Chinatown

The 5pm Post – Dominoes Day at Hill Country

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user yostinator

From an email:

Whether it’s a game of 42 or Chickenfoot, Dominoes has long been a favorite past time in Texas (Willie Nelson & Woody Harrelson were just playing on CBS Sunday Morning this past weekend). Game-lovers are invited to come spend a quiet winter afternoon with us in the Boot Bar playing with the bones.

All skill levels are welcomed – we’ll have a few people there to teach beginners and more advanced players are welcomed to strike up a game, as well. We’ll have a few sets of dominoes for people to use, but please bring your own if you have a set.

There is no cover to participate, but there is a 2 item purchase requirement (either food or drink) per person. Open to everyone 18+.

What: Dominoes Day at Hill Country
When: Sunday, January 22nd – 1 to 4 PM
Where: Hill Country Barbecue Market – Downstairs in the Boot Bar; 410 7th Street, NW

YO Sushi!, Walgreens, Panera Bread Coming to Chinatown

By Prince Of Petworth

The Washington Post’s Jonathan O’Connell continues to share tons of great scoops. Yesterday he told us about the Nike Store taking over the Barnes & Nobles space in Georgetown. And I forgot to share his big retail news for Chinatown:

“One of the most visible strips of vacant storefronts in the District — beside the Chinese Friendship arch in Chinatown — will become a YO! Sushi restaurant, Walgreens pharmacy and Panera Bread bakery and restaurant.”

You think YO! Sushi, Panera and a Walgreens will do well at 7th and H St, NW?

Opening Soon – Latin Lounge at Zengo in Penn Quarter/Chinatown

By Prince Of Petworth

From an email:

EXPERIENCE THE NEW
LATIN LOUNGE AT ZENGO

DJ SERIES
Fri-Sat Nights | 7:30PM til late
Latin and Global Lounge Rhythms
Guest DJs

HAPPY HOUR
Daily | 5-8PM
$5 Cocktails | $5 Small Plates

HAND SELECTED LATIN SPIRITS
Personal Bottle Storage
Bottle-Shaker Service
Weekly Tastings

ZENGO DC is located at 781 7th St, NW. Their Facebook page says:

Zengo is an artful blend of Latin-Asian styles and flavors. Chef-owner Richard Sandoval, whose accolades include Bon Appétit Restaurateur of the Year and Mexico’s Toque d’Oro, spins regional ingredients into beautifully balanced dishes designed for sharing.

The beverage menu features innovative, hand-muddled cocktails as well as Latin wines, Japanese sakes and over 400 Tequilas. The vibrant décor fuses traditional and contemporary tastes, the perfect setting to savor Zengo’s acclaimed cuisine.

We previously judged Zengo back in July ’09.

Rosa Mexicano Gets New Chef in Residence, Launching New Thematic Menu

By Prince Of Petworth

From a press release:

Jonathan Waxman has joined acclaimed Rosa Mexicano as Chef-in-Residence, where the accomplished chef will curate its 2012 Flavors of Mexico series, seasonal celebrations that highlight the diversity of Mexican cuisine today, as well as lend inspiration to new menu items and invigorate some traditional favorites. As chef and owner of Barbuto in New York City, author of cookbooks “A Great American Cook” and “Italian My Way,” and a former contestant on Bravo’s Top Chef Masters, Waxman brings his expertise and inspired, market-fresh approach to the restaurant group with 12 locations nationwide.

Each season, Rosa Mexicano will offer a thematic menu created by Chef-in-Residence Waxman. The following previews Rosa Mexicano’s Flavors of Mexico 2012 series, available at its restaurants nationwide.

Winter: Eclectic Cuts (Feb-March)
Combat cold weather with hearty, lesser known cuts of slow-cooked meat such as Pork Cheek Casserole and Lamb Neck Enchiladas.

Spring: Mexican Passover (April)
Inspired by Mexico’s rich Jewish history dating back to the Spanish Inquisition, Waxman will celebrate the fusion of cultures and current culinary trends in Mexico City with dishes such as Matzo Chilaquiles, Red Snapper Gefilte Fish and Tecate Braised Brisket.

Summer: Foods of Baja (June)
With the Pacific Ocean and Gulf of California on either side, this summer celebration of Baja will prominently feature seafood and refreshing coastal drinks to keep palates cool from coast to coast.

Fall: Day of the Dead (Oct-Nov)
Get in the spirit of All Saints Day and All Souls Day (November 1-2) with Waxman’s personal take on traditional dishes, which will combine ancient mole and chile-laced recipes with the season’s best produce.

Rosa Mexicano is located at 575 7th St, NW in Penn Quarter and one is coming soon to Friendship Heights.

Whoa, Coolest Place to Work in the City?

By Prince Of Petworth

Last week we spoke about Living Social’s new building getting worked on at 7th and New York Ave, NW. But check out what I saw at one of their other awesome buildings in Penn Quarter (F St, NW). A liquor license on this beautiful building says:

The purpose of the establishment is to offer services and programming for Living Social members and employees. The establishment will provide an entertainment space that offers unique athletic, educational, artistic, and culinary classes with minimal focus on live musical entertainment.

Awesome.

Friday Question of the Day: Talking Neighborhood Boundaries – What are the borders of Chinatown?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Blinkofanaye

A reader wrote in suggesting I reconsider the way I think of Chinatown and Penn Quarter. They suggest that the whole area except for H St, NW between 6th and 7th be identified as Penn Quarter.


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Most regulars of the site know that I’m not a strict adherent of specific neighborhood borders. It can drive people crazy but if I’m one block over from a neighborhood, I genuinely have no problem calling it either neighborhood’s name. I recognize that is upsetting to some people. I’m also comfortable with folks self identifying to a certain degree. For example if some one tells me they live in Columbia Heights but I know they are technically 1 block north – I have no problem accepting their identification with Columbia Heights.

Having said that, I do think the particular situation of Chinatown/Penn Quarter is worth exploring. And I’m sure one day we’ll debate Navy Yard/Capital Riverfront…

I know when I first moved to DC in 1997 I had never heard of Penn Quarter but I had heard of Chinatown. But I also realize that the streets/neighborhood I thought made up Chinatown have changed a lot over the years. If anything, as has been joked about before, there is now a China-block (if that.)

So I’m curious what you guys think are the proper borders of Chinatown? Do you think we should just call the whole area Penn Quarter? If so, what are the borders you would give to Penn Quarter? Ah, hell, and I know we’ve touched on it before – what happens when City Center is built where the old convention center used to be? What will that neighborhood be called?

And I’m not talking about city tax records or how wikipedia maps them out. I want to know what your impressions are. I realize that most people don’t obsess about this but for those that do – when you’re walking around 7th and F St, NW (for example) do you feel like you’re in Chinatown or Penn Quarter? Alright, I’m rambling now. Your turn.

Judging Restaurants – Z Pizza

By Prince Of Petworth

Back in Oct. ’11 Z Pizza opened in the old Blimpie’s space at at 8th and H St, NW in Penn Quarter. You can see their menu here. Their Web site also says:

“We combine select ingredients using award-winning skim mozzarella from Wisconsin, certified organic tomato sauce, MSG-free pepperoni, additive-free sausage, and fresh produce. Our gourmet salads and sandwiches are just as delicious.”

Any fans?

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