When a reader inquired about Thai X-ing last week folks were mentioning other good Thai places that they liked. I noticed Paragon Thai was located at 3507 Connecticut Ave, NW in the strip with the new Weygandt Wines. I know this spot used to be a restaurant previously but I forget the name. Anyone know if Paragon Thai is a new spot? Is it any good?
photo by wineaux
“Dear PoP,
I leave for work at a pretty ungodly hour every day, so I’m not sure if many people see the things that I do. I see property management companies hosing down sidewalks the size of entire city blocks everyday. Considering the threat of low fresh water supplies nationally and globally, I was wondering what people think about legislation to prevent wasting water like this? Two specific examples are the Highland Park Apartments and the Small Business Administration in SW.”
A reader asked a similar question last April though somehow the discussion got diverted to the issue of spitting.
As you can see in the photo above, from Paris, folks clean sidewalks with water all over the world. Why is it such a common practice? If they use recycled water then is it ok? Does anyone know if recycled water is used for this purpose in DC? Would you support legislation to block the practice in DC?
We learned of this spot located at 3519 Connecticut Ave., NW back in March. I was lucky enough to chat with the owners and wine consultants on Saturday. Weygandt Wines is owned by Peter Weygandt and Todd Ross:
Todd Ross to the left and Peter Weygandt to the right
Peter Weygandt has been an importer of wines for 20 years with Weygandt Metzler Importing based out of Pennsylvania. Peter and Todd chose DC for their first brick and mortar store because “DC is filled with educated, sophisticated people who like to drink wine”. I couldn’t agree more. The store will be unique in that it will have a tasting bar much like you may see at a vineyard. They will be offering wines from 120-130 different producers (nine of whom are photographed on the walls). If you have a tough time deciding which wines to purchase you can be guided by their two wine consultants, Tim O’Rourke and Matthew Stintz. Tim and Matthew are a bit unique in that they were both formerly chefs. Tim at Citronelle (among others) and Matthew at Terra (in St. Helena, California).
Tim O’Rourke left, Matthew Stintz right.
The store was still being stocked but this’ll give you an idea of the size of the space (formerly Blockbuster video store):
You can see where the tasting spot will be in the back right corner of the photo. Speaking of tasting – their Web site says they’ll be having “Our first tasting: The wines of F.X. Pichler
Saturday, October 24th, 2:00 – 5:00 pm”. Though, they mentioned that tastings will not only be reserved for special events.
So if you wanted to check out a store devoted exclusively to wine – check out their grand opening Wed. starting at 10am!
A few weeks ago a reader wrote in that she heard a sex shop was opening in the old Habitat space at 1510 U Street, NW. I posted a FQoTD asking folks if they thought it would fit in well to U Street. Most folks thought it would. Well, the spot, Secret Pleasures had its grand opening this past Saturday. It’s Web site says:
“Secret Pleasures is committed to providing a comfortable environment that will allow exploration and enhancement of intimacy. We offer in-home parties for women and couples, that soon will be replaced with workshops and party hosting at our soon to open location in the Washington, D.C. Metro area.
Our goal is to enhance intimate relationships by offering enhancment techniques and educational resources as well. Secret Pleasures offers a wide variety of intimate products, books, DVDs, lotions and other romance enhancement products. We carry the highest quality of adult novelties and intimate products from the leading manufacturers.”
1510 U Street, NW
This weekend I noticed a few of these signs outside laundromats. This seems like a pretty good deal, yeah? Does anyone drop off their laundry and use a service like this? This one is located at 3325 Georgia Ave.
This was recently painted on the side of 2608 Georgia Ave. Though it’s still not clear exactly what the new business is inside. It never seems to be open when I walk by. I do love this mural though.
I’m not sure I get this one but I’ve passed it dozens of times and for some reason it stuck out more when it was slick with rain.
Another nice old double door example. Sweet stained glass too.
I’m a sucker for these cylindrical rooms. But also notice the design all the way up top. Sadly, this one could use a proper door but I suspect it may relate to the writing on the steps. I’d love to live in a group house that looked like this… This house is from Adams Morgan.
Thanks to a reader for sending the above photo and news about Ft. Totten’s imminent arrival of a 7-11. “The address of the building is 5210 3rd Street NE, but the store is actually on Galloway St NE, right across from the Metro Station in the Ft. Totten Station Apartment building.”
And in other Ft. Totten news The Washington Post had a big article today titled, An uptown vision for a ’50s neighborhood. They write:
“The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation is driving the development on a 17-acre plot it owns between the Fort Totten Metro station and South Dakota Avenue NE. The project, which would be completed over eight years and has an estimated price tag of $425 million, would give a 21st century makeover, complete with sleek buildings of glass, slate and brick, to a 1950s-era neighborhood filled with three-story brick buildings and mature trees.”
You can read the rest of the story here.