Restaurants

New Filipino Restaurant Coming to Columbia Heights on Track for a May/June Opening

By Prince Of Petworth

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3224-3226 11th Street, NW looking north towards Lamont Street and Room 11

Per a reader’s request, the new Filipino restaurant coming to the former El Rinconcito Deportivo space on 11th Street is on track for a May/June opening. I bumped into co-owner Nick Pimentel who told me that initially the restaurant will only be located in the 3226 11th Street space, though it could later expand into the 3224 11th Street space which he is also renovating. Stay tuned a name, menu and more details when they get closer to opening.

Cheese Lovers Rejoice – Sona Creamery and Wine Bar Soft Opens on Capitol Hill

By Prince Of Petworth

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660 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE

Good news for fellow cheese fans – Sona Creamery has now opened near Eastern Market. Upon entering the shop I experienced what I imagine heaven smells like. The place looks cool too (table seating not pictured to the left of photo):

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Hours are 11am-10pm and you can take a look at their menus here.

Where the magic happens:

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Alero becomes El Tio Tex-Mex Grill in Columbia Heights

By Prince Of Petworth

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3345 14th Street, NW

Alero first opened up in the former Rumberos space in the Tivoli on 14th Street north of Park back in 2010. Now the space has become El Tio Tex-Mex Grill. According to El Tio’s website they also have three Virginia locations. You can see their lunch menu here and dinner menu here. Anyone try them out yet? Hopefully a third time for Latin/Tex-Mex here is a charm.

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14th Street looking south towards Park Road

Check Out Chez Billy’s New Bar Menu featuring a “Royal with cheese”

By Prince Of Petworth

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3815 Georgia Avenue, NW

From an email:

“Chez Billy is launching their bar menu this Monday [Feb. 10th]! All Day, every day, at all open bars. See the menu below:

Oeufs Mimosa- deviled eggs with capers, boquerones, shallot pickle $4

Honey roasted almonds with piment d’espelette $4

Marinated cerignola, picholine, and kalamata olives with aged sherry vinegar $5

“Royal with cheese”
6 oz. natural beef burger, gruyere cheese, bread &butter pickles, smoked bacon, special sauce on a sesame seed bun with pommes frites or mixed greens $15

Plat De Fromage Walnut raisin toast, wildflower honey $8″

Aggio Italian Restaurant Coming to share Space at Bryan Voltaggio’s RANGE in Friendship Heights

By Prince Of Petworth

AGGIO from Clubhill Media on Vimeo.

Exciting news first spotted by Washington Business Journal:

“The chef tweeted a photo Wednesday of a sign asking customers to “Please excuse our appearance as we make some exciting changes.”

Aggio’s facebook page simply says:

“Italian
Executive Chef Johnny Miele

AGGIO is located inside the Chevy Chase Pavilion, on the second floor, which is located at 5335 Wisconsin Avenue Northwest in Washington, DC at the corner of Wisconsin and Military Road, NW. There is direct access into the Pavilion from the Friendship Heights metro station (red line.)”

And Aggio’s website says:

“Opening Date: February, 14, 2014”

Stay tuned for the menu when it is released.

Hallelujah! House of Falafel Soft Opens in Petworth

By Prince Of Petworth

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221 Upshur Street, NW

“Dear PoPville,

House of Falafel is finally open!!!
We are enjoying our falafel sandwiches now. Looks like a good menu and Nasir (spelling?) told us about additional specials he hopes to add when he is running full steam. SO excited he has finally opened his falafel shop to the neighborhood!”

Ed. Note: Looks like hours will eventually be 11am-9pm. Thanks to all who sent emails.

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Has Utopia Closed Permanently on U Street?

By Prince Of Petworth

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1418 U Street NW

Back in April 2012 we learned Utopia would be closing for 14 months due to construction. On the 1400 block of U Street the only business to reopen has been DC Noodles.

‏@Wolridges tweets us:

“Hey @popville, do you know if U-topia has closed for good? Their Facebook page says “permanently closed.” #sayitaintso”

Hmm, I thought I saw some construction going on but their listed phone number and website are no longer working. Anyone else hear anything? Utopia’s website used to say:

“Jamal Sahri Opened Utopia in 1990, establishing its place as a cornerstone in the U-Street community. Offering an ideal local for location for folks to gather, share ideas, music, food, and art. The restaurant has served as a venue for chefs, artists, musicians, community groups to express, relax, share and enjoy the things that make life utopian.”

Cosi on Capitol Hill Closes, Will become Pret a Manger this Spring

By Prince Of Petworth

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@bryan_in_dc tweets us the photo above:

“Cosi now closed on Capitol Hill (3rd & Penn SE)”

Back in August we learned that a Pret a Manger would be taking over the space this spring:

“Pret A Manger will occupy 4,300 square feet and offer two floors of indoor dining space, as well as a large outdoor patio.”

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301 Pennsylvania Ave, SE courtesy of Douglas Development

Scuttlebutt: Former Freshii Space next to E Street Cinema to become an &Pizza

By Prince Of Petworth

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1005 E Street, NW

Earlier in the week we learned that Freshii had closed next to E Street Cinema. A very good source tells me that &Pizza will be opening up another location here. Currently &Pizza is located on H Street and U Street. They’ll soon open up in Brookland. And, perhaps, in trying to dominate the entire the DC pizza market – Washington Business Journal also reports &Pizza has leased a space at 14th and K Street, NW.

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