Restaurants

Luke’s Lobster Opening a Georgetown Location August 23rd

By Prince Of Petworth


1211 Potomac St, NW

From a press release:

Luke’s Lobster team is proud to announce that a new Luke’s will open August 23rd in the former Philly Pizza space at 1211 Potomac Street.

Luke’s Hoya roots are strong—almost as strong as his ties to his coastal hometown of Cape Elizabeth, Maine. From late nights at Philly Pizza to small business classes (which he took alongside the founders of Sweetgreen, the wildly popular salad shop around the corner), Luke’s Georgetown years were as formative as his lobster-boat summers. Dishing fresh, sustainable Maine lobster to his old neighborhood and fellow Hoyas has been Luke’s dream since he served his first sandwich. In particular, he has been pining for the building where he burned his mouth so many times on melted cheese and tomato sauce before the pizza joint closed in 2010.

He couldn’t have found a better location. The whitewashed clapboard house at 1211 looks as though it was transplanted directly from a Maine lobster dock. Luke’s first two-story location will have room to satisfy neighbors and students alike amid lobster gear from his old boat. And the neighborhood’s love of good food, from cheesesteak to cupcake, makes it the ideal community to share the world’s greatest lobster, in the form of DC’s favorite lobster roll.

1211 Potomac St, NW was previously home to Philly Pizza then Grow Fresh and more recently The Crave pictured above in March 2012. We judged Luke’s Lobster Penn Quarter location back in July 2011.

Former Tony’s Flowers Space to Become An East Indian Restaurant at 20th and I St, NW

By Prince Of Petworth


1928 I Street, NW

I’ve gotten so many emails asking about the former Tony’s Flowers (Tony’s was there for 40 years) space at 20th and I St, NW. I finally found out what’s happening – an East Indian restaurant will be moving into the space after extensive renovations. More details as they become available.

Oh yeah, they may also put in a roof deck:

Heritage India Coming to Former Soho Cafe and Market Space at 19th and Pennsylvania Ave, NW

By Prince Of Petworth


1901 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Back in May we learned Heritage India would be closing their Dupont location at 1337 Connecticut Ave, NW and looking for a new spot. Looks like they found one – 1901 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW in the former Soho Cafe and Market. A liquor license application posted out front says about Heritage India:

“An Indian fine dining restaurant with seating for 250 patrons and total occupancy load of 250. Requesting a sidewalk café with 100 seats and an entertainment endorsement.”

You can see their menu here.

Heritage India’s Dupont location was the scene of a shooting on Nov. 27th 2011.

Shawarma King Closes in Adams Morgan, Doner Bistro Coming Soon

By Prince Of Petworth


1654 Columbia Rd, NW

Shawarma King opened up at 1654 Columbia Rd, NW back in Dec. 2008. They competed in a battle for the Shawarmas with nearby Shawarma Spot here and here. We had a proper judging in Nov. 2011. Sadly their doors have now closed. But a new spot will take their place – Doner Bistro:

Our Döner is more than a meal, it’s a fusion of cultures and ideals stuffed into grilled flat bread and made to your individual tastes.

Enjoy our spiced meat prepared daily, fresh fixings of natural ingredients and beverages such as imported beer, wine and organic lemonade in a welcoming environment; the recipe for a perfect day. Come by and experience the modern taste and feel of Germany without buying a plane ticket.

You can see their menus here.

And more description:

Thoroughly European

Everything from beer poured into the right style glass to the radio station’s German beats to its little quirky details, Döner Bistro is your first class ticket.

It’s your day, your life; you deserve a little fun :-)

But what the f*** is a Döner?

The Döner Kebab (meaning “turning meat”) is a traditional Turkish dish served with rice on a platter.

In the 1970’s, a Turkish entrepreneur in Germany altered this dish by stuffing the Döner meat into a flatbread with salad and sauce.

This form better suited the German taste and hectic lifestyle, and its popularity quickly spread from Germany throughout Europe into Australia, Canada and across the world.

Our version of the meat cones are made in house.
We do not use pre-processed meat, fillers or preservatives.

All our menu items are made to order right in front of your eyes!

Top Chef Masters Viewing Party with Chef Art Smith at Art and Soul (Aug 1)

By Prince Of Petworth


415 New Jersey Avenue, NW

From an email:

Join Chef Art Smith at Art and Soul for a Top Chef Masters Viewing Party. Enjoy the crab boil on the patio, then head into ArtBar for an extended happy hour and complimentary bar snacks while watching Chef Art compete on the show.

WHEN
Wednesday, August 1
9:00-11:00pm
(show starts at 10:00pm)

DETAILS
-Opportunity to watch Top Chef Masters with contestant Chef Art Smith
-Extended Happy Hour: all cocktails and wines are $7, regional tap beers are $4
-Complimentary bar snacks, with additional small bites available for $5
-The viewing party will continue at ArtBar every week while Top Chef Masters airs with happy hour and complimentary bar snacks

LOCATION
Art and Soul’s ArtBar
(The Liaison Capitol Hill, an Affinia Hotel)
415 New Jersey Avenue, NW, Washington, DC

What’s Shakin’ in the Makin’ at 1141 Connecticut Ave, NW?

By Prince Of Petworth


1141 Connecticut Ave, NW

Dear PoPville,

Just saw this construction going on across the street from The Mayflower Hotel on my way to work this morning. There was a Bobcat out front and workers going in and out, but I couldn’t see inside. The fencing prevented me from getting close but the sign does indicate an unenclosed sidewalk cafe.

The last post PoP had was from almost a year ago. Is this still Mari Vanna or something else?

Back in Aug. 2011 we learned that Mari Vanna would be coming to 1141 Connecticut Ave, NW next to the Godiva Chocolate store. It took a while but as you noted proper construction has finally started. And it is indeed still slated to become a Mari Vanna.

“A fine dining restaurant serving traditional Russian cuisine with a seating capacity of 215 people inside and sidewalk café seating for 25 people outside. Total occupancy load is 250.”

You can see their full NYC menu here.

Mediterranean Restaurant Painted at 15th and U St, NW (Hopes to Open This Week)

By Prince Of Petworth


Today

A few weeks ago we took a look at Mediterranean restaurant’s new paint in the former Love Cafe space at the corner of 15th and U St, NW:


July 9th

The lime green paint job didn’t get much support.

Thanks to all who’ve written in – the lime green is gone! I stopped by this weekend and the new colors look much much better (see top photo.) I also briefly spoke with the owner who says they are hoping to open this week. Good news all around.

New Restaurant, The Spot On H, Coming to 1255 H Street, NE

By Prince Of Petworth


Corner of 13th and H St, NE

The former location of Baitul Khair at 1255 H St, NE is getting completely gutted. Turns out it is going to be a new restaurant called The Spot On H. A liquor license application says:

“New Restaurant, offering American Cuisine, Entertainment Endorsement to include 2 to 3 piece Jazz Band, Summer Garden with 35 seats. Number of seats inside is 88, with total occupancy load of 126.”

It’s a pretty huge corner space:

Updates as construction progresses.

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