“Dear PoPville,
I attended the opening of Capital City Diner’s back patio/bar area Friday night (1050 Bladensburg Road, NE), and thought I’d pass on a few photos– the place is awesome! It’s honestly worth a trip just to see the unique bar top (made from wood, with broken glass, bottle caps, leaves, and other miscellaneous stuff thrown in– see pic). Also, fyi, the fried mac n’ cheese is life-changing…”
Awesome. Looking forward to checking it out!
“Dear PoPville,
I recently went to Ma-Ma’s Southern Cuisine with my girlfriend and had a great experience.
Ma-Ma, herself, served us and treated us to some lemonade on the house. I had the broiled “Sadie Mae”, a tender and flavorful trout filet with a wonderful side of greens and potato salad. My girlfriend had the “Irving”, named after the street, presumably. This dish included tender short ribs with bbq sauce, sauteed spinach and macaroni and cheese. Ma-Ma was so nice. One thing she warned us about is that we may want to call ahead to make sure certain dishes are available. I originally wanted the “Jim Graham” but she had sold out by the time we arrived. There’s also karaoke on Friday and Saturday nights. I definitely recommend Ma-Ma’s Southern Cuisine to all of the readers.”
Great to hear a good review here. Ma Ma’s Southern Cuisine is located at 3118 Georgia Ave, NW?
Any other fans?
Photo by flickr user stgermh
I think my wife’s friend summed it up best when he txt’d us shortly after visiting Bill’s Seafood Kitchen (aka Fish in the Hood) for the first time on our recommendation:
“F**k you for not telling me about this sooner.”
Some other friends of ours live close to Bill’s Seafood Kitchen (3601 Georgia Ave. NW near Otis) and raved about it for quite some time, yet we never went. In fact, we’d lived in Petworth almost three and a half years before trying it.
Now, it is like an addiction. The wife and I discuss how long it has been since we last went–and if it has been an acceptable amount of time in order to go again.
It has become our DC best kept secret. And I’d like to hear about yours, too. But first, more about this amazing place.
Bill’s (most people just call it Fish in the Hood because of the window signage) makes amazing seafood. It has been briefly mentioned here before, but it is kind of surprising how under the radar it is, even by Petworth standards. It isn’t much to look at, but they keep the focus on what’s important–the fish. It’s a little overwhelming when you walk inside. There are about a dozen or more varieties of fish (you know a place has it goin’ on when you order tilapia and they ask “male or female?”), plus scallops and shrimp. Once you order (by weight) they will expertly fry or broil your fish. The sides are pretty great too. And they have this stuff called “Mango sauce” which is the most amazing sauce for fish and chicken you’ll ever try.
Discovering Bill’s has suddenly made us interested in finding other “best kept secrets.” Of course, these places aren’t literally secrets–but they are just so sweet to discover. Sure, there are some places that might be categorized as “best kept secrets” that, literally, are best kept secret. But hey, you have to kiss a few frogs to find a prince, right?
Out most recent discovery has been Ruff and Ready just over the line in Hyattsville/PG County. They only have three items on the menu: blue crab, Alaska King Crab legs, and spiced shrimp. That’s it. No sides. No fuss. Nothing. But those three items are to die for.
So let’s hear yours? Any recent discoveries or places you think others would flip out about? Things mostly under the radar that you’d love to see more widely enjoyed?
Thanks to an eagle eyed reader for sending word about this development. 2204 14th St, NW used to be the home of Bicycle Stations which closed back in Feb. and moved to Alexandria. Now the space will become Mova, and “Upscale Martini Lounge”. The reader writes,
“This went up today in the old Bikestations spot at 14 and W. More small plates on 14th St; shockkkkking!”
The alcohol application says:
“Upscale Martini Lounge (Tavern) serving tapas style menu with seating capacity for 50 and a total load of 199. Request a summer garden with 50 seats and entertainment endorsement with occasional DJ or live singers or small band.”
Sound good?
On the heels of Shake Shack opening in Dupont comes more huge burger news. Back in June ’10 I mentioned that celebrity chef Bobby Flay was looking to open some of his Bobby’s Burger Palaces around DC. Well I’ve just found the first DC proper location – 2121 K St, NW.
A recent liquor license application says:
“Top quality gourmet family burger joint featuring burgers, shakes, fries and onion rings. No entertainment or dancing. No nude performances. Seating capacity is 76. Total occupancy is 101.”
Nice!
I took a peek inside and it looks like there is still a lot of build out to be completed. Updates as construction progresses!
A twitter tipster says:
“Spoke this morning and 901 is opening in 6 days (on Thursday)! http://www.901dc.com/ I hope they have good happy hour.”
We’ll go back for a proper judging after they’ve been open a bit.
We recently talked about the building changing shapes.
Rendering from 901 Restaurant.
Thanks to a few sharp readers (and Anna in particular for sending the photos) for letting us know about the new Panera coming to 4501 Wisconsin Ave, NW right next to Payless and the Tenleytown metro. Panera is listed on the building permit:
Panera opened its first DC store in Dupont (also by the metro) back in Nov. ’10. We’ve also heard they are opening a spot in Columbia Heights (in DC USA) near IHOP. If I were a betting man, I’d say keep your eyes peeled for more near metro stations…
From an email:
“Saturday is National Waitstaff Day and Open City in Woodley Park is celebrating by offering ALL current servers and such a 30% discount on their bill ALL DAY!”
Open City is located at 2331 Calvert Street NW. I think this is a really nice gesture but how they will verify is a bit of a mystery. You guys got like a secret handshake or something…?
For the servers out there – Happy Waitstaff Day!
Bayou is located at 2519 Pennsylvania Avenue NW. Their Web site says:
“For world class live music, New Orleans inspired cooking, and that laid back Big Easy vibe, there’s only one place in Washington DC to go. Located at 2519 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, just steps from the Foggy Bottom metro, Bayou brings together the award winning cuisine of executive chef Rusty Holman, hand crafted New Orleans cocktails, and a rotating line-up of both local and national recording artists. With two funky floors of dining and dancing, Bayou suits any occasion. Whether it’s grabbing a quick po’boy at lunch, sitting down to a three course dinner, watching the game with a cold Abita, or grooving the night away in our intimate concert space, Bayou is DC’s number one spot to laissez les bons temps rouler.”
You can see their menu here. In addition to the food – how’s the music?
Photo by Flickr user marichica88
It gives me no pleasure (but there is a huge silver lining) to share the following very reliable tip – the Taco Bell at 1934 14th St, NW (just south of U St) will be closing early next week.
Sadly/Happily we all knew this day was coming. It is likely an indication of upcoming construction on this corner. The southwest corner of 14th and U St, NW is becoming the Utopia project featuring 220 residential rental units and over 20,000 square feet of retail. So that’s good news. The project’s architect is Eric Colbert & Associates.
But for now – allow me this time to mourn. Taco Bell, you’ve served me well. You may have even saved my life.
Lots more updates on the Utopia project when construction begins.