Just last week we learned that the owner of Belga Cafe on Barracks Row was planning on opening a new space at 1324 14th St, NW in Logan Circle. I’m psyched to see they already applied for a liquor license:
“New Belgian restaurant serving Belgian cuisine for breakfast, lunch, brunch and dinner. DJ for brunch and on weekends. Recorded background music will be provided. Total Capacity 199 and Sidewalk Café with seating for 12.”
415 New Jersey Avenue, NW
From an email:
Art and Soul is about to turn the patio into the District’s crab boil destination, every Wednesday throughout the summer. Beginning May 30, Chef Wes Morton will serve Louisiana-style jumbo crabs, traditional sides and cold, seasonal beer from Flying Dog Brewery.
WHEN
Wednesdays, beginning May 30
Beer specials starting at 4:00pm
Crab Boil begins at 5:30 pmDETAILS
Crabs – 3/$21, 6/$40 or 12/$72, while supplies last
Assorted sides (corn on the cob, potatoes and sausage) – $3
Flying Dog seasonal brews – $4/glass and $16/pitchersLOCATION
Art and Soul patio
(The Liaison Capitol Hill, an Affinia Hotel)
415 New Jersey Avenue, NW
1734 N St, NW
Back in Oct. 2010 we were saddened to learn that Iron Gate restaurant was closing at 1734 N St, NW. The Washington Post shares the great news:
Tony Chittum, of the three-star Vermilion in Alexandria, plans to leave the contemporary American restaurant and reopen the romantic Iron Gate Inn in Dupont Circle.
The menu of the new Iron Gate Inn will highlight Italian and Greek flavors.
Stay tuned for an opening in about six months. Anyone ever eat at Vermilion?
Then and Now by the House History Man is a new series by Paul K. Williams. Paul has been researching house histories in DC since 1995, having completed more than 1,500 to date. Read Paul’s previous post here.
Every house has a history, but to those living on Capitol Hill in the 1300 block of A Street, NE today might not realize that their house history would include a tornado. The residents living there on November 27, 1927, however, would certainly have the shock of their lives. That day, a rare tornado ripped through the block, severely damaging several houses on the south side of the block, seen here. The resulting mess didn’t seem mind Miss Berry Wilson, however, seen in her overalls and high heels, who did not leave all the labor to the men of the family.
The tornado was larger than it appeared in these pictures, damaging a 17 mile tract through metro Washington. It began at 2:15 that day, and was gone less than 25 minutes later. It damaged 372 structures, and created an even more rare 300 foot tall waterspout in the Potomac River in its aftermath. Hundreds were injured by flying debris, but only one woman died of a lightning strike. Property damage was estimated at $690,000 in 1927.
The house at the far left of today’s picture is 1371 A Street, NE – the third house from left the 1927 image (looking west). If you look closely, you can notice brick repair at the cornice line for several houses necessitated from the tornado damage. (Photographs from Capitol Hill by Gregory J. Alexander and Paul K. Williams, Arcadia, 2004).
Bean and Bite is coming to the (newish) building at 1152 15th St, NW just south of M Street, NW. You can see their menu here and FAQ sheet here. Looks like they plan on opening in more locations in the future. Their Web site says:
“Bean and bite has an interesting story. It was built by hand in a garage. The concept was created as a mini bar that dininers and coffee fanatics could make their own coffee, grab their own food and be out the door within 2 minutes. Our food philosophy is all about home made baked goods, great pastries and home made sandwiches that are hard to pass up on. Ingredients that are local, farm to table and healthy combinations and great variety is our goal!”
1152 15th St, NW
Sixth Engine did a great job converting an old firehouse into a restaurant in Mt. Vernon Square. I just saw another great example up in Silver Spring called Fire Station 1 at 8131 Georgia Ave.
“The Fire Station 1 Restaurant and Brewing Company is proud to be locally owned and operated in the original location of the first firehouse in Silver Spring, MD. Retired firefighter Jeremy Gruber began his firefighting and EMS career at Fire Station 1 and nearly a quarter of a century later he’s the proud owner of the newly renovated family friendly Restaurant and event complex.”
More on the history of that firehouse here.
Makes passing the old firehouse on North Capitol Street that much more painful…
The Paul Bakery that is coming to Connecticut and K St, NW is opening June 4th. Nice.
I’ve been wondering who will be coming to the vacant retail spots at 1730 M St, NW (just east of Connecticut Ave.) The one further east will be home to Oxford Deli. The owner says he hopes to open by the end of the month. Oxford Deli will only be open during the week.
Coming to the vacant space further east (next to the Edible Arrangements) is a new nightclub. Their liquor license application says:
“New Nightclub and Lounge offering live entertainment. Occasional catering services for corporate charity and private events. No Nude performances. Total occupancy load of 320, and total number of seats is 299. Number of Summer Garden seats is 21 and number of Sidewalk Café seats is 40.”
1817 M St, NW
Moaz Vegetarian restaurant closed back in Jan. 2012. Sala Thai will be taking over the space right next door to the recently opened 3 Pizanos pizza spot. You can see Sala Thai’s menus for their U Street, Petworth and Bethesda locations here. As a fan of their Petworth location, I’m calling this good news!
325 Morse St, NE
Thanks to a reader for the heads up on this great hidden gem. YoonHa’s is not fancy but it has two more important traits – it is delicious and it is cheap. It is located at 325 Morse St, NE in the Capital City Market (where Litteri’s is located) very close to the NoMa metro:
They are open from 5am – 3pm from Monday thru Saturday.
A look at the menu after the jump. (more…)