1409 14th St, NW
1409 Playbill Cafe closed at 1409 14th St, NW at the end of Sept. 2011. Lalibela Ethiopian Restaurant currently located a couple of storefronts away at the corner of 14th and P St, NW will be moving into the former Playbill space.
I’m told Lalibela will be vacating their current location next month. Stay tuned to see who moves into that space.
1201 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Back in May we noticed some progress at Del Frisco’s Grill coming to the former Les Halles space at 1201 Pennsylvania Ave, NW. Yesterday I stopped by to see how the inside was looking. It is way further along than I thought. I’m told they’ll be opening July 14th. Stay tuned for updates on their menu (I’m told their Ahi tacos will be amazing) and a proper photo preview as we get closer to the 14th. I’m particularly psyched about the potential of the outdoor patio as well. Here’s a peek at what it looks like now and some renderings.
Inside features a huge bar plus table and booth seating for 170. The Patio outside will seat 100.
Check out some renderings after the jump. (more…)
2317 Wisconsin Ave, NW
Back in April I mentioned that pho was coming to Glover Park. I’m excited to share lots more details I got from the owner:
We are officially Sprig & Sprout (Pho and Viet Sandwich Shop). The reference being all of our dishes are served with some kind of Sprig (basil, mint, cilantro) and bean Sprouts.
We are looking to open our doors for a soft opening around the beginning of September. During this time we encourage a lot of comments and suggestions to help us iron out any kinks.
The style of our restaurant is “Fast & Casual” but we wanted to keep options open to our guests. Our main floor has an open kitchen and is meant to be used for the quick eats. Here you can order in line, then watch as they prepare your food for take-out, or grab a table and a runner will bring your dishes to you. For anyone who wants to relax a little longer our upstairs fully stocked, laid-back bar provides full service.
Our hours of operation are everyday from 11am to 10pm.
I’ve actually just gotten back from a trip to Vietnam where I worked with two chefs to get a range of education. Hopefully I’ve gathered some good secrets!
Sweet – stay tuned for September!
3514 12th Street, NE
Huge news for Brookland residents – the owners of three rock solid spots on U St and H St are combining forces to open a new bar, grill and coffee lounge in Brookland. This could be the biggest thing to hit Brookland since the Pope visited The Basilica. The owners of The Pug, 1234 H St, NE – Tony T; Solly’s, 11th and U St, NW – John Solomon; and Sova – 1359 H St, NE – Frank Hankins are coming to the former Library space at 3514 12th St, NE near the Brookland metro:
I spoke with Pug owner and Brookland resident Tony T who explains their vision for the space:
We are putting together a family friendly, neighborhood bar and grill. The coffee element that Frank brings is also an integral part of what we are doing.
I live just a few blocks away, so I’m looking to make a place where I can take the kids to dinner as well as a place the softball team can come for a few pitchers after a game. the neighborhood bar feel is very important, but with the chef we’re bringing on board, the menu is going to be much broader than hot dogs and 13th street meats off of the Pug’s grill. Although both may be included to keep the kids happy.
The long and short of it is, we want a place to eat and drink that caters to the families and folks who have been in Brookland for years, as well as a place for the newer folks.
Coffee in the morning and beer at night – sweet!
They are still finalizing their liquor license transfer and some other logistics so realistically standby for an Autumn opening. More details on the menu (and the name of the place!) as they get closer to opening.
3018 14th St, NW
Back in early May we learned that the Eastern Empire Chinese take out had closed at 3018 14th St, NW. Looks like a new restaurant is taking over the space – stay tuned!
A reader sends word – the permit was wrong – it will actually become a Sprint store.
81 Seaton Pl, NW
In Nov. 2011 Bacio Pizzeria opened up at 81 Seaton Pl, NW in Bloomingdale. You can see their menu here. So what’s the verdict?
10th and H St, NE
Back in April we learned that Ben’s Chili Bowl would be opening up a 2nd location at 10th and H St, NE. Last night @HStreetDC_ tweeted even more good news:
“Wow! Plans for @benschilibowl on #HStDC look amazing! Roof deck w/49 seats. Inside 132 seats. Patio w/34 seats. Big place, looks great.”
Though they also tweeted:
“They’re still refining the plans for @benschilibowl. Gonna be awhile before they open on #HStDC”
800 F St, NW
More big restaurant closing/shuffling news from yesterday. The Washington City Paper confirmed rumors that Zola and Potenza will be closing:
“Zola is set to close June 30, and Potenza on Aug. 18…Vidalia and Bistro Bis chef/owner Jeffrey Buben will take over the Potenza space on Sept. 1.”
We’ve previously judged Zola here (8th and F St, NW), Potenza here (1430 H Street, NW), Bistro Bis here (15 E St, NW) and Vidalia here (1990 M Street, NW.)
9th and E St, NW
And in other takeover news, the Washington Post reports that Jose Andres’ Minibar will be moving into the former Zola Wine & Kitchen space:
Chef-owner Jose Andres says he’s relocating his acclaimed, six-stool celebration of avant-garde cooking on the second-floor of 405 Eighth St. NW to the space recently vacated by Zola Wine & Kitchen at Ninth and E streets NW.
Reservations for the transplanted restaurant will be taken starting Sept. 1 for seatings in October.
801 E St, NW
A reader sends an intriguing email:
I got the information below from a United Social Sports email today that they are having a party in a new club (and indicates used to be Riot Act). I looked at RA’s site and doesn’t indicate they are closing but they don’t seem to have any acts scheduled for July or August on their calendar. If true, too bad for RA. I hosted a private party in their showroom shortly after they opened, it’s a wonderful space.
“Exclusive Preview Party!
Join USS as we invite you to an exclusive private preview of Penn Quarters Newest Bar!
Its so new we can’t even give you the name so you KNOW this is going to be a blast!
There will be Free Miller Lite & $2 Rails and an awesome DJ from 9-11pm then the party continues with ridiculous drink specials and games the rest of the night.
Where: Penn Quarters Newest Bar (Formerly Riot Act)
When: Saturday, July 9th @ 7pm”
Another reader writes:
“Thought you may like to know; Riot Act Comedy Theater is planning to close at the end of the month. Employees are trying to keep it hush but word gets out. A check of their calendar shows no planned events after the 29th.”
Indeed Riot Act’s Web site has no new shows listed after June. Other readers have also written in asking about a new “huge” bar in Penn Quarter.
Riot Act opened up back in Aug. 2011 at 801 E Street, NW. More info as it becomes available.
Update from commenter Downtown Dave:
“For what it’s worth, the place isn’t closing — it is being recreated/renamed. The stage will remain downstairs and they will continue to host live events — music, comedy, etc. Further, the upstairs space will be reinvigorated as a Tryst-like coffee house/bar open day and night– a huge upgrade from its current underutilized state.”
457 Massachusetts Ave, NW
Washington Business Journal reported yesterday:
“The high-profile Pan-Asian restaurant Buddha Bar appears to have abruptly closed.
The restaurant was not answering phones during business hours last night or this afternoon.”
I stopped by yesterday afternoon and a guard in the building said they were closed too. Buddha bar opened at 457 Massachusetts Ave, NW back in May 2010. We judged them here. If they are indeed closed it’ll be interesting to see who takes over the gigantic space.