Restaurants

Rosa Mexicano Opening Friendship Heights Location Saturday

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to all who wrote in about the progress at the Rosa Mexicano located at 5225 Wisconsin Ave, NW, opening up Sat. at 5pm.

A press release says:

“The 150-seat restaurant includes spacious indoor, outdoor, and private dining seating. Blending traditional and modern elements of Mexican craft and architecture, the warm and vibrant decor features Rosa Mexicano’s signature hues of pinks and purples. Multi-dimensional art work complements rich fabrics and textures, as well as a floor-to-ceiling display of tequila bottles. Directly over the bar and extending into the dining lounge area, the ceiling glows with pink haze lighting that is set against an electric blue tiled cascading water wall, inspired by those at sister Rosa Mexicano locations. The enclosed patio area features a wall of vertical colored glass bands, creating a focal point from the street and exhibiting arrival for the Rosa Mexicano experience that awaits.”

Here’s a peek in the window:

Update: Capital City Diner Closing

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user AWard Tour

This is one of the rare occasions where I actually hope my scuttlebutt is wrong. Unfortunately I’ve heard it from a very good source as well as some other folks who’ve started to hear rumblings. Word on the street is that Capital City Diner will be closing soon at 1050 Bladensburg Road, NE. Capital City Diner opened back in Feb. 2010 after a long journey journey from upstate NY. In May 2011 their back patio opened and things were looking great. I’m not sure if it is the Denny’s that opened nearby at 1250 Bladensberg Rd, NE but I hear that could be part of the problem.

Anyway, I know many many folks really love Capital City Diner so I wanted to share the news as soon as possible. But like I said, in this particular case, I hope I’m wrong.

Update: Sadly, confirmed. From owner Matt Ashburn:

Friends,

We sincerely appreciate your support, patronage, and– most of all– friendship over the past two years. You’re more than customers; you’re our friends and neighbors.

Although we received positive response to our recent improvements, we also encountered rising costs, a declining economy, and a national chain “diner” restaurant opening almost a stone’s throw away. Now, we must refocus and reformat our restaurant to move forward.

This weekend, we’ll open from 7am until 6pm on Saturday and Sunday so that we can meet up one last time to say good-bye before we close to reformat and improve our concept.

Again, thank you for your support and encouragement, we’d love to see you one last time at the old diner to say good-bye this weekend.

Sincerely,
Matt & the Capital City Diner crew


Photo by PoPville flickr user ekelly80

Pound The Hill Launches Bistro & Wine Bar

By Prince Of Petworth

From Pound The Hill (621 Pennsylvania Ave, SE):

Pound The Hill is finally launching our new bistro & wine bar concept in the evenings starting Thursday, at 5pm. It’s the same space but we’ve reworked it for the evenings, altered the atmosphere for an upscale casual bistro, hired a fantastic chef (Jonathan Taub) who was previously the sous chef at Art & Soul and Station 4 and hails from Philly, and have worked with several local boutique wine distributors and beverage directors to develop a really strong and unique craft beer and wine program.

Our food concept takes what we’ve always done for breakfast and lunch and applies it to dinner while taking it up several notches – food inspired by our favorite cuisines around the world. Our menu is meant to be kept compact and will feature changing specials from various regions of the globe frequently.

While we using the same space and will be maintaining the same neighborhood vibe, this new concept is significantly different from our current daytime concept and requires us to close for 1 hour for transition. Pound The Hill’s cafe closes at 4pm each day and the bistro opens at 5pm.

Our new bistro hours are Sunday through Thursday 5pm to 10pm and Friday & Saturday 5pm to 11pm (bar open until 12am).

You can see their new dinner and drink menus below:

Pound The Hill Menu


621 Pennsylvania Ave, SE

Another Chance for a Preview Dinner from Chez Billy on Feb. 2nd

By Prince Of Petworth

From the folks at Chez Billy:

Chez Billy Preview Part Deux

Make reservations to preview a Four-Course Dinner with Wine Pairings from soon to open Petworth Restaurant.

After overwhelming responses, Chez Billy returns to Montserrat House on Thursday, February 2nd, with a preview of its menu for its Petworth neighbors. The new four-course dinner features seafood paired with French wines, offers seating at 630pm and 9pm and is priced at $75 per person including tax and gratuity.

