 we learned that the folks from Heritage India would be opening up a new restaurant in the former Soho Cafe space at 1901 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW. We now have more details on the new spot – Crossroads.

From a press release:

Heritage Management Services (HMS), the restaurant group behind Heritage India, embarks on a new culinary journey with Crossroads, a shared dining experience that takes guests on a culinary tour around the world. Located at 1901 Pennsylvania Avenue NW across from the World Bank and IMF buildings, Crossroads offers tastes of cuisines from Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, and South America.

“With Washington, D.C.’s diverse population, we saw an opportunity to expand our business beyond Indian food,” said Sanjeev Tuli, Owner of HMS. “Crossroads is a place where guests can dine together regardless of their cultural tastes and experience the flavors of the world.”

Leading the kitchen is Chef Ravi Narayanan, who brings over 25 years experience at luxury hotel restaurants worldwide including the Oberoi Hotel in New Delhi, India and Relais Chateaux USA. The menu will feature little wonders from around world, highlighting dishes distinct to each region. Signature items include Roasted Eggplant and Tomato Beignets with Roasted Garlic Cream from the Mediterranean, South American-inspired Fried Calamari with Fried Jalapeno chips, Shaved Cucumber and Marinated White Anchovy, and Deep fried Kale and Brussel Sprout Chips with Baharat Spice and Tzatziki sauce from Africa. Crossroads will also feature a Japanese sushi bar.

Guest will be greeted into the 7,000 square foot space below street level by a cascading waterfall and 5-ft, 500-lb Buddha statue. Crossroads will offer seating for 100 guests including a large bar area with high top tables and benches. Separated by a partition, HMS will open a new Heritage India restaurant adjacent to the Crossroads dining area. The space will also feature a private dining section offering items from both restaurant menus that can accommodate parties of up to 45 people.

An expansive 86-seat patio will allow patrons to enjoy their food outdoors on warm weather days.

2101 L Street, NW

Back in June 2012 we learned that Lite Stars bistro closed at 2101 L St, NW. A reader hears that the space will become a second Stoney’s location. Their first location is in Logan Circle at 1433 P St, NW (after moving from 1307 L St, NW.) You can see their menu here. Updates as more info becomes available.

This rental is located at 2130 N Street, NW:

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The listing says:

“1 bedroom/1 bathroom condo walking distance to Dupont and Foggy Bottom metros, Trader Joes, Whole Foods, Georgetown, restaurants, bars and all the city has to offer. Hardwood floors, separate dining area, granite counter tops, stainless steel refrigerator and dishwasher, built in bookshelves, exposures on 2 sides. Pets allowed and roof top deck.”

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

2101 L Street, NW

A new Thai restaurant called Krung-Thep is coming to 2101 L Street, NW (though the entrance is actually on 21st Street a bit north of L Street. According to a liquor license application posted out front:

“New Full Service Thai Restaurant and Bar. Seating Capacity is 142, with a total Occupancy Load of 174 and Summer Garden with 52 seats.”

21st Street looking north

M Street, NW just west of 19th Street

Sweet Diablo opened at 19th and M St, NW back in Aug. 2012. Their website says:

Sweet Diablo brings Portugal’s corner café to downtown Washington, DC. Opened by partners Rosa Silva and Nuno Geraldes Freire in 2012, Sweet Diablo celebrates the European tradition of creating culinary experiences through artisanal confections, freshly made breads, fine cheeses and meats, and farm fresh produce. Life is to be savored, and it starts with what is on your plate.

At Sweet Diablo, we prepare our menu in the Portuguese tradition of using beautiful ingredients in simple combinations to bring out amazing flavors. With recipes created by Chef Michael Guerrieri, our Paoninis are a play on the Panini sandwich combining Portuguese meats and cheeses on freshly baked ciabatta to create distinct flavors that will captivate your mouth. Our soups and salads create a lighter play on some of these traditional ingredients.

We brew Illy coffee to serve alongside our Pastéis de Nata, a Portuguese custard tart whose tradition dates back to 1837 where it was first created in a Lisbon monastery. All of our breads and pastries are baked freshly each morning.

Our Not Your Usual Cheescake (NYUC) is pure temptation. Made without eggs, and topped with a fruit sauce, each bite is delectable.

