Restaurants

Dino’s Grotto Opening May 15th in Shaw – Check out some Menu Highlights

By Prince Of Petworth

Dino's_grotto_shaw
1914 9th Street, NW

Last week we noted the new signs for Dino’s Grotto and thought they’d be ready to open soon after peeking inside. Now we have a date – May 15th:

“Chef/Managing Partner Dean Gold and his Wife/ Managing Partner Kay Zimmerman are pleased to announce that Dino’s Grotto is ready to open in the Shaw neighborhood of Washington, DC! Dino’s Grotto pays homage to Dino, which had been a long standing favorite and much acclaimed rustic Italian restaurant located in Cleveland Park for eight years. This new casual neighborhood Italian establishment will serve 76 people on two floors. The lower level will feature a 10 person communal table alongside a 14 person bar. The 1st floor will feature a 10 person wine bar and table seating for 40. Opening Day is anticipated to be Thursday, May 15th, with the possibility of some “soft opening” nights in advance of that date when passersby might be able to drop in for a meal.

MENU HIGHLIGHTS (more…)

Awesome Coming Soon Signage Posted for Jose Andres’ Chinese-Peruvian Restaurant, China Chilcano, Coming to Penn Quarter

By Prince Of Petworth

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418 7th Street, NW

I know I get exciting by the most routine coming soon signs but this one is especially cool. Back in October of last year we learned about Jose Andres’ new Chinese-Peruvian Restaurant, China Chilcano coming to the former Olsson’s Bookstore space and once hoped for Wagamama in Penn Quarter. Hopefully, China Chilcano will not toy with us like Wagamama…

From the October press release:

“Highlighting the rich flavors, bold colors, diverse textures and unique aromas, the menu will apply time-honored Chinese techniques to Peruvian ingredients. From the classic Peruvian causas or ceviches, to Asian favorites like dim sums and sumais, the dishes will showcase Peru’s multi-cultural influences and ingredients in true Jose fashion.

Building on the success of China Poblano, the restaurant’s working name, China Chilcano, will pay homage to Peru’s celebrated fish stew and one of its more traditional drinks, the chilcano.”

You can read the full release here.

Can’t freaking wait.

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looking north toward Verizon Center

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looking south toward Penn Ave and Navy Archives

ShopHouse Southeast Asian Kitchen Opens in Chinatown – Now with Kale!

By Prince Of Petworth

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710 7th Street, NW

From a press release:

“hopHouse Southeast Asian Kitchen, the Southeast Asian restaurant developed by Chipotle Mexican Grill, will open the doors to its fourth East Coast location at 710 7th Street NW, in Washington, D.C, on Tuesday, May 6. The first ShopHouse location in Washington, D.C. opened in 2011 in Dupont Circle (1516 Connecticut Avenue NW) and was followed by the openings in Georgetown (2805 M Street NW) and Bethesda, Maryland (4820 Bethesda Avenue) in 2013.

The menu at ShopHouse is influenced by traditional ingredients, flavors and cooking techniques of Southeast Asia, and the restaurant gets its name from traditional shophouses, a common form of architecture in Southeast Asia in which families live upstairs and operate restaurants or fresh markets on the ground floor. The ShopHouse model closely resembles Chipotle, including a commitment to serving food made with highest quality ingredients from more sustainable sources, preparing food in an open kitchen using classic cooking techniques, and serving customers in an interactive format that allows each individual to pick and choose exactly what goes in to their own order. (more…)

Bread Furst Now Open in Van Ness – Have a Look Inside and at the Menu

By Prince Of Petworth

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4434 Connecticut Ave, NW

Ed. Note: Just after 9am this morning a reader writes: “Bakery wiped out within an hour of opening. Clearly a much needed addition to the neighborhood.”

Next up in incredible transformations – from Real Estate office to Bakery – Bread Furst is now open in Van Ness:

“Bread Furst is a project many years in the making, and a result of Mark Furstenberg’s relentless pursuit to make the kind of remarkable bread that we often remember and rarely find.

