Restaurants

The Case to Vote YES on Initiative 77 for #OneFairWage By Melissa Boteach and Eliza Schultz

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Erin

Ed. Note: A case to Vote No on Initiative 77 will be posted at this time tomorrow.

By Melissa Boteach and Eliza Schultz

We, like many of our fellow D.C. residents, have seen the “Save Our Tips” signs all over town. As anti-poverty advocates and researchers, we take seriously the argument that we should listen to people who are directly affected by a given policy. There are many well-intentioned people who plan to vote against Initiative 77 – the ballot initiative that would phase out the sub-minimum wage earned by tipped workers by 2026 – because they know servers, mainly in higher-end restaurants and bars, who are against it.

But we also know many servers (in D.C. as well as in the eight states that don’t have a separate tipped wage) and can tell you that a big reason you’re not hearing a lot of voices from tipped workers in favor of Initiative 77 is due to fear of retaliation. Workers are literally walking into their places of employment bombarded with signs saying “Save Our Tips” – even right above where they clock in. Publicly speaking out when you’re already economically insecure and need the job is difficult.

The debate in D.C. over 77 has been riddled with misinformation and one-sided arguments, funded by a corporate campaign that is paying tens of thousands to consulting firms so that they don’t have to pay their workers more.

To that end, we wanted to share some facts on 77 with you: (more…)

Here are all the Winners from Last Night’s 2018 RAMMY Award Celebration

By Prince Of Petworth


Supercombo from Moby Dick by PoPville flickr user bajidc

Congrats to the winners:

“Top foodservice industry professionals and their fans gathered tonight at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center for the 36th Annual RAMMY Awards as Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) announced winners in 21 award categories.

The selection process for the winners involved two esteemed groups, the voting public and an anonymous panel of volunteer judges, consisting of food and dining journalists, educators and foodservice industry professionals. The voting public decided the winners in four categories: Favorite Gathering Place of the Year, Upscale Brunch, Everyday Casual Brunch and Favorite Fast Bites.

RAMW honored four additional members with the Joan Hisaoka Allied Member of the Year, given to USI Insurance Services for exemplifying commitment to and support of RAMW, the Duke Zeibert Capital Achievement Award, presented to restaurant founder and publican Daniel J. Coleman for his hard work and outstanding initiative that has increased the profile and success of the metropolitan Washington foodservice community, the Exceptional Leadership & Impact Award presented to José Andrés and Patricia Fernandez de la Cruz for their remarkable contributions to the Washington, DC region, and for their incredible efforts they have taken as citizens of the world, and the 2018 Honorary Milestone RAMMY Award given to Tony and Joe’s, a Georgetown dining staple celebrating 30 years on the Washington Harbour. These awards were determined by RAMW’s Executive Committee.

The winners of the 36th Annual RAMMY Awards are: (more…)

Silo Adding a Second Story!

By Prince Of Petworth


919 5th Street, NW

Thanks to Jayme for sending:

“Look’s like Silo is expanding. I wish there were more details on if it’s going to be a roof deck/outdoors or just a 2nd story.”

For those not familiar with Silo:

“Silo is conveniently located only blocks from Chinatown, the Verizon Center and the Convention Center. With a focus on local, fresh, modern American cuisine, Silo offers culinary excellence, genuine hospitality and fine craft cocktails. Silo features 12 rotating craft beers on tap, as well as 20 bottled offerings. Local spirits line the shelves and are perfectly displayed in pre-prohibition themed cocktails. The menu changes its core features monthly and highlights daily specials in step with the freshest, seasonal items. Come in, get comfortable and stay a while…Silo will take care of the rest.”

Check out their menus here.

“looking for a rehearsal dinner spot that is close to The Line Hotel in Adams Morgan”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Tim Brown

“Dear PoPville,

My fiancee and I are looking for a rehearsal dinner spot that is close to The Line Hotel in Adams Morgan. We both have large families so the place needs to be able to accommodate up to 90 people. We’re looking for something a little bit more casual so 90 for a seated dinner isn’t a requirement. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

We’ve talked to Southern Hospitality and Bourbon but they weren’t really what we wanted menu wise so open to others outside of those two.

Thanks!”

Belly Dancing and an Ethiopian restaurant coming to the 3600 block of Georgia Ave, NW Near DC Reynolds and Looking Glass Lounge

By Prince Of Petworth


3622 Georgia Ave, NW

Alright, alright, alright – it’s been a minute since we had some interesting scuttlebutt so wait no longer. Word on the street is that a Middle Eastern restaurant with belly dancing is coming to the old Walters space (RIP Blue Banana) in between DC Reynolds and Looking Glass Lounge. And south of DC Reynolds, I hear an Ethiopian restaurant is coming with possibly a lounge on the second floor. STAY TUNED.

Chanterelle French Restaurant coming to the closing Morton’s in Georgetown

By Prince Of Petworth


3251 Prospect Street, NW

The liquor license placard for Chanterelle says:

“A New Class “C” French restaurant. The restaurant will have 216 indoor seats, and a Total Occupancy Load of 325. The Licensee is requesting an Entertainment Endorsement to include indoor and outdoor Live Entertainment, as well as a 60 seat Summer Garden, and a 30 seat Sidewalk Café.”

The Washington Business Journal reports that it’s coming from restaurateur Hakan Ilhan of Mirabelle, Ottoman Taverna and Alba Osteria.

Updates as they get closer to opening.

Poca Madre Will Open Next to Chef Albisu’s Casual Chinatown Taqueria, Taco Bamba on June 19th!!

By Prince Of Petworth


777 I Street, NW

From a press release:

“Award-winning D.C. chef and restaurateur Victor Albisu announces a June 19 opening for Poca Madre, his high-end, contemporary Mexican restaurant adjacent to the Chinatown location of his wildly popular taqueria, Taco Bamba.

While Taco Bamba Chinatown delivers on the big menu, no-frills, rock & roll ambience that earned the Northern Virginia suburban locations cult status, Poca Madre is a juxtaposition in form and function. The elevated design, from the garden patio to the intimately lit dining room, complement a polished menu and mezcal-driven bar program unlike anything else diners will find in D.C.

“There’s so much more to Mexican cooking than what we typically see in the States,” Albisu said. “Some of the discoveries we made in Mexico while on research trips, first for Taco Bamba and later Poca Madre, just blew me away. I had to find a way to bring those flavors back to D.C. From centuries-old palenques in Oaxaca to chic, contemporary fine dining in Mexico City, there is so much going on that’s worth the spotlight, and I’m doing my part to shine on it.”

Menu and Inspiration (more…)

Surfside 24 Hour Taco Stand coming to Tenleytown!! (and The Wharf)

By Prince Of Petworth


4200 Wisconsin Avenue, NW at Van Ness Street

The long vacant Firelake Grill (OG Ruby Tuesday and once planned for Guapo’s and Five Guys) will finally have a new tenant – Surfside!! Eater DC reports:

“Ten years after Surfside first brought its gourmet tacos and margaritas to D.C., restaurateur Bo Blair is ramping up expansion plans by opening at least two more locations next spring.

Blair recently signed a lease for a new Tenleytown spot at 4200 Wisconsin Avenue NW, he tells Eater. Another deal is close to being closed at the Wharf across from the historic Maine Avenue Fish Market.”

In an email Bo shares a few more details with me:

“We are going to do a 24 taco stand, like Dupont. It will be fast casual with no waiter service. We will be serving Margaritas, beers and specialty cocktails. We are shooting for an April 1, 2019 opening. The outdoor patio will be killer.”

Check out their menus here and STAY TUNED.

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