Restaurants

Park Cafe Papered Over and “Closed for Today” This Week on Capitol Hill

By Prince Of Petworth


106 13th Street, SE

Park Cafe has been “closed for today” this week at the eastern edge of Lincoln Park.

The front has been papered over so it is possible it could be undergoing a renovation. Though there was also this ominous note posted to the front door:

Their Website says:

The place started out, as I’m sure many of you who’ve been here longer than I have remember, as a Mexican place where you brought your own booze. Then he went to Latin and Spanish food. One of his lawyers, Paul Pascall’s, favorite stories is how the Park Cafe got its liquor license. Originally they were turned down because a nearby church invoked a law that says a business within a certain number of feet of a church cannot have a liquor license. So he hired a lawyer and challenged the law. He was an immigrant in this country, with no special connections to anyone in power, and he used the court system available to him and got the law overturned. A great example of the American justice system being equal and available to everyone, Paul likes to point out. He’ll also tell you about how all the windows in the neighborhood were filled with signs supporting the Cafe.

So once he got his license, Alcione opened the kind of restaurant he really wanted. A real, high end, food lover’s restaurant. And he began collecting wine. If you ask him how he knows so much about wine, he’ll laugh and say, “In Chile you grow up, you know about wine. From day one. You just drink it and you know. When the babies cry, they don’t dip the pacifier in milk, they dip it in the wine.” He currently has somewhere close to 3500 bottles in the cellar representing wineries in Spain, Chile, South Africa, Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Austria, Oregon, Washington State and, of course, California. He loves California wine.

He develops the menus with his chef, Gustaf (formerly the chef at the Palm on 19th Street, famous hangout of Washington politicians). He adds new dishes every few weeks to accommodate seasonal ingredients or to show off something he’s been working on.

You can see their menu here.

We judged them back in Feb. 2010.

Wok and Roll Looking to Expand Chinatown Location, Increase Hours, Add Summer Garden and Karaoke

By Prince Of Petworth


604 H Street, NW

Wok n Roll’s Adams Morgan location already has karaoke at 2400 18th Street, NW and now their Chinatown location is looking to get in on the action at 604 H St, NW. They’re also looking to expand the space including adding a summer garden:

“Request to increase Occupancy Load from 99 seats to 150 seats; operate a Summer Garden with 35 Seats; change the Hours of Operation and, add Entertainment Endorsement w/Karaoke.”

Currently they are open Sunday through Thursday from 10:30am – 10:30pm and Friday/Saturday 10:30am – 1am. They would like to increase the hours to: Sunday through Thursday 10:00am – 2:00am and Friday/Saturday 10:00am – 3am. And for the proposed summer garden: Sunday through Thursday 10:30am – 1:30am, Friday/Saturday 10:30am – 2:30am.

You can see their menus here.

Mad Pictures of Mad Momos Coming to Columbia Heights

By Prince Of Petworth


3605 14th St, NW

Back in March 2012 we learned that Mad Momos beer garden and restaurant, coming to 3605 14th St, NW (at Perry Place) would be getting a sweet roof deck. We also took a look at the status of the renovations. Since March there has been a tremendous amount of progress and I’m happy to be able to share lots of photos. They are on track for an early Autumn opening. Stay tuned and follow their progress on their Facebook page. In the meantime – check out how amazing the space is starting to look.

Starting from the outside you’ll notice a new paint job and the old awning. But soon you won’t recognize the old awning as it will be completely covered in vines, starting with Carolina Jasmine:

Continuing the green theme, when you walk in the first floor you are greeted by the start of a future green wall and exposed brick. The walls will also featuring community art displays in the future:

The first floor also features a 20 foot bar:

The bar is made of reclaimed wood from the original house:

The first floor also features huge windows that open up bringing in lots of light:

Take the stairs to the 2nd floor:

Lots more photos of the 2nd floor and roof deck after the jump. (more…)

Bluejacket Brew Pub Applies for Liquor License in the Boilermaker Shops (Navy Yard)

By Prince Of Petworth


300 Tingey Street, SE

The much anticipated Bluejacket brew pub has applied for a liquor license in Navy Yard:

“This is a new restaurant serving American style cuisine with a Brew Pub. Serving beer that is brewed on site. Total Occupancy Load is 199, with 150 seats. Summer Garden with 80 seats.”

Capitol Riverfront says:

“Bluejacket will be a brewery and restaurant and the latest creation from Neighborhood Restaurant Group (Churchkey, Birch & Barley, Rustico, Evening Star Cafe, etc.). NRG’s beer director Greg Engert and head brewer Megan Parisi will oversee the beer program and production.”

They anticipate opening in 2013. Looking forward to seeing the inside take shape:

The renovation of the Boilermaker Shops is stunning. You can see what it looked like Oct. 2011 here and in April 2011 here.

And today:

Lime Fresh Has Ribbon Cutting, Opens Tomorrow (Wed.) in Columbia Heights

By Prince Of Petworth


3100 14th Street, NW

From a press release:

Lime Fresh Mexican Grill, the popular Florida-based fast-casual Mexican concept, will celebrate the opening of its first District location in Columbia Heights (there are two other locations in the metro area) with a ribbon cutting on Tuesday, August 28th with Mayor Gray. The South Beach bred concept has partnered with the Mayor and his team to utilize and promote his One City ● One Hire initiative, a program directed at putting DC residents back to work – Lime Columbia Heights has hired 30 DC residents for their team. The ribbon cutting also serves as a celebration of DC’s lowest unemployment rate in the last three and a half years.

Famous for its signature blend of fresh, mouth-watering Mexican dishes, dynamic ambiance, stylized interiors and scrupulous service, Lime was originally conceived in 2004 to complement the vibrant and food-conscious culture of South Beach. Lime has garnered a following from locals and celebrities alike, by serving Mexican-style cuisine using only the freshest ingredients, and charbroils on grills in an exhibition-style kitchen. Additionally, all locations feature a signature homemade salsa bar and 50 variations of hot sauces. Guests have the option of whole wheat, multi-grain or low-carb items, and everything on the menu has 0 Trans fat.

Columbia Height’s Lime Fresh Mexican Grill will officially open for business on Wednesday, August 29th and is located at 3100 14th Street NW, within the DC USA shopping center. Lime Fresh Mexican Grill is open from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. – 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday.

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