coffee

Dear PoP – Has Mocha Lounge Become Manchester Bar and Grill?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

Was wondering if you knew anything about what’s going on with the Mocha Lounge at 944 Florida Avenue? I thought it was re-opening as the Mocha Lounge, but apparently, it is becoming the Manchester Bar and Grill. The owners are trying to put some outdoor seating on the sidewalks, and they have repainted (which looks nice). It’s kind of confusing that it did actually re-open as the Mocha Lounge very recently.”

This past Sunday I stopped in and was able to sit in on a chat with owner Darnell Perkins and a couple of very nice Howard University journalists. Darnell cleared up the Manchester Bar and Grill name confusion right away – that was the name that liquor license was listed under but the space will continue to be known as Darnell’s Mocha Lounge or Darnell’s Lounge. And it really does have a lounge atmosphere:

Darnell explained that the space is developing over stages. Currently it is a bar and lounge with live Jazz/R&B on Thursday nights. The second stage will feature coffee options and a small outdoor patio (see photos after jump). Today the space opens at 5pm everyday but starting the first Sunday in May they will open earlier to serve coffee (with wifi available) and a continental breakfast. The third stage will feature proper brunch options. Currently there are some dining options available including wings, salads and mini crab cakes. The space will continue to develop based on recommendations from the neighborhood.

Darnell explained that he sees the space as an extension of his living room. In fact much of the furniture actually comes from his living room. While the space is very comfortable it is sorta broken up into two rooms. In the front room there is a lounge type feel with a big bar (that will serve coffee). In the back room there is another bar that serves alcohol and also has comfortable seating (see photo above). The total occupancy is about 75.

What I liked most about Darnell’s comments were his desire to be welcoming to all. He envisions his spot as a place that brings the whole neighborhood together whether you are black, white, latino, or gay or straight. Given the de facto segregation often seen in some neighborhoods it’s nice to hear about a spot that specifically wishes to cater to all. I certainly look forward to the continued evolution of this great space.

Lots more photos after the jump. (more…)

Free Coffee and more at Baked & Wired on Tuesday Morning

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo courtesy of Baked & Wired

From an email:

On Tuesday, 4/20 Baked & Wired will celebrate an anniversary. For 42,000 hours we have been proudly serving coffee and baked goods to the Georgetown neighborhood. We are delighted to have become a part of the life of the neighborhood.

To give back to the people who have supported us all those hours, we will be celebrating all day! We will be officially unveiling some exciting new coffee offerings, so come on over from 7:00 until 10:30am for a cup of coffee on us.

There will also be giant cupcake raffles all day long, and a giant cupcake eating contest at noon (stop by the store by Monday to enter for a chance to participate). And, of course, we’ll have all your favorite munchies and the usual Baked & Wired shenanigans. We hope you’ll stop by.

Baked & Wired
1052 Thomas Jefferson St NW

New Coffee House and Bar Lounge Coming to 715 Florida Ave, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

A new coffee house and bar, The Independent, is coming to Shaw. It is exciting to see new places continue to sprout up east on U Street/Florida Ave. Many of you will surely recognize the location as the former home to renowned urologist Dr. Edward H. Saunders.

The details from the alcohol permit sound very promising, particularly a significant summer garden. The alcohol permit says:

“Coffee House, bar lounge, 199 seats and total occupancy of 235 on first floor and storage on first and basement. Summer Garden with 75 seats and a total occupancy of 90.”

Think it’ll be like a Tryst-like establishment?

Qualia Coffee House Hours Extended Last Fri. and Sat. of the Month

By Prince Of Petworth

Qualia Coffee is located at 3917 Georgia Ave., NW. (Ed. Note: Qualia owns Fresh Off the Roast Coffee, a PoP advertiser) From an email:

“Qualia will be staying open until 9pm this coming Friday and Saturday and will be maintaining these later hours the last weekend of each month, moving forward. This is an experiment to see whether there is a need for extended hours. We will also be featuring some special treats from Paisley Fig to complement the later hours.”

Chinatown Coffee Co. Building For Sale

By Prince Of Petworth

Wow, there is a crazy real estate piece in this week’s Northwest Current (click on No. 10 to download a PDF copy). They write:

“The residential portion of the building at 475 H St. is offered for $2,495,000. The commercial property is listed for $1,295,000; together, the two are available for $3,750,000. For details, contact Jonathan Taylor of TTR Sotheby’s International Realty at 202-276-3344 or [email protected].”

Do you think this is just to become the landlord? I’m guessing that the coffee shop has signed a multi-year lease? Anyone know?

We took a look at Chinatown Coffee Co. this summer.

New Coffee Shop Opens in Adams Morgan

By Prince Of Petworth

Back in the begining of Jan. we heard that Adams Morgan was getting a new coffee shop at 2204 18th Street, NW. It has officially opened. It’s a nice little space with pastries and other food options (the menu was still be finalized when I stopped in) as well as coffee. To the reader who inquired in a previous post – they don’t have the comfy chairs like Tryst. But it is a very comfortable and clean looking space. Anyone try their coffee yet?

PoP Preview – Filter Coffeehouse & Espresso Bar

By Prince Of Petworth

A couple of weeks ago, I mentioned that Dupont Circle was getting a new coffee shop called Filter located at 1726 20th St, NW. I was able to swing by and chat with owner Rasheed Jabr on Friday.

Filter has received nearly all of their permits and hopes to open this Thursday, March 12th. It might be worth calling just to make sure they’re open if you want to stop by on Thurs. (202-234-5837). Filter will be open from 7am – 7pm seven days a week.

This is a proper coffee shop along the lines of Peregrine, Qualia, Mid City Caffe etc.

In addition to coffee, tea will also be available as will some pastries. While bagels will not be available, they will be providing daily fresh Faselle (a type of bread) that can be served with butter, jam and/or cream cheese.

And of course Wifi will be available.

As always the photos will do more justice than I can:

More photos after the jump including coffee and tea menus. (more…)

Dear PoP – The Best Latte in Town

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

Just curious as to whether you’ve ever stopped by Peregrine Espresso? Truly, the best latte in town –by far!
Locally owned and operated! Excellent service; kind and responsive staff. Clean, retro, minimalist decor. Simply excellent java, brewed by the cup!”

I recall folks talking about Peregrine Espresso located at 660 Pennsylvania Ave SE (near Eastern Market) in a previous post. Clearly the word is out because I went by this weekend to try a latte but the place was packed. Sadly, my patience for waiting on lines is horrible so I bailed. For those that have been – would you say they have some of the best coffee in town? Is it worth making a special trip?

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