3412 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Uptown Tap House closed (temporarily?) in January.
Cleveland Park
Drink City is written by Beau Finley.
Franklin bartends at Ardeo + Bardeo on Connecticut Avenue in Cleveland Park. Franklin has a penchant for creating delicious drinks like his famed Alobar, named for the character in Jitterbug Perfume, as well as a dry and sometimes puckish sense of humor. Drink City is a series of snapshots of people in the D.C. area who are involved in D.C.’s drinking culture.
What brought you to D.C.?
I was born in D.C., but I spent my formative years overseas in Warsaw, Poland. My family still lives over there. I returned in 1986, and went to high school in Northern Virginia. I moved back into D.C. in 2011 when I started bartending at Palena.
How long have you been bartending in the city?
I’ve been bartending in D.C. for four and a half years, but I’ve been in the industry for over 15 years. I’ve had almost every restaurant job imaginable; I’ve been garde manger, host, captain, wine director, server, and now bartender.
The interest in classic cocktails and craft beer has exploded in D.C. over the past few years – what sorts of trends have you noticed lately?
The trend has been to make restaurants simpler and concepts more accessible, but drink menus have become more experimental, using ingredients you would never have been able to find ten years ago. Not many people knew what Cynar was ten years ago. Now it’s everywhere, and it’s delicious.
I’ll start off like Norma Rae, the industry needs to raise its minimum wage for servers. It hasn’t changed in twenty years and the cost of living has only gone up. It’s time. [The current wage for tipped staff in D.C. is $2.77 per hour].
As far as imbibing goes, let’s quit it with oaky and buttery, both terms are overused right now. That’s in part because of the California style’s focus on malolactic fermentation, which can impart a “buttery” flavor to wine. This focus has overwhelmed what makes varietals like Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, and Marsanne/Roussane so interesting.
What sorts of trends would you like to see in D.C. in the coming years? (more…)
This rental is located at 2710 Macomb Street, Northwest. The listing says:
“This studio is located on the top floor of a small condo building at an unbelievable location: quiet tree lined street, but only a block from Connecticut Ave restaurants, cafes, organic stores etc. Also near the Cleveland Park Metro and in walking distance to Rock Creek Park and the National Zoo! All utilities (except phone/internet) included in rent as well as an assigned parking space!”
You can see more photos here.
This studio is going for $1,450/Mo.
“City Dogs Rescue has a lost foster dog. Info. below and on flyer:
Carlton, male chi/beagle mix, brindle, about 25lbs. He was last seen at 34th St. and Ordway St. NW today 1/27/15. Please call number on flyer. Thanks!”
“Dear PoPville,
Something really strange happened this morning running down Porter from Connecticut and I was hoping you could remind readers to be careful out there!
I passed a guy on the sidewalk waiting for the bus, I don’t know what set him off but next thing I knew he was chasing me down the hill screaming at me. I turned around to face him and he just kept yelling at me. I’m about 5’3 and the guy was easily 5’11-6′ and angry. I tried to calmly apologize but I’m really not sure what would have happened had another man not been running towards us shouting at the guy to knock it off.
I don’t really know what else I could have done, but just wanted to remind people to be careful around there.”
“Dear PoPville,
I took a cab home tonight from downtown DC to Cleveland Park after working late. The ride was fairly uneventful, although I thought the driver was somewhat unskilled in terms of changing lanes. He also seemed to be unable to press the gas pedal evenly, and the car basically lurched all the way home. I noticed the credit card machine had a large sticker on the bottom that said “DON’T PLAY WITH SCREEN”, but I thought nothing of it.
When we got to my building, I asked to pay with a credit card. He gave me the usual “but don’t you have cash?” line, and I truthfully said no, I didn’t. Besides, I was going to pay with my work credit card since I was working so late, and processing the expense report is much easier with a card (that also means I typically give a large tip, so I hardly think it’s unfair). Because I’m so used to paying for cabs by card, I hit the “credit card” button on the touch screen as soon as I see it. The screen then gives me an error, and the cabbie immediately says I’ve broken the machine by merely touching it. (more…)
3412 Connecticut Avenue, NW
The ups and downs continue at Uptown Tap House in Cleveland Park (RIP 4Ps). I had heard rumors that they’d be closing after New Years but their facebook and website are still active so I thought it might be false but last night a reader sends an update from RuninDC:
“Uptown will be closed until the fall while new management takes over and a new menu will be created.”
3321 Connecticut Ave, NW
Coppi’s is looking to add live music and extend hours at their newly opened Cleveland Park location. A liquor license placard says they wish to extend hours to:
“Sunday through Saturday 11:30 am – 2 am” and add live entertainment, “Sunday through Thursday 6 pm – 2 am”
This rental is located at 3618 Connecticut Avenue, Northwest. The listing says:
“Fantastic 1BR 1BA with Extra Closet/Den space. Pets OK CbC, Water Included. Hardwood Floors throughout. Application subject to board approval.”
You can see more photos here.
This 1 bed/1 bath is going for $1,895/Mo.
3319 Connecticut Avenue, NW
From an email:
“On Thursday December 11th starting at 6pm we are partnering with our friends at Sierra Nevada for a Toys for Tots charity raffle! Bring in an unwrapped toy to donate anytime between 6pm and 9pm and you will receive 5 raffle tickets that enter you to possibly win prizes like a Nanny’s gift bundle, gift certificates from other bars, Sierra swag and the grand prize: a 3 liter bottle of Sierra Celebration Fresh Hop Ale! All Sierra beers will be $5 during the event and you will receive another raffle ticket each time you buy one. Come out and support this great charity while enjoying some delicious brews. Beer and giving, what the holidays are all about!”