1633 P Street, NW
Last week we learned Malgudi’s southern Indian restaurant had closed on P street in the former Cafe Luna space under Heritage India. At that time we heard it would become either a Mexican spot or some sort of bistro/cafe. Maybe a combo – Mexican Cafe? Thanks to a reader for sending the photo above. More on Cafe Mirasol when it becomes available.
515 15th Street, NW
From a press release:
“W Washington DC, the closest hotel to the White House, announces the appointment of Barry Koslow to the position of Chef de Cuisine of the new restaurant concept within the hotel. Mr. Koslow will develop and execute the menus for a new dining concept that will launch at the hotel this summer.
A classically-trained chef who graduated with honors from L’Academie de Cuisine, Chef Koslow heads to W from the highly-acclaimed DGS Delicatessen, where he served as Executive Chef since the shop’s founding in 2011. Prior, he served as Executive Chef of Tallula/Eatbar and Mendecino Grille. A Washington, DC area native, Chef Koslow began his career with Chef Todd Gray at Equinox. His rise through the Washington culinary ranks also included turns with 2941, Michel Richard Citronelle and Circle Bistro.
“I’m very excited to return to my roots of fine dining,” said Chef Koslow. “This position is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work in a storied hotel with its eyes firmly set on the future. I look forward to announcing our plans very soon.”
12th and Jackson Street, NE
Thanks to all who sent emails and tweets about Brookland’s Finest. After a long, long road – we’ve got an official opening date (though I wouldn’t be surprised if they were open during this Sunday’s Brookland house tour either…) – Monday, June 9th:
Attendees of the PoPville birdwatching tour last month will note the Wood Thrush (DC’s bird) in their logo (I failed and originally thought it was a raven)
I stopped by yesterday for a look and was not disappointed to say the least. Even more impressive than the space, which really turned nice, was the food. I was able to sample some of the fare and sorry to curse, but holy shit, it was amazing. I thought the food was going to be very low key, and there are some chill but delicious items like pretzel bites and mac and cheese, but man oh man they have a steak that was as tasty as any steak I’ve had in a steakhouse. They had pork chops, turkey pesto sandwiches, and a slew of desserts that are going to have this place packed. Check out their complete menus:
And a quick side note here given all the history and drama in the space. In the couple hours I was in the new spot, no fewer than 15-20 people stopped by to see if they were open. And the people could barely contain their enthusiasm they were so excited about a real opening date. And even better than that given the crazy drama was who the people were – black, white, couples, families with kids, older, younger, in cars, on bikes, walking – in short the neighborhood. People say all the time that they are hoping to open a neighborhood spot. Well for those who are looking for a geniune neighborhood spot – you need look no further.
Lots more photos after the jump. (more…)
515 15th Street, NW
From a press release:
“W Washington DC hotel announces the appointment of Richard Wiggins as Executive Chef for the hotel.
Chef Wiggins comes to W with over 15 years of hospitality leadership experience. He has worked with Starwood Hotels and Resorts since 2006, most recently as the Director of Food & Beverage for the Westin St. John Resort & Villas.
He will oversee the culinary and operations teams for all food and beverage spaces within the hotel including POV Rooftop Lounge and Terrace, the Living Room, all banquet, event and wedding spaces including the Altitude Ballroom and The Great Room, in-room dining, and the hotel’s restaurant, which will transition into a new concept this summer.
Culinary Concepts Hospitality Group and W Washington D.C. have ended their 5-year contract; the last day of operations for J&G Steakhouse will be Monday, June 23. The new restaurant concept will open later this summer. For hotel guests, breakfast, lunch and dinner will continue to be available in the hotel.
“I’m thrilled to join the team at W Washington DC,” said Mr. Wiggins. “This is an incredibly exciting time at the hotel—we have many exciting changes in store and we’re looking forward to introducing those changes soon.”
Thanks to a reader for sending:
“Its the new development between the metro and Benning rd. About a block or two from the closed Rays the Steaks.”
This is part of the new Park 7 development at 4020 Minnesota Avenue, NE.
You can see Sala thai’s other locations and menu here.
“Dear PoPville,
I was wondering if any of your readers had experienced this at Masa 14 [1825 14th Street, NW].
Went for brunch, decided against the bottomless brunch, and received the bill on the left. “Sp” follows many of the food items. When I compared the bill to the menu, all of the items with “sp” had their prices inflated. Pointed it out to the server and she–while feigning an apology brought the second, correctly-priced bill.
Trying to rip off the customer? Not freaking cool, and totally unnecessary.
I wonder how many people have enjoyed the brunch and, after a few drinks, are actually tricked into paying the inflated prices.”
What do you guys think the “sp” could be? Dinner pricing? An honest mistake or something more intentional?
