1915 18th Street, NW
Plum Blossom to Mimosa Restaurant back to Plum Blossom to now – Pho 18. Looks promising – anyone take a taste yet?
Check out the menu after the jump. (more…)
Restaurants
3911 14th Street, NW
Let’s see if the El Sol love translates to Mezcalero Cocina Mexicana.
“Our name has changed but our brand will not.”
3911 14th Street, NW
|
406 8th Street, SE, formerly The Old Siam, via Nana Thai’s facebook
“Dear PoPville,
I was dining at one of my favorite Thai restaurants the other day, Nana Thai on Barracks Row, when the very nice owner let me know that the place will be closing forever at the end of the month. All I know is that their recently-added Isan menu is incredibly tasty and I’ll be missing it. I encourage locals who enjoy the restaurant to patronize it this week as it’ll be the final opportunity to do so.”
Their website says:
“Isan, the northeast region of Thailand, represents about 30% of Thailand’s population but punches well above its weight when it comes to its dominance in Thai cuisine. Although Isan food is less common outside of Thailand, inside the country it can be found everywhere, from street food vendors in Chiang Mai to high end restaurants in Bangkok.
What makes Isan food different? There are a few flavors and ingredients that seem to predominate: chili peppers, lime, peanuts, dried shrimp, fresh fruits and vegetables, sticky rice, cilantro, mint and other fresh herbs. Though flavor layers are very complex, food preparation is often quite simple, and instead of curries that have simmered for hours, fresh, brightly-flavored savory salads form the backbone of Isan cuisine as we know it. Simple marinated grilled or fried meats and sticky rice are often accompanied by one of the region’s many “tums,” or salads.
Some famous Isan dishes include the spicy salad (“SOMTUM”), the grilled chicken (“KAI YANG”), the sticky rice (“KHAO NIAW”), the grilled pork or beef salad (“NAM TOK”).”
4515 Wisconsin Ave, NW
Belay the last big moving news about Guapo’s from The Northwest Current – they now report:
“After hearing complaints from the community, the restaurant has canceled plans to move and will remain in its existing location at 4515 Wisconsin Ave, NW…Meanwhile the former home of the now defunct Firelake Grill remains vacant.”
1301 U Street, NW
Coming soon signage has been posted for Upper Crust Pizzeria – located in the former U Sushi space next to the former U Street Cafe space:
1520 14th Street, NW
From Estadio:
“Estadio is pleased to announce the promotion of Rufino Bautista to Executive Chef of the 110-seat contemporary Spanish restaurant in Logan Circle. Chef Rufino has worked at Estadio since its opening in July 2010, serving as chef de cuisine. In this role, Bautista was responsible for executing the restaurant’s expansive selection of classic Spanish dishes as well as overseeing Estadio’s notable bread and pastry program.
A self-taught cook, Bautista learned his trade through his hard work and dedication in notable kitchens such as Proof and Asia Nora. Originally from Intipuca, El Salvador, Bautista was raised on a farm just outside of the city. As a young man, he helped his father with the daily chores of tending to the animals and maintaining the fields. This is where Chef Bautista developed his understanding and passion for food. In 1996, Rufino moved to Washington D.C. where he found restaurant work as a busser. Looking for something more challenging he applied to Asia Nora, where he started out as the restaurant’s expeditor, one of the most demanding positions in any restaurant. Chef Haidar Karoum took notice of Rufino’s abilities and brought him into the kitchen full time, where he taught him the fundamentals of technique.
In his new role as Executive Chef, Bautista plans to refine Estadio’s daily offerings as he has done over the past six years, supplementing menu staples with seasonal specialties that allow local ingredients such as ramps, strawberries, and tomatoes the spotlight they deserve. This summer, Bautista will introduce Paella as a special one night a week for guests to enjoy in a communal format.
Estadio is located at 1520 14th Street NW, in between the U Street and Dupont Circle metro stops. The restaurant is open seven days a week for dinner: Monday through Thursday from 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm; Friday and Saturday from 5:00 pm – 11:00 pm; and Sunday from 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm. Estadio also serves weekend brunch on Friday from 11:30 am – 2:00 pm, and on Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm.”
|
2106 18th Street, NW
Casa Oaxaca closed back in January but now we know who’s taking over the space – Ababa Ethiopian Restaurant. Hopefully they can help fill the Meskerem void.
Courtesy Nando’s
From a press release:
“It has been said that Nando’s PERi-PERi’s spicy flame-grilled chicken is addictive. (It might have been us who said it.) And now there are more reasons than ever to feed your healthy PERi-PERi addiction. Today, at all its U.S. restaurants from Washington to Chicago, Nando’s is introducing more than a half dozen new menu items that are sure to get you craving.
Beyond the classics, Nando’s fans can now choose among the Thigh and Mighty Sandwich, the Quinoa Salad, Chicken Skewers, Chicken Thighs, and Roasted Vegetables. And just in time for warm weather and picnic season, there are two new specialty beverages, too: Pineapple Lemonade and Blood Orange and Mango Lemonade. Talk about your big decisions. (more…)
Word of Domku closing has loosened a few memories for me. I’m gonna have to put on my old man hat and remind some folks what Petworth was like it 2005 when they first opened. Petworth was spectacular in 2005, thank you very much. It was spectacular because it was “real” and the people were the best. No nonsense, no bullshit, no pretension. Now despite the fact that Petworth was the most underrated neighborhood in the District, it was far from perfect. There were not many sit down restaurants on Upshur Street (RIP old school Hitching Post) and there certainly weren’t any that served borscht. In came Kera Carpenter with W. Domku. Domku was a game changer. It was cool as shit and despite it’s originality it was most definitely not pretentious. It was what so many of us had been pining for – simply a cool spot to eat, drink and meet folks from the neighborhood (and beyond.)
Now having said that Domku was far from perfect. I actually always enjoyed the food but as others have noted the service was, at times, uh, inconsistent. And the owner was at times, uh, no nonsense. But let’s again go back to 2005 for a minute. Opening a new restaurant on Upshur street was not roses, rainbows and celebrations like it is today. You had to be tough as nails. (more…)
|
821 Upshur Street, NW
From a press release:
“Domku Closing After Over A Decade
Rising Real Estate Prices are Pushing Petworth Pioneer Out
After nearly 12 years in business Slavic-Scandanavian inspired Domku, located in Petworth, will close their doors at the end of June. A dramatic rent increase is forcing owner, Kera Carpenter to leave the neighborhood she helped create. Carpenter’s hand was forced by a 66% rent increase on the new lease.
Carpenter opened Domku in January 2005 as an effort to bring vitality to the Petworth neighborhood where she had bought a home a few years before. “When deciding where I wanted to open a business, making a contribution to my own neighborhood was a big factor. I knew it would be more difficult than going to an already establish area. I don’t regret that decision, but now now there is only so much I can do.” (more…)