4619 41st Street, NW just off Wisconsin Ave
Thanks to a reader for sending word of this new signage up in Tenleytown – Bread & Salt – A Neighborhood Eatinghouse. This is the retail spot in the new building next to Dancing Crab:
Back in 2012 this retail space was supposed to become a restaurant called Fork and Spade. Apparently that didn’t work out and now we have Bread & Salt coming soon. Updates as they get closer to opening.
1511 Connecticut Ave, NW
From a press release:
“Inspired by hearty fishermen and fishing villages of Maine, Willie T’s Lobster Shack brings a unique selection of seafood offerings to Dupont Circle with doors opening 11 AM, Wednesday, April 30th. Located just steps from Dupont Circle at 1511 Connecticut Ave, the restaurant will feature freshly prepared seafood, cooked to order and served conveniently with call ahead and carry out options.
The debut of Willie T’s Lobster Shack features:
Freshly prepared Lobster, Crab and Shrimp Rolls
Maine Lobster sourced directly from New England fisheries three times a week
Maryland Crabs and Shrimp sourced and farmed for year round access
Rustic design featuring Maine seaport and fishing memorabilia
Interior design elements constructed using reclaimed wood from Maine and the surrounding New England area
Custom baked bread prepared to specifications of traditional Maine Lobster Rolls
Hospitable Service style catering to needs of guest be it convenient call ahead orders or quick carry out occasions
Maine favorite ‘Wicked Whoopie Pies’ Dessert or Snack Treats
“We are excited to bring our unique combination of premium seafood items, Maine inspired atmosphere and convenient service format to Dupont Circle,” said Michael Eisenberg, Concept Developer. “Dupont Circle offers a great community for the first Willie T’s Lobster Shack. We see ourselves as a quick escape to Maine just steps from home, school or work. Given the broad and exciting mix of business, residential and retail activity, Dupont Circle is sure to appreciate our unique mix of quality seafood, hospitable attitude and convenience for any occasion.”
Hours: 11 AM to 9 PM Daily
Willie T’s Lobster Shack is part of the Thompson Hospitality collection of restaurant brands which includes American Tap Room, Austin Grill and Tequila Bar and Be Right Burger.”
5120 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Check out Macon’s full menu here.
From a press release:
“Macon Bistro & Larder slated to open May 10 in Chevy Chase, D.C. brings to the neighborhood the classic bistro cuisine of Macon, France, and the southern hospitality and traditions of Macon, Georgia. That means grilled mountain trout with pecan persillade, pork rillettes, boiled peanuts, and raclette with fingerling potatoes. Creative cocktails, craft beers and a focused French wine list will round out the offerings — all within walking distance of neighborhood homes and the Metro.
Chef/owner Tony Brown, who hails from Macon, Georgia, is a graduate of Peter Kump’s New York Cooking School. Brown honed his craft at Union Square Café in New York and Square One in San Francisco before starting his own restaurant, The Burro, a Cal-Mex quick-service chain with three locations in D.C.
Now he’s ready for a new challenge. He wants to put a fresh, contemporary twist on the simple, classic style of a neighborhood bistro with warm, friendly service. Brown has hired back to the D.C. area Chef de Cuisine Michael Matis who most recently was Executive Sous Chef at Yardbird in Miami. Trained in the area, Matis has worked in the kitchens at CityZen and Citronelle.
Braised short ribs with shallot gravy, Macon fried chicken, and seared scallops on butter bean mash are just a few of the items Brown has on his menu. Macon Bistro & Larder will also sell prepared foods, including homemade caramels, quick cured pickles, Grandma Essie’s biscuits and a rotating variety of sweet and savory snacks and heat-and-eat entrees.
Look for this mid-priced bistro to become the neighborhood go-to spot for drinks with friends, an easy weekday dinner, or a fun weekend meal. Go with your date, your parents, your kids or your buddies. Macon Bistro & Larder has something for everyone.
Macon Bistro & Larder is a locally owned neighborhood restaurant re-inventing bistro cuisine in a warm, friendly atmosphere. Chef Tony Brown, inspired by his southern roots and his world travels, brings together the cooking styles of Macon, Georgia, and Macon, France, to create classically delicious dishes – all served with a side of southern hospitality. Macon, in the historic Arcade Building in Chevy Chase, opens for dinner daily at 5:00pm. Macon Bistro & Larder, 5120 Connecticut Avenue, NW”
1836 18th Street, NW
Back in early March we learned Mum Mum had closed and would become Rebellion Tavern at 1836 18th Street, NW across the street from Lauriol Plaza, Bar Charley and the coming soon Saloon 45. They’re opening in May and they’ve posted their menus on their website. Menu sound good?
Updates when an exact opening date is known.
3529 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Thanks to a reader for sending word about the Palena Auction: Emergency Notice – Palena Restaurant:
“Fabulous Palena restaurant, Bar and Cafe has closed and we will expedite a bank ordered liquidation of all assets. Emergency short notice. high end super clean assets, preview Wednesday, closes Thursday removal Friday.”
