ankara_turkish_restaurant_dupont
1320 19th Street, NW

Remember when Levante’s abruptly closed for “renovations” in January?

From a press release:

Set to open this May in Dupont Circle, Ankara celebrates good food, hospitality and the heart of Turkey. It is an upscale-casual dining experience that celebrates the rich diversity of Turkish food and culture through a blend of classic and contemporary menu offerings and superb hospitality. The menu will feature the best of traditional Turkish foods as well as newly envisioned dishes. The Aslanturk family, owners of Ankara, tapped Chef Jorge Chicas to oversee creation of the menu and training of the kitchen staff. Chef Chicas resume includes top positions in Jose Andres’ kitchens in Los Angeles and Washington, DC, including the award-winning Zaytinya. The restaurant will seat 120 indoors & 115 al fresco on their patio. Ankara is located at 1320 19th Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20036. (more…)


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2477 18th Street, NW

First heard about Songbyrd’s plans back in September. For those not familiar:

“This has been a long journey, but we’ve lived in this neighborhood for a long time and are truly excited to create a space that will add to the character and draw of Adams Morgan. There are a few things that we are supper excited to share with everyone once the record café is open; Matthew Richardson’s amazing food, great coffee, our Voice-O-Graph for people to record directly onto a vinyl record and a really chill space to enjoy. As for what we are calling our Music House where food, music and libations come together, that will be opening in the near future as well!!!”

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Glad to see things are moving forward. This is high up on my list of most anticipated openings for 2015. Stay tuned.

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NY bagel cafe & deli dc
1017 U Street, NW

Thanks to a reader for sending:

“Noticed this while walking down U between 10th and 11th. This appears to be a chain bagel place but given the shortage of bagels in this city, I’ll take it.”

Lovely Yogurt opened on U Street back in 2012.

NY Bagel’s website says:

“Why Our Bagels Are Great!

First we start with the best possible ingredients, like powdered barley malt, not the less expensive liquid malt or no malt at all, like our competition. The bagels are then allowed to rest for 12 hours on fermentation boards giving them a deep flavor and crust. After the 12 hours, our bagels are ready for kettle boiling. The bagels are then hearth baked creating a true NY style bagel that is crusty on the outside and chewy on the inside.”

You can see their menu here.

Anyone ever eaten at one?


maketto
1351 H Street, NE

In other massively anticipated openings – Maketto has finally announced a day – Friday, April 10th.

From an email:

“MAKETTO HOUSE WARMING PARTY
APRIL 4, 2015
DOORS OPEN: 7PM, FIRST ACT: 8PM
PERFORMANCES BY
CHUCK INGLISH | AVERS | M.I.L.F. | BOND ST. DISTRICT
HOUSE DJ GAVIN HOLLAND
CO-SPONSORED BY
ALL THINGS GO x JAMES RIVER DISTILLERY x ROCK & ROLL HOTEL
TICKETS $25


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3226 11th Street, NW

Bad Saint‘s kickstarter says:

“Bad Saint is a 25-seat restaurant taking a fresh and seasonal approach to traditional Filipino food. This spring, we are joining a strip of independent local businesses on 11th Street, NW in the diverse, dynamic neighborhood of Columbia Heights in Washington, DC. Our menu will celebrate the full range of eats on the Filipino table – humble homey favorites, snacks, regional specialties, and fiesta (celebration) dishes. The restaurant will showcase what Filipinos are famous for: food obsession, warm hospitality, and good times. Come as you are, and definitely come hungry.

Like Thai, Vietnamese and other Southeast Asian cuisines, the essential flavors of Filipino food are sweet, sour and salty. As you might expect, there will be food for meat-etarians, like adobo (meat braised with soy, vinegar and garlic), kare kare (oxtail stew) and lumpiang shanghai (pork spring rolls). Our approach will also highlight seasonal seafood and vegetables, important parts of the Philippine diet. Sour tamarind soup with prawns, stir fried water spinach, crabs simmered in coconut milk and chiles, and smoky grilled eggplant…and there’s lots more where that came from! With a diverse menu, including options for vegetarians and vegans, there will be something for everyone. To wash it all down, we’ll have an eclectic and food-friendly selection of cocktails, beer and wine.

The first thing you hear upon entering any Filipino home is:

Kumain na kayo? “Have you eaten yet?”

At Bad Saint, we are creating a casual neighborhood restaurant that evokes the experience of eating in a Filipino home. We want you to feel like you have walked into a bumpin’ Filipino family party – gracious, down-to-earth hospitality, seriously craveable food, and yummy drinks in a disarming and convivial setting.”

If you’d like, you can contribute here.


sweetmango
3701 New Hampshire Ave, NW

From Sweet Mango:

“Sweet mango cafe will be closed until further notice, all questions can be answered at a later time. We ask for your vigilance and prays at this time of hardship. We love you guys and will truly miss serving you. May Jah Bless”

A source tells me the building may have sold in a foreclosure. Updates when more is known.

UPDATE: foreclosure notice from a commenter sold for $2,430,000.


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