Bars

Big Bloomingdale News: Baraki No More – Rustik Coming to 1st and T St, NW Sooner than you Think!

By Prince Of Petworth

The saga of Big Bear Cafe’s (1st and R St, NW) quest for a liquor license has captured the attention of most Bloomingdale residents. Meanwhile, nearby, another bar/restaurant has been quietly progressing. Build out at the corner of 1st and T St, NW has nearly been completed (I had to use an old photo above). For those who follow Bloomingdale news closely you may recall that a restaurant called Baraki was going to open up in this space. Baraki was even granted a liquor license.

And back in Jan. I told you about a proposed neighborhood bar called, Rustik. Rustik was hoping to open across the street at 1832 1st St, NW. Unfortunately that space didn’t work out but I recently learned that Rustik has negotiated with the owner of the retail space at 1st and T and that will be the new home to Rustik.

As I mentioned, Baraki, had already been granted a liquor license so Rustik will be able to have it transferred rather easily. Though, keep in mind Rustik will also be a restaurant featuring fire brick pizza. So keep your eyes peeled for the opening at the corner of 1st and T Streets, NW because they’re gonna be open a lot sooner than you think. I’m betting by the end of the month but as we’ve learned strange things can happen in Bloomindgale. I’m hesitant to say that the drought in Bloomingdale may soon be over, nevertheless, I’m looking forward to lifting a pint there very soon!

Update: There will be an “open house” this Sat. to help celebrate 1st on First art walk (August 7, 2010 – 12 to 4 PM.)

Dear PoP – Argonaut’s reopened; where are the people?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

I was just hoping that you could plug the Argonaut now that it has reopened is ready for business. My wife and I live a few blocks away and have been 4-5 times since they’ve reopened as a tavern. Their upstairs (with a great view of the starburst intersection) and the patio are up, as are their booty beer and summer wheat on draft. They have a great neutella-and-homemade-peanut-butter sandwich, and their gazpacho is refreshing on these hot days.

The owners are such great people, and we’d hoped that more folks would be back to the Argo, given the huge crowds at both their fundraisers a few weeks ago. So far the place has been nearly (or completely) empty when we’ve been. The Argonaut has done so much for H Street that I feel that they could use all the help they could get.”

We talked about the fire at the Argonaut here. Argonaut is located at 1433 H Street, NE and looks like they have some great fish tacos. Get at ’em!

Coming Soon to DC Micro (Nano) Brewery – Chocolate City Beer

By Prince Of Petworth


Chocolate City Beer Headquarters in Brookland

There’s been a bit of chatter about a new DC Microbrewery. Many have heard of DC Brau but there is a second slightly smaller Brewery that is also poised to hit DC. They are called Chocolate City Beer. I sat down for a chat with two of the three partners at Looking Glass Lounge last week.


Ben Matz (left) Jay Irizarry (right) third partner not pictured is Brian Flanagan

Ed. Note: Sorry for the cell phone pic. Many may recognize Jay Irizarry as a Manager and Bartender from Wonderland and Looking Glass Lounge. Matz and Irizarry have been friends for years and have had a passion for brewing beers for just as long. What started as just a backyard experiment has turned into a legitimate brewery after lots of planning and a bit of luck. Both couldn’t understand why DC didn’t have a micro brewery (DC last had an active brewery in approx. 1958). Not only was DC missing an active brewery but they also noted nearby Philadelphia had around 20 successful ones. So why not DC?

While it is a passion for both, Matz, 28 has professional experience and has been a brewer for Gordon Biersch and Wild Goose Brewery up in Baltimore. Matz has perfected a few recipes while experimenting at Jay’s Capitol Hill home. To start, Chocolate City Beer will be offering two varieties to about 15 different bars/restaurants around town. They will be offering an IPA and are deciding between Dussledorf Altbier or ESB for their second variety. In the beginning they will only be offering these two types in kegs but expect to expand gradually over time.

They have recently secured a HQ in Brookland (see photo above). Their HQ is about 1300 square feet and will produce around 150 kegs a month in the beginning. They hope to start distributing their kegs around late Dec. pending permit approvals. For those who share a passion for brewing and want to start their own microbrewery, in addition to expertise, start up costs can easily run up to $200,000. But they welcome the competition, believing DC will see 4 or 5 more microbreweries pop up in the coming months.

Now for the name – Chocolate City Beer. It is an homage to the District of Columbia based on DC’s nickname from back in the day. Furthermore, their first IPA is going to be called Big Chair IPA in tribute to the Big Chair in Anacostia. They almost had the HQ in Anacostia but the spaces were too large. The recipe for Big Chair IPA was developed over a two and a half year period.

I’ll be sure to update when distribution gets started for one of DC’s first new microbrews. I know I’m looking forward to tasting a Big Chair IPA.

