Restaurants

Asylum Rebranded Upstairs Bar to be called “The Smoke & Barrel” – BBQ, Beer and Bourbon. Opening in mid-Sept.

By Prince Of Petworth

Back in March we learned that the upstairs bar at Asylum (2471 18th St, NW) would be rebranded into a craft beer establishment (from the same ownership as Meridian Pint.) I’ve been getting some emails for updates and was fortunate to get a sneak peek of the renovated space.

First let me say that the downstairs will remain Asylum. I’m told it is exactly the same as it has always been and will continue to feature veggie and vegan fare. They will be celebrating their 20th anniversary tomorrow. Ed. Note: Asylum is owned by the same folks who own Meridian Pint (primarily John Andrade) and is a PoP advertiser.

But back to the new spot. Credit for the name goes to new general manager Matthew Heffernan who came up with “The Smoke & Barrel”. As you can see from the tagline on the logo below the focus is going to be on BBQ, Beer and Bourbon:

A bit about the BBQ. A new chef is expected to be announced shortly but what I thought was pretty cool was that the search extended to Texas, Kansas City, North Carolina, South Carolina, Arkansas, Tennessee and elsewhere in BBQ country. The BBQ menu (smoker on site) will also feature beer pairings from the 24 beers to be offered on tap.

Stay tuned for a sneak peek at the menu.

Construction is ongoing but here is a taste of the new look upstairs:

Jimmy John’s Coming to 1717 Pennsylvania Ave, NW in Late Aug./Early Sept. (and Still Coming to 14th and L St, NW)

By Prince Of Petworth


1717 Pennsylvania Ave, NW

“Dear PoP,

Hey, I realize this probably sounds a silly question, nevertheless, want to pose it to PoPVille. Given the near monopoly that Subway has over the DC sandwich scene and Potbelly’s ongoing expansion, has this deterred Jimmy John’s (my favorite fast food sandwich place) from opening stores in D.C. proper? What is ironic is that JJ’s has a very visible advertising presence on Metro buses and at Metro bus stops……but the closest JJ’s is in Alexandria. Where’s the love for Jimmy John’s?!”

Back in May ’11 we learned that DC would be getting it’s first Jimmy John’s at 14th and L St, NW. In email to get an update the folks at Jimmy John’s tell me the one at 14th and L St, NW “is scheduled to open in October”. But there is even more good news for JJ fans – they are also opening a shop at 1717 Pennsylvania Ave, NW. And this one is scheduled to open at the end of August/early September.

You can see Jimmy John’s full sandwich menu here.

Hill Country BBQ Offers Pick Up and Delivery

By Prince Of Petworth

From an email:

“The restaurant is excited now to be offering delivery and call-ahead pick up service for their customers in the DC area. Just launched, the entire menu is available for pick up or delivery, including the popular market lunch specials and barbecue combos. Where patrons once had to go through the line to get their barbecue packed up to go, they can now call a dedicated line (202.556.2045) to place their order for pick up at the host stand or have their barbecue delivered to their doorstep.

What’s better, during the upcoming Labor Day weekend, Hill Country will even deliver lip-smackin’ barbecue directly to a customer’s picnic blanket on the Mall or the Capitol steps!

Delivery is free with a minimum $20 order in the immediate Penn Quarter neighborhood (H Street, NW down to Constitution and between 4th and 9th Streets, NW). For a minimal delivery fee of $2.50 and a minimum $50 order, Hill Country will deliver to a wider delivery zone in the downtown area (please find a PDF of the delivery zone attached for your reference – U Street is our northern border).”

HC Delivery Map

Hill Country is located at 410 7th St, NW in Penn Quarter.

Judging Restaurants – Red Toque

By Prince Of Petworth

Back in April we briefly spoke about Red Toque when they got a new awning. I’ve since heard from folks that the food is awesome but they never seem to be very busy. And since we’ve been on a kabob roll I thought it was time for a proper judging of Red Toque. They are located at 6th and R St, NW and you can see their menu here. Is the food as good as I hear it is? Any must order items?

