coffee

Judging Portuguese Inspired Cafes – Sweet Diablo

By Prince Of Petworth

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M Street, NW just west of 19th Street

Sweet Diablo opened at 19th and M St, NW back in Aug. 2012. Their website says:

Sweet Diablo brings Portugal’s corner café to downtown Washington, DC. Opened by partners Rosa Silva and Nuno Geraldes Freire in 2012, Sweet Diablo celebrates the European tradition of creating culinary experiences through artisanal confections, freshly made breads, fine cheeses and meats, and farm fresh produce. Life is to be savored, and it starts with what is on your plate.

At Sweet Diablo, we prepare our menu in the Portuguese tradition of using beautiful ingredients in simple combinations to bring out amazing flavors. With recipes created by Chef Michael Guerrieri, our Paoninis are a play on the Panini sandwich combining Portuguese meats and cheeses on freshly baked ciabatta to create distinct flavors that will captivate your mouth. Our soups and salads create a lighter play on some of these traditional ingredients.

We brew Illy coffee to serve alongside our Pastéis de Nata, a Portuguese custard tart whose tradition dates back to 1837 where it was first created in a Lisbon monastery. All of our breads and pastries are baked freshly each morning.

Our Not Your Usual Cheescake (NYUC) is pure temptation. Made without eggs, and topped with a fruit sauce, each bite is delectable.

The Best Chocolate Cake in the World by Chef Carlos Braz Lopes

Sweet Diablo is proud to feature renowned Portuguese Chef Carlos Braz Lopes signature chocolate cake. This flourless, gluten-free confection features thin, crunchy chocolate meringue layers filled with a creamy chocolate mousse and a ganache top. A popular sensation in Portugal, Spain, Australia and Brazil, Sweet Diablo is proud to be the exclusive distributor of the Best Chocolate Cake in the World in the United States.

You can see their full menu here. Any fans?

Showtime Lounge Hoping to Open by End of the Month in Bloomingdale

By Prince Of Petworth

showtime_lounge_bloomingdale
113 Rhode Island Ave, NW

Back in April 2012 we learned that Showtime Lounge would be coming to 113 Rhode Island Ave, NW across the street from Boundary Stone. I hadn’t noticed much movement but when I was walking around this weekend I noticed the front door was open. I peeked inside and spoke with one of the owners who says they hope to open around the end of the month. Plans are still for:

“The establishment plans to operate as a coffeehouse during the daytime hours, serving coffee, pastries and house made dips and snacks. During the evening hours, offering a small selection of beer, wine, spirits and finger foods.”

Finishing touches were still ongoing but there is a nice little bar in the back, some sweet retro wallpaper in the front and a mural on a back/side wall. It looks like it’s gonna be another great addition to Bloomingdale. Stay tuned for an exact opening date when it’s announced.

showtime_lounge_bloomingdale_bar_coffee

New Cafe Coming to 511 Florida Ave, NW in Shaw

By Prince Of Petworth

511_florida_ave_coffee

Thanks to a reader for sending word that some sorta cafe is coming to 511 Florida Ave, NW. I stopped by on Sunday to see if they were open yet but unfortunately they weren’t. But you can take a peek in the window:

511_florida_ave_inside

Located just a few doors down from Thai Xing. More info as it becomes available.

511_florida_ave_near_thai_xing

Scuttlebutt Confirmed: Busboys and Poets Coming to Takoma

By Prince Of Petworth

Back in Dec. 2012 I shared some scuttlebutt that a Busboys and Poets would be coming to the new Takoma Central project at 235 Carroll Street, NW. Happy to report it’s been confirmed. The Post’s Jonathan O’Connell reports they’re shooting to open in Spring 2014. From a press release:

Federal Capital Partners (FCP) and Level 2 Development (Level 2) have signed fast-growing and highly popular Busboys and Poets to a 6,500 square foot lease at Takoma Central in the Takoma neighborhood of Northwest Washington, DC. The pioneering restaurant/bookstore/market concept will occupy a large portion of the 9,000 square foot retail ground floor of the $36 million, mixed-use development located at the corner of Carroll and Maple Streets. Takoma Central will feature 150 rental apartments adjacent to the Takoma Metrorail station and is just steps from the center of this eclectic, historic urban village. Busboys and Poets is cherished by its customers as a contemporary community center, where people gather to eat, work, browse through books and join in conversation. Takoma is considered to be one of Washington’s most diverse and popular “towns within a city” and Busboys and Poets is a perfect fit for this flourishing neighborhood.

David Franco, Managing Partner at Level 2, commented, “We are thrilled to bring Busboys and Poets to Takoma Central. Busboys’ personality is Takoma Central’s personality is Takoma DC’s personality, setting the stage for a hip Takoma celebrating both its old and new character. Takoma Central, with its commanding Busboys and Poets frontage and outdoor, multi-level terraced dining, will bridge the gap between the Takoma Metro Station and the historic Takoma downtown. Takoma will become the new “it” destination stop on Metro’s red line.”

Continues after the jump. (more…)

Dunkin Donuts at 14th and U St, NW Temporarily Closed Friday for “imminent dangers”

By Prince Of Petworth

Dear PoPville,

Went by Dunkin Donuts Friday morning at 14th and U. It was closed by the DC Health Department for “imminent” dangers associated with their food service. Any idea what was going on there? The owners posted a “Sorry, we’re closed” sign as well. Didn’t know if you had any details.

Thanks to all who sent emails. Not sure what happened but I walked by on Sunday and they had already reopened:

D

Vigilante Coffee Popping up at Biergarten Haus this Week

By Prince Of Petworth


1355 H Street, NE

Thanks to Pete for sending word from the folks at Vigilante coffee:

With the recent closing of SOVA and the current buildout of the H Street Coffee House there is a serious lack of caffeine on H st. We’ll be launching a Pop Up Coffee Shop inside Beirgarten starting Tuesday Feb 19th to help keep the neighborhood caffeinated! We will offer an espresso bar, Japanese Pour Over coffee, locally baked pastries, teas, and other non coffee beverages. Beirgarten will supply wifi and tables for customers to sit and enjoy their coffee.

This is a combined effort brought to H st by Vigilante Coffee, Maketto, and the new owners of H St Coffee house.

Hours 7am-1pm

SOVA Closing/Changing Ownership this Sunday on H Street, NE

By Prince Of Petworth


1359 H Street, NE

Dear PoPville,

This is a bummer. SOVA is a nice place – totally chill with nice staff and good food and drinks. My band, Hollertown, played there every third Thursday and it was always fun. You never knew what you were going to get: wild drunken dancers, sedate and attentive quiet listeners or rowdy, loud conversationalists. Almost four years ago, I met the woman who became my wife there.

The owner writes us:

To all, It comes with deep regret that I must inform you that SOVA will be closing at the end of business, this Sunday, the 17th. This was not an easy decision, but it was a decision that had to be made, unfortunately. It was also a decision that had other people to consider, and who’s decisions mattered. I’m very very sorry. We were severely scared financially during the early years when business on the whole street was difficult to come by, and especially during the 3 plus years of street construction. We had some good nights, great nights even, but we also had nights where it didn’t make sense to even open the bar. To many of them. We grew with the street, and things got better. Just not better quick enough.

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