TICO Opening in June on 14th Street, NW just south of U Street

1926 14th Street, NW

We suspected they were getting close…

A peek in the window also reveals that it looks like they kept the original external wall or did a great recreation:

From a press release:

“TICO restaurant, owned and operated by award-winning chef Michael Schlow, is set to open in the Louis Development at 1926 14th Street, NW, Washington, DC in June 2014. Schlow, considered to be one of the leading culinary professionals in the United States, opened the first TICO, named one of Esquire’s “Best New Restaurants in America” in Boston in 2011; this marks his first DC-based venture.

An American restaurant influenced by Schlow’s travels to Spain, Mexico and Latin America, TICO will offer various ceviches, tacos, small plates, a la plancha dishes, and family style entrées. Chef George Rodrigues, executive chef at TICO Boston, has relocated to DC and will helm the kitchen in Washington. Elkus Manfredi Architects has collaborated with Bethesda-based StreetSense to design the 164-seat space and will feature artwork from Schlow’s wife, Adrienne.

Schlow, whose father was from DC, spent a large part of his youth in the area and later spent time working with local legend Jean-Louis Palladin. With the opening of TICO, Schlow is thrilled to be “coming home” and putting down roots in the area once again. Although it took several years and many scouting trips for Schlow to identify the ideal spot, finding the right location has been well worth the wait, as he hopes to build a long-term presence in the area. “We are very excited to be a part of the thriving Washington food scene and the vibrant 14th Street community,” Schlow says. “We’ve been humbled by the warm welcome we’ve received from the neighborhood and restaurant community at large.”

The beverage program, overseen by director of operations Steve Uhr, formerly of Le Diplomate and Mike Isabella’s restaurants, will feature wines chosen from Spain, South America, and the United States. TICO will boast an extensive list of rare tequilas and mescals with more than 125 selections from which to choose. The beer program will include a variety of Latin beers as well as an exclusive collaboration with DC Brau, in which their Citizen beer has been aged for two months in old Anejo barrels from Avión Tequila. The restaurant’s cocktail program will be a big focus and feature primarily small batch, handcrafted spirits.

TICO will first debut dinner service in late spring, and shortly thereafter begin weekend brunch. Guests can also look forward to regular special events in the semi-private dining room including collaborative chef dinners and mescal pairing menus.”

Looking north towards U Street