Café AKA Coming to 1710 H St, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

This will be in the ground floor retail section of Hotel AKA:

“Centrally located just two blocks from the country’s most important residential address, AKA White House is also in close proximity to many noteworthy business and arts institutions including the World Bank, the Treasury Department, the International Monetary Fund, and the Corcoran Gallery of Art, known for its extensive collection of 18th, 19th and 20th century American art.

AKA White House features spacious, fully-furnished 1 and 2 bedroom suites with full kitchens, as well as spectacular penthouses with spacious terrace and outdoor dining areas.

From AKA White House, take a picturesque stroll through leafy Lafayette Square, named in honor of General Lafayette of France; head farther South and visit the National Mall, where the spectacular Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial are truly awe-inspiring sights. The Resident Services Team is at your service to plan a memorable tour itinerary or assist with any special requests.”

The liquor license application says:

“New Tavern serving breakfast, salads and appetizers/snack foods until midnight. There will be no entertainment other than recorded background music. Seating capacity is 58. Total occupancy load is 58.”

Dukem to Expand into 2nd Floor, Stay Open 24 Hours a Day?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

On August 22nd there will be a hearing regarding Dukem’s petition to be open 24 hours a day. There is a notice of the hearing posted in Dukem’s window on the 12th street side.

Why do they feel they need to be open 24 hours a day? As their neighbors, we are concerned. Dukem makes a lot of noise already, often late into the night. They fry their food outside without controlling the grease or the fumes.

Dukem recently built a room upstairs that will have live music.”

Dukem Ethiopian Restaurant is located at 1118 U St, NW.

We judged them back in March ’11. You can see their menu here.

How do you guys feel about Dukem expanding into the second floor and staying open 24 hours a day?

Would you like to see other restaurants on U Street stay open 24 hours?

Dear PoP – Stop work order at El Centro DL

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

I saw a “stop work” order on the door of El Centro DF last night. What’s up?”

I’ve been getting a number of emails about this. I checked it out last Thursday and it turns out to be for their sun shield on the roof deck:

The restaurant is still open. We judged El Centro located at 1819 14th St, NW, in early August.

(Re) Judging Restaurants – Utopia

By Prince Of Petworth

Utopia is located at 1418 U Street NW. We first looked at them back in Nov. ’08. At the time there were pretty good reviews but when I stopped by last weekend it was nearly empty.

Their Web site says:

“Jamal Sahri Opened Utopia in 1990, establishing its place as a cornerstone in the U-Street community.

Offering an ideal local for location for folks to gather, share ideas, music, food, and art. The restaurant has served as a venue for chefs, artists, musicians, community groups to express, relax, share and enjoy the things that make life utopian.”

You can see their menu here. Any fans?

Scuttlebutt: Cava Mezze Grill Coming to old Post Office at 14th and T St, NW?

By Prince Of Petworth

Back in July ’11 we learned that the folks behind the proposed Post Office Bistro had pulled their liquor application. It is not clear if that was the result of some neighborhood opposition or not. I just heard some serious scuttlebutt about the space and am very curious to hear what you think.

Back in May ’11 I had heard that the folks behind Cava Mezze Grill were looking to open some more locations in DC (they are currently located in Bethesda, you can see their menu here.) Cava Grill is run by the same folks who own Cave Wine Bar located on Barracks Row at 527 8th St SE. Anyway, I’m hearing that they are looking to open a Cava Grill at the old Post Office building at 1407 T St, NW.

This is purely scuttlebutt right now but I’ll give it a 77% accuracy rating. More info when/if it becomes available.

Any fans of the Cava Grill in Bethesda? Do you think one would work here in Logan Circle/U Street?

UPDATE: CavaGrill Tweets, “sorry, that info is incorrect. We are looking in the District, but not that area.”

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