84 T Street, NW (1st and T St just off Rhode Island Ave)
Back in late November we learned of the sudden and sad closing of Rustik, one of Blooomingdale’s pioneering restaurants. Now we know who’s taking over the space – Tyber Creek Wine Bar & Kitchen!
I take three things very seriously in life – Bagels (and associated appetizing), Pastrami and Pizza. Wiseguy Pizza is the best slice in the District. So this aggression absolutely cannot stand. Wiseguy Pizza’s entrance has been blocked by prep for inauguration security:
“City couldn’t find anywhere else to put their concrete blocks. They closed the front of my restaurant. I hope this doesn’t stay like this until Thursday. It’s ridiculous. They must did this Sunday morning like 6am.”
Ed. Note: I don’t know if it’s the city or the Secret Service or the Guard but this is outrageous. So if you’ve got a hankering for some good pizza today (or anytime this week) show some love to Wiseguy and support local DC.
3rd and Massachusetts Ave, NW
3813 Georgia Avenue, NW
From an email:
“Just in time for MLK Jr. day, I’m excited to share that Ten Tigers Parlour will be rolling out its new daytime menu starting at 11am this Monday, 1/16. Update: Thursday.
This includes a new selection of regional teas from China, Japan, Taiwan and traditional English favorites; the launch of TTP’s boba teas; and pastries from Kyirisan pastry chef Mollie Bird. While all daytime items are available for “grab & go,” complimentary wi-fi and outlets will also be offered to all guests looking to lounge.
PASTRY MENU – $4 per order (more…)
Full menu here: la-puerta-verde-mock-menu (PDF)
From a press release:
“Completing Mindful Restaurant Group’s culinary trifecta within the historic and newly renovated Hecht Warehouse in the up-and-coming Ivy City neighborhood, La Puerta Verde (2001 Fenwick Street NE, Washington DC 20002; www.LaPuertaVerdeDC.com; @LaPuertaVerdeDC; (202) 290-1875) – a casual Mexican eatery paying homage to both Mexican cuisine and the many individuals owner Ari Gejdenson has had the pleasure of working with throughout his journey in the hospitality world as a restaurateur – will open to the public beginning with dinner service on Tuesday, January 17th.”
Located in the newly renovated historic Hecht Warehouse, La Puerta Verde – which translates to ‘The Green Door’ – is simultaneously reminiscent of a traditional Mexican Hacienda and nostalgic to its Ivy City roots. Featuring 3,800 square feet (6,800 square feet total between the three connected restaurants including Ari’s Diner, DOCK FC, & La Puerta Verde), and seating for up to 85 guests – 60 in the main dining room and 25 at the bar – celebrated design gurus Eric Gronning – owner and principal of Gronning Architects PLLC (www.gronningarchitects.com) – and Tony Mize of Septcarres (www.Septcarres.com), teamed up to create a space that fuses traditional Mexican accents while maintaining the integrity of the Hecht Warehouse’s raw structure. The airy space with high ceilings features pops of bold colors including deep blues, earthy greens, warm oranges, and bright yellows, walls and flooring adorned with talavera tiles, and three large vibrant and original murals from DC-based graffiti artist and pioneer CHELOVE coexist amongst a backdrop of repurposed cargo containers, while still embracing rustic elements including the original warehouse columns. In Mexico the color green represents hope and Mindful Restaurant Group’s hope is that through their green door guests will find the perfect place to connect and enjoy the spirit of Mexico right here in the heart of Northeast Washington DC. (more…)
3907 14th Street, NW at Randolph
From an email:
“We will be open for brunch both Monday January 16 and Friday January 20. We are open every weekday at 11 offering pizza pies and delicious sandwiches on house focaccia, but we’re going to be doing our full brunch menu beginning at 10 on those days this coming week.
We also have some brand new cocktails for the occasion. First up, the Bad Hombre features a delightful marriage of tequila and Cynar to create a spin on your regular ol margarita. Then there is the Nasty Woman, which is much more pleasant than its name suggests; huckleberry-infused gin meets Campari, lemon, and triple sec.
