Chinatown

PoP Preview – Carmine’s Italian Restaurant

By Prince Of Petworth

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 – diagonal crossing in Chinatown?

By Prince Of Petworth

“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?

Not a Good Start to the Weekend

By Prince Of Petworth

“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.”

Rita’s Coming to Chinatown

By Prince Of Petworth

Looks like a Rita’s is coming next to the new Pho spot, Pho DC, at 608 H St, NW. Incidentally the new Pho sign is looking sweet.

I asked some workmen when they thought they’d open and they said another month or two.

New Artwork Coming to Gallery Place-Chinatown Metro Station

By Prince Of Petworth

From a Metro press release:

“Metro’s Art in Transit Program worked with the Chinatown Community Cultural Center to select the art, a four-paneled piece by Maryland-based artist Martha Jackson Jarvis. The art will be installed at the southeast entrance of the Gallery Place-Chinatown Metrorail station at 7th and F streets next spring.”

What metro station do you think has the best art?

Chinatown Coffee Company to add Beer, Wine, Absinthe options starting July 5th

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by Devon Pohl

Chinatown Coffee Co. located at 475 H St., NW will soon be adding some alcohol options to their coffee offerings. They had a cool event Tues. night when they invited some neighbors and bloggers to taste some of the potential beer, wines and absinthe. Sadly I had to bolt after only tasting a couple of beers (a Czech Pils and Great Lakes – both delicious) but they will start with 3-5 beer choices, 3 red and 3 white wine choices and a couple of absinthe options. Pricing is still being worked out but I’ll be sure to update when the final selections have been made with prices.

Penn Quarter Restaurant/Development News

By Prince Of Petworth

Carmines located on 7th St, NW between D and E will be opening Aug. 3rd! I took a peek inside and it is huge. They’ll be training for a month and will be immediately ready to roll on Aug. 3rd. Menus are on the wall:

Sadly nearby at 410 7th Street, NW there doesn’t seem to be much movement on the bbq place Hill Country. The alcohol permit application has been removed from the window so I assume that’s not a good sign.

However there is some movement next door (where Apartment Therapy used to be):

I saw something about a theater on one of the permits but it wasn’t very clear. Anyone know what’s coming to this space?

PHO DC Coming Soon to Chinatown

By Prince Of Petworth

We learned back in February that Pho was coming to 608 H St, NW in Chinatown. This is the spot that will be open late night (3am on weekends) and will have 65 seats.

Construction seems to be progressing nicely so hopefully doors will open soon. In the meantime if you find yourself on 14th St, NW in Columbia Heights I’m still getting lots of emails about Pho Viet (3513 14th Street, NW).

Judging Restaurants – Cure bar & bistro

By Prince Of Petworth

Cure bar & bistro is located at the corner of 10th and H Streets, NW in the Grand Hyatt Hotel building. I feel like I’m noticing lots of bistros lately. So for Cure, is this the type of place you go more for food or drinks? Any must order items?

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