@detectedbeats tweets us the above from Reagan-National Airport:
“WORST. IDEA. EVER.”
Restaurants
528 8th Street, SE
From a press release:
“Ambar, the nation’s capital’s first Balkan restaurant, owned by Serbian-born Ivan Iricanin and chef/restaurateur Richard Sandoval, is pleased to announce the introduction of a new Bottomless Dinner Menu, featuring unlimited small plates, Balkan specialties and a free-flowing beverage menu. Available all evening, seven days a week, the menu offers two package options; unlimited small plates and Balkan specialties with bottomless drinks for $59 per person (excluding tax and gratuity), or unlimited small plates and bottomless drinks for $49 per person (excluding tax and gratuity). The entire table must order the same package level of the Bottomless Dinner Menu, and guests will have a two-hour window to enjoy their food and cocktails or wine with this special offer. Ambar’s full a-la-carte menu is also available nightly. (more…)
1909 K Street, NW
“Dear PoPville,
Look was that icelandic restaurant that opened on K Street, and within months they shut to go on some tv show for a renovation. Apparently they are now upscale Italian (although their menu is comical in every way) and basically a mega nightclub. Maybe it’s not the right question to ask, but how did they segue into the nightclub? I’d assume it’s a whole different set of permits?”
Ed. Note: I believe the Icelandic Restaurant part turned out to be a joke they played.
Look’s website says:
“Look Supper Club promises to give you an unforgettable dining experience. The unique design is just what you need to make your event shine. Look Supper Club offers sophisticated design with a touch of flair, resulting in a captivating environment, perfect for any special occasion.
LooK Supper Club’s spacious 7,000 square ft space includes dining room with seating for 200 as well as an exclusive semi private event area with dedicated bar. The contemporary layout allows small groups to feel cozy and can still accommodate standing reception space for up to 600. Look’s unique floor plan has the capability of being transformed to suit the needs of parties large or small for lunch and dinner and floor designs can be created to accommodate groups of any size.
Now that 2014 is getting under way, it’s time has to think about your next event. Nestled in the heart of the K Street Corridor, Look Supper Club has everything you want for your special occasion. Our modern design, coupled with mouth-watering cuisine and top notch service make us the ideal location for happy hour, dinner, corporate events and more!
Our venue can accommodate private events ranging from Corporate Receptions, to Formal Dinners, to Weddings, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, and Office Happy Hours. We offer unlimited A/V capabilities on three 10′ x 8′ state of the art 2-way Hologram Projection Screens, wireless microphones and wireless connectivity. LOOK can accommodate seated dinners for up to 300 guests and standing receptions for up to 800 guests. Our Event Director and Executive Chef will work with you to customize the perfect experience.”
750 15th Street, NW at H Street
The eagerly anticipated Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak and Stone Crab located at the corner of 15th and H Street, NW is nearly here. They’ll be opening Friday the 31st. I had the opportunity to get an early look and early taste – and it’s well worth the wait.
You can now see the DC dinner menu here:
In addition to the Stone Crab for which they are famous, there are tons of other options – not just fancy stuff either – there is also a delicious fried chicken and a good looking cheeseburger (photos after the jump.)
You can read about the history of Joe’s here.
And the restoration of the space is incredible, thankfully they kept all the great details. Basically the space is split up a few ways. First when you enter the main hall you’ll see a large bar (where the full menu is also served) and lots of booths. Off the bar is a seperate dining area with more table and booth seating plus a more intimate bar. Upstairs is dominated by private dining rooms. Have a look.
Lots more photos after the jump. (more…)
2446 18th Street, NW
I stopped in for a quick look at Roofers Union coming to the old Reef space in Adams Morgan. They are now on track for an early Feb. opening. The first floor will hold 38 folks, the second floor 92 and the roof around 50.
I’m digging the first floor mural:
First floor bar:
More photos after the jump. (more…)
In Dec. we learned a lot more about GCDC the Grilled Cheese and Wine Bar coming to 1730 Pennsylvania Ave, NW near the White House (you can read the full press release here.) They are now on target to open late Feb./early March but me and a few folks were fortunate to get an early tasting. And I don’t know if it was because yesterday was 10 degrees and this is the perfect food for that weather but this was the best grilled cheese I’ve ever had. By far.
We tried 4 or 5 specialty sandwiches and since I’m not a food blogger I’m just gonna tell you the best one – Steak and Kimchi – Korean-style beef and homemade kimchi. Good lord that is an incredible sandwich. Paired with their upscale tomato soup it was just freaking delicious.
Anyway a few more details. They have a cheesemonger, Sophie Slesinger, who seriously knows her stuff. She will be curating the cheese plates with about 15 options, with one weekly rotating from Righteous Cheese out of Union Market. She speaks about cheese they way the finest sommelier speaks about wine – it’s pretty cool.
