“Dear PoP,

It was very very festive – felt like a big house party with pizza. Everyone was excited and accommodating to the first night mistakes too. We are just so happy to have it open.”

Sadly I wasn’t able to make Rustik’s soft opening (1st and T St, NW) Friday night. Well to be honest I was scared of the crowds but it looks like it was an awesome time. So for those that went – the most important question for me – how was the pizza!?!?!

Update questions from a reader just in:

“Secondly, I sadly missed the opening weekend for Rustik. I was hoping you could put it out there for discussion, what are the pros/cons, early reactions? Is it packed? If I want to go tonight, what can I expect in terms of waiting, standing, etc. What were the police doing out there in force on Saturday night?”


After many false starts and teases, the day has finally arrived! Rustik Bloomingdale’s first Tavern opens up tonight at the corner of 1st and T St, NW. You can see their menu here. You can see their Web site here Rustik sends word in a newsletter:

“We are opening at last!

Starting, Friday, September 24th, at 9:00pm, Rustik Tavern will be open to the public.
This is a soft opening, therefore we apologize for any delays in service that you may encounter or random mishaps that may (and will) take place.”

Based on the buzz coming from twitter, I’d say the place is gonna be smashed crowded tonight. But that is understandable given all the anticipation. It is a great day for Bloomingdale.

And don’t forget Boundary Stone another Tavern is still slated to come to 116 Rhode Island Avenue NW. I’m hearing that they are now shooting for a February opening.

Well Bloomingdalians enjoy your beer and pizza tonight, you’ve earned it!


Well this is certainly, uh, an interesting choice of names… The liquor application license says:

“New cocktail bar lounge with billiard table. Salad and sandwiches will be served, no entertainment. Seating capacity is 8. Total occupancy load is 40.”

Seating capacity is 8 but no entertainment (except for a billiard table)? Sounds like a legit tavern. Could be interesting.


“Dear PoP,

I know I told you a while back about the progress made at the American Ice Company (on V St across from the middle school). Well, last time you featured it, it was a ramshackle warehouse with some crummy brick work on the ground in front. They have finished the patio – I am guessing they will paint or do some sort of mural on the wall. They also put up new gutter, redid the brick work on the front of the building and painted. As for the inside, you can peek in the windows on the side and see that the bar is about 80% finished, the duct work on the ceiling is done, the floor (assuming they are going with exposed finished concrete) are finished. All in all, it is looking good and moving along very fast compared to others in the neighborhood.”

We first learned of the American Ice Company, located at 917 V St, NW back in May ’10. I’m curious what you guys think of the new brick wall?

Here’s what it used to look like:

Back in May the liquor license application said,

“Small neighborhood gathering place with entertainment to include dancing, DJ’s and occasional
3-piece combo band. Total occupancy load is 143 with 44 seats included for Summer Garden.”

At the time a commenter who associated himself with the project wrote:

“I am one of the people putting this place together. First off, it is not going to be a dance place. As a matter of fact, we probably won’t even have DJ’s. When you apply for a license with ABRA it is necessary to ask for these endorsements even if you have no intention of using them.

It is going to be a very low key neighborhood bar and taqueria. The Summer garden, that will only have ambient music until 11:00 PM at the latest, is on the side opposite of the Rhapsody and noise should not impact the residents. in any case, we have reached out to residents of your building and are in the process of setting up a meeting to discuss our plans with them and hope you will attend.”

Stay tuned for more info as it becomes available.


Back in March we learned that Oya’s Mini Bazaar and African Art located at 2420 18th St NW had moved to 2600 block of Connecticut Ave, NW. A reader recently spotted a DCRA sign for demo under the name of “Bistro 18”. I was able to learn that the space is going to 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. I’ll be sure to update as progress is made.

Do you think 18th St, NW in Adams Morgan has room for another Tryst type spot?


Back in Nov. ’09 California Pizza Kitchen closed at 1250 Connecticut Ave, NW. Today (pending final permits) Cassa Nonna hopes to open. I spoke with one of the workers who was very excited about the new space though the manager wouldn’t let me take any photos.

Also Shelly’s Backroom is expanding into the old salon space next door at 1831 F St, NW. They also hope to open a sidewalk cafe. According to their Web site:

“Shelly’s Back Room is one of a kind in Washington, DC, a comfortable retreat for cigar aficionados and those who simply want to unwind. Our casual but elegant space features soft lighting, cozy couches and over-stuffed chairs.

Shelly’s Back Room is a cigar-friendly establishment, but our state of the art air-purification system keeps the atmosphere comfortable for smokers and non-smokers alike. Sit back and enjoy yourself while chatting with friends or watching high-definition TV.”


A couple of weeks ago Alliance Tavern closed their doors at 3238 Wisconsin Avenue, NW. Thanks to a reader for the heads up on the coming soon sign recently posted. It says that the new spot will be called District 2 Bar & Grille and comes from the owners of The Ugly Mug on Barrack’s Row and Maddy’s Bar and Grille in Dupont.

Their Web site says:

“District 2 Bar & Grille comes to the Cathedral Heights neighborhood with a mouth-watering formula of consistently great food combined with a casual and inviting dining ambiance. Located at the corners of Wisconsin and Macomb, NW, District 2 is the neighborhood’s only sports bar & grille.

The atmosphere is all about welcoming community dwellers and serving up quality food and drink, including more than a dozen domestic and imported brews. The delectable menu, created by accomplished Executive Chef J. Scott Webster, formerly of the Clyde’s Restaurant Group, combines the gourmet flavors of fine dining with the unique flare of your favorite bar, including their irresistible mini burgers and crowd favorites, sweet potato fries. ”

You can see their proposed menu here.

Before Alliance Tavern, this space was the home to Enology wine bar, and prior to that it was a coffee lounge under a few names including the Zebra room. For those familiar with the Ugly Mug and Maddy’s, do you think a similar spot will be a good fit here?


The Brickskeller is located at 1523 22nd St NW. I was talking to some folks about beer recently and the Brickskeller came up. I hadn’t been in years but always thought they had a pretty good reputation. The folks I was talking to couldn’t disagree more. So what do you guys think – good spot for beer? For food? How’s the service?

You can see their beer list here and their their menu here.


Progress on the Red Derby (3718 14th St. NW at Quincy) roof deck is progressing nicely. I hear anywhere from two to four more weeks until completion. Nevertheless, I can’t look at the above picture without smiling.

And in nearby news at 3513 14th Street, NW I was happy to see Pho Viet get some outdoor seating. Upper 14th Street looking good!


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