The Best Chocolate Cake in the World by Chef Carlos Braz Lopes

Sweet Diablo is proud to feature renowned Portuguese Chef Carlos Braz Lopes signature chocolate cake. This flourless, gluten-free confection features thin, crunchy chocolate meringue layers filled with a creamy chocolate mousse and a ganache top. A popular sensation in Portugal, Spain, Australia and Brazil, Sweet Diablo is proud to be the exclusive distributor of the Best Chocolate Cake in the World in the United States.

You can see their full menu here. Any fans?

2524 L Street, NW

A new Indian restaurant, Flavors Of India, has opened in the former Marshall’s Bar & Grille space at 2524 L Street, NW. You can see their menu here. You can also see their pretty large delivery areas here.

Anyone try them out yet? Anyone miss Marshall’s Bar & Grille?

1200 New Hampshire Ave, NW

From a press release:

Grillfish turns 16 this month, and to celebrate, the West End’s casual neighborhood gem is launching all new menus and opening for weekend brunch.

Felipe Milanese, Grillfish’s new Chef de Cuisine, will debut his dinner menu on October 23rd and a new lunch menu on October 24th. Under his skilled hands, the menus will feature only sustainable ingredients, all handcrafted and locally sourced. Also, an expanded oyster selection will also join the many classic Grillfish offerings.

On Saturday, October 27th, at 11 AM, Grillfish Brunch begins! The all new menu will include classics with a twist as well as Seafood Sausage & Eggs, House Cured Gravlax, Ropa Vieja & Eggs, along with new sandwiches and salads. “We are striving to be the go-to neighborhood brunch spot” says Milanese. Brunch will be served every Saturday & Sunday from 11 AM to 4 PM.

The first twenty diners on Saturday, October 27th, will receive a free brunch entree of their choice. All brunch guests dining at Grillfish on opening weekend (27th & 28th) will be offered a complimentary Mimosa or Bloody Mary with their entree.

2238 M St, NW

Sweetgreen’s West End location has opened at 2238 M St, NW. Next up – Glover Park in 2013.

2030 M Street, NW

From a press release:

It’s with bittersweet regret that we announce the closing of Hudson Restaurant & Lounge on September 29, 2012. There will have a finale party on Friday, September 28 from 11am until 2am featuring some of the menu’s favorites, cocktails and entertainment by Adrian Loving and Friends.

Owner Alan Popovsky look’s to the future as new and exciting changes are ahead as he prepares for new Presidential concepts, following the lead of LINCOLN Restaurant. Construction is about to begin on Teddy & The Bully Bar and scheduled to open in early 2013 and the anticipation is palpable. The official banner went up today (photo attached below). Paying homage to our first President of the 20th Century, the restaurant will feature a thoughtful design from local artist Maggie O’Neill and an outstanding small plate concept from a not yet named Executive Chef.

The new location is situated in the heart of the downtown business and entertainment district at 1200 19th Street, NW. The location was formerly the long standing restaurant Sam and Harry’s.

1200 19th Street, NW

The Washington Post’s Tom Sietsema writes that Hudson will become an Italian bistro:

The owner of Fujimar and Barcode is taking over the soon-to-close Hudson in the West End and giving the corner address a fresh identity. Tentatively called The Greenhouse Bistro, the future 180-seat restaurant will merge an Italian bistro with an enclosed herb garden, says restaurateur Masoud Aboughaddareh.

2238 M Street, NW

Sweetgreen continues its domination of the DC salad scene with another location coming to 2238 M St, NW next to the West End Bistro.

I’m also starting to hear rumors of more locations…

1050 21st Street, NW

From the Mayor’s office:

Mayor Vincent C. Gray today announced the selection of the Akridge-Argos development team and Ivymount Schools and Programs to redevelop the historic Stevens School in the West End neighborhood of Ward 2. The two teams bring extensive commercial-development and educational expertise to the project, assuring a productive use for a building that has been vacant since the close of the 2008 school year.

“My administration has worked closely with West End residents and Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2A to ensure that we made positive choices for the future of the Thaddeus Stevens School building,” said Mayor Gray. “We believe that Akridge-Argos and Ivymount are well-respected institutions with proven track records of success that will turn this unique development opportunity into a victory for economic growth and special education here in the District.”

