1827 M Street, NW
Eater DC reports via Don Rockwell that Malaysia Kopitiam‘s last day on M Street is Friday.
Were there any fans?
1819 M Street, NW
Back in June we learned that even Strip Clubs were getting in on the small plates game. Urban Daddy reports:
“Come up with a handy alibi while you hang out at MPire Club in the space that once housed the similarly inclined Joanna’s 1819 Club, soft-opening later this week.”
1324 H Street, NE
From a press release:
“Chef Carlos Delgado, formerly Executive Chef for The Caucus Room, Boveda, and Smith Commons, joins his culinary talent with H Street investing partners, Eddie Migues and Italo Rodriguez. Ocopa opened its doors to the public August 5th, after a successful weekend of “wow-ing” friends and family with exquisite cuisine and pisco-centric cocktails. Located at 1324 H St. NE, Ocopa is a welcome addition to the up and coming foodie corridor.
Italo Rodriguez is a long time investor of the H St. Corridor and has been doing business on H St. for over 20 years. Having spent three years living in Peru and extensive time in Miami, Italo says that he fell in love with the flavors and freshness of Peruvian cuisine. “I believe that Peruvian cuisine is the next great food trend and will be as popular as Mexican or Chinese cuisine,” says Italo Rodriguez. When Italo met Chef Carlos Delgado, his search for the perfect Peruvian chef was complete.
Chef Carlos Delgado, a native to Peru, brings his culinary expertise and a vision of Grandma’s kitchen to fruition in this trendy, youthful, and comfortable atmosphere that spotlights an open kitchen, 28 seats, and a patio with seating for larger parties. The rustic yet sleek layout was designed by Demetrios Stafilatos and the playful graffiti art on the walls throughout, by local artist, Mas Paz. Carlos’ vision was to incorporate what he remembers from his grandmother’s kitchen growing up, where he says he gained his passion for food, and a modern neighborhood gathering place that will attract the most discerning palate.
Chef Carlos says, “I want Ocopa to be the place where people feel comfortable hanging out, talking to each other and enjoying really good food. I hope it portrays the fact that we are young and fun but serious about what we do in the kitchen and behind the bar.”
Heavy in cebiche options, the menu will also feature classic Peruvian dishes such as causitas- a classic whipped potato dish complimented by flavors of rotisserie chicken, crab and escabeche to name a few. Maki-ruvian and Tiraditos (think Japanese sashimi, Peruvian style) will feature the freshest seasonal array of fish with daily offerings listed on a giant chalkboard. Entrée attractions are rich in flavor and exquisite in presentation. Short ribs, beef tripe, pork belly and confit hen ravioli are just a few of the Cositas Calientes that will come sizzling out of the kitchen. Ocopa’s hydroponics system provides the freshest ingredients that are “home grown” to ensure the highest of quality standards. If you are sitting at the kitchen counter, wondering who the chef is, look for the one that doesn’t look old enough to have his own gig. At only 24 years old, Chef Carlos brings a maturity to the kitchen that will impress the most critical eye.
Ocopa will also offer a refined beverage menu created by Glendon Hartley. His former passion for fashion breeds creativity behind the bar with drinks such as the Red Radish Chilcano and Pisco Punch. With over 20 Piscos available, Glendon will feature daily Pisco cocktails with homemade sodas, intricate recipes, and lots of pretty edibles to add an extra “wow” factor. It’s worth your time and money to sit at the bar and watch these spirits come to life.
Ocopa will serve dinner Tuesday through Saturday evenings, with the Chef’s Tasting Table coming soon to Monday evenings. Tasting dinners will feature fixed price, preset menus featuring some of Chef Carlos’ favorite dishes paired with Pisco cocktails and South American wines. Lunch service is not far behind- a traditional offerings of rotisserie chicken and select sides will be available Monday-Friday, beginning August 18th. Pay close attention- this is a new spot that you won’t want to snooze on. It’s your chance to get a first-hand look and taste of a culinary expert who is about to take the cooking world by storm. Chef Carlos Delgado offers Ocopa, with a delicate eye and an incredible hand for his craft. H Street NE just got classy.”
247 Florida Ave, NW
And in other almost open news – Meats & Foods – from their website:
“13th St Meats is proud to announce the arrival of our new retail shop and restaurant at 247 Florida NW in Washington, DC.
Opening soon, Meats & Foods will feature a variety of styles of handmade sausages as well as chili, soups, and sides.”
And on August 6th they wrote:
“Thanks @kellytowles for the amazing piece on our wall. Just got our C of O, health inspection next week!”
And from their facebook page:
“Sneak peek at a sample menu…Health inspection tomorrow morning!”
