Restaurants

Hill Country Backyard Barbecue Kicks Off Final Events Tonight

By Prince Of Petworth

hill_country_national_building_museum
401 F Street, NW

From an email:

“We’ve had a great summer on the west lawn at the National Building Museum, but like all good things, this too must come to an end. The last day of the HC Backyard Barbecue is Saturday, September 14th. We invite everyone to celebrate the unofficial end of summer with us out at the Backyard Barbecue all weekend long starting that Thursday.

The line up for the End of Summer Backyard Barbecue Bash includes:

Thursday, September 12
A special outdoor edition of Live Band Karaoke with the Harikaraoke Band from 5:30 – 8:30 PM
Pitmaster special (in addition to regular menu): Sliced, pit-smoked brisket plus a choice of side for $10

Friday, September 13
Live music by Jonny Grave & the Tombstones from 5:30 – 8:30 PM
Pitmaster special (in addition to regular menu): Whole hog plus a choice of side for $10

Saturday, September 14
Join us for our last night at the Backyard Barbecue!
Barbecue and Beer plus live music by Crushed Out from 5:30 – 8:30 PM”

Big Brookland News – Owner of Meridian Pint and Smoke and Barrel Opening New Location in new Brookland Works Building

By Prince Of Petworth

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Brookland Works building outside metro

Lots of good news continuing for Brookland this week. First Barnes and Noble confirmed leasing 14,000 square feet of the Cornerstone building with Catholic University on Monroe Street between Michigan Avenue and 7 Street, NE. And last week we learned Analog, “handmade and vintage shop” opened in the Arts Walk. Now comes more good news for the Arts Walk.

At the corner of 8th and Monroe St, NE – Meridian Pint and Smoke and Barrel owner John Andrade, has signed a lease for 4,200 square feet in the Brookland Works building, right outside the metro. They hope to open late spring/early Summer of 2014. While this, still to be named, restaurant will have a serious craft beer program – it will also feature a broader beverage program to include cocktails and wine. The 4,200 square foot space will have room for 120 inside and 48 on the outdoor patio. Lots more updates as construction progress and more details are known.

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Arts Walk

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4200 Square Feet

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48 seat patio

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Owner John Andrade at corner of 8th and Monroe St, NE

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Monroe Street

Sona Creamery and Wine Bar Coming to former Motofoto and Sprint spaces by Eastern Market

By Prince Of Petworth

Sona_Creamery_capitol_hill
660 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE

Last month we learned Motofoto was moving across the street from 660 Pennsylvania Ave, SE. According to Sona’s website:

“Sona has secured a location! 660 Pennsylvania Ave. Washingtion DC 20003. Opening fall 2013!

Founded in 2013, by Conan & Genevieve O’Sullivan, Sona Creamery and Wine Bar will be the District’s only onsite creamery. Owners Conan and Gen want to share their passion for great cheese and wine with you, as they offer opportunities for you to taste and learn about them in the cafe, at classes and through exclusive events. Sona will also be shipping cheeses nationwide!

Conan and Gen have been working on making this dream a reality for more than five years. They have made partners in the community that include the Small Business Development Center and EagleBank. Both Conan and Gen have been making cheese for seven years. Conan’s experience includes completing the dairy program at Cal Poly University in San Luis Obispo. His professional experience includes serving as Deputy and then Executive Director in the recycling and waste industry in Washington State. Gen has been a “master” baker and cook since age 11. Her professional career has centered around marketing and communications and she is excited to be working with her best friend on their dream business. Recently, They have redefined starting a business in D.C. by establishing a cheese and wine advisory board, which they are using to acquire knowledge from all the leading experts to establish D.C.’s best wine and cheese establishment.”

This sounds amazing! Updates as they get closer to opening.

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Sala Thai Opens Up on Rhode Island Row

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo courtesy of Sala Thai

From an email:

“As one of D.C.’s oldest Thai food establishments, Sala Thai is continuing a legacy it began in 1987 in Dupont Circle.

The owner, Oy Changsirla (photo above), was a busboy when he had the idea to start his own restaurant. These modest roots have grown into a five-restaurant group that has been a big part of developing D.C. neighborhoods ever since.

The location at Rhode Island Row is the first Sala Thai in Northeast D.C. (2300 Washington Place, NE by the Rhode Island Ave Metro)

As is tradition for Sala Thai, they held a monk blessing on Thursday the 5th (see photo below) to kick-off the opening.

Like other locations, the new Sala Thai will have live jazz on weekends for ambiance.”

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Barcelona Restaurant and Wine Bar Looking Good on 14th Street

By Prince Of Petworth

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1622 14th Street, NW

It’s been over a year since we checked in on Barcelona Wine Bar and Restaurant coming to the former BodySmith Gym space next to Miss Pixie’s.

They’ve made some serious progress in that time:

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This courtyard looks like it will be amazing:

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Their website says:

“Barcelona was begun in 1995 by Sasa Mahr-Batuz, based on his memories of years of living in Spain and Portugal, and Andy Pforzheimer, based on his 20 years as a chef at world-famous restaurants in France, California and New York.

Beginning with a tiny, 38-seat wine bar they set out to recreate the feel and the look of an evening on the Ramblas. They worked hard and made no compromises to achieve their aims: sophisticated décor that evoked Milan, SoHo, or Rio de Janeiro. Simple, flavor-filled dishes redolent with olive oil, lemon, smoky paprika. A comprehensive list of wines by the glass from around the world, with an emphasis on the lesser-known regions of Spain and Portugal. They were guided not by any places that existed at the time, but only by what they liked, and the way they liked it.”

You can see one of their Menus here.

Can’t wait to see how this turns out!

