As if yesterday’s exciting scuttlebutt wasn’t enough for Mt. Vernon Square residents – you’re also getting a Subway. It’ll be located on the 400 block of Mass Ave, NW (near the Buddah Bar).
Ed. Note: And in other Subway news, the one going into the retail of Park Place above the Petworth Metro has begun build out.
Ethiopic is located at the corner of 4th and H St, NE (a bit obstructed by streetcar construction at the moment). You can see their menu here. I was talking to a friend who didn’t know that H St, NE had an Ethiopian place (they’ve been open for a number of months now) so I wanted to see what folks thought. I feel kinda bad that they have to deal with the construction but hopefully in the long run it’ll help them out. So any fans?
All in all this was a pretty quick turn around since we learned Polly’s closed at 1342 U St NW back in Feb. I briefly spoke with one of the owners, Kurt, who said the finishing touches were being completed on the menu. I’ll be sure to update when it becomes available online. The layout looks exactly the same as it did when it was Polly’s.
I think the layout is pretty classic (the bar is to my back in this photo) but hopefully the menu will be a vast improvement from Polly’s dying days. I’m eager to try one of the burgers which is supposed to be a specialty of the new Desperados. If anyone tries one out be sure to let us know what you think.
Thanks to all who sent in word about the new signage. For the record, I’m glad they kept the fence:
Pasha Bistro is located at 1523 17th Street, NW. Since my beloved Yanni’s closed I’m wondering how are the gyros here? You can see the full menu here. Any fans including options besides the gyro?
Back in the end of June I mentioned that Carmine’s would be opening on Aug. 3 in Penn Quarter at 425 7th St, NW. Yesterday I was able to get a tour of the 20,000 square foot space.
Main bar near entrance, Photo courtesy of Carmine’s
I was given a tour by Chief Executive Officer of the Alicart restaurant group (parent company of Carmine’s), Jeff Bank. Ed. Note: The Alicart group also runs Virgil’s Real BBQ which is likely coming to DC in the next 6 – 12 months. Stay tuned for updates on that front.
As mentioned before the space is huge, 20,000 square feet, but doesn’t feel huge because in addition to the main dining room the rest of the space is split into 9 private dining rooms. They’ve hired 250 folks, including 200 new jobs for DC. A bit of an interesting history on the space – it was going to be a grocery store (Balducci’s) before the economy and Bear Stearns imploded. The space now has an old school feel with old pictures on the walls as well as some paintings (to be in a painting you have to be “Italian and dead”.)
Continues after the jump. (more…)
It’s been a while since we chewed on some sweet scuttlebutt and I wanted to update our last Mt. Vernon Square scuttlebutt discussion from June. At the time I had heard that the City Vista sales center located at 1045 5th St, NW was looking like it might become a wine bar, a Chipotle, or something else. Well I’m hearing that Chipotle won the battle.
And in other huge Mt. Vernon Square scuttlebutt – one of the last retail spaces on the K St, NW side is likely to get filled with a Ray’s Hell Burger you know the place often cited as one of the best burgers in DC (Arlington actually) and the spot Obama visited in June with the Russian president. I’m hearing it will be in the space near the Results gym. That would be a pretty sweet addition to the row, yeah?
At the moment both the Chipotle and Ray’s ‘coming soon’ should still be considered scuttlebutt but I promise to update if/when the official word comes out.
Yanni’s located at 3500 Connecticut Ave, NW closed its doors Sunday night. I am still in mourning. Yanni’s was not the fanciest of restaurants, it wouldn’t make Washingtonian’s ‘Best of’ list but for me it was one of the most reliable spots for a reasonably priced meal. I’m devastated. I chatted with a waiter to confirm and as he did he noted that they were given barely any notice only being told themselves of the closing last Tuesday.
Since the restaurant was always busy I gotta think it was the relatively new bar (that was rarely filled) that Yanni’s opened a few years ago that was their downfall. Yanni’s Gyro Platter, I’m gonna pour some tzatsiki sauce out for you tonight. Well, we had some good times Yanni’s! I wish the staff the best of luck.
