paul_ruppert_island_cafe_restaurant_petworth_room_11

In late June we noted the progress at the future restaurant/bar from Paul Ruppert (Room 11/Passenger/Hogo) coming to the former Island Cafe space in Petworth.

This morning Ruppert shares some details:

“The project is coming into focus as a neighborhood bar with great bar food and a literary focus. Our back room will host literary events – author readings, book launches, poetry slams, fundraisers for literacy programs, and a Free Book library. Our chef, Makoto Hamamura, was the Sous Chef at Cityzen and we will offer elevated bar food plus a beverage program similar in quality to Room 11 and the Passenger. We hope to open around Labor Day.”

You can check out a preview of the new spot (no name yet) starting tomorrow night and it will last for the next two weeks at Hogo, 1017 7th Street, NW.

Check out the menu after the jump. (more…)


cafe_green
1513 17th Street, NW

A new cafe/restaurant is coming to the former Cafe Green space at 1513 17th Street, NW. Ed. Note: The former Java Green space downtown will become a Retrospect Coffee and Tea.

A liquor license application posted outside 1513 17th St, NW says:

“New East London-style cafe restaurant and market serving coffee, sandwiches, salads, local produce and seasonal dinner plates. Occupancy load is 95.”

The space is located on 17th Street in Dupont between Mr. Yogato and Little Serow. The name is TBD. Stay tuned.

cafe_green_little_serow_17th_st_dupont


mural_sushi_ko_glover_park
2309 Wisconsin Ave, NW

“Dear PoPville,

I’m not sure if you’ve heard any scuttlebutt, but apparently Sushiko in Glover Park is closed. I called to order takeout last week, and the man who answered (presumably the manager) said they were closed due to some kind of emergency. I assumed there may have been a problem with a customer, but when I asked if everyone was OK, he indicated it was no big deal. Well, tonight I tried again, and no one picked up at all. So I called the Chevy Chase location, and the hostess said the Glover Park location had been closed for about a week and likely would be closed permanently. She said she didn’t know why.

If this is true and Sushiko is closed in Glover Park, that’s a huge loss for the neighborhood and for anyone looking for relatively affordable, high-quality sushi in a city with few options. (We regularly drive all the way over from Logan Circle for pick up.)

Has anyone in PoPville heard anything?”

I also spoke with the Chevy Chase location and was told they couldn’t comment but more info would likely be known next week.


Alba Osteria_4th_and_I_st_nw_dc
4th and I St, NW

Yesterday we learned Casa Luca was opening downtown on Friday and today we have Alba Osteria coming to 4th and I St, NW. The liquor license out front says:

“New upscale restaurant specializing in authentic Italian dishes. Live entertainment for weekend brunch and occasional special events. Seating capacity is 155. Total occupancy load is 226. Sidewalk Café with seating for 128 patrons

Alba Osteria_mt_vernon_square
425 I Street, NW


med_spot_15th_and_U
1501 U Street, NW

Mediterranean Spot is applying for a liquor license at the corner of 15th and U St, NW. It says:

“restaurant which serves Mediterranean food i.e., Shawarma Sandwiches, Gyro, Falafel, salads and soups. In addition, we will be soon serving Brick Oven Pizzas. Seating Capacity – 32 and total Capacity 50 with 3 tables and 8 chairs on the Sidewalk Café.”

Mediterranean Spot opened up at 15th and U St, NW in Aug. 2012. They will soon be opening a 2nd location in Adams Morgan.

med_spot_liquor_license


hanoi_house_erik_yang_toki_underground
2005 14th Street, NW

Last week learned Hanoi House would be partnering with Chef Erik Bruner-Yang from Toki Underground. More info from a press release:

“Maketto’s Executive Chef and co-owner Erik Bruner-Yang is pleased to announce a three-month residency and test kitchen at Hanoi House on 14th Street. Maketto, DURKL’s Will Sharp and Bruner-Yang’s modern mixed-retail and restaurant marketplace located at 1351 H Street NE, is not set to open until late 2013. This time of experimentation will allow Bruner-Yang and the entire Maketto team, including chef de cuisine James Wozniuk, to cook food inspired by their love affair with authentic Asian street food. Hanoi House will serve dinner only at $30 per person, family-style, with no accommodations for allergies or dietary restrictions. A dim sum cart will also be available throughout the evening a la carte. The menu will change often.

The Maketto residency at Hanoi House begins on July 15, 2013 and will be 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 beginning next week, the week of July 8, 2013.”


casa_luca_italian_restaurant_downtown_dc
1099 New York Avenue, NW

Casa Luca will be located in the former Againn space at 1099 New York Avenue, NW:

“Inside seating capacity is 132, total load is 168. Sidewalk Café with seating for 40 patrons.”

Their website says:

“Chef Fabio Trabocchi’s, casual and convivial osteria, Casa Luca Vino e Cucina, celebrates family heritage and honors the cuisine of his upbringing in the Le Marche region of Italy.

The inspiration for Casa Luca comes from Chef Fabio Trabocchi’s son, 9-year-old Luca, who apprentices alongside Fabio in the kitchen on Saturdays. The menu will feature authentic Le Marche recipes that not only brought Trabocchi and his father together, but dishes that he now enjoys sharing and preparing with Luca.”

We previously learned:

The menu will include charcuterie and cheese selections, Le Marche flatbreads such as crescia and chichì, antipasti and salads del campo (from the fields), housemade pastas, and main courses, such as roasted and grilled meats and fish. Presentations will be straightforward, allowing the fresh, seasonal ingredients to shine. Traditional dishes will take on a rustic elegance, appealing to modern palates craving familiar flavors, such as:

· Montefeltro Flatbread “Crescia” with Broccoli Rabe
· “Chichirichì di Offida” Stuffed with Onions and Roasted Peppers
· Mussels Alicia with Tomato “Marinara”
· San Leo Ravioli of Greens, Parmigiano, Lemon Zest and Fresh Herbs
· Scrippelle ’Mbusse Crepes of Pecorino, Truffles, and Hen Consomme
· Monkfish with Baby Artichokes, Scallions and Dill “Porchetta” style
· Giuseppe “Braciole” Pork Chop with Zolfino Beans “Cacciatora” style
· Salami al Cioccolato Marchigiano in small and large sizes to share

In the spirit of traditional Italian osterie that offered only one dish daily, Casa Luca will feature rotating daily specials such as Lamb Chop “Scottadito” on Tuesdays and Porchetta Ascolana on Thursdays.

Chef Trabocchi hopes to cultivate a traditional tavern feel for the bar with approachable beverage options and a convivial ambiance. Wine on tap – vino alla spina – is customary in small towns across Italy, and Casa Luca will offer several sparkling, white and red selections on tap. To remove the inhibition and confusion of price from guests’ wine selection, Wine Director John Toigo will offer 20 accessible, food friendly bottles from across Italy and Spain – 10 whites and 10 reds – at only $28. Traditional Italian aperitifs and liquors will take a place of pride on Bar Manager Jeff Faile’s well-curated cocktail menu.

Casa Luca’s interior design will evoke the warm atmosphere Trabocchi family dinners in both Italy and Spain. Much like the menu, traditional and artisanal accents will coexist harmoniously within the modern exterior framework of the building. The interior will showcase hand-blown glass lamps from producer Gordiola in Maria Trabocchi’s home of Mallorca and hand printed textiles from a family of artisans at Antica Stamperia Marchi near the Le Marche coast, juxtaposed against the sleek building façade.

Chef Fabio Trabocchi is the chef/partner of Fiola, a modern trattoria located in the heart of DC’s Penn Quarter neighborhood.

casa_luca_opening_sign_july_5_dc


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