Dear PoPville,
I’ve been confused and amused by the ongoing saga of Wagamama. I saw the door was open and there was a man inside cutting plywood. Seems like a baby step though, because the entire space was a concrete shell. It’s pretty much waiting for Godot at this point.
This def. looks promising compared to just a couple of weeks ago.
Wagamama will be, at some point, located at 418 7th St, NW in the former Olson’s bookstore.
418 7th St, NW
Photos courtesy of verdeHOUSE
1134 19th St, NW is the former home of Singapore Bistro which closed over the summer of 2010.
From a press release:
The District’s traveling restaurant will reemerge in Dupont Circle on Friday, March 23rd and Saturday, March 24th at the vacant property located at 1134 19th Street, NW. Uncurbed is a traveling restaurant that brings the enjoyment of the food truck experience off the curb and into various vacant spaces. The next Uncurbed will include a special five-course food and beer pairing, featuring five of DC’s top food trucks and beer from Flying Dog Brewery.
The five-course menu will include dishes by DC Empanadas, DC Slices, Takorean, The Rolling Ficelle and Curbside Cupcakes. Limited tickets are available for pre-purchase only. Saturday night Uncurbed DC and Mischief will partner for the first Uncurbed After Dark featuring DJs, local art, a light show and pizza by DC Slices. Tickets for this portion of Uncurbed will be sold in advance and at the door.
1ST COURSE: DC EMPANADAS Poached Pear and Brie Cheese Empanada
Beer Pairing: Raging Bitch IPA2ND COURSE: DC SLICES Prosciutto & Caramelized Onion Pizza w/ Ricotta & Mozzarella
Veggie Option: Spinach & Caramelized Onion Pizza with Ricotta & Mozzarella
Beer Pairing: Wildeman Farmhouse IPA3RD COURSE: TAKOREAN Korean Style Roasted Pork TaKo with Kimchi & Radish Slaw, Pork
Cracklings, Cilantro, Sriracha, Lime Crema
Veggie Option: Caramelized Tofu TaKo with Napa & Romaine Slaw, Cilantro, Sriacha, Lime Crema
Beer Pairing: Old Scratch Amber Lager4TH COURSE: THE ROLLING FICELLE “The Davis” (Chicken Salad Sandwich with Housemade Lemon
Aioli, Almonds, Avocado and Romaine Lettuce)
Veggie Option: “The Perilli” (Eggplant, Red Pepper and Tomato Caponata with Fresh Mozzarella and
Housemade Garlic Aioli)
Beer Pairing: Doggie Style Classic Pale Ale5TH COURSE: CURBSIDE CUPCAKES Variety of Snicker-doodle and Red Velvet Cupcakes
Beer Pairing: Gonzo Imperial PorterTickets: www.uncurbedDC.eventbrite.com
Uncurbed After Dark: Saturday, 10pm-3am, local art, DJs and light show
Tickets available prior to event for $10 or at the door for $12. Drinks will be $5.
Georgetown Falafel & Koshary is coming to 3205 Prospect Street, NW in the former Prince Cafe space just west of Wisconsin. While, I love falafel, I wasn’t familiar with koshary – Saveur magazine has a recipe and defines it as:
“The ultimate Egyptian street food, this rib-sticking dish consists of two pastas, two pulses, fried onions for a crunchy contrast, and a spiced tomato sauce that ties it all together.”
Anyone ever taste koshary before? I can’t wait to have a taste!
The Orange Spoon is coming to 1255 23rd St, NW right across the street from West End Cinema. Earlier in the week we learned that a Potbelly’s was coming soon nearby at the intersection of M and New Hampshire Ave, NW.
Last week it looked like work was about to get started at Stephen Starr’s Parc Deux coming to the corner of 14th and Q St, NW. Well, work has def. started. And I had no idea how huge this project was – it extends all the way back to the small white building:
14th and S St, NW Looking North
File this under phenomenal news:
The matchbox Food Group is excited to announce their latest expansion plans with a second location of Ted’s BULLETIN. The new Ted’s will be located in The JBG Companies & Grosvenor America’s The District development located on 14th Street NW between S and Swann Streets NW, with an expected opening date of late 2012. The restaurant will be larger than its predecessor on Capitol Hill with around 180 seats as well as an expanded bakery– perfect for producing Ted’s famous homemade Pop-Tarts and a menu of unique gourmet donuts! Rest assured, the new Ted’s BULLETIN will stay true to the 1930’s art deco diner setting that made it such a success.
Ted’s BULLETIN, which first opened on 8th Street SE in July of 2010, quickly became a DC favorite. Serving adult milkshakes and homemade “Pop-Tarts,” put them on the map as a must try restaurant. With a new menu just launched, including a family style pasta night on Mondays, Ted’s is sure to win big with diners, all year long!
Ed. Note: Also the owner of Proof and Estadio will be opening a SE Asian restaurant on the other side of the building at 14th and S St, NW.
14th and Swann St, NW Looking South
With such beautiful weather and new bars and restaurants popping up every week I gotta ask about outdoor dining and drinking. Back in July 2008 we touched upon some good roof decks in the city but we are way past due for an update.
I’m voting Red Derby’s roof deck and Room 11’s patio. But I also love waterfront areas so I have to put in a vote for Cantina Marina at the SW Waterfront and Tony and Joes in Georgetown (hopefully the Georgetown waterfront dining areas damaged by the floods will get fixed soon.) I’m also super eager to see how the Fairgrounds taking over the old bullpen bars by Nats Park turns out. Of course I also like the veranda at Veranda and I think the roof deck coming to the Brixton is gonna be awesome. Hmm, I guess this is a tougher question than I thought.
Nevertheless, for this week’s FQotD – Where is your favorite roof deck and/or patio in the city? Any new(ish) bars/restaurants have a particularly good outdoor space? Any other ones you think are particularly promising?
1837 M St, NW
Boqueria opens tonight in the former Penang space above Chipotle at the corner of 19th and M St, NW. I was able to attend an opening event last night and the place looks amazing. And the food is pretty amazing as well. I’ve rarely heard so many “mmmms” at an opening. You can see the opening menu here:
And you can see some of their cocktails here.
Check out the scene as you walk up the stairs in the front door before you even enter the restaurant:
And once you enter:
The space is dominated by a huge square center bar but also has some great seating in the bay windows:
More photos after the jump. (more…)
March 2012
I can’t believe it’s already been a year since a devastating fire closed Banana Leaves restaurant at 2020 Florida Ave, NW (just east of Connecticut Ave.) in north Dupont. I stopped in yesterday and spoke with the owners who said they are getting very close to reopening. It’s taken a bit longer than originally anticipated but remember how severely the property was damaged. I’m happy to report that they’ll be open “by the end of the month”.
Sweet!
March 2011
“Dffrnt Wrld Deli is doing a Pop-up Shop @ The Highlands restaurant (Starting at 6pm March 15th, 4706 14th St, NW), the theme is Taco Night and its all vegan. Soy free also!”