8th and Monroe St, NE
From a press release:
“John Andrade (owner of Meridian Pint and Smoke & Barrel) is proud to announce the opening of Brookland Pint, a new American craft beer and American casual cuisine-type restaurant in the heart of the Brookland community. Designed with historical significance in mind, Brookland Pint seeks to promote a festive environment that can both stand the test of time as well as encourage environmental sustainability. Nearly every aspect of the décor has a story and connects with the history of America, some rather indicative of the 30’s and 40’s, especially the celebration of women and women’s empowerment. The unique atmosphere of Brookland Pint is made complete with individual USB/electrical plugs situated along the bar and at nearly every table! Brookland Pint offers a vast array of 24 craft beers with an inviting indoor/outdoor atmosphere. Brookland Pint is scheduled to open August 18th.
The all-American restaurant & bar, which will seat 118 people indoors and 48 on the patio, will feature local grown and harvested foods that range from southern comfort dishes to American classics. Neighborhood chef, Rebecca Hassell, has delighted the DC area with her talents at several favorite restaurants and has since helped create an extensive menu that displays foods that embrace the melting pot that is America.
Upon stepping through the doors of Brookland Pint, you will notice the primary focal point: the bar. Crafted entirely from some of Maryland’s finest reclaimed wood, which was acquired from Southern Maryland tobacco barns. This wood was also used for the community table as well as trim throughout the restaurant. The bar is stocked with 24 all-American craft beers and sits adjacent to a white Vermont marble and glass enclosed beer tap and refrigeration unit which houses all of the high end, large format beer bottles.
Brookland Pint’s banquet room, called the Juniper Room, is named after the Virginia Juniper tree that was reclaimed after it fell on Utah Street, NW during the Derechio of 2012. The banquet room tables are made of this wood and exemplify the clear ties to history and community owner Andrade is looking to establish.
Brookland Pint will be open for brunch, lunch and dinner 7 days a week and will stay open until 2am Sunday – Thursday and 3am Friday and Saturday. For the first few weeks Brookland Pint will open at 5pm.”
2020 9th Street, NW (just north of U Street) across from 9:30 Club
“Dear Popville,
Any chance we can get an update on the new restaurant from the owner of Thai X-ing that you wrote about in September? I absolutely can’t wait to try it!”
I sent another email to the folks at Thai X-ing to try to get a firm date but haven’t heard back yet. But walking past this weekend I did notice that they have a live plant out front so it’s gotta be soon! Also a peek in the windows reveals it’s gotta be very very soon:
Room 11, 11th and Lamont St, NW – August 2009
Another big anniversary for another great Columbia Heights spot on 11th Street – Happy 5th to Room 11! Flash back to their opening menu here and celebrate tonight:
“This was our opening menu 5 years ago today! Join us Monday evening as we celebrate our birthday!”
600 Florida Ave, NW
I got scared when I saw the windows papered over but Bistro Bohem and the Kafe next door will reopen on Friday.
1901 L Street, NW
Energy Kitchen closed back in Oct. 2013. Now Eater DC has learned the replacement tenant:
“D.C., prepare for another grilled cheese shop. New York’s Melt Shop is planning to open a D.C. location, at 1901 L St. NW. An early November opening is being targeted.”
Check out the delicious sounding menu here.
Quite a change from Energy Kitchen…
entrance on L Street next door to Sweetgreen – view looking east toward 19th Street
405 8th Street, NW
Speaking of cheap eats – this looks pretty sweet – from an email:
“I wanted to share the new all night happy hour menu from Menu MBK, which will be offered from 5pm to close, Monday through Sunday, including beer, wine, cocktails and bar snacks from Chef Frederik de Pue. Select beers like Belgium Tripel Kasteel will be available for $5 each; select glasses of white, rosé, and red wines will be available for $6 each; and select cocktails will be available for $7, such as Hemingway’s Last Call made with grapefruit peel infused rum, lychee, lemon and vanilla*.
*full menu of beer, wine and cocktails listed below
On the food front, Chef de Pue has prepared a variety of bar snacks, all for $10 or less, including duck confit cigars with arugula and shaved fennel ($10), pomme frites with garlic aioli and allium butter ($4), curry mussels salad with pickled red pearl onion and frisée ($8), and various cheeses and charcuterie.
Below is the full menu (more…)
400 H Street, NE
Thanks to a reader for sending:
“The new restaurant opening up in the former True Orleans space is called Driftwood Kitchen.
A little birdy told me it’ll be American style cuisine with a Mediterranean influence. My guess is that it’ll open sometime in late August.
Also, a new Lebanese place [Micho’s Lebanese Grill] just opened on the corner of 5th and H Street NE.”