Brookland

12th and Jackson Street, NE

Thanks to all who sent emails and tweets about Brookland’s Finest. After a long, long road – we’ve got an official opening date (though I wouldn’t be surprised if they were open during this Sunday’s Brookland house tour either…) – Monday, June 9th:

Attendees of the PoPville birdwatching tour last month will note the Wood Thrush (DC’s bird) in their logo (I failed and originally thought it was a raven)

I stopped by yesterday for a look and was not disappointed to say the least. Even more impressive than the space, which really turned nice, was the food. I was able to sample some of the fare and sorry to curse, but holy shit, it was amazing. I thought the food was going to be very low key, and there are some chill but delicious items like pretzel bites and mac and cheese, but man oh man they have a steak that was as tasty as any steak I’ve had in a steakhouse. They had pork chops, turkey pesto sandwiches, and a slew of desserts that are going to have this place packed. Check out their complete menus:

BF Main Menu (PDF)

BF Menu DESSERT (PDF)

BF Menu KIDS (PDF)

And a quick side note here given all the history and drama in the space. In the couple hours I was in the new spot, no fewer than 15-20 people stopped by to see if they were open. And the people could barely contain their enthusiasm they were so excited about a real opening date. And even better than that given the crazy drama was who the people were – black, white, couples, families with kids, older, younger, in cars, on bikes, walking – in short the neighborhood. People say all the time that they are hoping to open a neighborhood spot. Well for those who are looking for a geniune neighborhood spot – you need look no further.

Lots more photos after the jump. (more…)

3514 12th Street, NE

Thanks to a reader for sending a first look inside Smith Public Trust in the former Library Bar and Grill space. He writes:

“Saw that Smith Public Trust had its front door open and lights on. Pretty sweet mural in the back of the capitol, nice custom bar, small stage..overall looking great! Spoke with the contractors there and they said the bar should be opening within 3 weeks (take that for what its worth).”

Rendering of 12th and Otis St, NE via JBGR retail

Thanks to a reader for passing on this interesting marketing material for the corner of 12th and Otis St, NE in Brookland from JBGR retail.

12th-Otis-Streets-NE (PDF)

According to the document Ledo Pizza is on board for the new development. The location is not yet listed on Ledo’s website but you can see their menu here.

UPDATE: Since @LedoPizza favorited the tweet about coming to Brookland – I take that as a very good sign they’re coming!

UPDATE 2: Sadly a rep from Ledo Pizza writes:

“We don’t have any plans right now for that site. Although, reading through the comments, a Brewery/Ledo Pizza sounds Awesome! We were looking at the space in March last year but things fell through. Unfortunately, we don’t have anything in the pipeline for Brookland right now.”

12th and Jackson Street, NE

Getting so close to Brookland’s Finest now – psyched to share the good news that they got their Certificate of Occupancy yesterday:

From their facebook page:

“Brookland’s Finest is a family friendly restaurant located in the Brookland neighborhood of northeast D.C.. We serve American comfort food, and we’re open for breakfast (brunch), lunch, and dinner 7 days a week opening at 7am weekdays, and 8am weekends.”

Only a few more inspections left – and you can see quite the change since we last looked inside, I’m digging the skylight:

Photo courtesy of Brookland’s Finest

3522 12th Street, NE

Thanks to a reader for sending the update from Little Ricky’s facebook page:

“Very soon you are going to see a big change at Little Ricky’s, most notably will be the menu. As with a great many things we tire of repetition and long to shake things up. Food is no different so with that Little Ricky’s will be shaking things up in the coming month reorienting our focus from Cuban cuisine to a pointedly Southern, albeit diverse, offering. Now, everyone in the restaurant industry has said we are nuts, and while we are certain they are correct- we’ve never been much for convention nor for playing it safe. Some will love the change, some will hate the change…to that end we are certain that those who hate it will tell us just how much on Yelp. That’s cool. For everyone else and those that have generously been our test subjects for various new menu items…..hold on to your britches dahlins cause it’s going to be a fun ride.

Chef Miguel, who is coming on as a partner in the venture, has created a fantastic menu that frankly we are super excited about. Little Ricky’s Dishes of the South draws inspiration from the Carolinas over to Texas, and points in between. Simplicity, Tradition, and a Celebration of Southern Micro-Cultures, that express themselves in the depths of flavor, are the themes that will drive our dish creation. The menu will be rolled out the evening of May 1st as we host the Ward 5 Happy Hour.

In preparation for the roll out we will be closed on Tuesday and Wednesday April 29th & 30th for a kitchen re-org. Sorry to disappoint anyone but it will be well worth it! See ya’ll on May 1st.”

Little Ricky’s opened up at 3522 12th Street, NE back in Nov. 2012.