Weekly Art Lens by Beth Shook

By Prince Of Petworth


Sebastian Martorana’s marble Impressions (2009) are on view this week at Irvine Contemporary. Image courtesy Irvine Contemporary. Copyright Sebastian Martorana.

Pattern: Three Generations of Shape and Color
This is your last week to catch a small but vibrant exhibition of three generations of color-field painting at the Carroll Square Gallery. The show positions a 1967 work by Thomas Downing, of the ubiquitous Washington Color School, in the midst of divergent works by two contemporary painters: celebrated local artist Tom Green and Baltimore-based emerging artist Linling Lu. These two begin with the flat color and symmetry of their hard-edge predecessors, but go on to weave in decorative elements — Green through evocative, minimalist glyphs and Lu in one highly geometric portrait.
Where: Carroll Square Gallery (Metro: Metro Center or Gallery Place-Chinatown)
When: Until Aug. 26.
How Much: Free

“Artist Tribute 2” Grand Finale Block Party
This Thursday Irvine Contemporary wraps up the final exhibition at their Logan Circle space with a bang. Works on view include Shepard Fairey’s Flag series, a homage to Jasper Johns, and Sebastian Martorana’s clever marble monuments to fleeting everyday moments (above). Music will be provided by local DJs Yoko K and Will Eastman. While Director Martin Irvine has yet to announce a new permanent space for his gallery, two fall exhibitions are already planned for the Montserrat House at 9th and U St. NW.
Where: Irvine Contemporary (Metro: Dupont Circle)
When: Aug. 25 at 6 p.m.
How Much: Free

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Random Reader Rant and/or Revel

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user yostinator

You can talk about whatever is on your mind – quality of life issues, a beautiful tree you spotted, scuttlebutt, or any random questions/thoughts you may have. I’ll open this thread every morning at 10am.

PoP Pre-Preview of Mintwood Place Coming to 1813 Columbia Rd, NW in mid-October. Chef will be Cedric Maupillier Formerly of Central

By Prince Of Petworth

Back in Oct. ’10 we learned that Mintwood Place would be coming to 1813 Columbia Rd, NW in Adams Morgan. At the time a liquor license application simply said:

“Restaurant with recorded music and entertainment limited to DJ with no dancing. Seating capacity is 113. Total Occupancy load is 124. Sidewalk Café with seating for 24.”

Last Friday I was lucky to run into Mintwood Place’s new chef and got a brief tour of the space as well as a bit more info about their vision.

So first things first, this is the space underneath Perry’s that used to be a frozen yogurt shop. It’s actually owned by the same guy, Saied Ayoubi, that owns Perry’s. Perhaps the most exciting news is the chef himself – his name is Cedric Maupillier who has previously worked at Central and Citronelle and most recently helped open Medium Rare in Cleveland Park. Central’s Web site still has a bio:

“Chef de Cuisine Cedric Maupillier
Started career at age 15 in a bakery in Toulon
Bachelors degree in hotel and restaurant management
First cooking experience in Monte Carlos at “Café de Paris”
Two years in England working for top restaurants in London and Oxford
Back to France to work in three star Michelin restaurant “La Cotes St. Jacques”
Moved to Courchevel to work in the Relais & Chateaux “du Pralon”

Moved to the US in 2002 and worked under Chef Fabio Trabocchi at Maestro in the Ritz Carlton, Tyson’s Corner
After two years took the position as Sous Chef in Michel Richard Citronelle
In January 2007, opened Central Michel Richard”

As an admitted non foodie even I can realize that this is huge news for Adams Morgan.

Maupillier told me that he is going to try to keep the menu as local as possible and it (as well as cocktails) will change seasonally. This actually keeps with the restaurant’s green build out – where much of the wood used was reclaimed from an Amish barn in Pennsylvania.

The kitchen’s center piece is going to feature a huge wood burning grill. While the menu may be smaller than some are used to seeing – it will still be adventurous. I’m nearly certain I heard him mention frog legs… Of course there will be more traditional items like roast chicken as well. But someone with Maupilier’s pedigree is clearly going to offer up some creative choices.

And here’s more good news – Mintwood Place will be open for breakfast and lunch too. They will make their own croissants and pastries on site. It’s anticipated to be the type of place where folks will come in for a cup of coffee and a croissant and leisurely read the paper in the morning. It is hoped that the restaurant will become a neighborhood gathering spot that will help spur a revival of Columbia Road.

Anticipated opening – mid-October. I can’t wait to see the final menu. Stay tuned.


Old elevator gears reclaimed from 1813 Columbia Rd, NW


Lots of copper outside

Update on 2714 Ontario Road NW

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

As I was taking the photo, some of the construction guys were walking around the side of the building, and we started talking. One of them said that the plan was to add bay windows to the front, and that they were trying to be sensitive to the historic look of the block.

I thought this sounded encouraging (especially given how incongruous the pop-up across the street looks). On the other hand, it seems like even when builders are trying to blend in with existing older architecture, the new stuff rarely looks as nice as the old stuff. (And while there are bay windows on some of the houses on the other side of the street, there aren’t any on this side.)

Anyway, I’m cautiously optimistic… but still wish they could’ve left the front facade alone.”

We’ve been following the progress of this construction here and here.

PoP T-Shirts Continue to Travel the Globe – Quebec, Canada

By Prince Of Petworth

“Tadoussac following our Zodiac boat adventure (unfortunately we couldn’t take any pictures on the boat because we couldn’t remove the protective gear) and the ferry back to Baie-Ste-Catherine.”

Ed. Note: For those who have written in requesting PoP t-shirts, I’ll bring a few with me Tues. night 5-9pm on the patio of Wonderland (11th and Kenyon St, NW.) Shirts are $20.

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