Restaurants

Judging Restaurants – Zorba’s Cafe

By Prince Of Petworth

Zorba’s Cafe is located at 1612 20th St NW. It’s Web site says:

Zorba’s Café has been family owned and operated since it first opened its doors in 1984. The owners, together with their dedicated staff, will cater to your palate needs. The service is friendly, fast and precise. While your mousaka or pastitsio is being prepared, you might find yourself involved in conversations with other guests and the owners, mostly talking about that unique part of the world, Greece.

Zorba Café’s recipes have been passed down in the family over four generations. Fresh ingredients and wholesome herbs are used to prepare the long menu of wonderful dishes like roast leg of lamb, keftedes, spanakopitta and chicken reganato. Enjoy delicacies like taramosalata, tzatziki, hommus, tabouli salad and many, many more. The food is always fresh, and everything, including the bread rolls and the pizza dough, is made at Zorba’s Café daily.

Another big attraction of Zorba’s Café is its outdoor sidewalk patio. From April through October you can relax and enjoy the deliciously prepared food, the Greek music, the colorful flowers, while the aroma of the jasmin blossoms makes you believe that you are really on an island in the Aegean Sea with your friend Zorba the Greek!

You can see their menus here. Any fans?

Thai Thanic Adding 2nd Floor Sushi Lounge Called Tsunami

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to a reader for sending the heads up:

“Thai Tanic is opening a sushi joint with a lounge type theme called Tsunami on the floor above their current location at 1326 14th St, NW.”

Back in March we learned that Thai Tanic was looking to expand but we didn’t know many details. When I spoke to the folks at Thai Tanic they confirmed the new space upstairs would be called Tsunami but couldn’t give me a firm opening date. They said it’ll probably be a month or two before it opens. I’ll be sure to update when that happens.

Ed. Note: Remember this is right across the street from the recently opened Teak Wood new Thai restaurant.

Pesto Closes in Woodley/Cleveland Park

By Prince Of Petworth

Pesto was located at 2915 Connecticut Ave, NW right near the National Zoo. We judged it here. I’ve always thought this location had lots of potential. I’ll def. be keeping an eye on this space to see who moves in.

Dear PoP – What is Going on with Building at 14th north of W St, NW?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

Did you ever find out what was going in at the empty building on 14th and W?”

Well I don’t have a lot of info but I can finally say it is going to become a restaurant. You can see from the photo above that this is a complete gut job. On one of the renovation permits you can see that the proposed use for 2208 14th St, NW, between Midtown Youth Academy and Dynasty Ethiopian Restaurant, is a Restaurant.

Amsterdam Falafel looking to Franchise

By Prince Of Petworth

Twitter was a buzz this morning with word that Amsterdam Falafel, located at 2425 18th Street NW, was looking to franchise. TopShelfWBJ’s Missy Frederick was first to break the news. Amersterdam Falafel gives the following reasons to open a franchise:

* Flagship in Washington DC has received wide acclaim from the press and customers
* Simple menu reduces operational complexity found in other burger and Tex-Mex competitors
* Low cost of goods from chickpeas as the main ingredient (not expensive chicken or beef, and not subject to the commodity price fluctuations)
* Very affordable menu pricing (particularly beneficial in today’s economic climate)
* Appeal of falafel sandwich is becoming universal, driven by the influx of tourists from Europe and the Middle East, not to mention the many U.S. servicemen and women who became big fans of falafel during their tours
* Offering reflects customers’ growing demand for healthy eating

If you want to open one up, you can learn how here.

We discussed best falafel in the city here.

Top Spanish Restaurant Opens at 3541 Georgia Ave, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

Speaking of Tex-Mex…

“Dear PoP,

Check out the Top Spanish Cafe on Georgia Ave in Park View (right across from the ‘House’). They apparently just opened last week and are working with a soft opening menu but offer both Spanish and Tex/Mex. The sangria and paella were great as well as the service!”

Couple more shots after the jump including a taste of the menu. (more…)

AM PM Carry Out Becoming Tex-Mex Restaurant at 14th and V St, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

Back in July a reader wrote in speculating that something was going on at the AM PM Carryout at the corner of 14th and V St, NW. He was right. It is going to become, La Fonda, a Tex-Mex restaurant. The liquor license application says:

“New Mexican restaurant offering “Tex-Mex” styled cuisine with live entertainment featuring a single musician and karaoke. Seating capacity is 220. Total occupancy load is 332. Sidewalk Café with seating for 48.”

Do you guys think a sidewalk cafe will work well at this location?

For fans of Tex-Mex, what’s your favorite dish?

Judging Restaurants – Acqua al 2

By Prince Of Petworth

Acqua al 2 is located at 212 7th Street SE. As huge fan of Italian food was I eagerly anticipating this opening since the spring. And while it is not cheap, I loved it. This is probably my favorite new restaurant that I’ve been to in a while (though I’m still waiting to get into Estadio). Since I went I’ve heard others who’ve loved it and others who’ve been very disappointed. Anyone else check them out yet? Must order items? You can see their menu here.

Cassa Nonna Aims to Open Tonight – Shelly’s Backroom Expanding

By Prince Of Petworth

Back in Nov. ’09 California Pizza Kitchen closed at 1250 Connecticut Ave, NW. Today (pending final permits) Cassa Nonna hopes to open. I spoke with one of the workers who was very excited about the new space though the manager wouldn’t let me take any photos.

Also Shelly’s Backroom is expanding into the old salon space next door at 1831 F St, NW. They also hope to open a sidewalk cafe. According to their Web site:

“Shelly’s Back Room is one of a kind in Washington, DC, a comfortable retreat for cigar aficionados and those who simply want to unwind. Our casual but elegant space features soft lighting, cozy couches and over-stuffed chairs.

Shelly’s Back Room is a cigar-friendly establishment, but our state of the art air-purification system keeps the atmosphere comfortable for smokers and non-smokers alike. Sit back and enjoy yourself while chatting with friends or watching high-definition TV.”

“Top Chef: Just Desserts” premiere party event tonight at Hook (3241 M Street NW)

By Prince Of Petworth

Sweet, free desserts! Congrats to Heather! From an email:

“Hook & Tackle Box’s Pastry Chef Heather Chittum is DC’s only pastry chef featured in the upcoming season of Top Chef: Just Desserts. To celebrate, Hook & Tackle Box are throwing a premiere viewing party Wednesday, September 15, from 9 p.m. to midnight, and we hope you can make it! Did I mention this is all free, to celebrate Heather Chittum’s appearance on the show?!”

And here’s tonight’s menu:

Caramel Dipped Apples
Chocolate Whoopie Pies – Housemade Marshmallow Fluff
Sage Pound Cake
Chocolate Caramel Tart with Maldon Sea Salt
Lemongrass Panna Cotta with Sesame Florentine
Wildflower Honey Madeleines – Apple Butter
Oatmeal-Currant Cookies
Lobster Sugar Cookies
Carrot Cake- Candied Pecans, Crème Fraiche Sorbet
Pinenut – Caramel Tart, Rosemary Ice Cream
Chai Spiced Risotto Fritters
Cinnamon Sugar Doughnuts
Vanilla Cheesecake , Peach – Cardamom Preserves
Layered Nutella Torte
Campfire Smores
Butterscotch Pudding
Assorted Pate de Fruits
Blueberry Pie

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