1914 9th Street, NW
Looks like Dino’s Grotto is getting real close to opening on 9th Street in the former Portico space south of U Street. They wrote on their Facebook page on April 22nd:
“We have our POS up and running. Bringing out all our plates & glasses to be washed. Would be nice if we found the silverware or maybe we will just serve finger food! One inspection tomorrow.”
Gotta be any day now:
“Dear PoPville,
I wanted to alert you, and the blog readers at large, that the Beer and Welding Sandwich Shop at the back of the Oasis grocery store in Dupont looks to be going full-time. Another woman had been running the deli for a long time, but it looks like she’s given up control of the operation. If you remember, they had been serving buns in the evenings there previously. I went in last week and, while there weren’t any official menu signs up yet, the guy I talked to said they were open to the public. The bread comes from the Heidelberg Pastry Shoppe in Arlington, and he said they’ll be serving slow-cooked meats and veggies in addition to regular sandwiches. No chance of getting an egg salad sandwich there for $3.95 anymore, but they make a pretty good tuna salad.”
2024 P Street, NW
Thanks to all who sent emails and tweets about this potentially great new addition coming to H Street. One reader writes:
“Just wanted to let you know there is a new Lebanese Grill opening up on the corner of 5th and H NE next to Le Grenier [former Nouveau Fleur Florist space].”
Updates as they get closer to opening.
3522 12th Street, NE
Thanks to a reader for sending the update from Little Ricky’s facebook page:
“Very soon you are going to see a big change at Little Ricky’s, most notably will be the menu. As with a great many things we tire of repetition and long to shake things up. Food is no different so with that Little Ricky’s will be shaking things up in the coming month reorienting our focus from Cuban cuisine to a pointedly Southern, albeit diverse, offering. Now, everyone in the restaurant industry has said we are nuts, and while we are certain they are correct- we’ve never been much for convention nor for playing it safe. Some will love the change, some will hate the change…to that end we are certain that those who hate it will tell us just how much on Yelp. That’s cool. For everyone else and those that have generously been our test subjects for various new menu items…..hold on to your britches dahlins cause it’s going to be a fun ride.
Chef Miguel, who is coming on as a partner in the venture, has created a fantastic menu that frankly we are super excited about. Little Ricky’s Dishes of the South draws inspiration from the Carolinas over to Texas, and points in between. Simplicity, Tradition, and a Celebration of Southern Micro-Cultures, that express themselves in the depths of flavor, are the themes that will drive our dish creation. The menu will be rolled out the evening of May 1st as we host the Ward 5 Happy Hour.
In preparation for the roll out we will be closed on Tuesday and Wednesday April 29th & 30th for a kitchen re-org. Sorry to disappoint anyone but it will be well worth it! See ya’ll on May 1st.”
Little Ricky’s opened up at 3522 12th Street, NE back in Nov. 2012.
3529 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Sadly, last week’s scuttlebutt about a Saturday closing for Palena was accurate. From a press release:
“After a very long and notable run in the Cleveland Park, the venerable Palena Restaurant closed this past Saturday. James Beard award winning Chef Frank Ruta opened Palena in 2000 to much fanfare and critical acclaim. The restaurant expanded and created a market concept for the vacated Magruder’s grocery next door in 2011, at which time it also relocated its more casual café. This year it added a coffee shop featuring its pastries. Not able to fully utilize and attain the benefits of the expansion space as intended, Palena and its Landlord, Federal Realty Trust, endeavored to reach an accord but were unable to come to terms, contributing to the decision to close.
The tight knit group of talented chefs, managers and servers that surround Ruta at Palena, and the many disciples of Chef Ruta cooking in kitchens throughout the region, celebrate their success, appreciate the devotion of their patrons and welcome the future. A note from Ruta to customers reads:
Palena will be closing its doors this weekend after 13 years. We have had a great run serving the Cleveland Park neighborhood and the Washington, DC area and are sincerely grateful to the many that have supported us.
While we are proud of the high degree of critical success Palena has achieved over the years, we take even greater joy in your patronage and that we have been able to share life’s special moments with you. Cooking is what I love, and hopefully I will find a way to serve you at another venue in the future.
I want to especially thank my remarkable and loyal staff who has given Palena its special ambiance, and my equally loyal pool of investors who have been steadfast through thick and thin. Without either, Palena could not have been possible.
And finally, a heartfelt “thank you” to all who have dined with us over the years.
Frank Ruta
Working with Federal Realty to facilitate a smooth transition, Chef Ruta doesn’t rule out a return to the neighborhood. Speaking from his kitchen in Cleveland Park, Ruta says, “I’m going to miss this place.”
I stopped by on Sunday and it was like a wake. People just kept going up to the doors and reading the note and shaking their heads.
