Restaurants

Columbia Heights Scuttlebutt: Z Burger Coming to the Tivoli at the Corner of 14th and Park Rd, NW?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

I just noticed that the corner space at the Tivoli (where the Japanese restaurant and coffee shop used to be) is completely gutted. Any idea what’s moving in?”

I’ve been getting tons of emails relaying a similar message. You may remember back in April we learned that Z Burger was negotiating a lease in Columbia Heights. We just didn’t know where. It seems that mystery may be solved. I’m hearing that Z Burger will be moving into the former space of Mayorga Coffee, and more recently home to Nori sushi. The space has been vacant since July ’09. You may recall that it had an unusual layout. You can see a complete gut renovation is taking place. If a Z Burger does indeed come to fill this space do you think it will be a good match?


Z Burger on Wisconsin Ave, NW in Glover Park

PoP Preview – P.J. Clarke’s

By Prince Of Petworth

PJ Clarke’s opens up in the old Solives space at 1600 K St, NW tonight. I was able to take a sneak peek yesterday and snap some photos of the first floor. It looks great. Their press release says:

“The first floor of the 125-seat restaurant in the nation’s capital boasts high ceilings and an open kitchen headed by Executive Chef Jason Brumm. Brumm moved to DC from Nashville, where he most recently served as the Executive Chef/Owner of modern American restaurant Radius10. At P.J. Clarke’s in Washington DC, Brumm will work with mid-Atlantic ingredients and flavors. In addition to the restaurant’s sizeable raw bar, hearty soups and generous entrees, he offers daily rotisserie specials showcasing local chicken, free-range turkey, Duroc pork and leg of lamb.”

Lots more photos and full press release after the jump. (more…)

Judging Restaurants – BLT Steak

By Prince Of Petworth

BLT Steak is located at 1625 I Street, NW. Their Web site says:

“Sharing a neighborhood with the White House, BLT Steak in Washington, DC brings our interpretation of the Modern American steakhouse to the capital. The menu showcases raw bar selections, our signature warm popovers, and top-notch steak and fish which are complemented by a selection of sauces like Peppercorn or Red Wine and satisfying sides such as Grilled Asparagus and Hash Browns. The private dining room is the ultimate space for business lunches, cocktail parties and other special occasions.”

You can see their menus here. Any fans?

Ardeo and Bardeo in Cleveland Park Getting Completely Renovated

By Prince Of Petworth

Looks like Tackle Box coming this winter isn’t the only big news for the 3300 block of Connecticut Ave, NW. Thanks to a reader for sending news about an online auction:

“Ardeo and Bardeo Restaurant a Washington DC icon is changing their concept and completely renovating both locations. All dining, lounge and cosmetic furniture and fixtures will be liquidated by internet only auction.”

So if you really really loved either location you now have a chance to make their decor a part of your home…

Loeb’s Deli Moving (Nearby) Reopening in Nov.

By Prince Of Petworth

Loeb’s Deli was located at 832 15th Street, NW. By the by, anyone happen to know who is moving into the space? There were a number of adjoining retail spaces on the block that had been vacated. We judged the restaurant to mostly positive reviews back in April ’09.

It’ll be opening at 1712 I St, NW in November (photo below). It’s hard to tell but it looks like they might be moving into a smaller space. Hopefully, it won’t affect the quality of a mean pastrami sandwich.

Judging Restaurants – Rogue States

By Prince Of Petworth

You may have heard yesterday that a ruling was made in the infamous burger fumes case pitting Rogue States vs. a neighboring law firm (Steptoe & Johnson). The Blog of Legal Times (BLT, seriously, BLT) wrote:

“As of 5:30 a.m. Wednesday, Rogue States, A Burger Company will have to cease operating to comply with a D.C. Superior Court judge’s verdict in the closely watched dispute between the restaurant and its neighbor, Steptoe & Johnson.

Judge John Mott’s ruling came after a three-day trial in which several Steptoe employees testified that fumes from the restaurant’s exhaust system were causing health problems, including watery eyes, headaches and nausea.”

This and the coming arrival of a Shake Shack nearby make this a very rough year. Rogue States is/was located at 1300 Connecticut Ave, NW. But I’m curious about the bottom line, were there many fans of the burgers?

Topics We Gotta Talk About This Morning

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by Flickr user angela n.

Last night word finally came that Michelle Rhee had announced her resignation:

“D.C. Schools Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee will announce Wednesday that she is resigning at the end of this month, bringing an abrupt end to a tenure that drew national acclaim but that also became a central issue in an election that sent her patron, Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, to defeat.”


Photo by PoPville flickr user BrennaLM

And this is a disturbing story from the Washington Post:

“In a section that suggests ideas for attacks inside the United States, the publication says that using firearms to carry out “a random hit at a crowded restaurant in Washington D.C. at lunch hour for example might end up knocking out a few government employees” and attracting widespread news media attention.”

Polo India Club Becomes Dalchinni, Continues Karma Kitchen at 1736 Connecticut Ave, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

Dalchinni is located at 1736 Connecticut Ave, NW in the former Polo India Club space. Their Web site (still being worked on) says:

“Dalchinni at Dupont Circle is an authentic Indian Restaurant serving Indian cuisine and specialty Himalayan Java Coffee. Our menu has been put together by very experience chef and we are proud to introduce a specialty Himalayan Java coffee first time in the US.”

But what I thought was the coolest was Karma Kitchen which they host every Sunday:

“Imagine a restaurant where there are no prices on the menu and where the check reads $0.00 with only this footnote: “Your meal was a gift from someone who came before you. To keep the chain of gifts alive, we invite you to pay it forward for those dine after you.”

That’s Karma Kitchen, a volunteer-driven experiment in generosity.”

You can learn more about it here.

I Hope You’re Sitting Down – Hitching Post For Sale

By Prince Of Petworth

When I first heard about this late last night I felt like I got punched in the stomach. It’s not that it was a huge surprise as they’ve been open for over 40 years but it’s one of those places that you feel like will be around for ever. It’s the type of place that needs to be open for ever. Given all the discussions of race and crime and hate this is one place that you never have to worry about. Patrons are black and white and the owners are equally kind to all who enter. I feel like I overuse the term gem in the city sometimes but if any place warranted such a description it is this one.

The Hitching Post is located at 200 Upshur St, NW (across the street from the Old Soldiers Home) at the corner of Rock Creek Church Rd, and Upshur. They serve the most gigantic portions you’ve ever seen. (This was the title of the first People’s District interview here with the Hitching Post’s owner Mr. Carter.)

And this probably means that one of the last classic juke boxes in the city is nearing its final days. I’m sure it’s possible that whoever buys the new place will keep it a restaurant/bar, and I certainly wish whoever buys this space the best, but it is safe to say we are nearing the end of an era.

The property is currently on the market for $850,000.

Iron Gate Restaurant Closing Oct. 31st

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to a reader for sending the sad news that Iron Gate Restaurant is closing at 1734 N St, NW at the end of the month. We judged Iron Gate almost exactly a year ago to mixed reviews. From what I hear the best part was the outdoor patio.

It’ll be interesting to see if a new restaurant takes over the space. I’ll be sure to update when/if that happens.

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