Akridge-Argos’s proposed vision for developing the site includes a 10-story, LEED-certified, Class “A” office building named Thaddeus Stevens Place; ground-floor retail; and underground parking. The Akridge-Argos team brings with it decades of development experience. It also has a strong track record of high-quality historic renovation. The team has demonstrated the skills and experience to lead an outstanding rehabilitation of the Stevens School building, as well as constructing a state-of-the art office building to go alongside it.

“We look forward to our continued work with Akridge-Argos/Ivymount, the Stevens School community and with our Council as we navigate through the surplus, disposition and legislative processes needed to make this project a reality,” said Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development Victor L. Hoskins.

Ivymount Schools and Programs is a high-quality provider of special-education services that has partnered with the D.C. Public Schools (DCPS) for many years. Ivymount’s proposal for the Stevens School parcel consists of approximately 50 seats for special-needs students and a proposed capacity-building program in partnership with DCPS and the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE). Founded in 1961, Ivymount has served over 8,000 children and young adults with disabilities from throughout the Greater Washington area. The school has been awarded several prestigious honors, including twice being named a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Education and being named a School of Excellence by the National Association of Special Education Teachers.

“Ivymount Schools and Programs will be an incredible asset to the D.C. community and help us to meet the demand for high-quality educational services for our children and youth with autism,” said Deputy Mayor for Education De’Shawn Wright. “Additionally, the establishment of Ivymount within the District provides a unique opportunity for a robust partnership with DCPS and public charter schools as they seek to improve their capacity to serve a broader spectrum of kids across the special-needs continuum.”

The Thaddeus Stevens Elementary School is located at 1050 21st Street NW. The Stevens building was built in 1868 as one of the District’s first publicly funded schools for African-American children. The school was named for Thaddeus Stevens (1792-1868), a Pennsylvania congressman and prominent abolitionist who championed “free schools” for all. DCPS students in the area now attend the nearby Francis-Stevens Education Campus, located at 2425 N Street NW.

Renovation season continues with Firefly located at 1310 New Hampshire Ave, NW.

From a press release:

After 10 years of operation, Firefly will undergo significant interior renovations for a refreshed look, and will close to the public on Monday, September 10th reopening for business on Saturday, September 29th.

The design concept for the renovation was led by GrizForm Design Architects, an award-winning design firm based in Washington, DC. The intimate, rustic ambience of Firefly will remain, and renovation elements will stay true to the eco-friendly ethos of the restaurant, as many of the materials will be salvaged or recycled, and any scrap removed from the restaurant will be repurposed. “After ten years, we are thrilled that Firefly will be undergoing a renovation. Griz and his team are creating a warm, inviting aesthetic that will preserve Firefly’s atmosphere, but also give it some much needed modern upgrades, as well as add extra seating capacity” said Executive Chef Daniel Bortnick.

The iconic tree will remain as a centerpiece of the restaurant, and will be updated with a swing that will hang beneath the tree branches. The kitchen façade will be transformed to look like the outside of a cottage, featuring salvaged windows, through which guests will be able to see Chef Daniel Bortnick and his team at work in the kitchen. The design team, led by Griz Dwight AIA, will incorporate materials such as various new and reclaimed woods, a color palette that includes greens, oranges, browns and rusty reds, as well as a custom designed ceiling emulating the ethereal light of a firefly. “The concept enhances the Firefly brand by reimagining the kitchen as a house at the edge of the woods and the dining room embodying the mood of a country field at dusk,” says Dwight.

The renovation will also allow for a total of ten additional bar and lounge seats to be added, including an additional high top table in the bar area, three additional bar stools, and three additional lounge tables. With the additional seating, the renovation will also be taking measures to sound proof the restaurant, using vinyl-wrapped sound panels on the back wall as well as using Acousti-Coat sound reduction paint on the ceiling.

The components of the renovation will include:

An expanded bar area and terrazzo bar top made of recycled glass;
A renovated lounge area with banquettes, a tree root and wired sculpture, and ivy wall façade;
A porch swing, where guests can sit while waiting, that will hang beneath the restaurant’s iconic candle-lit tree;
Slabs from fallen trees that will both complement existing oak tables and new walnut chairs, as well as act as a divider between the bar and dining areas;
Reclaimed barn wood tables, reupholstered banquettes and chairs;
Ambient lighting and sound paneling;
A salvaged window and brick kitchen façade;
Additional seating.