Restaurants

Owner of Belga Cafe Opening ‘B Too’ at 1324 14th St, NW in Logan Circle

By Prince Of Petworth


1324 14th St, NW

Back in March we looked at the rendering for Lionel Lofts coming to 1324 14th St, NW in Logan Circle. In the rendering there was a generic bistro in the retail space. Now we know what that bistro will really be – B Too from the owner of Belga on Barracks Row. The Washington Post reports:

The ground floor of the 150-seat restaurant, a former locksmith shop, will feature a waffle bar and breakfast by day and frites served through a window at night.

The owner of B Too is aiming for a launch date of 12-12-12.

Awesome!!!

Renovations Coming to Samuel Kelsey Apartments in Columbia Heights – Olive Garden Italian Restaurant Coming too?

By Prince Of Petworth


3322 14th Street, NW

Lots of readers have been writing in asking about the Samuel Kelsey Apartments in Columbia Heights. Specifically folks are asking about the former Speedy Liquors and Casa Furniture spaces at the corner of 14th and Monroe St, NW. So first thing first here is what I know – the Samuel Kelsey Apartments are being fixed up by WinnDevelopment:

WinnDevelopment enjoys a 30-year history of successful development ventures, which are valued in excess of $1.5 billion. Properties developed range from garden-style apartment communities to medical office buildings to the Millennium Bostonian Hotel, an internationally recognized luxury hotel at Faneuil Hall in Boston.

A more recent focus for WinnDevelopment is the acquisition and turnaround of troubled properties using a combination of innovative financing, government subsidy mechanisms and improved management practices.

Their project page says:

For today’s seniors aged 62 and above, and the disabled. Samuel Kelsey consists of 150 apartment homes that are combined with12 commercial spaces including a pharmacy, beauty salon, bank, and much more. Also conveniently located within minutes of downtown D.C., are grocery stores and public transportation. The active Resident Association offers support in providing trips, wellness programs, and food assistance. Historical facts show this ideal community carries a superior rating recognized by the District of Columbia Housing Finance Agency.

Speaking with folks on the property they say the metal grates will be removed in addition to other facade improvements. I’m not sure to what extent, if any, the inside will be addressed.

Now to what more people have been asking about: What specifically is going on with the former Speedy Liquors and Casa Furniture retail spaces? At first I thought it was just people messing with me but now rumors are officially flying – folks are hearing that an Olive Garden Italian Restaurant will be taking over the space. And yes this is directly across the street from Ruby Tuesday. I have left a message with Olive Garden’s media relations (though I don’t know if they’d be able to confirm even if it is true) but their director is on vacation, I will update as soon as more info becomes available.

So, if it is an Olive Garden – do you think it will do well in that space?

Update from Olive Garden’s [Darden] Media Relations:

“Darden’s brands continue to grow, so our real estate teams are constantly looking for sites across the country. However, we don’t comment on any specific plans until a project has received the necessary approvals.”

Former King-N-I Space at 847 Upshur St, NW to Become a Sit Down Restaurant and Lounge in Petworth

By Prince Of Petworth


847 Upshur St, NW

I’m not gonna pretend to understand what happened to the King-n-I that was located at 847 Upshur St, NW. But the closure might be a blessing in disguise. I spoke with one of the new owners who shares great news. The space is being completely gutted and while it will still feature a large bar there will also be a proper sit down area including a lounge area with tvs showing sports. At the moment the plans are to name the restaurant simply – “Good Food”. It will feature “good soul food.” They still have to apply for permits, as well as a liquor license, so it will likely be a few months before they open. Stay tuned.

Lots of Progress at TEL’VEH Coming to Mt. Vernon Square

By Prince Of Petworth

Back in early March we checked in on TEL’VEH coming to 401 Massachusetts Ave, NW in Mt. Vernon Square. This is the place that will be a:

“European Café with wine bar. Breakfast and lunch with bakery.”

Since March, serious progress has been made. I stopped in last weekend and snapped a couple of shots. Looks like they’ll be open in a few weeks. The bar looks great (notice the wine dispensers):

And I’m eager to see how the main dining room turns out:

Horace and Dickie’s Opening 2nd Location in Takoma this Week

By Prince Of Petworth


809 12th St. NE

From a press release:

Horace and Dickies is the latest addition to the growing number of independent restaurants on Old Takoma’s Main Street. Using the formula that has been successful at the original Horace and Dickies, an institution on the H St Corridor in Washington, DC for over 20 years, the new location will open this week at 6912 4th Street, NW in the Takoma neighborhood of Washington, DC.