Update from Masa 14:
“At Masa 14, guests have 2 different options for brunch. They may order the All You Can Eat brunch special for $35, which includes unlimited small plates and free flowing beverages, or they may order individually priced items from the A La Carte menu.
When a staff member inputs the $35 all you can eat brunch special into the order system, they then order all the accompanying small plates that are requested by the guest with the abbreviation “sp” (which stands for special) linking these items to the brunch package.
The “sp” abbreviation has several effects. When rung up with the brunch special, it brings the cost of each small plate order to zero, allowing the guest to eat and drink as much as they desire without the check increasing. It also alerts the kitchen to the fact that this is an all you can eat small plate, allowing them to make the necessary adjustments to presentation, or timing, that is required.
The “sp” items, when not rang in accompaniment with the brunch special, default to a $10 price. This is programmed to alert a server that they are making a mistake and is never intended to be a price that is charged or presented on a receipt. If they ever see a $10 price on multiple menu items they realize either a)They forgot to ring in the $35 brunch special, and as a result may be overcharging the guest or b)They are accidentally ringing all you can eat food items when they should be ringing a la carte. This allows them to alert a manager, and make the necessary corrections before additional items are rang and/or a check is presented to the guest.
The majority of guests at Masa 14 order the all you can eat brunch special, and the “sp” programming is ultimately designed to protect the guest experience and prevent this type of occurrence.
In this particular case, despite the warnings presented as a result of the system, the check was accidentally presented to the guest. When the server was notified of the mishap, the check was then rung up correctly.
At Masa 14, we cherish the brunch experience and work tirelessly to ensure that every guest leaves having their expectations exceeded. We are extremely disappointed that, in this case, we failed to live up to those expectations.”
3115 14th Street, NW
From an email:
“The Heights will welcome summer and host its annual Pig on the Patio event this Saturday and Sunday, June 7-8, 2014, with drink and pork specials served all day throughout the restaurant. In addition, on Saturday, June 7, EatWell Natural Farm’s Manager Erica S. Porch will be at The Heights so diners can “Meet The Farmer” and learn about the farm-to-table process.
The roast starts at 9:00 am rain or shine on the 80-seat patio, which was recently revamped to include comfortable lounge seating and fire pits. Specials feature all parts of the pig, and range from small bites such as Pig Ear “Frites” ($6) to entrees like the Pig Head BLT ($15). A sampling of the entire pig can be experienced with the the Head To Tail Platter ($20), served with cole slaw, collard greens, and grilled corn.
Drink specials include a Bacon Bloody Mary ($10) made with candied bacon, jalapeno and a bacon rim, Butternut Porkslap Pale Ale ($5) and an EatWell Farmhouse Punch ($9) made with bourbon, EatWell Natural Farm strawberries and lemon balm. The Pig on the Patio celebration runs Saturday June 7 from 9:00am-11:30pm and Sunday June 8, 9:00am-10:30pm.
On Saturday, EatWell Natural Farm’s Manager Erica S. Porch will be on The Heights’ patio from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm promoting farm-to-table operations, across the street from the weekly Columbia Heights farmers market. Porch will be sampling food brought from the farm, and selling plants such as squash, zucchini, tomato, pepper, tomatillo, cucumber and herbs for $3 to $4.She will also discuss and offer a sign-up for the Summer Volunteer Day held at the EatWell Natural Farm in La Plata, Maryland, held Saturday, June 21, 2014, which give volunteers an opportunity to spend a few hours at the farm with tour, group work & education (such as planting and weeding) and a free lunch, provided by an EatWell restaurant.”
1404 K Street, NW
Thanks to a reader for sending word that a new &Pizza is coming to the former clothing store on K Street between 14th and 15th St, NW. &Pizza recently opened up a spot in Brookland and will be opening on E Street in the old Freshii space next to E Street Cinema soon too.
14th and Q St, NW
Looks like the corner of 14th and Q St, NW is about to get another nice corner patio at Etto. By the by any fans of Etto?
Dangerously Delicous Pies opened their Union Station outpost almost exactly two years ago in June 2012 in the old Vacaro’s spot in the food court. In the forum a reader asks:
“It’s been a frustrating day, so I went to Union Station to drown my sorrows in pie and the counter is empty! Not just devoid of pie, but the cash register is gone too – does anyone know what happened?”
Owner Sandra Basanti responds via email:
“We just closed last week as they begin renovations and begin replacing the escalator, which is currently shut down, that ran directly in from of our spot in the food court. There is some major construction going on in that wing. We had so many lovely regulars visit us that have reached out and we are sad to not be able to serve them every week but we hope to be invited back to serve pies at union station perhaps after renovations or in a new spot.”
Dangerously Delicious Pies’ original DC space is located at 1339 H St, NE. You can see their menu here. And in Feb. 2012 they opened up a spot in Chinatown at 901 7th Street, NW.