Photo by PoPville flickr user jen2e
NoMa ANC Rep @TonyTGoodman tweets:
“Upcoming at @UnionMarketDC – seafood vendor, 2nd bakery, chocolate, international market. Upstairs construction underway for events.”
Union Market is located at 1309 5th Street, NE.
Dear PoPville,
I wanted to send you a note about Beuchert’s Saloon — I went here for drinks last night and had a fantastic time! I wanted to tell you about them, and see if other people had checked them out. They’ve been open for a little over two weeks, and the staff are some of the most genuine people I’ve encountered in the service industry. Apparently, I’m told by a Capitol Hill local that this stretch of Pennsylvania Ave they’re on isn’t an easy one to draw in the crowd, but they were already packed on a Wednesday night. Outta this world cocktails, great marble bar, and two enormous bison heads mounted on the wall.
We previewed Buchert’s, located at 623 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, back in early Feb. You can see their menu here. Anyone else check them out yet?
14th and V Street, NW
We’ve been watching the renovations in the former AM-PM Carryout at 14th and V St, NW for a very long time. Props to Washington Business Journal for getting word of the new name:
“Previous reports indicated that the restaurant would be a Tex-Mex place called La Fonda, but Askarinam told me this morning the restaurant is actually going to be called Diego, after painter Diego Rivera.”
They also say the restaurant hopes to open in late April/early May and will seat up to seat 178.
I gotta admit though – I already miss the name La Fonda.
1309 H Street, NE
Washington Business Journal reports:
“London [owner of Carolina Kitchen] also has purchased a three-story building at 1309 H St. NE for a third concept, although he won’t say much about it yet. However, he is talking about a hookah bar on the rooftop. London hopes to open that restaurant by the end of 2013.”
For a minute back in 2011 the owner of Carolina Kitchen had planned on bringing a new restaurant called Sweet Charleston’s to 1348 H St, NE. That deal fell through, and now a Red Rocks will be opening at 1348 H St, NE. We judged 1309 H Street back in 2010. More info as they get closer to opening here.
11th and Lamont St, NW
Six years ago the corner of 11th and Lamont Street was home to the 11th Street Deli and served breakfast all day. Today of course it is home to Room 11. Anyone remember the old 11th Street Deli. They made a mean iced-tea.
1940 11th Street, NW
From a press release:
Vinoteca has just opened its lively sidewalk patio and charming backyard PLAZA bar for Washingtonians looking to enjoy the beautiful coming spring weather. Al fresco diners can enjoy a new menu of housemade hot dogs and burgers (paired with bubbly), sip new spring cocktails and wines, play a round of bocce or enjoy a brunch in the sun at Vinoteca.
NEW GRILL MENU
Equipped with a full outdoor grill, Vinoteca will be grilling up a variety of housemade hot dogs and burgers introduced for the spring season. Executive Chef Lonnie Zoeller hand-makes all of his own ‘hot dogs’ and buns, ranging from a classic frankfurter and DC-style half-smoke sausage made with local beef and pork, to a spiced-up veggie dog. The dogs (all $6; $5 at happy hour) can be topped with a variety of topping combinations like pimento cheese, sauerkraut + caraway mustard, or the classic ketchup/mustard/relish.
Chef Zoeller offers the same options for his juicy, grilled-to-order burgers (all $8; $7 at happy hour), serving either a local beef or Portobello (for the veggie lovers) burger topped with combinations like cheddar/apple wood bacon/ancho chili mayo, the lighter avocado + feta, and the creative gorgonzola/ grilled red onions/ basil aioli.
Showing that sparkling wine can be paired with just about anything, Vinoteca has also introduced its new “Hog Dog + Bubbly” combo where guests can get any of the hot dogs with a glass of bubbly for only $12 (only $9 during happy hour). And burger lovers can get the “Burger + Beer” combo for $13 (only $10 during happy hour) which includes any burger with a draft brew (selections will vary).
In addition, guests can also order some of Chef Zoeller’s other new snacks like the Pimento Cheese Plate with pickled veggies and grilled bread, or the Grilled Squid with salsa verde.