Thanks to a reader for sending in the early word this weekend. He noted that Yanni’s has been in DC for over 20 years. Yanni’s you’ll be missed.
Photo courtesy of Takorean, Credit: Alexandra Boule-Buckley
It seems like every week I’m learning about a new Food Truck coming to DC. And I say the more the merrier! This one also sounds pretty sweet. From a press release:
Korean BBQ Tacos have had great success throughout Southern California over the past couple of years, and are now about to make their grand entrance here on the streets of the nation’s capital. Operating from a newly remodeled truck, TaKorean, a delicious fusion blend of Korean BBQ with a twist of Mexican style, is slated to
open to lunch goers during August throughout the downtown metro area.
Truck design courtesy of Takorean by Sima Designs
Truck design courtesy of Takorean by Sima DesignsAll TaKorean recipes are made from scratch using the freshest ingredients available. TaKorean will serve vegetarian and vegan options, along with daily specials. Using social media networking, TaKorean will post information weekly and daily so that customers will be able to follow the truck’s city locations every day. Fans and customers can follow Twitter and Facebook feeds @taKorean and also visit the website (coming soon) for a direct feed on the homepage.
Mike Lenard, President of DC Street Food, Inc., has created a variety of Asian inspired taco combinations and menu items to “consistently provide customers with fresh, interesting, healthy, and delicious tasting food that gives them something to smile about.” A native of Washington D.C., Lenard is determined to provide healthy, well-balanced meals at a reasonable price ($5-$9) to his fellow Washingtonians while also giving back to the community and local environmental causes. TaKorean is pledging 1% of gross sales to local environmental and youth based non-profit organizations.
At TaKorean, one can enjoy a choice of Korean style Bulgogi beef, tangy chicken, or caramelized tofu tacos topped with fresh spicy or mild slaw, cool lime crème, Sriracha Chili sauce, fresh cilantro and sesame seeds on top of warm corn tortillas. Enjoy your meal while listening to some great music at your favorite downtown park bench on your lunch break or late night outside of your favorite place to unwind on weekends. This newest fusion blend has taken over the West Coast in recent years, and is sure to leave an impression on the DC street food scene in the weeks to come!
The saga of Big Bear Cafe’s (1st and R St, NW) quest for a liquor license has captured the attention of most Bloomingdale residents. Meanwhile, nearby, another bar/restaurant has been quietly progressing. Build out at the corner of 1st and T St, NW has nearly been completed (I had to use an old photo above). For those who follow Bloomingdale news closely you may recall that a restaurant called Baraki was going to open up in this space. Baraki was even granted a liquor license.
And back in Jan. I told you about a proposed neighborhood bar called, Rustik. Rustik was hoping to open across the street at 1832 1st St, NW. Unfortunately that space didn’t work out but I recently learned that Rustik has negotiated with the owner of the retail space at 1st and T and that will be the new home to Rustik.
As I mentioned, Baraki, had already been granted a liquor license so Rustik will be able to have it transferred rather easily. Though, keep in mind Rustik will also be a restaurant featuring fire brick pizza. So keep your eyes peeled for the opening at the corner of 1st and T Streets, NW because they’re gonna be open a lot sooner than you think. I’m betting by the end of the month but as we’ve learned strange things can happen in Bloomindgale. I’m hesitant to say that the drought in Bloomingdale may soon be over, nevertheless, I’m looking forward to lifting a pint there very soon!
Update: There will be an “open house” this Sat. to help celebrate 1st on First art walk (August 7, 2010 – 12 to 4 PM.)
I’d never heard of Zenobia Lounge (careful loud music plays on Web site) before but went to check it out when I heard they were applying for a liquor license. They are located at 1025 31st, NW. You can see their menu here. There was a nice Middle East vibe going on and the liquor application also says that they have a hookah bar. Adding an alcohol option seems like a natural progression here. Any fans?
Here’s what it looks like on the inside looking at the gift shop towards the dining area:
And here’s the back hookah area:
