Restaurants

1800 M Street, NW

From a press release:

“Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop, founded in Wilmington, DE and long a favorite of Delaware beach-goers, expands its presence on the East Coast as it opens its first location Thursday, November 21 in the Nation’s Capital at 18th and M Streets NW.

Known for roasting whole turkeys daily and making sandwiches to order, Capriotti’s is being brought to the DC market by local businessman George Vincent, Jr. The 32 year-old Landon School and University of Maryland graduate plans to open a dozen Capriotti’s location in the region over the next two years.

Hot and cold sub sandwiches in three sizes, sandwiches made to order, a selection of salads and four vegetarian subs, plus a kid’s menu make up the offerings at Capriotti’s. The best seller, The Bobbie, voted “Greatest Sandwich in America” by AOL readers, is made with in-house roasted turkey, homemade stuffing, cranberry sauce and a touch of mayo. Another favorite, the Capistrami, combines hot pastrami, Swiss cheese, Russian dressing and Cole slaw.

The store will be open seven days for lunch and dinner. On Sunday through Wednesday hours will be 11 am until 10 pm. Late night hours will be in effect on weekends with hours being 11 am until 3:30 am on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.”

1734 N Street, NW

Back in Oct. 2010 we were saddened to learn that Iron Gate restaurant was closing at 1734 N St, NW. Fortunately in May 2012 we learned Iron Gate would be reopening under chef Tony Chittum from Vermilion in Alexandria. Last night they had a preview and fans of the old space should not be disappointed.

entrance with huge bar facing N Street

Their facebook page says:

“Until its recent closing, the Iron Gate was the District’s oldest continuously operating restaurant. Its kitchen and dining room occupy a building that once served as the stables for the townhouse’s owner, General Nelson Miles, a cavalry officer in the Civil War who later became the Secretary of the Army. In 1922, the entire property was purchased by the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, which opened the Iron Gate Inn in 1923. The Federation continues to use the townhouse as its international headquarters, and we are honored to be the new stewards of this unique landmark.

The original carriageway houses the bar and a year-round dining space, while the courtyard, overhung with grapevines and a century-old wisteria, features a protective awning allowing for (nearly) all-weather outdoor dining.

A native of Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Chef Chittum has earned a reputation not only for his cooking, but also for his commitment to sourcing from an ever-expanding network of local farmers, watermen, and food artisans. Chittum and his team are revitalizing the Iron Gate with a menu that takes inspiration from the cuisines of Greece, Sicily, Sardinia, and Southern Italy, interpreting those traditions and techniques through the use of the finest products of the Mid-Atlantic foodshed.”

Lots more photos plus a look at what was served last night after the jump. (more…)

2024 P Street, NW

From an email:

“I am happy to announce as owner/dishwasher of DC’s premier meatball food truck, Ball or Nothing, the opening of a new takeout option in Dupont Circle called Beer And Welding. Starting this Thursday, Beer and Welding will be serving Gua Bao buns out of the back sandwich station in Oasis Mart (2024 P ST N.W.). Featuring pork belly, veggie and chicken confit Gua Bao style buns, aka Bao or Nothing, will be serving four nights a week starting Thursday, 11/14.

Brass tacks: Searching for an easy, low cost and interesting way to do something different, I approached the brothers who own Oasis Mart about trying out some ideas I’d been considering. Having gotten to know these lovely men when I cooked at Mark and Orlando’s some years ago, they agreed to let me use their back deli counter/sandwich station in the evenings. True gentlemen.

Which leads to the buns. Since I tried my first pork bun at Momofuku in 2006, I was hooked. What a wonderful thing! The creativity those buns inspire! Yet, the dream to do buns was set aside so I could focus on balls.

But the bun mistress returned, as food mistresses tend to do in every cook’s life. So while we are starting out this Thursday with delicious Gua Bao buns, our gaze may drift and we may find ourselves serving tacos, or sandwiches, or oysters (well, probably not oysters). Meanwhile, the meatball truck will still be serving lunches.

Details: Thursdays, Friday. 5-9:30. Saturday and Sunday 12-9:30. We will be serving Gua Bao out of Oasis Mart. The three starting options will be $4 a pop. Everyone I’ve fed them to — including, entirely, of My Mother, sister, brother in law, my niece, not my nephew, and those I’m paying — agree these buns are delicious!

As a fun, low-key side project, please forgive Beer And Welding’s lack of basic social and informational sources. There is no web site or facebook page. We are working on this. On twitter, we can be found @BeerAndWelding.”