1414 9th St, NW
It’s becoming fun to see what the space at 1414 9th St, NW will be called. In Feb. it was the Eagle Restaurant and Sports bar and today it is the Northern Restaurant. It’s actually quite comfortable inside and remains a Ethiopian and Eritrean restaurant with a bunch of tvs over the bar:
And a glance at the menu, with vestiges from their previous namesake, shows some reasonable priced items:
Last week their were rumors a whoopie pie store would be moving into the old ACKC space at 1529 14th St, NW. Thanks to all who sent emails and tweets about the new liquor license that was posted for the Gordon Restaurant Group:
“New Restaurant, serving American and International Tapas. Recorded background music will be provided. A total load of 110, total number of seats is 80, and Sidewalk Café with 16 seats.”
Dining BISNOW reported that this is the guy behind Tangysweet and Red Velvet Cupcakery. They note the owner hasn’t fully worked out his vision but he hopes to serve a “no bullshit breakfast”. Stay tuned.
3291 M Street, NW
A couple days ago we learned that Crepe Amour was closing their 3291 M Street, NW location but still launching a food truck in April. EaterDC found out the new tenant – Spike Mendelsohn’s Good Stuff Eatery. Eater notes that the Wing place upstairs will be included and that they are aiming for a Dec. opening for the Georgetown location. You can see their menu here. Any fans of the Capitol Hill (303 Pennsylvania Ave. SE) location?
Speaking of sandwiches, back in Aug. 2011 La Tomate launched a Prosciutto Bar at 1701 Connecticut Ave, NW in north Dupont Circle. Their Website says:
The Prosciutto Bar at La Tomate offers a connoisseur selection of imported and domestic cured meats, cut to order on an artisanal hand slicer. Enjoy Italy’s finest prosciutto, like San Daniele and Prosciutto di Parma, as well as more curious flavors like our Prosciutto Iberico, imported from Spain. Vegetarian options including fresh and creamy buffalo mozzarella, a selection of cheeses balanced with homemade confiture, and mediterranean treats like seasoned olives are also available.
For lunch on the go, try our Prosciutto Bar Panini, a selection of sandwiches served on a fresh baguette, hand-sliced to order and available to-go daily.
Any fans? Anyone try the Panini?
Back in late Jan. 2012 we learned that Solly’s would be expanding next door into the former Madjet Ethiopian Restaurant at the corner of 11th and U St, NW. At that time we heard that we’d soon be able to grab a bite to eat at Solly’s. I recently sat down with the guy who’s going to make that happen – newly hired “Cuzn Mike” Clements.
Cuzn Mike is a very familiar face around town. Some will remember him from the Red Bean (now Radius) which he opened back in 2004 in Mt. Pleasant. Others will recognize him as the face behind the upstairs bar and sometimes griller at Jack Rose in Adams Morgan. Soon you will know him as the guy who makes the delicious sandwiches at Solly’s.
Quick side note, I’ve always wondered how he got the nickname Cuzn Mike. When he first came to DC he worked at 9:30 Club with his cousin and on his first day his cousin introduced him to all the employees as “my cousin Mike”. The name stuck.
Back to the important stuff. When Solly’s decided to expand it never had any intention of becoming a gourmet restaurant. What they did want to provide was a good, reasonable priced food option. Enter Cuzn Mike, “I’ve already got 60 different sandwiches I’m planning on rotating in.” Cuzn explains that there will always be 2 or 3 cold sandwiches, 2 or 3 hot sandwiches, a soup and a rotating entree. Prices will range between $6-$12.
“Dressing the sandwich properly is the key” according to Cuzn. Having spent four years in New Orleans he is very excited to offer Po Boys. So how to dress a sandwich properly? Lettuce, tomato, mayo and pickle upon request. We can expect to find shrimp po boys, oyster po boys not to mention jambalaya and gumbo. But the place is not New Orleans themed. Cuzn is also psyched to be able to roast his own turkey and roast beef. These sandwiches will always be made sliced to order. I was happy to hear we weren’t talking about pre-made sandwiches but freshly sliced. I was also happy to hear about the pastrami sandwich. Oh yeah, there was lots of talk of bacon and house made potato chips too.
If all goes according to plan they hope to complete the expansion in May. There won’t be any servers but they will be open for lunch, late night and eventually will offer a to go window for late night eats.
While the expansion will be connected to the original space it will also feature its own bar. Oh yeah, I forgot about the Fish Tacos. Stay tuned for taco Tuesdays coming soon!
