Is there a good coffee shop along georgia avenue north of columbia heights, say in the 3000s?”
What can I say? It’s Georgia Ave day today…
When I think of Georgia Ave and coffee two places immediately pop into my head – Sankofa Cafe located at 2714 Georgia Ave. and Qualia Coffee located at 3917 Georgia Ave. And of course there is a Starbucks at 2225 Georgia Ave NW. But for another good one near the 3000s you can go over a couple of blocks to 11th St, NW and hit Columbia Heights Coffee at 3416 11th St NW.
Thanks to a reader for doing some research on this one and snapping some photos last night. He writes,
“This would be a huge loss for the neighborhood, and the place was always packed. The sign, hours and credit card logo are off the door and it looks pretty bad inside. This is not good at all.”
Calls to the store go unanswered and the location is no longer listed on the Dunkin Donuts Web site. Unbelievable. I know not everyone is a fan but God Dang it – I am. Not the best coffee in the world. But the best cups. And damn those blueberry donuts are good as well. Thankfully the one at 2750 14th St NW in Columbia Heights remains open.
My thoughts go out to Dupont residents this morning. Strength and courage my friends. In the meantime Filter Coffee at 1726 20th St, NW should be able to hook you up.
We first learned about Yola, coming to 1323 Connecticut Ave, NW back in late August. I’m happy to report that they’ll be open for business on Monday. Co-owner Laura Smith was kind enough to give me a quick tour earlier in the week. From Yola’s Web site:
“Co-founders David and Laura, both longtime D.C. residents, are a father-daughter team. The idea for Yola came up during a family dinner in 2009. Laura had seen a similar concept in Europe and wondered why D.C. didn’t have anything like it. David and Laura put their heads together and a year and a half later, Yola was born.”
Their menu is “a combination of tasty seasonal ingredients backed up by an ever-reliable supply of superfoods and organic supplements.” They offer yogurt parfaits with unlimited toppings, smoothies, tea and coffee and eventually some grab and go sandwiches. A regular fresh yogurt is $4.25 and a large is $5.50.
The space is very comfortable and much larger than I thought it would be based on the size of the storefront.
Do you know anything about the legalities of bringing your dog to a coffeeshop in the district? I used to live in an east coast city before moving down here two years ago, and there, more often than not, your neighborhood coffeeshop employees wouldn’t look twice if you brought your dog in while you worked on your laptop, talked with friends, etc. The other day I was told by the barista that dogs legally aren’t allowed in coffeeshops here. Is this true? As yet, I haven’t found a spot to hang out with my (well-behaved) dog, and of course we both prefer sitting outside. But I’d like to bring him along when I can during the winter months as well. Any ideas on such laws, or are these really just rules each coffeeshop sets? And if so, does anyone know of any spots to take their dog?”
Hmm, this is a good question. I think I’ve seen signs around town for shops and coffeeshops in particular that say “dogs welcome” or something like that. Hmm, does anyone know if there is a law forbidding dogs in coffeeshops? I feel like I just saw a sign saying dogs welcome – maybe at Peregrine on the Hill? Anyone know if there are coffeeshops that welcome dogs? What if people have allergies?
And of course – more generally – do you think dogs should or should not be allowed in coffeeshops or any shops?
Tynan Coffee and Tea will be opening up at 1275 First Street, NE in NoMa tomorrow and having a grand opening Dec. 1st. Many will recall that Tynan also has a Columbia Heights location at 1400 Irving St, NW. There new NoMa location is also it’s biggest. The space is 1800 sq ft and has room for 46 seats. In the warmer months there will also be outdoor seating. While having a similar feel and look to the Columbia Heights location, this location also has a small tv area and will host old photos instead of a mural.
I spoke to Pat Coyle who’s promoting the new cafe and he shares:
“We will offer a happy hour M-F 4:00pm to Close (8pm).
The Grand Opening will remain on Wednesday, December 1st. We will have our Tynan Giveaway contest, the opportunity to win Tynan gift certificates, from 6:00am-5:00pm and a complimentary shoe shine from 1pm- 4pm. We will have our Grand Opening Happy Hour from 4-8.”
Thanks to all who sent word about this development. Washington City Paper’s Lydia DePillis broke the news Saturday announcing Big Bear (1st and R St, NW) had received its liquor license despite an ANC protest, though:
“Big Bear didn’t get everything it wanted: The Board, while dismissing most of the protestants’ concerns about trash, noise, and zoning, confined the Cafe’s hours to midnight on weekends and 11:00 p.m. on weekdays, with outdoor music to cease at 9:00 p.m.”
A lot more info came out today on what was once scuttlebutt here back in early August. Today, Washingtonian’s Todd Kliman got details:
“I just this second hung up the phone with Michael Landrum, the iconoclastic restaurateur who operates Ray’s the Steaks and Ray’s Hell Burger. Landrum has big news on this chilly Election Day morning: an announcement of a new coffeehouse venture.
“Not only can I confirm that we signed a lease at CIty Vista, but we actually — believe it or not — have already begun construction on an urban bakeshop/cafe called Ryse, which is built to extend the impact that Ray’s the Steaks in East River has had in that community. It will be a modern streamlined mainstream coffeeshop with salads, fresh-made sandwiches, and possibly frozen yogurt.”
Does this sound like it’ll be a good addition to Mt. Vernon Square?
I just noticed the new awning 1113 V Street, NW. This is the space that used to be Gori Cafe and had a phenomenal happy hour. I spoke to a neighbor who said that there will be new owners at the V Street Cafe and that the inside is getting renovated. I’ll be sure to post when they re-open which is expected in 2-3 weeks.
I’ve been getting a number of emails from readers about the sign that has gone up at the old Oya’s Mini Bazaar and African Art space located at 2420 18th St NW. This is the space that I learned will become:
‘a “Tryst” type spot (coffee house, sandwiches, etc…) with low sofas and lots of gathering space. The new owners have already purchased a liquor license. There wasn’t a kitchen previously so they will have to build out a whole new kitchen and remodel the inside so it is likely going to take a number of months before they open up.’
