“Dear PoP,
Ran by there this morning. Digging machine was tearing out the trees.
With groups like Casey Trees advocating us to plant more, I’m sure these could’ve been relocated instead of destroyed.”
And in other news, remember the house collapse on Quincy of New Hampshire Ave back in Feb. 08? Well, I saw some workmen finally getting to work on the place:
Going:
Sadly, Flyy Couture located at 832 Shepherd Street, NW has closed. They recently got a new sign too!
Coming:
Progress at the old Bi-Rite Building at 11th and Park (the eventual home of Meridian Pint).
Any guesses on when it will be completed? 3 months? 6 months? 9 months?
The scandalous gossip from almost a year ago turns out to be true. Thanks to Petworth News who got the rendering above from Robb L. It says LaKritz Adler has signed a lease for a CVS to be built at Georgia and New Hampshire Ave and construction is set to begin in the fall with the store opening in late spring 2010.
I’ve come to support this addition. Have some of you guys changed your mind?
This is by far one of the cooler experiences I’ve had while running this blog. Ever since I posted this note from the owners, I’ve been super curious about this project. A quick reminder – this is the spot at 3466 14th Street that used to be an old Christian bookstore.
Above is an old picture and construction has moved along nicely. The owners are planning on opening up in June with a number of soft openings. But back to the dinner. I was pretty psyched to have received an email from Gabbie Lenzi, Social’s PR rep, inviting me to dinner at one of the owner’s lofts in the O Street (unit block of O Street, NW) artist quarters. The following folks attended the dinner:
AJ Guy: Partner, Operations Manager
Scott Hammons: Partner
Tim Korzep: Partner
Joseph Norton: Restaurant Manager
Larry Miller: Bar Manager/ Mixologist
Michael Clements: Executive Chef
Julie Cole (First Lady of Social)
So basically, we all hung out in the living room of the loft (which was killer by the by) and Mike would bring out course after course all while drinking the occasional glass of wine… It was super casual and I enjoyed learning about the background of this project. It has been in the planning process for 2 years though those involved have been friends far longer that. It was interesting to learn that they considered opening up in Logan Circle, H Street, NE and other spots before choosing the Columbia Heights location. Since choosing their location they have grown to love the neighborhood though if they are successful it’s certainly possible they could open a second location.
The courses we tasted we’re prepared in a tiny kitchen which I thought was rather impressive:
As I’ve said before I’m no food critic but to this simple lad from Petworth many of the courses were fantastic. I particularly liked the Calimari Ripieni and the Crispy Chicken. But all of the courses have not been finalized as yet. What is super cool about these folks is that they are such an interesting mix. Yet they all were super friendly. They have an interesting vision for the spot. You can read their vision previously posted here. But basically on the first floor (actually half a floor down) you’ll have the “cellar” where you can hang out and have some drinks (by the by the Mixologist/bar manager was one of the most enthusiastic folks I have ever met) and either stay there or then head upstairs for dinner. On the second floor will be what they call the “living room”. In the living room you will be taken care of by a “guide” who will be available for any questions you may have about the dining experience or really any questions at all. The owners would like to see the “guides” build the type of relationships that many good bartenders have with their patrons around town.
The dining vision includes a sharing experience. So you can get big plate and share with your dining companions. Because the place will be set up as a “living room” plus the existence of the “cellar”, the owners imagine the restaurant as a destination spot. You can eat a casual dinner here and then hang out in the “cellar” or vice versa. Plus there will be a sidewalk cafe area as well as a veranda on the second floor (both spots can seat 25). In the future it is highly likely that Social will offer brunch and late night options as well.
All I can say is that if the food, the drinks and the atmosphere are nearly as good as they were at this pre-preview dinner this place is going to be a huge success.
See some more photos of the dishes as well as a look at the cocktail menu after the jump. (more…)
“Dear PoP,
Have you heard what’s going on with the building next to Safeway on Columbia Road, near 18th? The Popeyes, beauty supply store, and other stores have all closed down. I’m guessing it was sold? I doubt the Popeyes went out of business, they always seem to be so busy.”
Yup, it’s going to be a CVS. Kristen Barden from Adams Morgan BID wrote me that:
“Combined Properties (www.combined.biz) is combining all of their stores along that stretch – Popeye’s, the beauty supply store, Citibank, etc… and the CVS on the south side of Columbia Road will move over there. I also don’t know what will go in the old CVS space yet…”
Now, I’m curious what will go into the old CVS spot.
After receiving a Dear PoP about this on Monday I have received a response from the developers:
“Though we held our ceremonially groundbreaking last September and fully expected to begin work on the project shortly thereafter, we too were not immune to the virtual standstill in lending and associated economic downturn experienced worldwide. That being said, we are now hopeful that demolition will begin sometime this fall, with expected delivery of the new YMCA in late 2011 and the residential and retail portions shortly thereafter. (And yes, the facades and extended sections of the row houses along 14th Street will be restored and incorporated into the new construction.) We remain very excited about this project and work every day to ensure its success.”
Let’s continue to hope the economy gets better!
“Dear PoP,
I live in Columbia Heights and work in Van Ness, and split my commutes between walking, the H2, and riding my scooter. Unfortunately the construction on Park Road has made my scooter commute miserable! Any idea when they’re planning on being finished?”
Hmm, we addressed this same question back in January. At the time the construction was slated to be completed in February. Clearly work is still being done between Hiatt and at least 16th Street. Anyone know the new time frame? I’ll email Councilmember Graham to see what he knows.
“Dear PoP,
What’s the status of Perseus Realty’s YMCA project at 14th and W Streets, NW? Has construction started?”
On their Web site it says they have broken ground on Sept. 26, 2008. But from the photo above, taken on Saturday, it is hard to tell if much progress has been made.
Last we heard about this spot, there was a fire here back in January. I’ll email this post to the developers and see if they can give us an update. Do any readers happen to know if the construction is moving along?
A commenter mentioned that there are tons of sweet city signs on H Street, NE. And indeed there are. I thought this sign was particularly amusing because Ohio is not generally considered the south. But as I was checking out this spot I noticed that there was a permit in the window.
It seems this spot at 14th and H Streets, NE is slated to return to a functioning restaurant. Apparently it will be called Radius at the Ohio and will be a restaurant with a summer garden and sidewalk cafe. This spot is very close to the great Argonaut restaurant/bar so that section of H Street will be particularly sweet.
I’ve gotten a number of press releases about the immenent opening of the Allegro at 3460 14th Street N.W. It’s so nice to have this strip of 14th Street opened up again. And it looks like the building came out pretty good. I’ll be getting a sneak peak of the apartments inside so stay tuned for those photos. In the meantime, enjoy the open road! They reopened the bike lane:
And as we learned back in the beginning of February Thaitanic II will be opening up.
