Back in mid-Jan. we learned that Dulcinea Bar and Grill was coming to Pleasant Plains at 2618 Georgia Ave, NW. I’m happy to report that they’ve soft opened. There is a small seating area on the first floor and a much bigger area upstairs. Unfortunately upstairs wasn’t set up when I stopped by but you can get an idea from this photo:
More importantly is the menu:
Ed. Note. This is only a rough draft soft opening menu it will be expanded
A few weeks ago a reader wrote in about the Roti coming to Union Station. It will be on the west side of the main floor across from Potbelly. Passing through this past weekend I also saw the retail space where the Yo Sushi will be coming. It’ll be right next to the Roti on the main floor closest to the western entrance in the former comic book store space. Like Roti, Yo Sushi will also take two retail spaces. You can see their menu here.
At first I thought the Tenleytown’s Z Burger was launching a new Sandwich shop at 4321 Wisconsin Ave, NW. But trying to find info on line brought up an old post from Chowhound with a reader noting back in 2008:
“there’s also a sandwich place next to that is going to open up, I believe? Sandwish or something?”
I peeked inside and it still looks set up for an expansion:
There is even a menu:
I called the store and they told me that they don’t know if the sandwiches are coming. They might still be focusing on their new SW location and their “coming soon” to Columbia Heights location. But they were told that sandwiches could still be coming.
The menu says the sandwiches are all $4.19. If they ever do launch I wonder if that price will still apply… Do you think they should expand into sandwiches or just stick with burgers?
Yesterday I noticed that Aroma Cafe had closed at 1320 U St, NW. They had originally opened as Aroma Bakery and Market back in August 2009.
Will anyone miss their sandwiches?
Graffiato is located at 707 6th St, NW in Chinatown. We’ve previously judged them here.
From an email:
Chef Isabella adds weekend brunch and a $20 weekday lunch option. Start dates and sample menus are outlined below.
News from the Bar
Head Mixologist, Taha Ismail has been barrel-aging negroni and it is ready for sipping. He used a honeycomb bourbon barrel to age the cocktail for five weeks.Barrel Aged Negroni $10
catoctin creek gin, campari, carpanoWeekend Brunch
Saturday & Sunday, 12-3pm
Beginning February 25Sample Brunch Menu
Cinnamon Knots $6
nutellaMeatballs $10
creamy polenta, farmed eggSpaghetti Carbonara $12
pancetta, parmesan, eggBreakfast Pizza $17
bacon, potato, broccolini, cheddarApple Calzone $12
whipped mascarponeFrom the Bar
Bloody Mary $10
olive, mozzarellaBloody Sparkling $10
blood orange puree, proseccoTraveling Riverside Blues $10
blueberry infused grappa,
local sparkling wine, grapefruitWeekday $20 Lunch Menu
Available Monday-Friday, 12-4pm on the first floor only
Beginning February 27Choose any three items from the Wood Oven, Vegetate, Dessert or Beverage sections of the special menu featuring 10 dishes and three boozy beverages. The regular a la carte lunch menu will continue to be available throughout the restaurant.
Thanks to @lordscarlet for sending word. I’ve never actually been there but it sounds like it was great. Tortilla Factory often was mentioned in the comments when we talked about best places for Mexican food. Their Website says:
“Since 1975, The Tortilla Factory has delighted the Washington Metropolitan Area with the finest Mexican food this side of the border. They have something for everyone! From delicious Margaritas, to tasty enchiladas, to vegetarian options, to kid’s meals…
Come enjoy the authentic Mexican atmosphere with traditional costumes, hats and Mexican folklore decorations.”
Were there any fans?
From Connection Newspapers:
Customers from all over the Washington Metropolitan area are streaming to the Tortilla Factory in Herndon after learning the restaurant will soon be closing its doors after more than 35 years in business. Late last week word began to spread via the Internet that owner Chuck Curcio would be shutting down the restaurant on March 1. Since the public found out, there has been a waiting list each night to relive the memories and enjoy the Sonora Mexican style cuisine.
Dear PoP,
Do you know what’s happening at the former Chanya Thai restaurant in Tenleytown (you had a write up about it last July)? It seemed to close down shortly before the holidays and recently the entire front of the restaurant has been removed to reveal the original façade of the building – thankfully, since the add-on was just terrible! Any news about a new tenant or will Chanya return after the building modifications. I had a couple of take-out orders from there and the food wasn’t bad, but I have to admit that whenever I went in to pick up my food I was glad I did take-out since the interior was kind of weird.
Thanks to everyone who wrote in about the Cava Mezze Grill coming to the former Simply Ayzen/Chanya Thai restaurant space at at 4237 Wisconsin Ave, NW in Tenleytown.
Ed. Note: I also received scuttlebutt that a Cava Grill will be coming to Columbia Heights as well.
Speaking of Italian restaurants, Elisirlocated at 427 11th St, NW in Penn Quarter is getting a new bar menu.
Dinner Bar Snack Menu
Martini of Burrata and Parma Prosciutto
Parma prosciutto, Green olives mousse, Polenta crackers and Frisee salad
$16House Made Roasted Italian Sausage Panino
Parsley/vinegar green sauce, roasted bell peppers, goat cheese, black olives
bread
$12Cheese Plate
Taleggio with Piedmontese hazelnuts – Gorgonzola with red beet caviar –
Pecorino di cava with pickled plum tomato jam – La tour with prosecco gelatin
and coffee dust- Caciotta magna capra with saffron pear batons and green
tomato marmalade
$16Assorted Seafood Frittura
Fried Shrimp, Calamari and Sea scallops with Serrano peppers, caper berries
and Salmoriglio dipping sauce
$16Braised Pork Ribs
Marinated spicy rubbed, broccolini, red wine caramel
$14Tempura Artichoke Hearts
Savory eggplant Caponata salad, Pesto sauce, micro greens
$12
Acqua al 2 is located at 212 7th St, SE by Eastern Market. We judged them back in Sept. 2010. A recent liquor license amendment says they hope for an:
“Expansion to 2nd floor with additional 26 seats and change of hours of Operation and Sales.”
Currently they close at 1am and now they are hoping for the following new hours:
“Sunday through Thursday 10am-2am, and Friday through Saturday 10am-3am”
You can see their menus here.
José Andrés’ Jaleo is located at 480 7th Street, NW (we judged it back in April 2010.)
Rasmus Auctioneers says:
Jaleo of Washington DC is undergoing a multi million dollar renovation an will liquidate all dining furnishings and dacor by internet only auction.
Online Bidding Only
Starts Closing At: Friday, February 24, 2012 at 12:07 PM ESTInspection
Begins: Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 8:00 AM EST
Ends: Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 11:00 AM EST”
Wow, can’t wait to see how this reno turns out. Stay tuned.