@dcfireems tweeted:
“Report of fire: 1800blk of Baltimore St. NW – Units enroute.”
Thanks to a reader for sending word and photos:
“10 AM near Biltmore St & Cliffbourne Pl NW.
Firetrucks & EMS: heavy presence on Biltmore, but units also surrounding the entire block.”
From a press release:
“The Alcoholic Beverage Control Board (Board) renewed the Adams Morgan Moratorium Zone this morning with two modifications, which includes allowing the issuance of new liquor licenses for restaurants in the area for the first time in approximately five years. The change is consistent with a provision of Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1C’s (ANC 1C) proposal on the moratorium.
The Board also reduced the term of the moratorium to three years from five years as a means to monitor the effect of new restaurant licenses in the area. As a result, the moratorium will be reviewed again for renewal in 2017. Complete details of the Board’s decision are available in the Notice of Emergency and Proposed Rulemaking issued this morning.
Other provisions of the moratorium will remain in place. The zone will continue to be the second largest neighborhood moratorium in the District, extending 1,400 feet in all directions from the intersection of Belmont Road and 18th St., NW. In addition to restaurants, hotels and off-premise retailers such as liquor stores will be exempt from the moratorium. Restrictions of the moratorium include:
The continued restrictions are also consistent with provisions of ANC 1C’s proposal on the moratorium as well as a proposal from the Kalorama Citizens Association. The Board also considered all of the testimony and written comment it received on the issue through Friday, May 9 in making its decision.
The decision is effective immediately on an emergency basis and is subject to a 30-day public comment period and final approval from the District of Columbia Council. Members of the public can submit public comment on the decision for a 30-day period.”
Photo courtesy L’Enfant Cafe Bar
From a press release:
“To celebrate Bastille Day, L’Enfant Café Bar is throwing their 10th annual Bastille Day Block Party from 3-11 p.m. on Saturday, July 12, 2014. Entry to D.C.’s ever-revolutionary summer party is $10.
A Washington, DC favorite, the European-style restaurant hosts the largest Bastille Day party in the nation’s capital. The event features a French maid race, a cavalcade of can-can dancers, a raffle for round-trip travel for two from Washington (DCA) to Paris (CDG), courtesy of American Airlines, and a wild masquerade ball. Guests are gifted with masks and encouraged to dance under the stars.
Says co-owner Christopher Lynch, “What started in 2004 as a Champagne toast on our patio with a kooky French maid race for our friends and staff has become a neighborhood tradition. We’ve added new elements, but ultimately, we’re sticklers for tradition. We have ordered more French maid costumes and masks than ever before, and will stamp Bastille Day 2014 with our usual je ne sais quoi, even as we celebrate two days early.”
Co-hosted by King Louis XVI (who looks strikingly similar to L’Enfant co-owner Jim Ball), L’Enfant’s Bastille Day Block Party will again take place adjacent to the restaurant (2000 18th Street NW) blocking the entire length of Vernon Street NW, between 18th and19th Sts., in lower Adams Morgan.
Guests are invited to chill to DJs and enjoy five street bars serving Stella Artois, Hoegaarden and Leffe beers, white wine and a vodka cocktail. A food truck station will offer refreshments from popular purveyors including DC Slices, Rito Loco and Crepes Parfait.
Ever popular, the French maid relay race will start at 6 p.m. L’Enfant will provide costumes for 40 competitors (for $20 each). Racers, men and women, must each wear the extremely short black and white maid costume to participate. The winner is the first to fill a Champagne glass with soup spoons of water by running back and forth across the street. Notes Jim Ball, “It’s got all of the fun and excitement of the Grand Prix, and none of the elegance.”
Following the race, there will be numerous burlesque performances on the main stage, and a raffle for two roundtrip tickets to Paris, courtesy of American Airlines. Then Queen Marie Antoinette will gift attendees with a mask, and DJs will keep the crowds dancing under the stars until a fire dance performance at 10:55 p.m. signals the end of the evening.
L’Enfant Café Bar is a locally owned business with a history of supporting neighborhood causes. Their 2014 community partner is Sitar Arts Center. Chosen for its work in creating transformational arts education opportunities for underserved children and youth, the center has operated in the heart of Adams Morgan since 2000.
Schedule of events:
3 p.m. Bastille Day Block Party opens
3:30-3:45 p.m. Children’s performance
5 p.m. Arrival of King Louis XIV
5:05 p.m. Can-can dance performance on Stella Artois main stage
6 p.m. French Maid Race on Vernon Street
6:30-7:30 p.m. Burlesque performances
8:45 p.m. Drawing for round-trip economy class travel for two, courtesy of American Airlines, from Washington, DC to Paris, France
9 p.m. Arrival of Queen Marie Antoinette and her courtiers kick off DC’s largest outdoor masquerade ball
10:55 p.m. Last dance and fire dancer performance
L’Enfant Café Bar, 2000 18th Street, NW, Washington, DC: 202-319-1800; www.lenfantcafe.com
Advance “Express Entry” tickets available via www.lenfantcafe.com”
2000 18th Street, NW
2438 18th Street, NW
When we talked about Taan closing in Adams Morgan last week, a few folks mentioned the relatively new Donburi in the comments. Donuburi opened up back in November of last year.
Their facebook page says:
“Serving Japanese rice bowls in the heart of Adams Morgan, D.C.
NEW BUSINESS HOUR:
11:00AM – 10:00PM
DAILY
Stop by the restaurant whenever you feel like.
We will be here everyday
with the food that we make with a lot of love and care”
You can see their menu here. Any fans? Any must order rice bowl?
