Chinatown

405 8th Street, NW

From a press release:

“Frederik De Pue, Chef/Owner of Table and 42° Catering, announces Menu, a combined market, restaurant and bar. Menu will be located in the space currently occupied by Azur, his modern seafood restaurant in the Penn Quarter neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Azur will close Friday, September 27 and the space will undergo a brief revamp before reopening as Menu in January, 2014. De Pue’s new concept will draw on the warmth, accessibility and intimate scale that have made Table, his 45-seat neighborhood charmer in Shaw, such a success.

“The decision to revamp the format is part business and part personal,” says Chef/Owner Frederik De Pue, “I love the Azur concept, but it wasn’t a perfect fit for a space that size, and as both the owner and the chef, I am in a position where I can make necessary changes quickly. I want to build something that this neighborhood is lacking, and that is also more warm and welcoming – something that reflects my passion for clean, uncomplicated comfort food. The Penn Quarter area doesn’t have an active market where customers can gather to shop, meet and eat, and that’s exactly what I am trying to create with Menu.” (more…)

614 E Street, NW

I spoke with some workers at the former Hot Potato Cafe space at 614 E St, NW and finally learned who will be taking over the space – Bodog(s) (also not sure on the spelling) but they will def. sell hot dogs. They plan on opening one day next week. I’ll update with a menu when they do so. Could be a good lunch option for those that work nearby.

Looking towards Luke Lobster and 7th Street

705 6th Street, NW

From a press release:

“Daikaya, the 90-seat izakaya by Partners Daisuke Utagawa, Yama Jewayni and Executive Chef/Partner Katsuya Fukushima, is pleased to introduce a late night menu available Friday and Saturday evenings from 11 PM until 1 AM. The new dishes range in price from $2 to $7 and Daikaya’s bar will continue to serve cocktails until 2 AM, an hour after the kitchen closes.

Surrounded by the theaters of Penn Quarter and located steps from Chinatown’s Verizon Center, Daikaya is a popular oasis recently earning three (out of four) stars in The Washington Post. In the spirit of an izakaya, it is the perfect place to gather with friends after an energizing sporting event, concert or an intriguing performance. Chef Fukushima’s new late night changes weekly, and guests are encouraged to check out @Daikayadc on Twitter and Facebook.com/Daikaya for upcoming menus and specials. Menu highlights may include varieties of “bao” all served on steamed Hawaiian kings bread. The Agedashi Tofu Bao, fried tofu with a tentsuyu reduction, scallion, grated daikon and bonito flakes; the Butakakuni Bao, pork belly with Japanese mustard, scallion and pickled cucumber; Ajy Fry Bao, fried horse mackerel with pickled cucumber, chili-kewpie and cabbage; Kara Age Bao, friend chicken nuggets with kewpie mayo, cabbage and Sriracha-maple syrup, as well as the Chasu Bao, sliced pork shoulder, ham, Chihuahua cheese, honey mustard and pickled cumber.

Daikaya’s late night menu also includes Tater Tots “Okonomiyake Style”, kewpie mayo, okonomiyake sauce, shredded nori and bonito flakes; Hash Brown “Okonomiyake Style”; Takoyaki; Onigiri, abura miso or seasoned kombu, as well as Nitamago, soy marinated eggs with black tobiko, ginger-garlic mayo and wasabi sprouts. Dessert choices are the gingerly sweet Donut Ice Cream Sandwich, grilled donut with ginger gelato and Japanese sweet red bean and the playful Pop Tart Ice Cream Sandwiches.”

401 F Street, NW

From an email:

“We’ve had a great summer on the west lawn at the National Building Museum, but like all good things, this too must come to an end. The last day of the HC Backyard Barbecue is Saturday, September 14th. We invite everyone to celebrate the unofficial end of summer with us out at the Backyard Barbecue all weekend long starting that Thursday.

The line up for the End of Summer Backyard Barbecue Bash includes:

Thursday, September 12
A special outdoor edition of Live Band Karaoke with the Harikaraoke Band from 5:30 – 8:30 PM
Pitmaster special (in addition to regular menu): Sliced, pit-smoked brisket plus a choice of side for $10

Friday, September 13
Live music by Jonny Grave & the Tombstones from 5:30 – 8:30 PM
Pitmaster special (in addition to regular menu): Whole hog plus a choice of side for $10

Saturday, September 14
Join us for our last night at the Backyard Barbecue!
Barbecue and Beer plus live music by Crushed Out from 5:30 – 8:30 PM”

A new Chop’t is coming next to Paul bakery in the Navy Memorial Plaza just west of 7th and Pennsylvania Ave, NW. You can see the Chop’t menu here.

From a press release:

“To mark the turn of the season on the autumnal equinox, Poste Moderne Brasserie will host ‘Oysterstock,’ benefiting the Oyster Recovery Partnership on Sunday September 22nd from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. The annual event, now in its second year, will feature the region’s best oysters, lamb, beer and wine, accompanied by live music and an oyster eating competition.Tickets cost $85 and include all food, drink and live entertainment with proceeds benefiting the Oyster Recovery Partnership. Highlights from the Oysterstock celebration include:

· Food:Chef Dennis Marron will serve a diverse menu of grilled oysters, oyster shooters, spit-roasted pig from Autumn Olive Farms, fire-roasted fingerling potatoes, mac and cheese and Border Springs’ iconic lamb and clams dish. Local purveyors, including War Shore, Chesapeake Gold, Barren Island and Hollywood Oysters, will provide all oysters. All oyster shells will be recycled by the Oyster Recovery Partnership.

· Drinks:Beer from local brewers, Port City Brewery, who will be serving their Oyster Stout, 3 Stars Brewing and DC Brau will be served, as well as a specialty cocktail on tap from lead bartender Jason Wiles: the Watershed Rickey made with Catoctin Creek Organic Watershed Gin, fresh lime, black pepper syrup, and Champagne.

· Entertainment: Live music provided by local alternative rock bands, Wes Tucker & The Skillets, The Weather Vanes, and The Reserves. The event will also see its first ever oyster-eating contest, with the first person to eat 22 oysters winning a gift basket from Profish and a Poste gift card.

Tickets are $85.

Poste Moderne Brasserie is located at 555 8th Street, NW Washington, DC, 20004. Guests are encouraged to use the carriage entrance to the courtyard on 8th Street.