Chinatown - PoPville

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

Published December 1, 2011 at 10:22PM

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

Published November 30, 2011 at 12:00PM

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?

Judging Restaurants – Paul Bakery

By Prince Of Petworth

Published November 21, 2011 at 12:00PM

801 Pennsylvania Ave, NW

Paul Bakery is located at 801 Pennsylvania Ave, NW in Penn Quarter and their Georgetown location at 1078 Wisconsin Ave, NW opens this week. Anyone try the Penn Quarter location yet? You can see their menu items here.

1078 Wisconsin Ave, NW

Ed. Note: The transformation at 1078 Wisconsin Ave, NW is pretty amazing. Below is what it looked like in Aug. ’10

1078 Wisconsin Ave, NW, Aug. 2010

The 5pm Post – Chinatown Coffee Showing Spinal Tap on Friday 7:30pm

By Prince Of Petworth

Published November 10, 2011 at 5:00PM

From an email:

“In celebration of 11/11/11, Chinatown Coffee [475 H Street NW] will screen the acclaimed cult film Spinal Tap: The Movie on its newly acquired projection screen. In addition to Chinatown Coffee’s specialty espresso and coffee, the shop offers a selection of craft beers, deli sandwiches and a special 25% off absinthe to enhance the viewer’s experience. Celebrate 11/11 with a night of laughter, music, great drinks and a good time.”

Funxion Under New Management Temporarily Closes in Penn Quarter

By Prince Of Petworth

Published November 10, 2011 at 10:30AM

Funxion is located at 1309 F Street NW. Their Facebook page says:

“Phase I of the FunXion launch has come to an end & Management has decided to cease operations of the Metro Center Location until the launch of FunXion Phase II.

Become a member at www.funxion.com to receive a private invite to the Grand Opening of Phase II.

FunXion Phase II will include a fully revamped menu with catering, delivery and grab-n-go functional products unlike any other restaurant around. From FunXion to DysFunXion to MalFunXion, Phase II will include the most advanced functional food & beverage on the planet.

Thank you all for you support in the past prototype year & please hold on to any gift certificates regardless of expiration date – we will honor those at FunXion Phase II.”

“Phase II will include the most advanced functional food & beverage on the planet.” Aim high!

Not clear if Phase II will include changes to the space or not…

Grand Trunk – South Asian American Fast Food – Coming to Penn Quarter

By Prince Of Petworth

Published November 8, 2011 at 10:30AM

Thanks to a reader for sending word that Grand Trunk is coming to the old Artifactory space at 7th and Indiana Ave, NW (641 Indiana Ave, NW) between Penn Quarter Sports Tavern and Starbucks. And of course the real question is: What is South Asian American Fast Food? Has Shophouse (from the Chipotle folks) started a trend? But wait, wouldn’t that make them the World’s second South Asian American Fast Food Brand?

I’m def. intrigued. Has anyone ever heard of Grand Trunk before? More info as it becomes available as they come closer to opening this winter.

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Judging Restaurants – Urfa Tomato Kabob

By Prince Of Petworth

Published November 3, 2011 at 12:00PM

Urfa Tomato Kabob is located at 740 6th St, NW in Chinatown. You can see their menu here. Any fans? Any must order items?

Judging Restaurants – Hill Country

By Prince Of Petworth

Published October 31, 2011 at 12:00PM

Hill Country is located at 410 7th St, NW in Penn Quarter. You can see their menu here. We once tried to talk about best bbq in the city back in Oct. ’08. A lot has changed since then. And I’ve never heard more varied opinions than those on Hill Country. I’ve been looking forward to this judging. I’m curious on two fronts – how’s the bbq and how’s the music/bar in the basement?

Chef Michel Richard to Launch Quick Serve Specialty Meatball Shop in Penn Quarter – Meatballs

By Prince Of Petworth

Published October 17, 2011 at 4:04AM

Back in Apr. ’11 I passed on some scuttlebutt that a specialty meatball shop would be launched in Penn Quarter. It turns out the specialty meatball shop, Meatballs, is being launched by none other than Chef Michel Richard of Central and Citronelle fame. Meatballs is going to be located in the retail space next to Luke’s Lobster Shack at 626 E St, NW (though the size is about 3-4 times bigger than Luke’s).

There will be 4-5 different meatballs with various sauces. Choices will include traditional, lamb, crab, fried chicken and vegetarian. You can get a Grinder (“wit or witout” meaning the grinder will be made with garlic bread or regular bread). You can also make your order with pasta or a salad. I’m told the bread has been sourced from “the single most exclusive baker in the country, made fresh for meatballs twice daily. The secret is the pillowy interior.” Sauces include traditional marinara, alfredo, morel mushroom and a special one that will rotate. Prices will range from $6.99-$9.99.

The shop will offer dine in and to go options. They also plan on offering delivery so stay tuned for the delivery radius. I stopped in last week and the build out looked nearly completed. They say the shop will likely open in about 2 weeks. I was lucky enough to try the lamb meatballs and all I can say is that those who live or work nearby Meatballs are very very lucky.

Athropologie Opens in Penn Quarter Today

By Prince Of Petworth

Published October 7, 2011 at 11:00AM

Back in Oct. ’10 we learned that an Anthropologie was coming to 950 F St, NW in Penn Quarter. They had a preview party last night and are open to the public today. Some people won’t care too much but some people will be very very happy. So I am happy for them. I think this is a great score for Penn Quarter.

Photos of the inside after the jump. (more…)