Bars

Judging Restaurants/Bars – Buddha Bar

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

Now that Buddha Bar has opening could you do a Judging Restaurants post on it? I went over the weekend and tried some apps but would like to know if the entrees are work the $30 price tag.”

I’m super curious to know what you guys think as well. Now I admit I’m not the best dressed blogger but before they opened when I tried to get some photos they treated me quite dismissively so I’m a bit prejudiced to start. But if you guys say it’s a must visit, I’ll give them another shot. They are located at 455 Mass Ave, NW and you can see their menu here (careful music plays).

Should I give them another shot? Are the main courses worth the price? What’s the overall atmosphere like?

Red Derby Getting a Roof Deck!

By Prince Of Petworth

We first learned back in April ’09 that Red Derby (3718 14th St. NW at Quincy) was looking to get a roof deck.

Thanks to a reader for the heads up – permits have been issued, construction has begun and I’m told the progress is advancing ahead of schedule! You can see there is a huge gap in the ceiling:

The bar will be closed Wed. for more construction updates. I’m told that in addition to a deck, there will also be a bar on the roof and it will have a similar configuration to the one on the first floor. If all goes according to schedule the new roof deck should be open by the first week of August.

And let’s give big props to those working and supporting the Derby while construction is ongoing because when I stopped by Tues. night there was no air conditioning. I will gladly patronize the Derby in 90 plus degree heat without a/c if we are rewarded with a roof deck!


Stairs to the roof likely to go where the closet above is now

Dear PoP – Where Will Folks Watch the USA World Cup Game Tomorrow?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo from PoPville flickr user Blinkofanaye

“Dear PoP,

So, I know you put up a posting before the World Cup started about “Where to Watch”, but now that we are into week 2 – I’m curious about where people are going & what there experiences are. Trying to figure out where to go watch the U.S. match tomorrow.”

and

“Do you know what local bars will be showing at 10 am on Wednesday? England and the US are playing, and both games will decide who advances to the knockout round. I’d be pleased to sit myself down somewhere where I could keep any eye on both matches, but I worry it’ll be one or the other, and very like that one will be the US game.”

For those that have been checking out the games – any suggestions for a good spot with multiple tvs to catch both games tomorrow? Which bars have been best so far? In addition to bars that will be showing the games simultaneously, which have you been happy with for food/drink specials and just overall watching experiences?

PJ Clarke’s Sidecar Coming to 1600 K St, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

PJ Clarke’s Sidecar has just applied for a liquor license in the old Solives spot at 1600 K St, NW. The application says:

“Full service restaurant open for lunch and dinner. Sidecar, 86 seats & P. J. Clarke’s,
116 seats for total indoor capacity of 202. Sidewalk Café with 48 seats.”

I’m a little confused by the description. Is the Sidecar the bar?

Though I say the more sidewalk cafes the better.

H St, NE’s Argonaut Bar and Restaurant Boarded Up Due to Fire

By Prince Of Petworth

Coming back from New York Sunday morning I was saddened to hear the news that the Argonaut, 1433 H Street, NE, had experienced a fairly severe fire. The owners write on The Argonaut’s blog:

* Nobody was in The Argonaut at the time, and nobody got hurt.

* We don’t know who called 911 this morning, but whoever you are, thank you from the bottoms of our hearts. Because of your call, the fire department was able to get there before the damage (which is very extensive, but pretty much only in the kitchen and bar area) was able to spread.

* Most of you may not know this, but our kitchen used to be an alley. Which means that the wall separating the kitchen and the bar is an “outside wall” and is several layers of brick. We are very thankful for that brick wall – it helped contain the fire.

* And thanks so much to the DC Fire Department. Seeing the kitchen, it really hit home about what they actually have to do. I cannot imagine having to walk inside what I can only imagine was an inferno…

* And thanks to Nancy & Graham, and Bill, Liz, Mika & Eila for watching Ara for the first part of the day. Thankfully, I had the good sense not to bring my toddler to a fire and they were ready, willing, and able to help! (And thanks to everybody else who offered to watch her…)

You can see photos of the damage inside and learn about their next steps here.

Meridian Pint Opening Date Update

By Prince Of Petworth

I’ve been getting lots of emails about when folks can indulge in the table taps at at Meridian Pint opening soon at 11th and Park Road, NW. While they were shooting for a June 17th opening obviously that didn’t happen. As with many bars around town there are some last minute permit/inspection issues. My understanding is that the new opening date will be in the next 2 weeks. It’s gonna be a long 2 weeks but I suspect it’ll be worth the wait. Stay tuned for a new post when an exact opening date is set in stone…

Evolve in Adams Morgan Closes?

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to a friend of mine for sending the word. He writes:

“There were a couple guys moving stuff out and I asked them if it had closed.. they said ‘yes’ it had. I asked if the knew what was going in and they said ‘no’.”

Evolve was/is located at 1817 Columbia Rd NW. They had pretty good reviews on Yelp. Their Web site is still functioning and their phone works but the message for the phone says something about another company not Evolve. Anyone else notice if they have closed or not? Seems strange to me because they have renewal permits up in the windows. I’ll be sure to update as more info becomes available.

Any fans of Evolve out there? Know the scoop?

Dear PoP – New restaurant coming to Shaw new lounge to Dupont

By Prince Of Petworth


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“Dear PoP,

A new location for Mandalay (Burmese restaurant in Silver Spring, if you haven’t been, it’s great and family-owned!) is slated for a new building being built in Shaw [1501 9th St. NW].

And I had dinner at Adega Wine Cellars in Silver Spring Saturday night and our waiter said the owner is planning a new lounge in DC called the Dirty Martini – I found this website for it, but all it says is “Summer 2010” [ 1223 Connecticut Ave, NW].

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