Owner Simone Shannon, with the blessing from her Dad, Richard “Dickie” Shannon, will be expanding the family business and bringing the same favorite menu to Old Takoma which includes fried fish, shrimp, crab cakes and chicken plus soul satisfying sides like collard greens, macaroni and cheese, french fries, potato salad and slaw. Homemade cakes and pies round out the menu as well as a new addition to the Takoma menu – fish tacos.

“While people definitely travel from around the city to get our food, we selected the Takoma location because we were looking to tap into a new market in another area of DC,” said Simone Shannon. “We were particularly drawn to the Takoma neighborhood because the community is recognized for supporting its independent businesses.”

Known for their reasonable prices, large portions and quality food, Horace and Dickies has attracted not only the Washington, DC community, but also Adam Richman and Man v Food on The Travel Channel which also helped to develop a steady flow of visiting tourists.

About Horace and Dickies: Horace and Dickies is a family business which has been bringing fresh made food to the Washington area for over 20 years. The original location is at 809 12th St. NE (at H St.) Washington, DC with hours: Mon-Sat 10am-2am and Sun 11am-7pm. The new location is located at 6912 4th St, NW, Washington, DC with hours: Mon-Fri 10am-9pm and Sun 11am-7pm.

We previously judged Horace & Dickie’s here.


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Then and Now by the House History Man – Yenching Palace

By Prince Of Petworth

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.

The Yenching Palace was once located at 3524 Connecticut Avenue, NW and had been a fixture in the neighborhood since the 1950s. Its backward “Y” on the popular neon sign confused many a passerby.

It was the covert meeting place between ABC newsman John Scali and Aleksander Fomin of the Soviet Union during the 1962 Cuban missile crises, emissaries representing President John F. Kennedy and Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev.

The restaurant was built as two separate buildings in 1925 and 1928, which merged in 1945 to form the Seafare Restaurant, seen here on a 1950s era postcard (author).

Yenching Palace was opened in 1955 by Van Lung, the son of Chinese warlord Lung Yun. Lung died in 1991, and the restaurant was purchased by his nephew, Larry Lung. Over the years, celebrities, musicians, and politicians dined at the popular eatery. Just a few names included Mick Jagger, Henry Kissinger, Ann Landers, Jason Robards, Art Garfunkel, Alexander Haig, Lesley Stahl, Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein.

The restaurant was also the site of a press conference in the 1970s, when the arrival of the two giant pandas marked a new relationship with China. Lung closed the restaurant – to the dismay of many regulars – in 2007 when he leased the building to a Walgreens –the first Walgreens to locate in Washington, in fact. The company recreated the façade to its 1945 appearance.

Yenching Palace pictures by the author.

Movement at Del Frisco’s Grill Coming to Old Les Halles Space on Pennsylvania Ave – Opening this Summer

By Prince Of Petworth


1201 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Back in Dec. 2011 we finally learned who would be moving into the long vacant Les Halles space at 1201 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW. Signs out front say they’ll be opening in summer 2012. They’ve also just applied for a liquor license that says:

“Full service restaurant with summer garden. Seating capacity is 346.”

Their Web site says:

“Del Frisco’s Grille combines a social atmosphere with exciting cuisine, an expansive wine list & hand-crafted cocktails. Food and drinks are built to share, so get together with a friend or share the experience with your neighbor.”

You can see their New York menu here.

The burger looks pretty good…

Sweet Happy Hour at Mandu

By Prince Of Petworth

A few weeks ago I tweeted that I found a happy hour offering Bell’s Two Hearted Ale for under $3. Unfortunately for me, it is located in Old Town Alexandria (where I don’t get to, too often) at the Union Street Public House. I’m a huge fan of Bell’s brewery beers. I’m also a huge fan of Mandu. My friend Sean send this awesome news – Mandu offers Bell’s Oberon for $3.00 4-7pm everyday. They also have Founders IPA and Oskar Blues Pilsner. While not as awesome as Two Hearted Ale, that’s still a pretty sweet deal. Mandu has two locations at 1805 18th Street, NW and 453 K Street, NW. Awesome.

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