701 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
When I was checking out Plan B Burger Bar in Navy Memorial Plaza – I also noticed right across the way – Native Foods Cafe’s 2nd District location looked really close to opening. Some workers told me training was happening and they should open in a week or two. On Sept. 30th Native Foods Cafe opened their first DC location at 18th and M St, NW. Here’s a peek inside the Penn Quarter spot coming soon:
@chronsara tweets us the photo above around 9:30am:
“Sunday morning fire on 17th Street, NW (Komi and Little Serow building?), view from across Stead Park @PoPville”
Deon Glasser emails us the photo below:
“I live across the street from Komi and woke up to a huge fire on the top floor of the Komi building at 1509 17th Street. There’s speculation that a rooftop terrace caught on fire but there’s no way to be sure right now. DC fire department responded in force and quickly put it out. DCFD responded around 9 am this morning.”
I stopped by around 12:30pm and it looked like most of the damage was on the third floor. Komi has one small broken window (maybe to access the space?) Still not clear how significant that damage is on the inside but from outside it didn’t look too bad but obviously there could be serious water damage too. Updates as soon as they’re known. Thanks to all who emailed and tweeted us photos and info.
Komi Sunday 12:30pm
Little Serow Sunday 12:30pm
Whole building 12:30pm
rear 3rd floor 12:30pm
@melissaeweiss tweets us the photo above:
“@PoPville RIP the Dupont Cosi – what happened!?”
And another reader sends via email:
“The Cosi on North Dupont [1647 20th St. NW] has closed as of yesterday. They were taking out all of the furniture and equipment when I was walking by. Did you hear? What gives? That’s three closed businesses within the same half-block: Cosi, Five Guys and Sprint.
Rats or rent? Or horrible rats are jacking up the prices? Lol. If it is rats, why hasn’t the other businesses started shutting down? Even worse, will it infect the beloved Chipotle? Hahaha.
Just curious. Also wonder if maybe the owner is either selling or reconstructing the lot. No one has moved in, except for Custom Fuel (the old Potbelly, that started it all).”
5830 Georgia Ave, NW
Earlier this month things were not looking good for Chocolate Crust. Thanks to a reader for passing on the unfortunate update from the Brightwood listserv:
“It is with great sadness that I must close Chocolate Crust Bakery today, Friday October 31, 2014. It has been a long struggle. However…
I would never have been able to get this far without your incredible support! I have been incredibly humbled by the passion the local community has shown in supporting small business in this changing neighborhood. You have rallied for us and come out for us and provided innumerable suggestions and positive comments which all together kept us going this far! Thank you!
Even with an episode on the Cooking Channel, 5 times written up in the Washington post, “Best of…” in several categories by numerous publications, great ratings on Yelp, radio interviews, TV spots from here to NYC, direct support from our Ward 4 Council Member Muriel Bowser and her team and honored by being in her campaign commercial, and especially an incredible amount of support in so many ways form Emory Beacon of Light here in Brightwood, we were not able to make a solid go of it.
This neighborhood is in an interesting time of regeneration and I have been thrilled and grateful to have been a part of it getting to know so many of you and becoming your friends. I hope you will keep supporting the many neighboring businesses who are also struggling.
As for what I will be doing next… I will be finishing my chocolate cookbook quite quickly and also be teaching culinary at area institutions and do some business consulting as well. That should keep me busy until my next new idea takes form.
In love and service, THANK YOU for everything.
Chef Robert Cabeca”
2201 14th Street, NW
From an email:
“For its November guest chef sandwich, The Red Hen’s Mike Friedman has dreamed up The E Street Special, a mountain of chili braised brisket, crispy bacon, Fontina cheese, sauerkraut and 1000 Island aioli on griddled pumpernickel bread. The $14 sandwich is available throughout the month. G, 2201 14th st. NW. 202-234-5015. gbymikeisabella.com”
801 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW at Navy Memorial Plaza
Last week we learned Plan B Burger Bar would be opening Monday Nov. 3rd – now have a look inside. Don’t be fooled by the name, this is a real deal restaurant and it’s another transformation that blew me away (remember the former pizza place/deli?):
You can see their full menus here.
Lots more photos after the jump. (more…)
3rd and Massachusetts Ave, NW rendering via Property Group Partners
While Uniqlo coming to DC proper may still be wishful thinking – CityPaper got confirmation from the Capitol Crossing developers that Mario Batali’s Eataly is “definitively happening…no earlier than 2017” according to Property Group Partners. This is part of the huge Capital Crossing Development which you can read about here.
So I guess the bet is, who will come first Uniqlo or Eataly?
705 6th Street, NW
Sometimes I feel like people are just messing with me…
From a press release:
“Daikaya, the popular izakaya & ramen shop, owned by Partners Daisuke Utagawa, Yama Jewayni and Executive Chef/Partner Katsuya Fukushima, is excited to recognize Godzilla’s officialbirthday on November 3rd. The restaurant will be featuring Godzilla-inspired dishes and three specialty cocktails from Monday, November 3rd through Sunday, November 9th. Also, on November 3rd, guests dining at Daikaya will be able to view the popular Godzilla film beginning at 6 PM, and it will loop through the entire evening until closing time at 10 PM.
Executive Chef Katsuya Fukushima’s monster birthday dishes are Gozira Karaage with marinated alligator lightly tossed in potato starch and deep fried and served with a fiery dipping sauce for $9, Bambi meets Godzilla “Tsukune” with grilled elk and pork meatballs dipped in yakitori sauce for $5, and Godzilla’s Pretty Cool a fire-breathing soft serve snickers ice cream with snickers pieces, doused with Japanese whiskey, and flamed for $4.
For the perfect pairing, newly appointed Beverage Director Jamie MacBain has created three cocktails for the birthday celebration: King of the Monsters, Nishi Yoshida “kintaro” shochu, Cocchi Americano, and Chinese five spice bitters served on a large ice cube with a grapefruit twist; Alpha Predator, Nikka Taketsuru 12 year old whisky, Cruzan black strap rum, Pierre Ferrand dry curacao, and chocolate bitters served up with and orange twist, as well as Monster Zero-One, Choya Umeshu, Palo Cortado, Kiku Masamune taru sake and coriander bitters served up with a plum. Cocktails are priced at $11 each.”
3321 Connecticut Ave, NW
From Coppi’s facebook page T-10 days:
“BREAKING NEWS: We want to thank you all for your continued patience and support on this journey to re-opening Coppi’s Organic. This is a very exciting time and we are happy to finally share information with you that you’ve been asking for. Join us as we countdown the days for the Grand Re-Opening of Coppi’s Organic! On November 8, 2014, Coppi’s Organic will be opening its doors once again!”
715 Euclid St, NW
The former J. Bell’s Wing House space on Euclid just west of Georgia Ave has reopened under new ownership as Wild Wings. Their website says:
“Wild Wings Started with the idea of serving the ultimate in chicken wings and providing an exceptional value, every day.
We’re the Wing Experts, and that means we keep the focus on wings. Our wings are cooked-to-order and served piping hot in your of choice flavors. Dedicated to a quality product, We treat the customer to the highest level of service while providing food that is always fresh and delicious !!!”
You can see their full menu here.
They opened a few weeks ago. Anyone happen to take a taste? I’m wondering how the wings compare to Kochix.