You can make reservations here. Here’s what the menu looks like:

Rouget
Mediterranean Red Mullet with Baby Beets and Turnips,
Parsley Puree , and Sauce Vin Blanc

Soupe de Poisson
Traditional Provencal Fish Soup with Monkfish, Prawns,
Baby Squid, and Rouille

Maquereau
Pan Roasted Spanish Mackerel with Smoked Cauliflower
and Truffled Pommes Parisiennes

Fromage
“Selles Sur Cher” Goat Cheese with Homemade Walnut
Raisin Toast and Local Honey

Wine Pairings Included

Chef Brendan L’Etoile

Chez Billy is coming to 3815 Georgia Ave, NW (hopefully in March.) I went to the first pop up and thought it was awesome. Unfortunately I can’t make this one but I’m super eager to hear what folks think of the seafood options. Some folks were curious about the last meal. I’ll say the charcuterie was freaking amazing and the wine pairings were also ridiculously good. If anyone else went – what’d you think?

Tropicana Jamaican Eatery Closes in Shaw by U Street

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to a reader for sending the heads up that Tropicana Eatery has closed at 725 Florida Ave NW (just east of 9th and U St, NW). They heard that “they had been operating without a license and had received notice from the health inspector.” I know they had been open for a while at that location so I’m not sure what caused the abrupt the closure. Anyone else hear anything? The space has been completely emptied out:

Their Website still lists the Florida Ave location and a few others as well. They have another location in DC listed at 1333 Rhode Island Avenue, NE. But if you’re looking for Jamaican nearby you can still get jerked at 928 U St, NW. Other recommendations for Jamaican food were given here.

After the jump are some sweet Tropicana Eatery signs. (more…)

Update on Dulcinea Restaurant Coming to 2618 Georgia Ave, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

Last week a reader wrote in about Dulcinea’s, a new Turkish/Mexican restaurant coming to 2618 Georgia Ave, NW. A new sign has gone up revealing more details. It’s a restaurant serving Mexican and Mediterranean food. Their Website says:

Dulcinea restaurant mexican (fajita, taco, enchiladas ets) and mediterranean food (humus, babaganuj, kababs)

Dulcinea Restaurant serving authentic Mexican and Mediterranean food. We pride ourselves on providing our customers with good service, reasonable prices, and a family restaurant atmosphere.

Our cooks are experienced and knowledgeable and our bilingual wait staff is prompt and friendly. Whether you’re dining in, delivery, or are just phoning in a carry-out order, we’ll make sure that you receive the best food and the best service at the best price every time!

Stay tuned for more updates as they get closer to opening.

Bistro Bohem Coming to 6th and Florida Ave, NW Hopes to Open Late Feb.

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

Any news on the new bistro at 6th and Florida NW? I took a picture tonight (above), they have changed the door frame and added a few flags, looks like US, Euro, and DC. Anything you can tell us would be great! Shaw’s Tavern is across 6th Street.”

Back in April 2011 we learned that Bistro Bohem would be taking over the space. Their liquor license application said:

“New Restaurant serving European Bistro full range of full meals and light fare. Background music will be provided, no live entertainment. With a Sidewalk Café. Seating – 50, Total Occupancy Load – 65, Sidewalk Café – 24.”

Another reader writes:

“Walking home today, I saw renovations at 600 Florida, right across the street from Shaw’s Tavern. There’s going to be a new restaurant/bar there called Bistro Bohem. I spoke with one of the guys in the photo below, Daniel, who turned out to be one of the operators of the place. He said he hoped it would be up and running by the end of Feb.”

Awesome! I’ll be sure to update when an exact opening date is announced. And as a PoPville twitter follower asked – who do you think will open first – Shaw’s Tavern or Bistro Bohem? I’m now taking bets.

Mintwood Place Opening Jan. 29th in Adams Morgan – Menu Preview

By Prince Of Petworth

A couple weeks ago we learned that Mintwood Place would be “opening soon” at 1813 Columbia Rd, NW below Perry’s in Adams Morgan. Glad to share word that the day has arrived – Jan. 29th. Owner Saied Azali writes:

“Mintwood Place will be opening the doors this Sunday, Jan. 29th for dinner service with limited reservations.

hours of operation for dinner
monday – closed
tuesday – thursday 5:30pm-10:30pm
friday – saturday 5:30pm – 11:30pm
sunday 5:30pm – 10:30pm”

How does the menu sound?

Mintwood Place menu

Mintwood Place Beverage menu

View More Stories