Chinatown

700 6th Street, NW

Ed. Note: This is the spot that was going to become a Townhouse Kitchen and Bar back in 2012.

From a press release:

“CBRE has arranged a long-term 8,324 square-foot lease for a new American tavern-style restaurant at 700 6th Street NW in Washington. With this lease, local restaurant group Passion Food Hospitality will expand into the Chinatown/Penn Quarter area, a thriving location close to Verizon Center, as well as a hub of business and retail activity.

The restaurant group will build and operate a restaurant and bar called Penn Commons at the Chinatown property, which was completed in 2009 and became one of DC’s first LEED Platinum Core and Shell (CS) certified office buildings. Opening is slated for late summer. The restaurant and bar will be similar to the group’s already successful District Commons restaurant at 2200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW.

Chef Jeff Tunks, David Wizenberg and Gus DiMillo are the partners behind Passion Food Hospitality. They opened their first restaurant, DC Coast, in 1998 and have expanded their style of American eateries to include such restaurants as Acadiana, Burger Tap, & Shake, Ceiba, and PassionFish.”

710 7th Street, NW

A couple of weeks ago we learned Shophouse was hiring for their Chinatown location in part of the former Ruby Tuesday space. They’ve also now applied for a liquor license that reveals they’ll have an occupancy of 48 and hours will be Sunday through Saturday 11am-10pm. Here’s a peek in the window:

1005 E Street, NW

In Feb. we posted some scuttlebutt that an &Pizza would be taking over the former Freshii space by E Street Cinema. Coming soon signage has now been posted:

In January we learned that a Peet’s Coffee and Tea would be coming to the former Citibank space at the corner of 11th and E St, NW across the street from E Street Cinema. And by the by – anyone know if any of the other Peet’s (former Caribou spots) have been converted and opened already?

Coming soon signage is now up for the 11th and E Street location:

435 11th Street, NW

and they’re hiring too:

777 I Street, NW

From Del Campo’s website:

The lifestyle and food culture celebrated on an estancia, a large South American vineyard estate, is the inspiration for Victor Albisu’s flagship restaurant in the Chinatown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. The airy, 174-seat agrarian space is home to a meat-driven, wine-centric menu that is a product of Albisu’s Latin American roots and travels throughout Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay.

An extensive selection of steaks and various slow-roasted meats served with vibrant herb sauces, such as chimichurris and fresh salsas is the backbone of Del Campo’s menu. Albisu’s Peruvian heritage shows itself in the form of a Latin raw bar of ceviches, tiraditos and crudos. The wine program leans heavily towards South American varietals, which are decanted in traditional Argentinean carafes.

Del Campo is open for dinner seven days a week. A nine-seat asado bar offers guests a front row view of the gallery kitchen’s open flame. In addition to the dining room, guests can enjoy pisco sours and caipirinhas at the bar along with more casual South American street food. Albisu offers his take on Argentine sandwiches, chivito and chori-pan, as well as Peruvian skewered and fried meats, anticuchos and chicharones.

Albisu also owns Taco Bamba, a Mexican street food-inspired takeout counter in Falls Church, VA.

Del Campo opened in the former PS7s space back in April 2013. You can see their their menus here. Any fans? Any must order items?

Also for soccer fans:

“Warm Up for the World Cup with El Clásico at Del Campo

On Sunday, March 23 at 4pm, Del Campo will be hosting a viewing of the biggest Spanish soccer match of the year: Barcelona vs. Real Madrid. Think of it as a warm up to this summer’s world cup. The bar will feature $5 Mahou beers along with sandwich specials.”

From a press release:

“WHAT: Washington, D.C. (March 13, 2014) – Washington prepares to welcome its iconic Cherry Blossom season, an event that commemorates the friendship between Japan and Chef José’s Andrés adoptive country, the United States. In this fraternal spirit, Andrés also wanted to share the lesser-known, but equally enthralling, story about the many years of comradeship between Japan and José’s native Spain, a bond that began four centuries ago. To honor these relationships, Andrés and his team at barmini, led by Cocktail Innovator Juan Coronado and Executive Sous Chef Johnny Spero, have created unique cocktails and savory bites inspired by the traditions and cultures of these countries.

The repertoire will include original drinks like Yoshimi Kicks the Bad Guys, shōchu, fresh squeezed lime and grapefruit juice, simple syrup and shiso leaves; La Japonesa, coconut cream, matcha cream, white rum, simple syrup, and sudachi; Nakamura, cucumber vodka, Junmai Ginjo sake, fresh lime juice, cucumber water and Wasanbon sugar; Shima ilo Ōjo, shōchu, Nigori sake, yuzu, and calpico; Sakura Tori, gin, Sakura honey, amontillado Sherry, sudachi, and orange bitters; Tokyo Soul, pisco infused with jasmine green tea, St. Germain liqueur, fresh grapefruit juice, and club soda. Prices for the cocktails range between $12.00 and $20.00. Snacks include Unagi Steam Bun, steamed bun with eel, red shiso, cucumber pickles, black sesame, and mayonnaise; and the Uni Deviled Egg, sea urchin, egg, and paprika. Prices for these dishes are $10.00 and $7.00 respectively. barmini and minibar both forge ahead as the heart of Andrés’ creativity and innovation, where he and his team push boundaries on flavors and textures.

WHEN: March 20th – April 13th. barmini is open Tuesday through Thursday from 6:00 PM to 1:00 AM and Friday and Saturday from 6:00 PM to 2:00 AM. To make a reservation please visit our website www.minibarbyjoseandres.com

WHERE: barmini is located at 855 E St, NW, Washington, DC.

WHY: The National Cherry Blossom Festival takes place every year in Washington, D.C. to commemorate the 1912 gift of 3,000 cherry trees from Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo to the nation’s capital. This year, Chef José Andrés wanted to bring another part of Japan to Washington by telling the story of the long-standing friendship between Japan and Spain. Last June marked the 400th anniversary of the arrival of Hasekura Tsunenaga to Coria del Rio, Spain, a small town near Seville where to this day, hundreds of local Spaniards bear the name “Japon.” Hasekura was a 17th century samurai who led the initial Japanese diplomatic delegation throughout Europe and is considered the first Japanese Ambassador in the continent.”

710 7th Street, NW

A reader sends word:

“I’d seen the space being worked on, but didn’t put together the tile work as being that of Shop House. Anyway, their posters are now in the windows of the spot across from Clydes.”

This is the former Ruby Tuesday space which closed in May of last year. You can see ShopHouse’s menu here.