418 7th St, NW
Wagamama has long topped the list of biggest retail/restaurant teases since we first heard they were coming to the former Olson’s bookstore back in 2009. City Paper’s Jessica Sidman got confirmation this morning:
“Wagamama director of marketing Ingrid Williamson confirms to Y&H today that the restaurant will not be opening a restaurant in D.C. as originally planned.”
Fear not Penn Quarter – Daikaya Ramen Shop is still coming nearby.
1926 9th St, NW
Back in March 2012 we first learned that Cause would be taking over the old La Carbonara Space at 1926 9th St, NW just south of U Street.
They’ve completed their extensive renovations and the two floor space looks great:
Lots of great reclaimed wood:
Awesome skylights throughout:
Here’s a first look at their menu:
Click image above to enlarge
In addition to the menu there will be 10 daily specials, based on seasonally available ingredients prepared by Chef Adam Stein.
Draft beer will be rotating on a regular basis but they’ll start with:
Guinness
Great Lakes Eliot Ness Amber
Franziskaner Hefe-Weizen
Port City Monumental IPA
Lost Rhino RhinO’Fest Marzen
Chocolate City “Bridge Builder” Scotch Ale
They are having a sneak preview party on Saturday. Tickets are $50 for admission, hors d’oeurves, plus beer and wine. The grand opening will be Wed. Oct. 24th at 8pm. You can read all about their philosophy here.
1348 H St, NE
Huge news, literally, for H Street. The gigantic space at 1348 H St, NE has been taken over by the great pizzeria – Red Rocks. 1348 H St, NE was originally slated to become Sweet Charleston’s but that fell through and the space went back for lease in June 2012. For those not familiar with Red Rocks:
RedRocks is a bustling neighborhood pizzeria in Washington, D.C.’s Columbia Heights neighborhood, and in Old Town Alexandria.
The food at redRocks is inspired by the pizza from the best pizzerias in Naples, Italy. The menu features Neapolitan inspired, thin crust pizzas cooked in a classic Italian wood-fired brick oven. We cure many of our own meats and make our own sausage. We are committed to using fresh, locally grown produce and hand made cheeses, as well as sustainably raised meats whenever possible.
About 1348 H St, NE – I’m told Red Rocks:
“will be 3 levels, with a rooftop bar/patio seating. roughly 7,000 square feet which should make it the largest restaurant on H St.”
If construction goes according to plan – they’ll open in early spring 2013. Stay tuned!
2005 14th St, NW
Last month we learned that Marvin had expanded into the second floor of Blackbyrd located at 2005 14th St, NW just north of U Street. Turns out much bigger changes are in store for the first floor of Blackbyrd (which opened back in July 2011.) Blackbyrd is going to change names and become a Vietnamese Restaurant and Pho house headed by Executive Chef James Claudio and his Vietnamese grandmother, Lap Claudio.
The Claudios are currently finalizing the menu but you can “expect steaming bowls of pho, (Bun) pork over vermicelli, Bahn Mi and hand made spring rolls”. Additionally they will serve Tiki cocktails, created by Brendan Murphy, who will headline the beverage program. While the new restaurant is aiming to have a grand opening November 5 you can get a sneak peek of the new look over the next 2 weekends.
514 8th Street, SE
Pacifico Cantina opened up on Barracks Row back in June 2012. Their Website says:
“Welcome to PACIFICO CANTINA where executive chef Saul Canesa and visiting Texas native chef and Tex-Mex connoisseur Ben Berryhill wish all to know that everything made in our kitchen is handcrafted and made from SCRATCH……PERIOD. No big cans or jugs or anything frozen enters our house. Just the best regional beef, poultry, seafood and produce we can find along with 22 different types of chiles and beautiful Hass avocados to make your guacamole upon request. Our molés and salsas are a labor of love and our Margaritas nice and cold.”
You can see their menu here.
No doubt they have an awesome roof deck but how’s the food?
3155 Mount Pleasant Street, NW
Over the summer we learned that Radius Pizza had closed at 3155 Mount Pleasant Street, NW above Last Exit next to Tonic. The good news for pizza fans in Mt. P is that Radius Pizza reopens on Thursday at 5pm (new sign coming Friday.) I stopped by yesterday to take a peek inside and while finishing touches were ongoing – it looks like it’s gonna be pretty sweet:
The new owners (who live in the neighborhood) tell me there will be lots of specials. And while the liquor license won’t come through until (probably) November, there will soon be many happy hour specials as well as a half priced wine night. There will also be a different food special every day such as half priced pasta day. They will continue the famed “Pint and a Slice” deal but it will be only one day a week (likely Mondays) and the price will go up a bit due to the rise in prices for ingredients. Stay tuned for carryout specials as well.
Great news for Mt. P.
1518 K Street, NW
About a month ago we learned that that a new oyster bar and tapas restaurant was coming to 1518 K St, NW in late Fall. They’ve posted a liquor license application which shares a few more details about Catch 15:
“New Tavern. Oyster bar & small plates. Entertainment with DJ, occasional Flamingo dancers, guitar player, and other live music. Occupancy load is 160. Sidewalk Café with 30 seats.”
Flamenco dancers could be pretty cool. Flamingo dancers could be absolutely epic!
Another former Quiznos space gets a new tenant. The one at 1025 Vermont Ave, NW (just north of K Street) will become a Cafe Mediterranean.
Thanks to all the readers who send word about the construction area outside the Z Burger at 14th and Park Rd, NW. I’ve emailed the owner to see how long they anticipate construction to last but haven’t heard back yet. Unless we have a warm winter I guess an exact opening date isn’t essential…
2003 18th Street, NW
Big news for the 3900 block of Georgia Avenue in Petworth. The owners of the Blaguard have taken over 3911 Georgia Ave, NW (next to Qualia Coffee) and plan on doing an extensive renovation (9 months to a year) before opening a new bistro and beer garden for the back patio.
3911 Georgia Ave, NW
The 3900 block of Georgia Ave continues it’s renaissance starting with Qualia Coffee and more recently, renovations have brought a new dry cleaners, real estate office, consignment store and a new chiropractor’s office is also coming to 3909 Georgia Ave, NW.
Can’t wait to learn more about the new bistro and beer garden!
3900 block of Georgia Ave, NW