2406 18th Street, NW
Thanks to all who’ve sent us emails and tweets about the closure of NY Diva NY. In Feb. they faced an eviction notice and in March there was a large fight. I know they’ve been closed for a few weeks now, so we’ll see if they’re able to reopen – looks like they have a number of obstacles to overcome for that to happen:
This rental is located at 2611 Adams Mill Road, Northwest. The listing says:
“Light and bright 1 bdrm apartment in the heart of Adams Morgan walking distance and steps from the shops and restaurants. Small pets OK with $20/pet/month extra rent. $40/app fee/adult. Certified security deposit check required with app. L&F application in docs. Section 8 applicants welcome”
You can see more photos here.
This 1 bed/1 bath is going for $1,650/Mo.
1817 Columbia Rd, NW
Tough times continue at 1817 Columbia Road, NW – former home of Evolve, Marrakech Lounge, and briefly Mudbugz. Runin DC notes:
“Taan which opened in October 2011 was known for its sake, steam buns and okonomiyaki, a Japanese-style cheese pancake. But Taan always played second fiddle to the renowned Sakuramen down the road.”
Taan’s website says:
“To our wonderful patrons and ramen lovers, we’re sad to announce that Taan Noodles has closed. Thank you for all your support over the last couple of years. We will miss the wonderful community of Adams Morgan.”
Eater DC reports:
“Justin Abad and John Manolatos of Cashion’s Eat Place are taking over the space to open Pop’s Seabar.”
Eater says their hoping for a Sept. 1st opening.
Ed. Note: We judged Taan here and Sakuramen here.
2421 18th Street, NW
The Mediterranean Spot expanded with a second location in Adams Morgan back in July of last year. Their U Street location (formerly 24/Seven located at 14th and U) opened at 15th and U in Aug. 2012. Anyone know if that location had a name change too?
Anyway, the Adams Morgan location – just got new awnings for Philly Cheesesteak & Gyro. Think it’s just a marketing plan to be more appealing to a late night Adams Morgan crowd?
2337 18th Street, NW
Ed. Note: We spoke about the the change in ownership at Pharmacy Bar back in early May.
From one of the owners – Reggie Elliott:
“The views and opinions expressed in my original sent previously entitled “Pharmacy Bar Name Change” on June 20, 3:22 pm are mine and mine only and do not represent the views, opinions or future intent of the corporation DBA Pharmacy Bar or its owners.”
Original email:
“The name of the bar located at 2337 18th St. NW, previously known as “Pharmacy Bar”, will soon change to “Troublemaker Coffee Bar & Public House.”
Why Troublemaker? Because we thought it sounded cool! Just kidding. Seriously though, we took inspiration from a couple of sources, both of which subvert the more negative connotations of the word. The first source of inspiration comes from the colloquial translation of the late Nelson Mandela’s Xhosa middle name “Rohilahla.” Mandela and other historical figures like him are typically referred by their foes as “troublemakers” when all they are fighting for is a change for their people. Our goals are not so lofty but we are seeking to contribute to change.
The reputation of Adams Morgan is one of drunken debauchery, useless macho and chauvinistic displays coupled with destructive and self-destructive behavior, but anyone who spends any amount of time here during the day can see that it’s actually a pretty chill place. Many of the businesses that are open during the day have been here for decades and we’ve already become friendly with many of the local restaurant and shop owners. So the “trouble” we seek to make is simply to flip the script that’s been written about Adams Morgan. We intend on joining the many businesses that open their doors during the daytime when we begin to offer both freshly prepared, locally produced food as well as high quality coffee that’s been ethically sourced and roasted to near-perfection by established American roasters, international roasters as well as a few up-and-coming US roasters, looking for more exposure.
The second source of inspiration comes from Apple’s “Think different” campaign, paraphrased here:
“Here’s to the crazy ones. The rebels. The troublemakers. The ones who see things differently. While some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.”
The idea of taking over an establishment like Pharmacy Bar — given its geography, given its history — and “daring” to change it, could be seen by our friends and family as crazy enough. But the bar, the name and its fifteen years of existence belong to Kristaps Kreslin, his employees and the loyal customers who kept the place afloat, many of whom are our friends. We have our own ideas, concepts and areas of expertise and it is in our best interest to employ them as best as possible. All we can promise is that we intend to make Troublemaker exactly the kind of space that we ourselves would love to hang out at. (And we do! Stop by any night and you’ll find either Frank Hankins, Chuck Roberts or myself, Reggie Elliott at or behind the bar.)
Yes, yes but why “Troublemaker?” Well, in some ways it’s sort of like those animals that are able to camouflage themselves or even alter their physical appearance so that they resemble a more dangerous creature in order to ward off potential predators, when in reality, these insects, birds, fish or whatever are quite harmless. Those who know us know what kind of people we are and we are definitely NOT “troublemakers” but given Adams Morgan’s weekend late night reputation, perhaps it doesn’t hurt to have a little camouflage of our own.”
And on a side note they’ve also applied for an outdoor patio:
From the organizers:
“Adams Morgan Movie Nights concludes this Tuesday, [roughly 8:30pm or 1/2 hour after sunset], June 24th, at Marie Reed’s soccer field at 18th and California, NW, with the film that launched Wes Anderson’s career – Rushmore. And we’re doing something special for it –we’re encouraging film buffs on bikes (extra points for wearing prep school garb in honor of Rushmore) to meet at City Bikes’ Adams Morgan location at 6:30 pm this Tuesday to roll out on an hour long group ride (departs at 7pm) that ends at the Marie Reed soccer field at 18th and California, NW in time for the screening. As always, screenings start shortly after sunset. We’ll even have a bike valet on hand. 100 limited edition screen print bags (with our super cool poster logo on them) will be handed out by Meeps and Violet with some goodies in them (Tryst cookies, etc).”