Chinatown

National Portrait Gallery and American Art Museum Courtyard Rocks

By Prince Of Petworth

I think I’ve mentioned that the National Portrait Gallery (also housing the Smithsonian American Art Museum) is one of my favorite places in DC (located at 8th and F Streets, NW). I’m embarrassed to admit that I’d never actually checked out the awesome courtyard before. I don’t know how I’ve managed to walk around it every time… Anyway, it’s freaking awesome. Their Web site says:

“The enclosed courtyard with its elegant glass canopy designed by world–renowned architects Foster + Partners provides a distinctive, contemporary accent to the museums’ Greek Revival building. Foster + Partners was assisted by internationally acclaimed landscape designer Kathryn Gustafson of Seattle–based Gustafson Guthrie Nichol Ltd. in the creation of the courtyard’s interior design, with a variety of trees and plantings, as well as a unique water feature.”

You can read more about it here (though at present there was no water feature). More photos after the jump. (more…)

More Pizza for Chinatown – Pizza Bistro Med

By Prince Of Petworth

First a Vapiano opened up at 623-625 H Street, NW. And now Pizza Bistro Med has opened up at 736 6th St NW. PQ Living notes that this spot used to be a Pho place. Fortunately a new Pho spot will be coming nearby to 608 H St, NW.

I was down there for the Chinese New Year and decided to try a slice. I’d say it’s perfectly fine for a take out option. I do like having the option for a quick slice. Couple more photos including menu and inside space after the jump. (more…)

PoP Pho Patrol: New Pho Restaurant Coming to 608 H Street, NW and Veggie Pho Now Available at Pho Viet

By Prince Of Petworth


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Thanks to a reader for the heads up:

“It appears a new pho place will be opening at 608 H St NW, according to DC Register. It looks like they’ll be applying for a liquor license and will be open til 3 am!”

The liquor application says:

“NATURE OF OPERATION
Asian and Vietnamese cuisine. 65 seats and total capacity load of 65 on first floor and
storage on the second floor.

HOURS OF OPERATION
Sunday through Thursday 9 am – 2 am and Friday & Saturday 9 am – 3 am”

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And speaking of Pho a reader has some veggie Pho news from Pho Viet (3513 14th Street, NW):

“I’m a regular at Pho Viet. Nina and Mike are really great people and have put a lot of work into their restaurant and I’m dying for them to succeed. They spent a year renovating that basement and they’re some of the hardest working people I’ve ever met.

Anyway, I wanted to let you know that they added veggie pho to their menu and they have a chicken pho too (with beef broth). When you originally posted about them, there were a few commenters who wanted veggie pho.”

Happy Chinese New Year!

By Prince Of Petworth

Did anybody check out the great parade Sunday afternoon? Unfortunately I got there just after 2pm and my view was pretty much the back of people’s heads. But there was certainly a great, fun vibe in the air. The kids looked like they were having an absolute blast. Did anyone stay to see/hear the gigantic firecracker? Happy Year of the Tiger!

As for photos, fortunately I have been saved by the PoPville flickr pool:

The above two photos are from mediaslave. More fantastic photos after the jump.

The following two photos are from sciascia.

Big Fight in Chinatown Sat. Night?

By Prince Of Petworth

Ed. Note: Happier Chinatown news about Sunday’s fantastic parade (pictured above) coming at 11am.

“Dear PoP,

I was around chinatown on Sat night and saw a large (30-40 people) group of teenagers on both sides of 9th st yelling and screaming at each other. A few minutes later after I parked my car and was walking back down on 9th I saw one group of the teens walking to another teen and starting beating him up. The teen was able to escape, though. There were police all over the place. Do you know what happened?”

This is the first I’m hearing, any readers happen to see what happened?

Fri. Afternoon Rental Option

By Prince Of Petworth

This apartment is located at 919 E St NW:


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The Craigslist ad says:

“Great 1 bed room luxury apartment on the 8th Floor, the condo is 725 square ft.Features of the Condo — UTILITIES ARE INCLUDED IN THE MONTHLY RENT- Stove, Fridge, Dishwasher, Washer, All Existing Light Fixtures included, Dryer, All Window Coverings- Premium Building Location- Security available 24 hours a day- Birch floors (hardwood)- 1 parking space included (additional space available)Lease Details:- Must sign contract for 6 months or longer- Only $200 deposit and first months rent to move in- Animals allowed. Please email Amanda P to arrange a walkthrough of the condo”

Does $740 sound reasonable for this 1 bedroom? It almost sounds to good to be true, right?

This one at 300 Mass Ave., NW for $1828 seems more realistic…

Judging Restaurants – Mehak

By Prince Of Petworth

Mehak is located at 817 7th Street, NW in Chinatown. Whenever I’ve walked past this place it is almost always nearly dead empty. But I saw a nice review from the Post:

So are there any fans out there? You can see their menu here.

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