We are a neighborhood bakery where Washingtonians can buy food for daily life or for celebration. At Bread Furst, you can select a beautiful loaf of bread with character, indulge in a slice of delicious pie, order a child’s birthday cake, or pick up freshly prepared foods to be enjoyed at your table or ours.

At Bread Furst we believe in offering delicious, wholesome, well-made breads that uphold hundreds of years of traditional bread baking. Breads made from whole grains and ancient grains. Baguettes baked every four hours, so they can be sold and eaten when they are at their best.

Our pastry kitchen creates American desserts made with an inspired mix of tradition and creativity. We strive to make the desserts you love while enticing you with new and exciting flavors. Come in and enjoy our freshly-prepared croissants, brioche, scones, donuts, and other delicious pastries and desserts.

Bread Furst offers a seasonally driven menu made with locally sourced ingredients. Our soups, salads, sandwiches and prepared dishes focus on bold flavors; influenced by the flavors of the Mediterranean, North Africa, and Asia. We also carry a small, but carefully chosen selection of cheese and charcuterie from our favorite local and international producers.

We are pleased to serve you freshly brewed coffee and espresso from Madcap Coffee Company. Stop by for a hot cup of coffee or a drink from our espresso bar, choose from our wide selection of teas, both caffeinated and herbal, or sample one of our refreshing, house-made sodas.”

Check out their opening menus here.

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Lots more photos of the inside after the jump. (more…)

More Details on Mythology & Lore – Chop House and Lounge – Coming to H Street in 2015

By Prince Of Petworth

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816 H Street, NE

816 H Street, NE is formerly home to HR-57 and Fever Lounge most recently. Mythology & Lore is from the group that predicts H Street will:

“transition away from that hipster scene to more of a mainstream, cosmopolitan, urban scene.”

Their twitter page says opening in 2015.

The liquor license placard recently posted out front says:

“This is new Retail Class “C” Tavern. The establishment is a modern white table cloth chop house on the first floor providing steaks, seafood and vegetarian options with a significant dessert menu. There will be two kitchens. One on the first floor, and one on the second floor to execute the lounge menu. Menus will be offered up to an hour before closing. Lounge operations are on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th floors. Third floor will include collapsible doors that open to a summer garden with the back of the garden enclosed by a two story wall. Dance floor will be 15 feet by10 feet and located on the H Street side of the 2nd floor. The number of seats is 150 and the total occupancy load is 160. The rooftop Summer Garden has split-level seating with entertainment for 32 seats; 70 person load.”

Hours of operation are listed as Sunday through Thursday 11am-2am Friday and Saturday 11pm–3am.

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Dear PoPville – Don’t Forget About Luna Grill & Diner in Dupont

By Prince Of Petworth

luna_grill_and_diner_Dupont
1301 Connecticut Avenue, NW

“Dear PoPville,

Amidst the fusillade of new bars/restaurants we’re still here and serving huge portions of quality comfy food at very reasonable prices…

Luna Grill & Diner is locally owned and has been serving quality comfort food at an affordable price in the beating heart of Dupont Circle since 1996.

Every Sunday and Monday night from 5pm to close = *half-price pasta*
Large portions of penne, linguini, or spinach linguini with your choice of marinara, pesto, parmesan cream, or olive oil/garlic, as well as a host of toppings to choose from (Sun-dried tomatoes, meatballs, fresh mozzarella, spinach, jumbo shrimp, asparagus, Italian sausage, and more)…and as much fresh-baked toast toscano bread you can handle…

$5 Sangria (white or red) and pints of DC Brau Public all night long.

Luna is open 7 days a week at 8am and serves breakfast all day long every day, as well as time-tested “comfort food” items such as meatloaf w/ mashed potatoes and sauteed spinach, veggie pesto lasagna, country-fried steak, Jambalaya pasta, shrimp & grits, burgers, lump crab cakes, pan-fried catfish, meat chili, and more….Or try our classic grilled cheese/cream of tomato soup combo.”