Ok some other quick details – bread is from Lyon. The sandwiches cook fast as hell in their high tech ovens (see below). Hours will be from 11am – to around 9pm to start. You can also get takeout for lunch. There will be around 9 grilled cheese options plus a make your own variety. They use 3/3.5 ounces of cheese per sandwich which is apparently a lot. Prices range from around $8-$12 for the sandwiches. There will be a Lobster grilled cheese coming too. There are also plans for a short rib one with mushrooms. There will be an egg cream.
But just remember the steak-kimchi – holy freaking cow.
3523 12th Street, NE
Back in July we learned that the owner of Rustik in Bloomingdale would be opening a second restaurant in Brookland (though it will not be serving pizza.) They’ve now applied for a liquor license which reveals a few more details:
“New Tavern. Serving a variety of American style dishes. Will provide entertainment in the form of occasional jazz bands, solo artist, and DJ. Occupancy load is 142. Summer Garden. (69 Seats)”
Hours of operation are listed as Sunday through Thursday 8 am – 2 am, Friday and Saturday 8 am – 3 am.
Photo by PoPville flickr user Raymond Bryson
“Dear PoPville,
I ordered two margherita pizzas for pick up at Red Rocks on my way home. On the website, there is a ‘happy hour’ menu designated for Tue-Fri from 4-7pm (and these pizzas are $7 on that menu). When I picked up the pizzas, the total cost was $26. I expressed my surprise and the host said, “happy hour prices don’t apply to take-out.” I checked the online menu while I was waiting and there was nothing online about happy hour being dine-in only. I also checked the printed menu while I was waiting and there was nothing written on the printed menu about this. I brought it up one more time and another individual (not sure if he was the manager or a bartender) said, “that’s a known fact that happy hour prices are for dine-in only. Did you even ask for the happy hour prices on the phone?” At which point, I dropped it since it was clear that they thought I was being unreasonable.
So my question for others: was I being unreasonable? I ordered two pizzas based on the fact that I thought they would be a great deal. If there is a happy hour special, I don’t understand the logic of why it applies to dine-in only — I thought I was providing good business to a local establishment on a night when they surely won’t get too much business anyway. But I am really curious what others think.”
Ed. Note: I’m afraid I have to agree with the restaurant. I’ve always assumed happy hour prices to be dine in.
480 7th Street, NW
From a press release:
“José Andrés and his team at Jaleo, led byRamón Martínez, Jaleo’s Executive Chef, will debut a reimagined brunch menu of classic Spanish dishes along with innovative creations beginning Saturday, February 1st. The new tempting items, priced from $8 to $22, range from enticing savory choices such as crispy ethereal bread brushed with tomato and topped with José Andrés canned Spanish sardines, to sweet endings of hot chocolate with churros. The new brunch additions will be available at all three Washington-area Jaleo locations: in DC at 480 7th Street, NW; in Bethesda at 7271 Woodmont Avenue; and in Crystal City at 2250 A Crystal Drive.
Jaleo’s brunch newcomers include Pan de Cristal con Tomate y Sardinas José Andrés, toasted slices of crispy ethereal bread with fresh tomato and José Andrés canned Spanish sardines in olive oil; Pan de Cristal con Salmón Ahumado Tomate y Huevo Duro, smoked salmon on slices of crispy ethereal bread with hardboiled egg, goat cheese and capers; Huevos Estrellados, traditional mix of organic fried eggs and fried potatoes– add jamón ibérico for $5 or sea urchin for $15; Lomo de Buey con Huevo Frito y Patatas al Valdeón, grilled hanger steak with fried egg, potatoes and Valdeón cheese sauce; Camarones de Cádiz con Huevo Frito, fried baby shrimp with an organic fried egg; Huevos a la ‘Angel Muro’, eggs with toasted bread ‘Angel Muro style’ with piquillo confit and acorn-fed ham; Tortitas de Aceite de Oliva, pancakes made with Spanish extra virgin olive oil; and Huevos a la Cubana, sautéed rice served with tomato, fried egg and Ibérico pork belly. For dessert, guests will want to savor the ultimate Spanish dunking treat: Chocolate con Churros, authentic Spanish churros, a fried dough pastry for dipping into a cup of frothy hot chocolate.”
Picking up the Subway and Quiznos slack?
@batboy1784 tweets us:
“Sweet lord above, looks like @jimmyjohns is coming soon to 12th and G NW”
Back in August we heard a Jimmy John’s was coming next door to the new Dunkin Donuts at 1208 G street, NW.
The one coming to Glover Park looks like it should open any day now too:
2428 Wisconsin Ave, NW