I was checking out the new display at Umi Japanese restaurant in Woodley Park. Here’s the description:
It says:
“Umi” is a fusion Japanese restaurant with a Manhattan feel by transforming Japanese dish to modern cuisine. All our esteemed chefs come from New York city with the goal of providing the highest quality Japanese food to the DC area.
So it’s a Japanese/New York City fusion? Sweet. There better be some lox and pizza incorporated…
And, on a side note, Happy Valentine’s Day:
At first I just thought this was graffiti but it’s been up for over 3 weeks now. Maybe I’ve gotten too old but I can’t tell whether or not it’s an ode to punk rock or just some graffiti. If it was just graffiti, though, I don’t think it would take this long to remove…
We judged the Codmother, located at 1334 U St, NW, to mostly positive reviews. We’ve also noted that they have the best logo in town:
This is home to the former Brightwood Bistro located at 5832 Georgia Ave, NW.
The listing says:
“3,000 SF Retail in Brightwood (previously operated as the Brightwood Bistro). Beautifully designed with modern finishes throughout. Located at the signalized intersection of Georgia and Missouri Ave, near newly proposed Walmart development. Available also as turn-key restaurant/bar with liquor license. Fully-equipped kitchen with hood system in place.”
This space is going for $7,000/Mo.
From an email:
“This event is entirely open to the public and features the culinary stylings of chefs James Claudio [Executive Chef at Restaurant Marvin] and Thang Le [Chef Toki Underground]! All the fun starts Thursday night, February 16th and goes on every night until Saturday night the 18th. Dinner is first-come first served and begins at 7:30 pm and goes until late night!”
See the menu here.
Montserrat House is located at 2016 9th St, NW.
UPDATE: Unfortunately this event has been cancelled.
Florida Ave, NW has been getting a lot of action lately – now Florida Ave NE is getting in on some action with Chinito’s Burritos opening up at 635 across from Galludet University.
Their Facebook page says:
Gastronomes Take Heed. Founded by Jin Chong, Chinitos Burritos is committed to serving the community authentic Mexican food at an affordable price. Located in the meat-packing district of NE, Washington, DC, my mission is to provide gourmet food that is prepared quickly. The name Chinitos is an adaptation of the Spanish word Chinos to describe Asians. Cheers to good food and longevity.
With a passion for food and a love for people, Chinitos Burritos aims to establish trust in the community for preparing authentic Mexican food done well. Gourmet food does not have to come with a gourmet price tag.
My hope is to inspire and enhance the quality of life through great food and experience, combined by entertainment and great atmosphere. Command the art of hospitality employing the juxtaposition of nourishment, rapport, and diversion to create harmony and foster the ceremony of life and living.
And here’s how it works:
Back in mid-Dec. we learned a new Jewish delicatessen was coming to 1317 Connecticut Ave, NW in Dupont Circle.
The liquor license application says DGS will be a:
“Traditional Jewish delicatessen serving house-cured meats, fish, bread, bagels, and bialys with a seating capacity of 90 and total occupancy load of 127. Applicant requests a summer garden with 12 seats.”
I just keep reading the description over and over again. In my mind I’m dreaming of a Russ and Daughters. I can’t wait for the “late Spring/early Summer launch”.
“On February 12th at 7pm, Sticky Rice DC (1224 H Street NE) will kick off its annual “Iron Chef Sushi Masters” competition in its DC location. Chefs from all 3 Sticky Rice locations will compete against each other in DC and Baltimore. The winners from these rounds will face off in the finals in Richmond for the title.”
A reader’s Danger Watch nomination says:
“Maddy’s Tap Room was supposed to open on 13th and L street NW. The liquor license was posted and even a schematic of the floorplan was placed in a window. To date, no progress has taken place on the location. PoP previously reported about this location in 2011.”
Maddy’s Tap Room is actually a triple nomination from readers. I’m happy to say that I’m hearing good news on this front. I heard the delays were due to permitting issues but they have now been approved and construction is set to begin in March with an opening hopefully at beginning of summer.
If you have a bar/restaurant you’d like to nominate for a Danger Watch please send an email to princeofpetworth(at)gmail
From a press release:
Good news for breakfast lovers and early risers – starting Monday, Feb. 21, Founding Farmers’ downtown location will open for breakfast starting at 7:00am on weekdays! In honor of National Hot Breakfast Month, guests can also try delicious new breakfast items, including:
Red Velvet Buttermilk Pancakes – $8
Carrot Cake Buttermilk Pancakes – $8
Founding Farmers Breakfast now includes the option of Chicken Apple Sausage or Pork Sausage – $9Founding Farmers, 1924 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
We judged Founding Farmers in May 2009.
Photo courtesy Sixth Engine
Last week, a reader noted some serious progress on the space and snapped some photos. You can see some photos from their menu here.
From a press release:
Douglas Development is pleased to welcome Sixth Engine, a firehouse inspired American bistro, as the newest addition to Washington, DC’s Mount Vernon Square neighborhood. The restaurant will open its doors Friday in the Douglas Development-owned historic Engine 6 firehouse at 438 Massachusetts Ave, NW. Sixth Engine leased the 3,600 square foot property from Douglas Development in March 2011.
The restaurant is owned and operated by Gavin Coleman, Jeremy Carman, Paul Holder, Paul Madrid and Tim Walsh. These seasoned restaurateurs are also behind the Capitol Hill staple The Dubliner and the Glover Park restaurant and bar Town Hall. The team’s interest in finding a property in a vibrant neighborhood with outdoor seating led them to the old firehouse; once they realized the building’s unique history, they were sold.
“I think it’s incredible what the Sixth Engine team has done with the property, and I’m really pleased with their interest maintaining the building’s history while transforming it into what I’m sure will be a great restaurant,” says Norman Jemal, Principal of Douglas Development. “Sixth Engine is exactly what Mt. Vernon Square and Downtown DC needs. The area continues to grow with an influx of new residents, and those new residents need a signature neighborhood spot to call their own.”
To reflect the restaurant’s commitment to preserving the historic building, elements from the original Engine 6 firehouse are integrated throughout the restaurant’s interior space. In addition to the firehouse’s original shield displayed outside the entrance of the restaurant, Sixth Engine features giant murals including depictions of a faded ladder company logo and a Norman Rockwell-inspired illustration of a fireman, boy and dog rushing off to a fire. Sixth Engine also boasts an authentic fire pole connecting the two-level restaurant.
The Engine 6 firehouse is the oldest firehouse in Washington, DC. Built in 1855 for the Metropolitan Hook and Ladder Company (MHL), the firehouse still retains the original “MHL” insignia above the entrance. Douglas Jemal recognized Mount Vernon’s potential long before other developers and retailers, which is what led him to purchase the firehouse from the city in 2005. Today, the neighborhood is one of the most sought after addresses in the District and continues to attract top restaurants and retailers like Sixth Engine.