Lots more photos of Chocolate City Beer HQ after the jump. You can see a few touch ups are needed… (more…)

Meridian Pint to Offer Brunch Next Sunday

By Prince Of Petworth

On Sunday morning I tweeted the following information that I heard from the folks at Meridian Pint (11th and Park Rd, NW):

“Meridian Pint serving brunch today (Sunday) from 12 noon til 2pm. Next week full service brunch on Sunday, Aug. 1st beginning at 10am”.

While a full brunch starts at 10am next Sunday (and goes until 3pm I believe) I also hear that in the following weeks brunch will also be extended to Sat. I’ll announce that extension when it goes live. Anyone happen to try the practice brunch on Sunday?

6 Hundred Lounge Coming Soon? O Street Market to Break Ground in Sept?

By Prince Of Petworth

I can’t remember if I’ve ever noticed this before but at 600 Florida Ave, NW there is a coming soon sign for ‘6 Hundred Restaurant Bar Lounge’. I don’t think I’ve seen an alcohol application for this property but I’ll keep my eyes peeled. I think it would be nice to see this section of Florida Ave, NW to get some more life.

And WBJ’s Michael Neibauer reports (subscription only) that the long delayed O St. Market in Shaw will break ground in Sept. You can see a rendering here. Knock wood, knock wood.

Friday Question of the Day: What Restaurant/Bar Do You Miss Most

By Prince Of Petworth


Fear Not, El Limeno Still Open for Business!

I got a few emails yesterday asking if El Limeno (200 block of Upshur St, NW) had gone out of business. I’m happy to say that they were just closed for one day but are open for business with their regular hours.

But it got me thinking that’d I’d be pretty sad if they did close. Which also got me thinking – which DC restaurant or bar that has closed do I most miss. Believe it or not the first thing that jumped in my head was the bagel place in Cleveland Park. They weren’t the best bagels in the world but they were reliable. While we’re in Cleveland Park I also liked that Asian fusion restaurant that was in Dino’s space. Anyone remember the name of that place?

So for the FQotD: Are there any restaurants or bars that you really love that have closed?

Bloomingdale’s Firehouse Plans on North Capitol St, NW – Big Bear Cafe Alcohol Application not supported by ANC5C

By Prince Of Petworth

At the ANC5 meeting Tues. evening @Edgewooddc tweets about the Firehouse located at 1626 North Capitol Street, NW:

“Restaurant consist of 3 levels.
lounge, banquet hall and restaurant.
Late night menu will go until 2am, they will also offer Sunday brunch.”

Stay tuned for a liquor license application.

Also of interest was a vote about the Big Bear Cafe’s alcohol application.

@Edgewooddc and @BloomingdaleDC both note just before 9:30 pm:

“ANC5C will not support the @BigBearCafe liquor license application at this time.”

I’ll admit this whole process is very confusing. I’ve been speaking to folks in the know who seem to believe that Big Bear Cafe (First and R Streets, NW) will be able to get a liquor license even without ANC5C approval. Obviously not ideal but my understanding is that the approval is not 100% necessary. I’m sure we’ll be hearing a lot about this in the coming weeks. I’ll be sure to update when more info becomes available. Does anyone know if ANC approval is 100% necessary?

Coming and Going: Karaoke Coming Heidi’s Going

By Prince Of Petworth

Muzette Karaoke is coming to the old Kokopolis spot at 2305 18th St NW in Adams Morgan. A sign recently went up and the entrance is starting to look nice which is promising since it used to look like this but now looks like this:

And in going news:


View Larger Map

“Dear PoP,

I have noticed that the Heidi’s Brooklyn Deli at 1300 2nd St. N.E. has been closed now for about 5 weeks . I originally thought that maybe they were closed for vacation which they have done in the past,But tonight as I was walking by I spoke to a Security Guard for the ATF building where they are located and he said they have gone out of business. Well since the Constitution Cafe opened around the corner 145 N St N.E. their business had slowed to a crawl (Plus the food is a lot better than Heidi’s).”

Will anyone miss Heidi’s?

Dear PoP – Inexpensive b-day venues?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Blinkofanaye

“Dear PoP,

Might you/your readers have any suggestions for inexpensive party venues for an upcoming 30th bday party?
Ideally, some place metro-able that won’t have a food minimum and will let us bring in our own cake.”

I’d think many bars would be amenable to a birthday party. Off the top of my head I’d think upstairs at Solly’s (11th and U St, NW) or the back room of Duffy’s (2106 Vermont Ave NW and PoP advertiser). I think some people have thrown some at Darlington House (1610 20th St, NW just off Conn. Ave). I guess it may depend how many people you think will be coming? Where would you guys recommend for a good b-day spot?

View More Stories