Bad Hombre and Nasty Woman courtesy Little Coco’s
1595 I St, NW
A reader reports:
“My parents and sister just ate dinner at a place called Rare Steakhouse in Madison, WI. Their server told them that it was opening a location in DC in fall ’17 or early ’18. They were told it will be at 9th and I. I am not sure if that means City Center or somewhere else around there. The locations tab on its website confirms that a DC location is “coming soon,” but doesn’t list an address.”
Washington Business Journal reports a lease was signed at 1595 I Street, NW:
“It will be a large restaurant, encompassing 9,500 square feet on two levels, including the more casual, 49-seat tavern on the ground floor. In all, the restaurant will seat 337.”
You can see their menu here. Updates as they get closer to opening.
Since Toki has been toppled from their perch – where’s the best ramen in DC? Maketto? Bantam King? Daikaya? Sakuramen? Oki Bowl? Momofuku? Kintaro? Kanji-kana? Or is Toki Underground still tops? Where is your favorite? (please include neighborhood name or street where the restaurant is located.)
Ed. Note: We spoke about our favorite Thai restaurants in DC last Friday.
11th and Florida Ave, NW
Thanks to all who sent emails about the Post’s follow up article on the foreclosure sale scheduled for the Florida Avenue Grill.
“Imar Hutchins, owner of Florida Avenue Grill, sued his New York-based financier on Monday, alleging “predatory lending” and “deceptive practices,” and will ask a D.C. Superior Court judge this week to issue a temporary restraining order to stop a foreclosure auction of the oldest, continuously operating soul food restaurant in America.”
You can read the full story here.
Another reader notes: “Doesn’t this read almost exactly the same as the NYT article?”
In August 2009 the New York Times reported:
“In his briefcase, Imar Hutchins carries a certified check for $25,000. It is a crazy amount to walk around with, but for the last nine months, a series of banks have refused to take the money, even though Mr. Hutchins owes it toward a mortgage on a small apartment building in Harlem.”
You can read that full story here.
Updates on all fronts as the story develops.
3333 Georgia Ave, NW
From The Midlands:
“Jan 20th. Farewell President Obama & Diamond Joe Biden Rocking Taco Fiesta featuring live music from Katie Chambers and the band Nation. We will host the open bar party from 7 to 11 with endless tacos, prepper raffle and cutouts of Barry O & Diamond Joe.
“The Midlands would like to invite everyone to join us after the Women’s March to cover our windows & walls with your posters.
We also need your help to support the House of Ruth a local charity that helps women, children and families in greatest need and with very limited resources build safe, stable lives escaping domestic abuse and achieve safe housing, trauma recovery, mental health programs, addiction recovery, employment and abuse-free relationships.
All profits from Flying Dog Brewery drafts from 6P to 9P will be donated.
Fire Dancing performance by Revolutionary Motion (more…)
1010 Vermont Ave, NW (just north of K Street)
A reader reports:
“Modern Market on Vermont will be open at the end of the month.”
Check out their Bethesda menus here.
Modern Market’s website says:
“Hello and welcome to Modern Market. We want to change what people eat.
Did you ever notice that when you eat great food, you feel good? We did.
We also noticed how hard it is to find places that serve great tasting, healthy food made from ingredients you can trust for a reasonable price. Eating out seems to be a lot like voting – choose the least worst option and get on with it. We wanted to change that.
So in 2009, we quit our jobs and opened a restaurant in Boulder, Colo. We built a neighborhood spot where we could eat every day and doing so would make us happier and healthier.
We serve artisan fare without all the pomp – simple counter service with amazing, scratch-made food that nourishes your mind and body. Priced low enough that you can afford (around $10), but high enough that true high quality sources can be used and our team members can be fairly compensated.
We cook our food using simple, whole ingredients purchased from farmers, ranchers and suppliers we know and trust; who love and respect the planet as much as we do.
Every ingredient matters to us – where it comes from, what’s in it, and what the practices are of the company selling it. We searched for two years to find pickles that don’t contain sodium benzoate (thanks McClure’s). Little details matter to us. A lot.
We have a holistic view on health. We think added sugar is the devil and (good) fats are our friends. We live by the Michael Pollan philosophy, “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” (more…)