6230 Georgia Ave, NW

Thanks to a reader for sending word about Wapa Cafe coming to 6230 Georgia Ave, NW. Wapa Cafe’s Facebook page says:

“Latin American flavors, Colombian coffee, Tea and Chocolate from Bolivia, Antojitos, Art, Music and more. Come join Us.”

Updates when they get closer to opening.

Coffee options continue to march northwards – in April we learned about Culture Coffee coming to Kennedy Street and La Mano Coffee Bar should be getting ready to open in Takoma soon.

247 Florida Avenue, NW

Well this might be the best new name (following in the footsteps of Seafood & Crab) for a restaurant I’ve seen – Meat & Foods. A recent liquor license posted out front says:

“Neighborhood restaurant serving house made sausages, sides, coffee and beverages with seating capacity for 12 patrons and total occupancy load of 12. Sidewalk café with 4 seats.”

Sounds promising. Also nice to see this long vacant retail space finally get filled. Revitalization of Florida Ave continues forward.

Dysfunction Junction chronicles the most forlorn, baffling, and wonderful crossroads of our fair city. Ben Ball is a transportation nerd in his spare time. He lives in LeDroit Park. Ben previously wrote about Dave Thomas Circle.

If this intersection is the beating heart of Columbia Heights, I’d say we’re heading for some sort of cardiac arrest.  The lovely plaza, complete with splash fountain for the kiddies, is a marvelous public space.  Surrounding it, however, is one of the most congested places for people and vehicles I can think of.

It is not easy to get through this area in a car.  The herringbone street pattern of northern Columbia Heights (a legacy of poor planning in the early part of the previous century) is a big part of the problem.  But in 2010, DDOT made it worse by redoing the traffic pattern at this intersection, where one of the few westward passages in the area crosses a major north-south corridor.

In the interests of “traffic calming”, DDOT altered the lane which allowed drivers heading southbound on 14^th St to easily make a right turn onto Park Road.  Now traffic is so calm that it’s fallen asleep.  Just two years after DDOT worked its magic, a Metro study of the 50 buses found that traffic near 14^th and Park averages less than ten miles per hour at all times of day. The study didn’t mention that the bus stop is part of the problem – buses frequently hang across both lanes, taking out both lanes of traffic in the process.

Continues after the jump. (more…)

1939 12th Street, NW

A Menchie’s frozen yogurt is coming to long vacant retail space in the moderno building at 12th and U St, NW. You can see their menu here. Back in 2011 Teaism had plans to move into the space but unfortunately were unable to secure adequate financing.

Caribbean Festival 2007

The Post’s Tim Craig tweeted this interesting tidbit yesterday:

“DC Council approves transfer of $107,000 to try to bring the D.C. Caribbean Festival back to D.C. instead of being held in Baltimore.”

If it does return to DC do you think it should remain on Georgia Ave or move downtown like Fiesta DC recently did?

Back in May 2012 we learned the Annual Caribbean Carnival/Festival would be located in Baltimore. The festival has not been without controversy.

You can read previous coverage about the festival here.

5413 Georgia Ave, NW

G Spot Lounge opened up in Sept. 2010 at 5413 Georgia Ave, NW. In Sept. 2012 we learned the space was for rent/sale – $2,500/Mo to rent or a purchase price of $150,000. A liquor license application reveals it will become Cafe Midar:

“New Lounge serving American cuisine with live entertainment, dancing and cover charge. Seating Capacity is 200, total occupancy load is 210.”

Not sure if that is a typo but that seems like an ambitious capacity for such a small spot. Anyway, with the retirement of the G Spot Lounge – Climax Sports Bar now has the honors for the worst/best name in town…

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.”

1320 U Street, NW

A new coffee bar, The Wydown, is coming to the former Aroma Cafe space at 1320 U Street, NW. This will be a pop up location for about six months. If all goes well they will be opening later this week.

When the Louis project is finished on 14th Street just south of U Street, NW – they will have a permanent retail space of about 1000 square feet in between the coming Trader Joe’s and the coming Tico restaurant. Sweet!

4231 Wisconsin Avenue, NW

After many years at 4231 Wisconsin Ave, NW Armand’s closed back in June 2012. Thanks to all who sent emails and tweets about the new development. A recent liquor license posted out front says a Nando’s Peri Peri will be taking over the space:

“Restaurant serving primarily chicken and side dishes with seating for 148 patrons and total occupancy load of 160. Sidewalk café with seating for 58 patrions.”

You can see Nando’s menu here.

Back in Jan. 2013 we also learned a Nando’s Peri Peri would be coming to the Navy Yard in the Boilermaker building.

1410 14th Street, NW

Black Whiskey grand opening this Saturday:

“Saturday, May 4th – Grand Opening of Black Whiskey
w/ Transformer presenting…
Cult Fiction an installation by Zach Storm and Cheyenne Lee Seeley”

Here’s how 1410 14th St, NW looked back in 2009:

1610 14th Street, NW

And a tipster sends word that Ghibellina’s grand opening at 1610 14th Street, NW is this Tues. May 7th!

Here’s how 1610 14th St, NW looked back in 2010:

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…)

And since it’s a beautiful day out – check out this map of rooftop bars compiled by map attacks and reddit.

This is freaking awesome. Just zoom in or out (with the plus or minus in the upper left hand corner) and then click on the dots to get name address and whether or not the roof deck is covered. Beautiful!

634 Florida Ave, NW

Dear PoPville,

Any word on the Italy Pizza on Florida ave (next to the now for lease capoeira place)? They have been closed for at least a couple days and the sign has been taken down.

While their website is still live, their phone has been disconnected. Anyone know if they plan on reopening in a new space?

Update From a reader who knows the owners:

“They are going to take the summer off and regroup in the fall. As far as I know the space (and the one beside it) are still available for lease from the landlord.”

Italy Pizza in happier times – Feb. 2012:

2008

Seafood & Crab was located at 1936 14th Street, NW and was home to one of the longest running grand opening signs in the district. The mystery of differentiating crab from seafood was never resolved. The space then briefly became a Chidogo hot dog spot and soon it will be part of the Louis Project featuring a Trader Joe’s.

2013

325 Pennsylvania Ave, SE

Acacia Gourmet opened in the former Wellness Cafe space at 325 Pennsylvania Ave, SE back in May 2012.  The Acacia Bistro in Van Ness location remains open. 

Updates on the Sushi restaurant when they get closer to opening.