Back in July ’11 I shared some scuttlebutt saying that a new Thai restaurant was coming to Bloomingdale at 1832 1st St, NW (next to Yoga District.) I’m happy to report that construction has begun:
I’ve learned that it will be a sit down Thai and Japanese restaurant called Aroi. If all goes according to plan they hope to complete the renovations and open in May 2012. Stay tuned.
Noodles and Company is located in the old Sake Club space at 2635 Connecticut Ave, NW. Yesterday was their first day open. You can see their menu here.
Still no word on what will become of the old Cafe International space next door.
Mellow Mushroom is one of the most eagerly anticipated new restaurants I’ve ever posted about. So now that they’ve been open a couple of months – what do you think of the pizza? For those who’ve been to other locations – how does this one compare? For folks that have never been before did it meet your expectations?
Check out the progress at Taylor Gourmet coming to the old Ruff N Ready (now located at 4722 14th St, NW) space at 1908 14th St, NW. Looks like they’ll be open by the New Year or pretty close to it.
Back in July ’11 we learned that a new spot called Boxcar Bistro (though signage now says Boxcar Tavern) would be opening up in the former Petite Gourmet space next to Tunnicliffs at 224 7th St, SE by Eastern Market. The project is from Xavier Cervera, owner of Senart’s, Lola’s, and Molly Malone’s on Barracks Row. You can peek in the window and see that they’ll be opening any day now. Do you like the way it turned out?
Blackbyrd Warehouse, located next to Marvin at 2005 14th St, NW, opened up back in July ’11. I’m curious is folks have tried out the menu or if they like it more as a bar? If there are fans of the menu, any must order items? How does it compare to Marvin next door?
Via 19 located at 1140 19th St, NW (formerly Mezza Luna) has an intriguing new sign out front – Via 19 Pho DC Bar and Grill. (Thanks to a reader for sending word.)
It’s not clear if Pho DC is related to the Pho DC located in Chinatown at 608 H St, NW. (I put a phone call into the Chinatown location but it went to voicemail.) It’s also not clear what elements, if any, of Via 19 will remain. What is clear though, is that you’ll soon be able to get Pho at 1140 19th St, NW. We’ll revisit for a proper judging later in the new year. In case they are related to the Pho DC in Chinatown, you can see that menu here.
Folks have been wondering for many months what would be coming to the former El Salvadorena space located at 3548 14th St, NW (14th and Parkwood Pl) in Columbia Heights. I’m psyched to finally get word of the new plans. According to a recent liquor license application The Pinch will be a:
“New restaurant serving contemporary American cuisine. Occasional live music or spoken word performance to be offered in basement area. Occupancy load is 99. Sidewalk Café 28.”
First floor pre-renovation
I also ran into the owner who let me take a couple shots of how the space looks now.
Lower level pre-renovation
If all goes they are shooting for a spring opening. Lots more info coming as construction progresses and they get closer to opening.
Back in mid-Nov. we heard Mrs. Bae of Adam Express was ill and would be going to Korea for treatment. A heartbreaking note was left in the window of Adam Express, located 3211 Mt Pleasant St, NW, saying they would be closed while in Korea. Thanks to all who sent word that Adam Express has reopened. I stopped by on Sunday to get word on Mrs. Bae’s condition but they were closed. Hopefully the reopening is a good sign that all is well. If anyone knows more of Mrs. Bae’s condition please let us know. And def. stop by the store to say hi:
Burger Tap & Shake is located at 2200 Pennsylvania Ave, NW. When we judged District Commons earlier this week a few folks mentioned that Burger Shake & Tap was actually their sister restaurant. Their Website says:
It shares kitchen, keg space, and restrooms with District Commons, the Passion Food Hospitality restaurant now anchoring the CIrcle, but takes the casual vibe to whole new realm.
We grind – on premise – throughout the day a custom blend of 3–day aged, naturally raised Pineland Farms beef chuck and brisket. Char-griddled and served on a buttered, toasted, house made bun. By focusing on premium sourcing and in-house production – from pickles to ice cream – we are able to serve a great burger at a great price.
BTS is a counter service, seat-yourself burger joint with an atmosphere of no-nonsense industrial chic: light cement floors, an exposed black ductwork ceiling, and a cement bar faced with rough-hewn reclaimed wood. The walls of the open stainless steel grill-kitchen are lined with work-a-day subway tile. When your burger is ready, it is presented on a quarter-size metal sheet pan topped with a sheet of paper – no fuss, no muss, no plate!
How do the burgers compare to some other burger spots around town?