The Fainting Goat Hosts Beer Pairing & Tasting with Atlas Brew Works

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by PoPville flickr user clif_burns

From a press release:

“U Street neighborhood restaurant and bar The Fainting Goat is partnering with one of DC’s newest breweries, Atlas Brew Works, for a special tasting and pairing event on Tuesday, May 6 from 6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. Leading up to the always-sold-out SAVOR American Craft Beer + Food Experience (May 9-10), The Fainting Goat will pair four savory and sweet spring dishes with craft Atlas brews – one being an exclusive Fainting Goat cask ale created just for the event – while guests can meet and chat with Atlas head brewer Will Durgin.

The Fainting Goat’s first-ever beer event will showcase the versatility and complementary nature of pairing food and beer. Executive Chef James Barton has created four special dishes to pair with each of Atlas’ signature brews, which will include:

Local Rappahannock Oysters topped with cucumber gel, brown butter vinaigrette and kimchi, paired with Atlas’ District Common, a California Common

Arctic Char cured in Rowdy rye ale + peppercorn with pickled ramps, barley and rye tuile with “everything” seasoning, paired with Rowdy, a hop-forward rye ale

Smoke Roasted Pork with miso carrot, chilies, basil, mint and pork skin, paired with the Home Rule, Atlas’ new seasonal IPA

The meal will end with a special dessert paired with an exclusive cask ale brewed by Atlas for the event.

Tickets to the Fainting Goat’s Atlas Beer Tasting are $45/person and available for purchase here.

WHO: The Fainting Goat
Atlas Brew Works

WHEN: Tuesday, May 6, 2014
6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.”

Dolcezza Gelato & Coffee Opening Logan Location June 1st

By Prince Of Petworth

Dolcezza_logan
14th and P St, NW

From a press release:

“Robb Duncan, Washington’s premier gelato artisan and co-owner of Dolcezza, is pleased to unveil his newest location, which will open June 1, 2014 at 1418 14th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005, in the bustling 14th Street neighborhood. Designed by Grupo 7, Dolcezza’s newest location will feature a “to-go” window that will allow customers to order gelato and Stumptown Coffee from the street. Another new addition will be a sundae bar where customers can enjoy a rotating seasonal sundae menu with home made whipped cream and fresh seasonal toppings to their favorite gelatos and sorbettos. One new flavor combo to look out for is the Fruity Pebbles, singing dog vanilla gelato topped with marcona almonds and candied citrus zest. Seasonal sundaes will be priced between $7 and $10.

The 1,000 square foot space was originally a pharmacy built in 1878. With the intention of letting the character of the building dictate the space, Dolcezza is keeping the original front entrance door and retail shelving. The store will have a crafted apothecary feel with carefully chosen light fixtures from Housewerks Salvage in Baltimore, MD, and feature 30 seats. Ten outdoor dining seats will also be available in the spring and summer months (weather permitting).

When Robb Duncan met his wife and business partner in Dolcezza, Violeta Edelman, sailing down the Amazon, little did he know that two love stories were unfolding. As one romance bloomed in South America, another emerged from a sampling of Argentina’s tradition of artisan gelato and a determination to bring it to the United States. After learning the delicate process of crafting gelati and sorbetti in Buenos Aires, the husband and wife team found a niche in DC’s budding local food culture, building a business on the foundation of cultivating close relationships with local farmers to create delicious and distinctive gelatos and sorbets. The two have formed lasting bonds with the area’s local farmers and artisans, incorporating locally grown and seasonal fruits and vegetables, milk, eggs, cheese and fresh herbs into their product.

Dolcezza’s philosophy is simple: Be curious. Be spontaneous. Play with you food. Support local farmers and make exquisite gelato. Dolcezza makes gelato with a conscience, using only the best available ingredients grown by local farmer friends. By creating an artisanal product, Dolcezza has learned to measure time with the seasons and to work closely with local farmers.

Dolcezza 14th Street will be located at 1418 14th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005, seven blocks from the Dupont Circle metro accessible on the Red Line. Dolcezza 14th Street will be open Monday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m., Friday from 7 a.m. to 12 a.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12 a.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.”

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