Chinatown

Renderings of Proposed New Verizon Center Signage

By Prince Of Petworth


Renderings via Ted’s Take

Thanks to a reader for sending from Ted’s Take:

We’ve worked diligently with local neighborhood groups to allay concerns, even re-doing our initial designs based on their feedback. We have worked to ensure that the signs will have little or no impact on residences in the neighborhood, have agreed to eliminate sound from the signs (our current signs actually have sound incorporated into them), have proposed the formation of a neighborhood advisory group to address any concerns about the signs and have promised to make the signs available to community groups to promote their events. We also would make the signs available to the city for emergency notifications.

You can see how the current set up looks here.

Thumbs up or down?


Renderings via Ted’s Take

Sushi and Sumo Popping Up at Living Social Space at 918 F St, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

From a press release:

What: To celebrate the opening of its first U.S. location, YO! Sushi will turn culture on its head, literally, exploring Japanese culture up-close and personal with a series of NINE butt-kicking experiences involving the best sushi around, sake sampling, and live sumo wrestling. Guests will enjoy modern Japanese cuisine while watching three-time World Sumo Champion Byambajav Ulambayar battle US Sumo Champion Kelly Gneiting, emceed with full explanation of sumo rules and culture.

YO! Sushi will serve a three-course meal during each match, consisting of edamame, whitefish sashimi topped with yuzu salsa, “Hi-Bana” spicy tuna on a crispy rice cake, popcorn shrimp tempura glazed with creamy miso, a California roll, Scottish salmon nigiri sushi, and mochi ice cream, all paired with three different sakes for total cultural immersion. Not to mention the larger than life champions battling it out in a traditional 20’ x 20’ ring in the middle of it all.

Where: 918 F Street, NW

When: Thursday, June 21; 5-7pm or 8-10pm
Friday, June 22; 5-7pm or 8-10pm
Saturday, June 23; 12-2pm, 3-5pm, 6-8pm or 9-11pm
Sunday, June 24; 1-3pm

Cost: $39.00 per person, inclusive of tax and gratuity

Reserve: Space is extremely limited for each of these events and tickets must be purchased in advance through Living Social, available here.

Hill Country Summer Barbeque Coming to the National Building Museum

By Prince Of Petworth

The National Building Museum, 401 F St, NW, is on a roll. First they are bringing us mini golf inside the museum and now barbeque from Hill Country. It’s not too often you see a liquor license application attached to a tree but here’s a good one:

It says:

“New Seasonal outdoor tavern on the 5th Street lawn of the National Building Museum serving barbecue food and beverages with live entertainment.”

Awesome!

Hill Country is located nearby at 410 7th St, NW in Penn Quarter. You can see their menu here. More info on Hill Country Summer Barbeque as it becomes available.


401 F St, NW

J. Crew Opening in Penn Quarter This August

By Prince Of Petworth


950 F Street, NW

“Dear PoPville,

I saw the sign out front over the weekend and figured other j.crew devotees would be interested.”

Back in April 2012 we learned:

“J.Crew will occupy 3,044 square feet on the ground floor and 5,581 square feet on the lower level for a total of 8,625 square feet in the Atlantic Building.”

Townhouse Kitchen & Bar Coming to 700 6th Street, NW by the Verizon Center

By Prince Of Petworth


700 6th St, NW

Lots of news on spots coming near the Verizon Center this week ( Daikaya Ramen Shop and a new cocktail lounge near Fuel Pizza.) And now one more – Townhouse Kitchen & Bar is coming to 700 6th Street, NW. Their liquor license application says:

“A casual yet elegant urban restaurant and wine bar serving small plates, sandwiches, salads and entrees with a seating capacity of 243 and a total occupancy load of 301. Request a sidewalk café with 46 seats.”

Graffiato Launching Expanded Brunch and Bringing Back Sweet Corn Agnolotti for Their One Year Anniversary

By Prince Of Petworth


707 6th St, NW

I can’t believe Graffiato is turning one year old already.

From an email:

This weekend, Graffiato introduces an expanded brunch menu, Market Mimosas and a new “Booze and Bites” option, allowing guests to enjoy any three menu items for $25, including a selection of brunch cocktails.

The expanded brunch menu features soon-to-be favorites like French toast with mascarpone and maple syrup, crispy lamb with favas, yogurt and cucumber, and a crab scramble with arugula and ricotta salata.

New libations include a section of Market Mimosas – Lemon Basil, Strawberry or Blood Orange with Prosecco. Sound familiar? These are boozy versions of housemade soda flavors by mixologist, Taha Ismail.

Brunch is available Saturday and Sunday from 12-3pm, starting June 2.

Sweet Corn Agnolotti Watch 2012
Graffiato turns one on Saturday, June 23. To celebrate, they are bringing back one of their most popular dishes, sweet corn agnolotti. The pillow-shaped stuffed pasta will be offered throughout the summer, as long as the sweet corn lasts.

New Cocktail Lounge Coming to Chinatown Across from the Verizon Center next to Fuel Pizza

By Prince Of Petworth


600 F St, NW

A new cocktail lounge is coming next door to the recently opened Fuel Pizza at 600 F St, NW. A liquor license application says:

“This is a new Class “C” Tavern. This venue will be a Cocktail Lounge. There will be light food service. Entertainment will include recorded music and live music. There is a cover charge.
The seating capacity is 45. The total capacity is 144.”

More details as they become available.

Daikaya Ramen Shop Rising in Chinatown

By Prince Of Petworth


705 6th Street, NW

Back in Feb. 2012 I was concerned with the progress at Daikaya Ramen Shop coming to 705 6th Street, NW next to Graffiato.

I was happy to see the building starting to rise. We had previously learned:

This is a tavern that has a ramen shop on the ground level. Diners will be able to order bowls with a variety of fresh toppings. The second level will serve as a bar & restaurant with a Japanese menu.

Daikaya will occupy 5,400 square feet next to Graffiato, made up of three levels: main (4,200 square feet), top (400 square feet), and lower (800 square feet) at 705 6th Street, NW. The restaurant, under Sushiko co-owner Daisuke Utagawa, will serve authentic ramen bowls amongst other Asian-influenced dishes and will tentatively open in late spring/early summer 2012.

Can anyone translate this sign:

Zola Wine & Kitchen Closing in Penn Quarter

By Prince Of Petworth


505 9th Street, NW

From an email:

Liquidation Sale through Friday, May 18

All bottles of wine discounted 50 percent

Zola Kitchen is now closed

Many of Zola Wine & Kitchen’s menu items will be featured as daily specials at Zola, at the corner of F and 8th streets

All gift cards will be honored at Zola and Potenza (14th & H Streets, NW)

Expect a new concept in the future from Stir Food Group, the parent company

Zola Wine & Kitchen opened at 505 9th Street, NW in Dec. 2008.

A reader writes:

“The liquidation sale started yesterday at 11 am and by 2:30pm almost all of the wine is gone. I spoke with an employee who said the space had been bought by an anonymous buyer with a short time table. He wouldn’t give me me a name but said it was a restaurateur who already had space in the area. Mike Isabella?”

More info when it becomes available.

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