Restaurants

Toki Underground Opens April 1 above the Pug on H St, NE

By Prince Of Petworth

From a press release:

H Street Corridor’s newest addition, Toki Underground, is proud to announce its grand opening on April 1. Come and experience Chef Erik Yang’s vision of bringing the hip alley streets of downtown Taipei to District diners.

The menu is based on Yang’s own family recipes and his experiences working at ramen shops in Taipei. The restaurant seats 25 diners, who will experience Hakata-style ramen and dumplings made from scratch. The restaurant will offer an extensive list of unique sakes, Asian microbrews, hand-crafted cocktails, and popular Asian soft drinks.

Toki Undergound is located at 1234 H Street NE in the heart of the H Street Corridor and is open seven days a week.

I stopped in last night for some photos and the place looks amazing. The attention to detail is freaking spectacular. The space is pretty small so be prepared for lines/wait I’m guessing 7 days a week… Though I hear that in the future it may be possible to order some Ramen downstairs at the Pug. You can see their menu here. Those options at the Pug would be sweet.

More photos including the drinks menu after the jump. (more…)

(Re) Judging Restaurants – Torrie’s @ Wilson’s

By Prince Of Petworth

I got a little panicked last weekend when I saw the Wilson’s sign was gone (see photo above). Fortunately it appears to just be the sign. Wilson’s is located at 700 V Street, NW just off Georgia Ave, NW. I’m intrigued by the breakfast options – anyone go here for breakfast/brunch? Seems like a good deal:

And here’s the rest of the menu:

Any fans? We originally looked at them back in Dec. ’08. I feel like this place should be more popular.

New French Restaurant, Le Grenier, Coming to H St, NE

By Prince Of Petworth

Le Grenier is looking to open up at 502 H Street NE next to the florist.

The liquor license application says:

“A restaurant with Modern French Cuisine. Food service for all ages. Taped back ground music. Capacity Load is 60. Sidewalk Café with of seating of 4.”

Dear PoPville – Any Haitian Restaurants in DC Area?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user elliotmitchell

“Dear PoP,

I’m just wondering if you know of any Haitian restaurants in DC. I remember reading about something in Hyattsville, but that place has since closed.”

Hmm, I know there are many many Caribbean restaurants but I’m not familiar with Haitian specific ones. Anyone know?

3605 14th St, NW Building Sells – New Owners Hope to Open a Fusion Restaurant

By Prince Of Petworth

More exciting news from upper 14th St, NW in Columbia Heights. I’m happy to share more good news that the building at 3605 14th St, NW has recently sold. I spoke with one of the new owners (who also lives in the neighborhood of Columbia Heights) and he hopes to open a restaurant/lounge in the space though plans are obviously in only the very early stages. Architects are currently being consulted. But if all goes well – the owners hope to open up a Fusion restaurant with “cross cultural cuisine” featuring a mix of Asian/Indian/Latin ingredients. Because a big renovation is required we are probably talking about an 18 month process. I’ll be sure to update when plans progress.


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Judging Restaurants – Ben’s Chili Bowl

By Prince Of Petworth

Obviously Ben’s Chili Bowl, located at 1213 U St, NW, is an institution and no longer a “regular” restaurant particularly after President Obama ate there. But, it amazes me that the lines (admittedly there have always been some lines as long as I can remember) have remained this big, regularly snaking outside around the building. So I’m curious what folks think – are there still big fans out there?

You can see their menus here. I’m embarrassed to admit I had no idea they had a breakfast menu.

For the fans what do you order?

Personally I’m a huge fan of the chili cheese fries but to be honest haven’t stopped in for one in many months. I think I know what I’m doing for lunch tomorrow…


The Scoop on New Restaurant/Bar Moving into Former Social Space in Columbia Heights

By Prince Of Petworth

A couple of days ago I shared some scuttlebutt that a new restaurant would be moving into the old Social space at 14th and Meridian Pl, NW. At the time I had very little info other than a “full service restaurant” would be coming. There has been a lot of speculation about Social since they abruptly closed back in Nov. ’10. While I think there will always be some mystery as to what happened – I’m happy to say that I had the opportunity to sit down with one of the new owners and we discussed his new plans for the space. I think this is gonna be a very very big win for the neighborhood.