SPRING COCKTAILS + WINES
There’s nothing better in the spring than a refreshing al fresco libation, and mixologist Horus Alvarez has created a new spring cocktail menu to enjoy on the PLAZA. Vinoteca’s take on a Moscow Mule,the U Street Mule ($12) combines Boyd & Blair Vodka, Domaine de Canton ginger liqueur, fresh grapefruit juice and Bleinheim Ginger Ale. Alvarez’ Rum-Runners’ Punch ($10) combines Atlantico Reserve Rum, crème de cassis, fresh pineapple, lime & orange juices and banana syrup for a taste of the tropics, and the Gin-Cussion ($12) mixes Broker’s Gin, limoncello, fresh grapefruit juice and the Swiss-made aperitif Kina L’Avion d’Or liqueur for a perfect spring sip. Sherry is seeing a trendy new revival, and the Primavera ($12) uses Manzanilla Sherry, St. Germain elderflower liqueur, Prosecco and orange bitters, while Vinoteca of course has a Sangria on the menu ($8 glass/$22 pitcher) made with Tempranillo, Licor 43, Brandy, Taylor Port, and fresh orange, lemon and grape juices.
The majority of Vinoteca’s 100+ wines are also available by the glass, and Sommelier Tim Galvin has introduced several warm-weather varietals like Vinho Verde, Torrontes, Inzolia, and Muscadet to the new outdoor menus.
BOCCE
One of the only bars in the city to boast its own bocce court, Vinoteca’s oyster-shell court setting on the PLAZA is reminiscent of a European courtyard. Welcoming bocce pros and novices alike, the court is open Wednesday – Friday from 5 p.m. to close, and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to close (on Monday and Tuesday evenings the court is reserved for DC Bocce League play).
528 8th Street, SE
Ambar recently opened back in Jan. in the former Jordan’s 8 space on Barracks Row. Their website says:
Where southeastern Europe meets South East D.C.
Our aim is to put together the finest products of the New World and Old world for your dining pleasure. Perennially on the edge of great empires the Balkans owes much of its food culture to its history, geography,and climate. The term Balkan is generally believed to come from the Turkish word Balkan meaning “a chain of wooded mountains”. With a desire to introduce D.C. to cutting edge Balkan cuisine proprietor Ivan Iricanin has created a dining space that will delight and indulge the senses. Primarily featuring “small plates” Ambar will also offer wines and spirits from the Balkans not often experienced by the American diner.
You can see their menus here. Anyone check them out yet? Any must order items?
1346 T Street, NW
Last week we learned about the plight of Fainting Goat hoping to open at 1330 U Street, NW. Now Compass Rose hoping to open in the former Cafe Collage space next to St. Ex seeks your help as well. In an email owner Rose Previte writes:
Compass Rose is located at 1346 T St, NW, at the corner of 14th and T, right next to St. Ex and across the street from Matchbox. We are a neighborhood tavern specializing in international street food. The concept is inspired by my recent travels around the world. I was living in Russia while my husband was working there as a journalist for NPR. We travelled like crazy for over two years. When we came back to D.C., the city we met in and lived in for over 6 years before moving to Russia, we decided to fullfill a lifelong dream and open a business. Compass Rose hopes to be a neighborhood meeting place where everyone feels wecolme. We want you to feel like you’re going on a tour of the world but that you still feel right at home.
Our menu is very much under construction but the focus will be on kabobs, baked meat and vegetable pies and Georgian cheese bread, called Khachapuri . We will feature wines from the small, former Soviet state of Georgia-a place we fell in love with while living in the region. Above all, we want to be a community gathering place where you come to share your troubles and toast your successes with friends while having a good meal and a great drink.
If that sounds like a good addition to the neighborhood you can sign a petition of support here. For those who live nearby, it is especially helpful if you are able to sign. When doing so please leave your cross streets. If all goes well they hope to open by late summer.
777 6th Street, NW
A bit more exciting than an eyefit vision – another retail space has been filled at 777 6th St, NW. A liquor license application reveals it will be:
“A upscale restaurant and wine bar serving brunch, lunch and dinner. Food will be prepared with fresh, seasonal and locally sourced ingredients with a seating capacity for 71 patrons and total load of 132. Request an entertainment endorsement with live performances only for special occasions and sidewalk café with a seating capacity for 24 patrons.”
It’s right next to the Corner Bakery at 6th and H St, NW:
1208 H Street, NE
Dear PoPville,
I’ve been out on H Street the last couple weekends this month and noticed Souk is still closed. I remember you posted in November that they are renovating for 2-3 months, but it’s way beyond that now.
Do you know if they went out of business? I always liked the food there and would be sad hear they closed. Plus, I have a deal I’ve been meaning to use that expires this summer.
Their phone is disconnected, their website is down and their last facebook message says:
“Good news!!! Souk Restaurant will be reopening again on Monday, September 5th 2011! Wind up your labor day weekend with us!”
The last few times I’ve walked by I haven’t seen construction/renovations going on. Anyone hear anything?