Possible take out window one day
Photo via Loopnet
We knew it was bound to happen – the Hilton Brothers are coming to H Street. The folks behind Marvin, Gibson, American Ice co., the coming soon Chez Billy and Brixton and many many others are coming to H Street. While the concept is still being developed a liquor license has been applied for under the name ‘Spirit Room’ for 1337 H St, NE. Apparently the building was once home to a funeral parlor. The application says:
“New Tavern. Tavern style food. Live entertainment including DJ and occasional live band (max 5 pieces). Occupancy load is 99. Summer Garden with 40 seats.”
Stay tuned for more details in the coming weeks.
1318 9th St, NW
Wow, awesome news from EastShawDC:
“Tom Power, owner of Corduroy restaurant at 1122 9th Street, NW, has entered into an agreement to purchase the building that houses Mood Lounge. The agreement is contingent on Power receiving financing, and the agreement may be terminated if the closing doesn’t occur before March 31, 2012.”
We judged Corduroy back in Jan. 2009. You can see their menu here. Great news for Shaw if this goes through.
Back in Jan. 2012 Southern Hospitality opened in the former Adams Mill Bar and Grill space at 1813 Adams Mill Rd, NW. Their Website says:
Our restaurant consists of two levels and a spacious outdoor patio. Over the past few years Washington DC has become a thriving food scene, providing a wide variety of culinary indulgences. In an effort to continue the expansion of this city’s cuisine selection, we have decided to bring more of the south to the north; with exceptional service, and a menu providing a touch of that warm southern flavor. As a compliment to our food menu, we are bringing a well rounded reserve and by the glass wine list, timeless cocktails along with a few of our own inventions, and a relevant array of draft and bottle beers.
You can see their menus here.
Any fans?
Juice Joint Cafe has reopened after an extensive renovation from CORE architects, at 1025 Vermont Ave, NW just north of K St:
“We appreciate your patience over the past several months, while we’ve worked to expand and improve the Juice Joint Café! Come see us in our expanded space – we’re in the same location as always, just in a bigger, brighter space.”
You can see their menus here.
A press release adds:
“The expanded space is light and clean with sleek, streamlined finishes including: white millwork, epoxy flooring, exposed ceilings, textured stainless and green accents. The queuing area is delineated playfully with a railing made of rubber tubing that resembles garden hose. An orange solid-surface material calls attention to the cashier stations. The space accommodates almost twice the seating of the old restaurant, both indoor and out.
Tom Holland opened the first Juice Joint Café location in Dewey Beach, Delaware – to test the café concept – and ran it until 2001. Jim Holland, Tom’s brother and business partner, joined Tom to open the DC location. Executive chef Adrien Marsoni, a classically-trained French chef, has run the kitchen and refined menus for the last three years. Formerly at Bistrot du Coin and Montsouris, Marsoni shares the Hollands’ deep commitment to providing their customers with the freshest, healthiest product.”
But don’t worry, they saved their iconic mural:
2711 12th St, NE
On Monday we learned that Menomale, Pizza Napoletana and Craft Beer, was facing a liquor license fight in Brookland. Commissioner Vaughn Bennett, ANC 5B04, has released more info about the objection:
As an elected official, (ANC Commissioner), I have a duty to properly represent all of the residents in my Single Member District.
While I personally am not in opposition to a liquor license for Menomale, I must assist those who oppose it because of their anonymity and sobriety in an alcohol and drug rehabilitation center, who would be immediately adversely impacted by an alcohol serving establishment at 2711 12th Street NE.
The rehabilitation center is in close proximity to Menomale.
The rehabilitation center is closer to Menomale than anyone’s house or apartment who has posted about this topic on the list-serves.
I believe that the location of the rehabilitation center was selected years ago due to the fact that there are no alcohol serving establishments in very close proximity. Can you imagine the impact that the daily scent of alcohol (Menomale seeks an alcohol serving sidewalk cafe) would have on a recovering alcoholic who is just trying to get home after work?
In addition, the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA) regulations require a tavern liquor license applicant to be at least 400 feet away from a school. The 400 foot distance is taken into consideration for restaurant liquor license applicants.
The regulations were put in place to protect the children! I give an exclamation because of the many condescending comments made regarding our children walking past the establishment, yet no one has challenged the ABRA regulations. So do we ignore the regulations and the purpose of their creation for our personal benefit? I can’t.
When ANC 5B was tasked with scoring the medical marijuana cultivation centers (mmcc), the Department of Health (DOH) regulations (that ABRA helped create) stated that the mmcc had to be at least 300 feet from a school or a rehabilitation center.
I will forward additional information as soon as I can, (though I believe I may have already said too much).
Do you think it is reasonable to deny a liquor license due to proximity to a rehabilitation center?