Adams Morgan

Dear PoP – What’s Going on at Columbia Road?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

Do you have any information about what’s moving in on Columbia Road right next to the Safeway? All the surrounding stores went out of business at roughly the same time so I’m thinking maybe they’re putting some new megastore in there.”

I have received a number of emails asking about this. Back in April we learned that CVS will be taking over this spot. They will be closing their store across the street when this new spot opens. At the time 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…”

And of course construction has also begun on the Safeway which will stay open during renovations.

Happy Bastille Day!

By Prince Of Petworth

This looks like it could be fun. Allez les bleus! I was wondering why L’enfant Cafe had added a gigantic absolute bottle…

Anyone know of better celebrations?  More info on Adams Morgan Bastille celebrations after the jump. (more…)

Judging Restaurants – Mixtec

By Prince Of Petworth

Mixtec is located at 1792 Columbia Rd, NW in Adams Morgan. I always thought folks went here only if the Italian place (pasta mia) next door was too crowded. Now I see they got pretty good reviews on Yelp. So what’s the word? Any fans here?

Fire In Adams Morgan Last Night?

By Prince Of Petworth

Anyone know if there was a fire in Adams Morgan last night?  Was it possibly for the movie being filmed?

A reader writes:

“Any idea what all the firetrucks on 18th street were for last night around 9:45? They were rerouting buses up and down Belmont.”

Dear PoP – Argonne Cafe out, Pica Taco Cafe in

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

The previously discussed Argonne Cafe (http://www.princeofpetworth.com/2009/04/judging-cafes/)  seems to have disappeared, but in it’s place has sprung up Pica Taco.

Looks like they may have just opened today. Was told the menu is still a “rough draft” and would probably change some – but it includes various Tacos ($2.00 each) and Burritos ($4.50 to $6.50).  They also seem to have kept some of Argonne Cafe’s items – there’s a breakfast selection that looks kind of familiar.

Most interesting part – sounds like they may have Ceviche on the weekends. No word on price yet, but we were told to check back.

Hours run until 8pm weeknights according to the door, and they’re open all day Saturday.

Didn’t try the food, since we had just eaten, but I will admit to being kind of excited about this being around the corner from my front door.”

Very cool.  Anyone taste the Ceviche?  Anyone gonna miss Argonne Cafe?

Adams Mill Bar and Grill is Ready for its Close-Up, Mr. DeMille (By Charles)

By Prince Of Petworth

You might want to wander over to Adams Morgan tonight where the out-of-towners will likely be movie stars and not legislative correspondents. Or you might want to avoid the whole neighborhood entirely since the sheer volume of street space taken up by massive trucks, dollies and other movie-making equipment almost guarantees traffic hassles. I’ve stumbled across the no-name-yet Nicholson/Witherspoon/Rudd vehicle in a couple of locations across town – even watched Jack and Paul emote for a few takes across the street from the Scientologists, at Connecticut and R, the other day — but the sheer size of this effort suggests that tonight is going to be a big night. And face it, everyone needs to get through Adams Morgan every now and again, if only to remind themselves why they rarely go there any more, and a Wednesday night with a movie shoot for curbside entertainment beats heck out of a Friday night with rookies puking on the curb.

Ed. Note: I still enjoy going to Adams Morgan from time to time! Here is a list of favorite bars we discussed a couple weeks ago. So, I’ve been getting emails pretty regularly asking why certain areas of AM are closed (including the Duke Ellington Bridge). This is the film I’ve been talking about when I email you back. And in what I’ll call great timing, PoPville flickr user Tyrannous got some great shots of the filming last night.

more direction

“reese witherspoon, paul rudd, james L. Brooks on the corner of 18th and columbia ave in front of the starbucks filming a yet to be titled movie.”

Paul Rudd meeting DC

Adams Morgan Sculpture Selected – Bike Musician! UPDATED – Or Has It?

By Prince Of Petworth

You may recall back in May Charles wrote a post titled, Which Weird Sculpture Captures Adams Morgan Best? Well, a reader tipped me off that a winner had been selected. After doing a bit of research and pleading I was able to confirm that a winner had indeed been selected. And it’s the Bike Musician by James Simon (rendering above).

I spoke with Kristen Barden of the Adams Morgan BID who was unable to confirm but said that the winning sculpture should be completed in 2010. Kristen did mention that she is a bit concerned that the sculpture may break up the recently created plaza which is currently being used for a Summer concert series.

Do you like the selection? Do you think it will break up the feel of the plaza?

UPDATE:  Just received the following email:

“I am with the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, the organization that is commissioning the artwork for Adams Morgan.  I wanted to let you know that a final decision has not been made for the Adams Morgan public art project.

Deirdre Thayer Ehlen, DC Creates Public Art Coordinator”

Well, we’ll stay tuned.

Summertime Fun – Adams Morgan Outdoor Concert Series

By Prince Of Petworth

From an email:

“The Adams Morgan Partnership Business Improvement District (BID) continues with the FREE Summer Concert Series on Saturday, June 20 from 5 to 7 pm in the new public plaza in front of BB&T Bank at the north east corner of Columbia Road/Adams Mill Road/18th Street, NW in Adams Morgan.

The FREE Summer Concert Series will occur every Saturday night from 5 to 7 pm through July 11. We will have a limited number of chairs for audience members. Please feel free to bring your own beach chair. In the event of rain, the concert will be canceled for that day. Due to the nature of the series, there will not be a rain date. Bring your kids, your dogs, your best friends and enjoy the music! Come early to shop and stay after for dinner!

June 20th

The Ash Lovelies

The Ash Lovelies were founded in 2008 by longtime Arlington VA indie singer/songwriter Lou Black (http://www.myspace.com/LouBlack) and continues to evolve as an eclectic songwriting collective bringing together local singer/songwriters looking to experiment with various pop fusions. To learn more about this band please contact: Lou Black at: [email protected] or visit: http://www.myspace.com/AshLovelyMusic.”

What’s Your Favorite Bar in Adams Morgan?

By Prince Of Petworth

This is a two part question. I’ve been curious for a while with so many new bars and old bars on 18th Street, what’s your favorite? Recently mine has become Bourbon. But here’s the second part of the question sparked by a conversation I had with a friend.

For those that are Dan’s Cafe fans – when are you too old to go? Back in the day I used to go to Dan’s fairly frequently but that’s just because my name is Dan and I’m very loyal. But, I’m 34 now and it’s just not as fun for me anymore. Would you say that the average age of 18th St. bar patrons is much younger than elsewhere in the city? Ed. Note: My stereo is now playing “my my my slow descent into alcoholism it went” by the New Pornographers. Seriously. Great now I’ve probably upset my mom.

So what’s your favorite bar on 18th Street? And when are you too old to go there?

View More Stories