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Fall Reservations Now Open for Maketto at Hanoi House with New Menu

By Prince Of Petworth

maketto
2005 14th Street, NW

From an email:

“Over a hundred different types of regional Asian dishes have been tested at Maketto so far. Thank you for your support and open mindedness for the residency at Hanoi House. Reservations for 9/17-10/31 are now open. Our new menu features dishes including:

Okonomiyaki
Fresh Udon with Brined Egg
Samlah Machou Kroueng
Prahok Kh’Tih
Mapo Tofu
Taiwanese Fried Chicken
Vigilante Coffee Pate Te Choux
Assorted Dim Sum $2

The Maketto residency at Hanoi House is open six days a week, Monday-Saturday at 5 P.M. (closed on Sundays.) Space is limited and reservations are required. Reservations may be made directly online via Hanoi House’s OpenTable at www.hanoihousedc.com.”

Radius Pizza Now Has Pitchers ($5 Off During HH), Pint and Slice Deal Updated and New Fall Menu Launched

By Prince Of Petworth

radius_pizza
3155 Mt Pleasant Street, NW

From an email:

“We are very excited to announce that Radius is now serving PITCHERS! And all pitchers are $5 off for happy hour. On Wednesdays, you can get Pitcher & Pie (any specialty 15″ pie) for only $30!

Our PINT & SLICE special has just been updated:
We have noticed that sometimes, one slice is just not enough, so starting this week, it also includes Pint & Two Slices for $9 and Pint & Three Slices for $10. (If wine is the beverage of your choice, the pint can be always substituted for a glass of wine.)

Radius fall menu has been launched last week with a number of brand spanking NEW ITEMS:

Meatballs al Forno
Same delicious meatballs, different presentation.

Fall arugula salad
Arugula/pears/gorgonzola/walnuts/balsamic vinaigrette

Gnocchi Fritto
Wonderful vegetarian or vegan option!

Monroe Pizza
House made lamb sausage, mint, red onions.

And for the little ones, we have a new and improved SOFIA’S SPECIAL: sautéed chicken comes with your selection of spaghetti and veggie. Come give it a try – KIDS EAT FREE every Sunday between 12PM and 5PM!”

Smashburger Opens in Dupont Circle

By Prince Of Petworth

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1739 Connecticut Avenue, NW

The long anticipated Smashburger opens in Dupont today.

At Smashburger, we believe that smashing is better. Our handcrafted burgers are smashed, seared and seasoned to order, using our fresh, never frozen 100% Certified Angus Beef®. Whether you choose our Classic Smashburger or decide to create-your-own, our artisan buns, freshly chopped produce, flavorful sauces and variety of cheeses are designed to deliver a great-tasting, juicy burger you can taste in every bite.

Every great burger needs a companion, and our selection of signature sides — like our Smashfries hand-tossed with garlic, rosemary and olive oil, hand-breaded haystack onions and fried pickles — are the perfect complement to any meal. The same is true for our handspun Häagen-Dazs® shakes, served in a frosted glass. And if you’re in the mood for something other than a burger, our menu of grilled or crispy chicken sandwiches, split and grilled hot dogs, crisp entrée salads and black bean veggie burgers are sure to satisfy.

I was able to attend a preview tasting yesterday – the Truffle Mushroom Swiss was especially delicious. Prices range from $5.99-7.99 and $4.49 for milkshakes. They’ll be open from 10am-10pm 7 days a week. You can see their full menu here. Inside features 47 seats:

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More photos after the jump. (more…)

Scuttlebutt Confirmed – Mexican Restaurant Coming to Bloomingdale

By Prince Of Petworth

bloomingdale_Mexican_restaurant
108 Rhode Island Ave, NW

Last week I shared some scuttlebutt about a Tex-Mex restaurant coming to the former Y.E.S.S.S. Uniforms space in Bloomingdale. This morning Eater DC confirms:

“The owners of 1905 Restaurant have a new project in store. Tony Lucca & Phil Rodriguez (also of Sticky Rice) have signed a lease for a new venture in Bloomingdale. The restaurant will be located at 108 Rhode Island Ave. NW and serve Mexican food and Latin cocktails.”

Sweet!

Chef Mike Isabella Opening Kapnos Taverna in Ballston

By Prince Of Petworth

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From a press release:

“Top Chef All-Stars Runner-Up, Mike Isabella, announces plans to open a new Greek restaurant in the 4,700 square foot space at 4000 Wilson Blvd. in the Ballston neighborhood of Arlington, VA. Kapnos Taverna, set to open in summer 2014, is a sister restaurant to Kapnos, Isabella’s Northern Greek-inspired restaurant, which opened on the 14th Street Corridor just two months ago in early July.

“Guests have been asking me to build a restaurant in Virginia or Maryland since we opened Graffiato in 2011. Kapnos has been wildly popular in its first few months, and we think this sister concept will be a great addition to the booming neighborhoods in Arlington,” said chef/owner Mike Isabella. “Next spring, our team will travel to Greece, and we plan to build the menu around reinterpretations of regional cuisine.”

Isabella’s team plans to showcase their dishes from the Cyclades, Peloponnese, Thessaloniki, Ionian Islands and Crete. While the Kapnos Taverna menu will include some dishes from the original Kapnos, there will be some noticeable differences, including the addition of weekday lunch, weekend brunch and a happy hour menu. Kapnos Taverna will have one rotating spit, instead of two, to roast whole chickens, lamb and pork shoulders.

The bar program will include up to 10 cocktails on tap and the largest wine program in Isabella’s family of restaurants. More than 200 bottles will be displayed in a two-story glass enclosed case built to stretch from the first floor to the mezzanine. The 185-seat restaurant will also feature a 40-seat seasonal outdoor patio.”

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