I feel like the old Capitol Hill Art and Frame shop has been vacant for ages at 623 Pennsylvania Ave, SE next to Pound the Hill. It finally has a tenant – Beuchert’s Saloon. The liquor license application posted out front says:
“A full service restaurant & Bar serving local, farm-fresh menu items prepared for lunch, brunch and dinner 7 days a week with a seating capacity of 47 for patrons and a total load of 61. Request a summer garden with 20 seats.”
Sounds promising!
1900 M Street, NW
Looks like Rumors is getting a facelift at 19th and M St, NW. Or at least a new floor. You can see their menus here.
3815 Georgia Ave, NW
Chez Billy opened at 3815 Georgia Ave, NW in April 2012. Here are some updates from an email:
Patio
Chez Billy’s backyard beer garden will debut in mid June. We will feature our bar menu and reduced pricing on growlers of selected draft beers.
Jazz in the lounge
In cooperation with the Petworth Jazz Project, Chez Billy will feature live jazz sessions every Thursday, Friday and Saturday in the upstairs lounge. The full bar menu will be available. Entertainment hours will run from 6:30 until late night.
Dinner for locals
Every Sunday through Wednesday locals are invited to join us at Chez Billy for neighborhood appreciation dining specials. Patrons seated in the dining room by 6:30 who present proof of residency in zip codes 20010 and 20011 will get 15% off of their entire check. Reservations are suggested. Please mention neighborhood appreciation when booking a reservation through open table.
You can see all menus here:
1337 Connecticut Ave., NW
EaterDC shares the word from Heritage India:
Heritage India Dupont Circle is closing to relocate.
As of May 31, 2012, it will cease operations and close at 1337 Connecticut Av NW. Our lease is ending and we are opting to relocate.
It has been an honor and a privilege to serve thousands of Washingtonians and domestic and foreign visitors since 2005. We will resume operations in another location where we can fulfill our commitment to providing world-class cuisine in an elegant and sophisticated setting.
Our new location will be announced this summer.
Heritage India Georgetown is open for lunch and dinner daily to serve you at 2400 Wisconsin Av NW. We sincerely thank you for your continued patronage and support. Please visit www.heritageindiausa.com for updates.
Heritage India’s Dupont location was the scene of a shooting on Nov. 27th 2011. An arrest was made in that case back in Feb. 2012.
3601 Georgia Ave. NW
Back in Jan. 2012 I asked if Fish in the Hood’s iconic glass window was in jeopardy after a shooting cracked the window. Looks like the name itself was in jeopardy. The Washington Post calls it Gentrification Spelled Out:
Even as upscale, high-rise condos went up around it and a string of hipster bars opened nearby, the beloved storefront restaurant Fish in the ’Hood remained an iconic institution on its gritty but evolving stretch of Georgia Avenue. Such was the pace of change that longtime customers often found themselves joking: Is this really still “the ’hood?”
Last week, Bill White, the restaurant’s owner, answered that question. He climbed a ladder and hung a new boardwalk-style neon sign that reads: Fish in the Neighborhood, with “neighbor” in bold.
Fortunately the Post adds: “Along with the new sign, White’s going to put in a new window and redo the fish.”
You can read Eric’s love of the restaurant and see what the sign used to look like here.
14th and Park Rd, NW
From Aquiline, Laina (ANC 1A05) via the Columbia Heights Listserv:
Z Burger’s application for a sidewalk cafe was approved contingent upon the following conditions (please note: this is not the specific language used by the committee, but a summation):
1) Z Burger will choose furniture that is more consistent with the furniture at other restaurants in the Columbia Heights Public Realm, subject to the approval of the Office of Planning.
2) The layout of the sidewalk cafe as applied for by Z Burger will remain the same, except for the removal of a four-top table (the middle of the three tables to the left (west) of the granite bench) and the handicap four-top table adjacent will be shifted to the left (west), in the former table’s place, allowing greater access to the granite bench.
3) Z Burger will only have a fence that runs parallel to Park Rd. There will be no fence enclosing the bench or on either the east or west sides of the cafe.
1832 1st St, NW
Thanks to a reader for sending word that a coming soon sign for Aroi Thai Sushi Bar has been posted at 1832 1st St, NW in Bloomingdale. I peeked my head in last week and the space is looking super close to being finished. Stay tuned.
705 6th Street, NW
Back in Feb. 2012 I was concerned with the progress at Daikaya Ramen Shop coming to 705 6th Street, NW next to Graffiato.
I was happy to see the building starting to rise. We had previously learned:
This is a tavern that has a ramen shop on the ground level. Diners will be able to order bowls with a variety of fresh toppings. The second level will serve as a bar & restaurant with a Japanese menu.
Daikaya will occupy 5,400 square feet next to Graffiato, made up of three levels: main (4,200 square feet), top (400 square feet), and lower (800 square feet) at 705 6th Street, NW. The restaurant, under Sushiko co-owner Daisuke Utagawa, will serve authentic ramen bowls amongst other Asian-influenced dishes and will tentatively open in late spring/early summer 2012.
Can anyone translate this sign:
4200 Wisconsin Avenue, NW
Thanks to a reader for sending the heads up about the Ruby Tuesday abruptly closing at the corner of Van Ness Street and Wisconsin Ave, NW. Of course, not many will shed a tear…but some will.
Stay tuned for an update when a new tenant is signed.
On Wed. the Washingtonian got more details about the refurbished Union Market coming to 1309 5th Street, NE:
Edens president Jodie McLean says that the project is partly inspired by San Francisco’s Ferry Building: a multi-purpose community space that joins permanent restaurants and vendors with a rotating lineup of artisans, entertainers, and farmers. Union Market will eventually expand to about 40 vendors, a third of which will be permanent, plus outdoor farmers markets on certain days.
You can see a list of all the vendors who’ve already signed on here.
1309 5th Street, NE
Also earlier this week we learned that CityCenter DC coming to the old convention center site downtown will be getting a specialty food market possibly Eataly. And we’ve already heard about some plans for CityMarket at O at 7th and O St, NW. And finally we’ve also learned about the Navy Yard/Capitol Riverfront development, particularly the Boilermaker Shops.
So, knowing more details about these projects, for the Friday Question of the Day – I’m curious which big development project you are most excited about:
Union Market at 1309 5th Street, NE?
CityCenter DC at New York Avenue NW, 9th Street NW, H Street NW, and 11th Street NW?
CityMarket at O located at 7th and O St, NW?
Navy Yard development especially the Boilermaker shops at 200 Tingey St, SE?