Restaurants

Columbia Heights’ Hidden Gem, Bad Saint, Finally Gets Some Recognition!!

By Prince Of Petworth

bad-saint-ch

Sorry more recognition. More recognition. (and props to Joshua Johnson who called it first a week after their opening.) And well deserved from what I read!! Yesterday’s New York Times review says in part:

“Most people with a glancing knowledge of the cuisine have tried an adobo, a garlic-laden stew braised in soy sauce that’s been soured with vinegar. But Bad Saint’s adobo of tender squid is still astonishing, its sauce deepened and darkened by squid ink and given a slow, lingering burn by long peppers.

The oxtails and bok choi stewed in peanut sauce with an intense undercurrent of shrimp and anchovies is amazing whether this is your first encounter with kare-kare or your hundredth.”

Maybe the rain will the lighten the line a bit tonight…

bad-saint
3226 11th Street, NW

End of an Era as Vidalia is Closing but hopefully the start of a new one with Honeysuckle

By Prince Of Petworth

vidalia
1990 M Street, NW

The Washington Post reported yesterday:

“After more than two decades of serving Southern fare to Washington, Vidalia is closing its doors. Vidalia’s last day of service for lunch and dinner will be Dec. 15.

When Vidalia closes, he’ll be turning over the keys to Hamilton Johnson, his former chef de cuisine. Johnson will turn the space into Honeysuckle…Johnson said Honeysuckle will be an “American regional” spot, with some Southern accents. (expected to open in mid-January)”.

Vidalia’s website says:

“For over twenty years, Vidalia has garnered both local and national recognition with its modern American cooking delivered with impeccable southern hospitality. From its magnolia walls gracing the entrance to the contemporary wine bar and lounge, the restaurant exudes graciousness and exceptional flavors. James Beard Award Winning Chef, Jeffrey Buben describes Vidalia’s cuisine as regional American infused with a heaping serving of Southern influence. Diners’ favorites include the delicate Crab Cakes, the famous Shrimp and Grits, popular renditions of Veal Sweetbreads and the much anticipated seasonal Baked Vidalia Onion. Each presentation is a complexity of textures and tastes. Frequent menu changes indulge in the myriad of local seasonal market ingredients and regional products. Emphasis is put on pairing hand-crafted wines, beers and spirits to the spectacular cuisine. Enjoy the quintessential American dining experience with a southern accent.”

From Rotisserie Chicken and Bail Bonds to Primrose French Restaurant in Brookland

By Prince Of Petworth

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3000-3002 12th Street, NE

Well this is gonna be a helluva transformation – the liquor license placard for Primrose says:

“A neighborhood bar serving French cuisine with a strong wine focus. Seating capacity of 66 inside. Total Occupancy Load of 97. Summer Garden with 26 seats. No entertainment, performances or dancing.”

Updates as they get closer to opening.

Previously the Silvestre Cafe and note the Bail Bonds upstairs:

silvestre-reno-brookland
12th and Hamlin St, NE back in 2010 or so

BBQ Joint Abruptly Closes at 14th and U St, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

bbq-joint
2005 14th Street, NW

What a crazy weekend (RIP Rustik)!! The Washington City Paper reported this morning:

“The BBQ Joint, which opened on 14th Street NW in February, is now closed. Owner Andrew Evans informed the staff Sunday night.”

Seems this spot is getting very close to being labeled cursed if it already isn’t. This was an empty lot next to Marvin and Blackbyrd Warehouse was built and opened up back in 2011. Then it became a Vietnamese Restaurant and Pho house (Hanoi House) in 2012, and Marvin also expanded into the upstairs space in 2012, then it briefly housed a Maketto residency before becoming Den of Thieves. And now BBQ Joint has passed too. I vote Marvin take over the whole space!

Jenkins BBQ coming to the former Ruby Tuesday space in Columbia Heights

By Prince Of Petworth

ruby-tuesday-cohi
14th and Monroe St, NW

Back in June the powers that be wanted to know who you’d like to see take over the old Ruby Tuesday space in Columbia Heights. They have chosen BBQ (which nobody requested.) Anyway Mr. T in DC tweeted me the coming soon sign Sunday morning:

bbq-sign

I’m told that this is from a “Great family run restaurant out of Florida.”

You can see Jenkins Quality BBQ’s Florida menus here and their story here. Updates as they get closer to opening.

Barada, Cuban Cuisine, coming to Adams Morgan

By Prince Of Petworth

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2309 18th Street, NW

Speaking of Cuba… This is most recently the former homes of CZARS 11 International Tapas & Exhale BAR, Pi Pizzeria and Bottoms Up Bar and Blue Fin.

bluefin
Back in 2008

The liquor license placard for Barada says:

“A Cuban cuisine restaurant with a Total Occupancy Load of 124 seats. The Summer Garden will have a Total Occupancy Load of 35 seats.”

Can Cuban finally break the curse of 2309 18th Street? Stay tuned for updates as they get closer to opening.

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End of an Era – Rustik Tavern Closes in Bloomingdale After Six Years

By Prince Of Petworth

rustik
84 T Street, NW (1st and T St just off Rhode Island Ave)

After Big Bear, Rustik Tavern was one of the first big gets for Bloomingdale. Like Big Bear, it was a bear to get opened and was immediately embraced by the neighborhood. Rustik quietly announced their closure Wednesday and went out with a bang Saturday night. Rustik’s owner Diton Pashaj still currently owns and operates Steel Plate in Brookland and I’m sure has a few other plans in the works. Stay tuned.

From Rustik Tavern’s closing announcement Wed. afternoon:

“Dear Friends!

After a little over 6 years, Rustik Tavern will be closing its doors this Saturday, November 26th. We are so grateful for the opportunity to have spent these past years with you, getting to know this amazing community and creating lasting memories… and we hope to see you one last time! We’ll have a farewell celebration on Saturday night, plenty of drinks and good reminiscing about random nights of great conversation and laughs.. Thank you again for the fun times and for supporting us since 2010.

— Lots of hugs from all of us.”

Since Rustik opened in Sept. 2010 the following restaurants and bars have opened in Bloomingdale – Boundary Stone, Red Hen, Aroi Thai, Baccio, El Camino, Showtime, Old Engine 12 Restaurant, Crisp and The Pub and The People.

One More Cool Thing About Buredo

By Prince Of Petworth

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825 14th Street, NW

On Monday I was ecstatic to share plans for three new Buredos coming to Tenleytown/North Cleveland Park, NoMa and H Street, NE. I was walking past their Franklin Square location and noticed their great outdoor tables made of old skate board decks. Very cool:

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