According to a press release they’ll be open from 7am – 8pm at 906 F St, NW. For those that live or work nearby be sure to let us know what you think. You can see their menu here. I was definitely excited to see this sign on Sunday:
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Chinatown
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Nando’s Peri Peri is located in Dupont at 1210 18th Street, NW and in Chinatown at 819 7th Street, NW. Their Web site says:
“Way back in the 15th Century, in the rich soils and intense heat of Southern Africa, our Portuguese forefathers made a monumentally important discovery – the African Birds Eye Chilli.
Known as Peri-Peri, this fiery little customer is added to special herbs and spices to give our Nando’s original Peri-Peri sauce its unique flavour. The exact recipe remains a closely guarded family secret handed down from generation to generation.
Peri-Peri gives your taste buds an extreme work-out and contains no preservatives, no colourants or artificial flavours so it’s totally natural and healthy. Peri-Peri helps reduce cholesterol and is rich in vitamins A and C. What’s more, it’s reputed to be an aphrodisiac. Hot stuff in more ways than one!”
You can see their menus here. I seem to recall there were some fans when first learned they were opening at the Dupont location. Do they offer the best chicken in DC? Think they’ll open any other spots in other neighborhoods?
On Sunday night I tweeted that the sidewalk in front of Zengo was closed in Chinatown due to some falling debris. Ed. Note: The funniest reply was from @kcivey who said, “The Mosquito sound is not only irritating people but causing the building to fall apart?”. Anyway, since I’m a huge fan of The Wire and I know there are lots of readers who are fans as well, I had to share that I saw Sergeant Jay Landsman (Delaney Williams) exiting Zengo. Dang, I miss that show!
Saw this interesting coming soon sign on the 500 block of H St, NW in Chinatown. What the hell is eyebrow threading?
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“Dear PoP,
I noticed (perhaps an understatement) a fairly disturbing development at the Chinatown exit of the Metro–someone seemed to have installed one of those British anti-loitering devices that emit a pitch that only teens can hear. This clearly is not the case as you wouldn’t be receiving this email–I’m 25 and not quite a nuisance, however I’m subject to hearing a pitch that causes headaches and induces nausea. Today it was audible from just past the Metro turnstiles. I’m wondering if you’ve heard about this and if it’s been installed by a public or business organization.
I’ve attached a picture (see above) I snapped of the device, called a Mosquito.”
Wow, I remember hearing about this device but had no idea it was deployed in DC. I went to check it out Monday afternoon and sure enough it was right above the metro at Gallery Place/Chinatown on the 7th and H St, NW side (a frequent teen hangout):
I have to admit my 35 year old ears didn’t notice anything. Have any other readers noticed this sound/pitch outside the Chinatown metro? But if this is indeed an anti-teen loitering device that emits a painful pitch do you think it is fair game or over the line for a nearby business to deploy?
According to Wikipedia the device is sold in the US and they sum up the the debate nicely:
“The Mosquito has attracted controversy on the basis of human rights. Critics say that it discriminates against young people and infringes their human rights, while supporters argue that making the Mosquito illegal would infringe the human rights of shopkeepers who suffer business losses when “unruly teenagers” drive away their customers.”
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When peeking in the window of the old Blimpie space in Chinatown I happened to spot some architectural plans in the window. Looks like a Zpizza may be coming. Anyone ever heard of them before?
Apparently they’re a chain from California and their Web site says:
zpizza was founded in the art colony of Laguna Beach, California, where creativity and craftsmanship have flourished for almost a century. So it comes as no surprise that our critically acclaimed pizza is a true Laguna original. A passion for great food is why we start with dough made from 100% organic wheat flour prepared fresh every day, hand-thrown and fire-baked until uniquely crisp. Our zest for quality continues when the toppings go on. We combine select ingredients using award-winning skim mozzarella from Wisconsin, certified organic tomato sauce, MSG-free pepperoni, additive-free sausage, and fresh produce. Our gourmet salads and sandwiches are just as delicious.
Anyone ever try one of their northern Virginia locations? Their Web site also confirms a coming soon to Washington DC.
The plans say 799 9th St, NW but the old Blimpie space is actually on H St, NW… More as construction advances
I stopped by the new Rita’s located at 608 H St, NW this weekend and they’re giving out free small Italian Ices. You’ve got till Friday to pick one up. I had the raspberry:
While I’m used to blue raspberry slushies the red raspberry ice also hit the spot.
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Back in the end of June I mentioned that Carmine’s would be opening on Aug. 3 in Penn Quarter at 425 7th St, NW. Yesterday I was able to get a tour of the 20,000 square foot space.
Main bar near entrance, Photo courtesy of Carmine’s
I was given a tour by Chief Executive Officer of the Alicart restaurant group (parent company of Carmine’s), Jeff Bank. Ed. Note: The Alicart group also runs Virgil’s Real BBQ which is likely coming to DC in the next 6 – 12 months. Stay tuned for updates on that front.
As mentioned before the space is huge, 20,000 square feet, but doesn’t feel huge because in addition to the main dining room the rest of the space is split into 9 private dining rooms. They’ve hired 250 folks, including 200 new jobs for DC. A bit of an interesting history on the space – it was going to be a grocery store (Balducci’s) before the economy and Bear Stearns imploded. The space now has an old school feel with old pictures on the walls as well as some paintings (to be in a painting you have to be “Italian and dead”.)
Continues after the jump. (more…)
“Dear PoP,
Do you know anything about the diagonal crossing in Chinatown? I can see that there are diagonal crosswalks painted onto the road and there’s a sign (photo attached) that seems to urge pedestrians to cross this way. How does this work? This is one of the most chaotic intersections in town, I can’t imagine how this would work and be safe. Any insights? I’m dying to know!”
This is the famous Barnes Dance from 7th and H St, NW that was debuted in May. At the time we discussed it here. DDOT wrote in a press release:
“The District Department of Transportation is launching a new pilot program aimed at providing safer crossings for pedestrians at one of the District’s most traversed intersections: 7th and H streets, NW in Chinatown. The new traffic pattern, commonly called a “Barnes Dance,” allows pedestrians to cross in every direction, including diagonally, at the same time while vehicles on all four sides of the intersection are stopped at a red signal. The change is scheduled to be implemented on Wednesday, May 12 at 10 am.
“We are really excited to launch this pilot, and the intersection we’ve chosen is a great place to test this innovative timing technique,” said DDOT Director Gabe Klein. “Nearly 27,000 pedestrians use this intersection on an average day and about 26,000 vehicles. We believe by utilizing the Barnes Dance we can minimize conflicts and create a safer environment for everyone.”
Statistics show there were 35 total vehicle crashes at that intersection with 9 injuries (4 involving pedestrians) in 2009, and a total of 15 pedestrians injured from 2005-2008.
Rest of the release can be found here.
I finally had the chance to test it out a few weeks ago and I loved it! For those who have used it, do you find it useful?
“Dear PoP,
Was walking around chinatown and saw this on 9th and H, NW.
I think I saw an ambulance leave the scene a little before 11pm [Friday night] but pretty hard to tell what made the car flip.
Traffic I kinda a mess.”