The space is going to completely transformed. On the first floor is going to be a true neighborhood bar with a 70s Paul Newman/Steve McQueen movie theme with a particular emphasis on racing. Think Bullitt. For someone who’s favorite movie is Cool Hand Luke – I found this to be very welcome news.


From famous chase seen in Bullitt

In addition to the cool theme the first floor bar will lose the lounge feel and set up and look like a proper bar. There will be tvs for sports and very good happy hour deals. I’m told the happy hours will be huge and last from 3pm – 9pm with a variety of other specials everyday.

The second floor will be the dining space. It was described to me as an upscale diner. I was told, “think comfort food done very very well”. The chef has already signed on and comes from an established restaurant.

And more good news for those that live in the neighborhood – if you are a big fan of diner food you will be able to get it to go and if you live in Columbia Heights – they will deliver. [I’ll be sharing the menu in the coming weeks when it is finalized.]

I was told the new restaurant and bar will have three main focal points – happy hour, brunch, and an awesome outdoor space. The outdoor space will be completely re-landscaped both at street level and up top. There will be an outdoor bar added to the second floor patio area. In addition to other happy hour deals don’t be surprised to see a daiquiri happy hour for the 2nd floor patio. Additionally, I’m told a cool mural will be on its way as well.

The owner that I spoke with lives in the neighborhood – is excited to make this a welcoming place for all. The space is going to be reconfigured with new landscaping, new paint, new furniture, a new decor/theme, a new menu, new specials and hopes to open around May 1st.

I’ll be updating with more info as we get closer to that point.

Sound good?

Medium Rare to Open up in Old Yanni’s Space in Cleveland Park Monday

By Prince Of Petworth

I’ll admit that I will always miss Yanni’s at 3500 Connecticut Ave, NW. However I do admit that the Post’s Tom Sietsema description of Medium Rare sounds good too:

“There will be a single feature — steak frites — on the menu, although a meatless entrée will be available for vegetarians.”

He tweets:

“Just in: “We’re open on Monday,” says Mark Bucher, owner of the steak-only Medium Rare in Cleveland Park.”

We’ll def. be judging them in a few weeks. I’m eager to take a taste. Though the Yanni’s sign is really just taunting me now…

Judging Restaurants – B. Smith

By Prince Of Petworth

B. Smith is located in Union Station at 50 Massachusetts Ave NE. Their Website says:

“B. Smith’s at Union Station features a combination of Cajun, Creole and Southern cuisine. Located in Washington, DC’s Historic Union Station, B. Smith’s grand Beaux Arts style dining room with its 30-foot ceilings, period chandeliers and turn of the century elegance, is a national landmark and has been called one of the most beautiful dining rooms in America. Specialties of the house include Swamp Thing – a mixed seafood dish over southern style greens in a mustard based seafood sauce; Grilled Lamb Chops with mint-flavored au jus; Fried Green Tomatoes and Spicy Cajun Jambalaya. In it’s own separate space, the bar at B. Smith’s serves as a gathering place for Washington’s political movers and shakers, celebrities and people who just want to have a good time.”

You can see their menu here. Any fans? Any must order items?

Shaw’s Tavern Coming to 520 Florida Ave, NW Hopes to Open in June

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

Any news about the commercial spot at 512-520 florida ave, NW Between 6th and 5th?? Everything I read back in September sounded like it was going to have something by the new year! I’m dying to know what ends up there!”

Last night @LeDroitParkDC tweeted:

“Shaw’s Tavern at 520 FL Ave NW scheduled to open in June. Wood oven pizza, pastas & tavern classics on the menu.”

Left for LeDroit shares a floor plan and writes:

The restaurant, slated to open in mid-June, will seat 65 – 70 people inside and 15 – 18 people on a sidewalk patio on the 6th Street front. On Florida Avenue near the eastern end of the building, the restaurant will feature a special door just for take-out pizza orders.

Inside, however, the restaurant will feature a variety of entrées priced from $12 – $18.  Mr. May distributed a tentative menu.

Left for LeDroit wrote earlier in the week:

“we are told it will be similar to Clarendon’s Liberty Tavern”

Anyone ever been to Liberty Tavern?

More updates as progress continues on the space.

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