I was intrigued by the small spot located on a side street off of M. Quick Pita got pretty good reviews on Yelp and is located at 1210 Potomac St, NW. Any fans here?
|
Restaurants
|
Well there’s some good news and some less exciting news. As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, Union City, a coffee brunch diner type spot from the owners of recently opened Tynan Coffee & Tea in Columbia Heights, will fill the northernmost retail spot.
Today, the CricKet sign went up to help cement CricKet’s take over of DC…
And in happier news – Sala Thai will be opening up a Thai and Sushi restaurant. And finally a Subway sandwich shop will be opening. Still no word on whether the spot from former Colorado Kitchen chef Gillian Clark is going forward. More news on the rest of the spaces as deals are signed.
I’m particularly curious what you guys think about the Sala Thai and Subway shops?
|
From an email:
“Please join us today from 5 to 8 pm for free tastes of delicious wines from Australia including Puppeteer, Gotham, and Stalking Horse with winery representative and DC resident Kate Clugston. All wines will be available for purchase by the glass during the tasting and accompanied by Australian snacks by our favorite man from down under, Room 11 Chef/Partner Ben Gilligan.
http://www.wineinc.com.au
Cheers Mate!
Dan Searing
Partner/Bar Manager
Room 11
3234 11th St NW”
|
Speaking of new restaurants I’ve been wondering if anyone had the chance to check out the recently opened Masa 14 located at 1825 14th St, NW. Their Web site says:
“Chef Richard Sandoval, who brought us his marriage of Latin-Asian flavors, Zengo has partnered with Chef Kazuhiro “Kaz” Okochi of Kaz Sushi Bistro to bring us Masa 14 – a new joint concept serving Latin and Asian small plates. The 5,000 square foot restaurant is slated to open mid-September this year just north of Logan Circle located at 1825 14th Street, NW.
The new concept will have capacity for 240 guests and features a spacious 100-seat dining room, plus a private dining room which can accommodate parties of 18.
In addition, Masa 14 will house one of the largest bars in the DC area with a whopping 65 foot long – 74-seat bar/lounge which is divided into three sections featuring selections of tequila, sake, beer, wine and cocktails. In addition, guests can view the open kitchen complete with a wood-fired brick oven which will be most utilized after midnight for Masa 14’s late night menu.”
You can see their menu here. Any early word yet?
|
photo by rockcreek
“Dear PoP,
Seems like new restaurants are opening up everywhere you look. What’s your thought on why there are so many new places? Is DC finally turning into a foodie town? Are rents coming down, allowing for new upstarts? Or are people willing to spend money on food in a down economy?
In any case, there’s something called “Duro” or “Puro” cafe opening in upper georgetown on Wisconsin Ave just up the street from the new TD bank, on the same side. There’s also a new diner going in next to Tunicliff’s Tavern on 8th st SE across from eastern market.”
Those are good questions in the first paragraph. Anyone know why so many new restaurants seem to be opening up? Or is it the same amount of restaurants that are opening up but they have really good PR?
|
Wow, it has been forever for the old McDonald’s spot at 3407 Connecticut Ave., NW to get a new tenant. The alcohol application license says, “New restaurant with recorded music. Occupancy load 150.” Trade name – DC Diner. Great news for Cleveland Park!
|
Saigon Bistro is located at 2153 P St., NW. I recently just had some delicious Pho at Pho 14. So what I’m really wondering is how does the Pho rank here?
|
Thanks to a reader for the heads up about a new restaurant coming to 4809 Georgia Ave, NW (right next door to Moroni & Bros. Pizza). So this section of Georgia will now have Moroni’s, Fusion and now this spot. I spoke to the owner of Moroni’s who thinks that the restaurant will be Ethiopian. The permit on the window said there will also be a lounge on the first floor. I think this’ll be great news for the block as the more foot traffic here the better for all the restaurants.
|
A reader wrote in asking about general brunch options. This email was followed by the one below:
“Have you ever blogged about The Highlands? It’s a diamond in the rough restaurant on 14th across the street from the Metro Bus Depot. OBSCENELY cheap and AMAZINGLY good (best crab cakes i’ve ever had). Wonderful service; chef comes out for every diner to ask how it is. Perfect brunch, cheap brunch. It’s never busy and i don’t understand why! People must know!”
I do like The Highlands located on 14th Street, NW between Crittenden and Decatur. And back in August of ’08 there were some good breakfast recommendations listed. However, there have also been a ton of new restaurants that have opened since Aug. ’08 so I’m wondering if any of them have good brunch options?
Also I’d like to add a caveat, besides Highlands, where can one get a good brunch in the city without waiting an hour for a table? This is one of the toughest questions I ever have to answer. I’m always hesitant to make recommendations because the wait for tables drives me crazy. So where are the other secret or not so secret spots that have good brunch without a long wait? Of course other essentials beside the wait are great Bloody Marys and/or inexpensive mimosas…and bacon definitely good crispy bacon options.
|
Scion is located at 2100 P St., NW. I remember this spot used to be, I think, a pretty good Italian restaurant. Now it is “contemporary American cuisine with subtle Asian influences.” You can find their menus here. Any fans? Anyone remember the restaurant that used to be in this spot?