Cleveland Park

This Guy Does Not Think Cleveland Park Is Steelers Country

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to all who sent notes about the Cleveland Park Banner Thief. The victim writes:

Two videos of a real life crime being committed. This jerk stole my Steelers banner from my back yard. Please help identify the him, the car, his friends/accomplices and anything else that will help me catch this thief. It happened at 12:49 AM, Thursday, May 31st in Washington DC. They drove through the alley from Veazey to Warren Street then stopped, the thief jumped out and the car pulled behind my garage to wait for him to steal the banner. HELP IDENTIFY THIS THIEF AND HIS CO-CONSPIRATORS.

Please help identify this thief and his friends. A police report has been filed with the Second District station in Washington DC. This is the third time that my banner has been stolen, each time attached to my garage or house. Please email me information that will identify this criminal and his friends in the car.

Pulpo Soft Opens in Former Tackle Box (McDonald’s) Space in Cleveland Park

By Prince Of Petworth


3407 Connecticut Ave, NW

Back on the 1st of May we learned that Pulpos from the owner of Floriana would be opening in Cleveland Park’s short lived Tackle Box. I stopped in earlier this week and the space is looking good (though construction continues for more seating on the second floor):

Their Web site says:

Pulpo offers Spanish tapas inspired cuisine with American Fusion. Located in the beautiful and historic Cleveland Park neighborhood.

Pulpo’s extensive wine list features wines from Spain, Europe, and South America as well as four different Sangrias. Our four large communal tables and open kitchen, allows guest to enjoy the amazing culinary experience that Pulpo has to offer.

Ed. Note: They are still getting their liquor license and in the meantime offer mocktails.

Check the menu after the jump. (more…)

Tues. Afternoon Rental Option – Cathedral Heights/McLean Gardens

By Prince Of Petworth

This rental is located at 3440 38th Street, NW:


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The listing says:

“1 bedroom contemporary loft style condo with vaulted ceiling,skylight in Cleveland Park. Top level unit has 2-story living/dining area, 3 storage areas off master bedroom loft, and 2 closets on main floor. Washer/dryer combo on main level. Access to pool, tennis, and community gardens. Walk to shopping, supermarket, restaurants. Secure main entrance access to building. Lots of street parking.”

This 1 bed/1 bath is going for $1,750/Mo.

Ripple Launching Grilled Cheese Bar June 5th in Cleveland Park

By Prince Of Petworth


3417 Connecticut Avenue, NW

From a press release:

Beginning June 5, the Grilled Cheese Bar at Ripple will offer made-to-order versions of the warm toasted sandwich. Match one of 15 artisanal cheeses from around the world and local producers, including Jasper Hill Farm and Meadow Creek Dairy, with a choice of ciabatta, brioche or multigrain bread and assorted vegetables, meats, and spreads, such as Benton’s bacon and jumbo lump crab meat. For the non-DIY guest, Ripple’s original creations include the Stinky Pete, made with anchovies and asparagus, and the Krusty Krab, a sophisticated combination of jumbo lump crab and béchamel. The Grilled Cheese Bar at Ripple menu will be available Sunday through Thursday from 5:00 to 6:30 pm and 10:30 pm to 12:00 am.

To wash down the grilled cheese delights, Ripple will offer all beer on tap and wines by the glass, approximately 50 selections, at half price from 5:00 to 6:30 pm Sunday through Thursday.

Sample Menu from the Grilled Cheese Bar at Ripple

classic blt – benton’s bacon, organic greens, tomatoes (sun dried), winnimere $9
swiss bank account – hand sliced prosciutto, challerhocker, truffles $12
lotsa mozza – house made mozzarella, roasted tomatoes, speck $8
french onion dip – caramelized onions, bacon, comté $9
krusty krab – jumbo lump crab imperial with béchamel oozing cheese $11
stinky pete – hideously smelly epoisse cheese, asparagus, anchovy $9
‘shroom ’shroom – delicious melted taleggio, assortment of ‘shrooms $8

Build-your-own sandwiches with gourmet toppings start at $7. The full menu is available online.

Four Fields (4Ps) in Cleveland Park to be Replaced by an Upscale Irish Pub from McFadden’s

By Prince Of Petworth


3412 Connecticut Ave, NW

Yesterday we learned that Four Fields (formerly 4Ps) will be closing on June 23rd in Cleveland Park. A reader writes in with a bit more info:

“They are not planning on opening a McFadden’s in the location but rather a more upscale Irish Pub concept that they run in New York.”

The reader doesn’t think this will be a lightning fast turnaround so it could be many months before they open. In the meantime you still have over a month to reminisce at Four Fields located at 3412 Connecticut Ave, NW.

Then and Now by the House History Man – Tornado Hits 1300 block of A Street, NE in 1927

By Prince Of Petworth

Then and Now by the House History Man is a new series by Paul K. Williams. Paul has been researching house histories in DC since 1995, having completed more than 1,500 to date. Read Paul’s previous post here.

Every house has a history, but to those living on Capitol Hill in the 1300 block of A Street, NE today might not realize that their house history would include a tornado. The residents living there on November 27, 1927, however, would certainly have the shock of their lives. That day, a rare tornado ripped through the block, severely damaging several houses on the south side of the block, seen here. The resulting mess didn’t seem mind Miss Berry Wilson, however, seen in her overalls and high heels, who did not leave all the labor to the men of the family.

The tornado was larger than it appeared in these pictures, damaging a 17 mile tract through metro Washington. It began at 2:15 that day, and was gone less than 25 minutes later. It damaged 372 structures, and created an even more rare 300 foot tall waterspout in the Potomac River in its aftermath. Hundreds were injured by flying debris, but only one woman died of a lightning strike. Property damage was estimated at $690,000 in 1927.

The house at the far left of today’s picture is 1371 A Street, NE – the third house from left the 1927 image (looking west). If you look closely, you can notice brick repair at the cornice line for several houses necessitated from the tornado damage. (Photographs from Capitol Hill by Gregory J. Alexander and Paul K. Williams, Arcadia, 2004).

Four Fields (4Ps) Irish Bar Closing June 23rd in Cleveland Park

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

The owners extended the lease to the Four Fields through the end of June 2012. The latest info from the bar staff is that the 4 Fields will close on June 23rd, 2012.”

Back in Nov. 2011 we learned that the Four Fields (formerly 4Ps) Irish bar had their lease extended until March 2012 and could possibly stay open longer. Looks like the final date is June 23rd according to a reader.

Susie Taylor, President of the Cleveland Park Citizens Association writes on the Cleveland Park Listserv:

“Unfortunately the news about McFaddens is true. They have purchased the Alcoholic Beverage Control Administration (ABRA) license from the owner of Ireland’s Four Fields.”

In Aug. 2011 the owner of Four Fields confirmed he’d be closing:

“The requested increase in monthly demands will not make it economically feasible to remain at this location. It is my understanding that the building will be leased to a chain restaurant.”

More info on the new tenant and their concept as it becomes available. Should folks want to tip one last pint, I’ll be sure to remind folks of the Four Fields last day when it is officially announced.

Then and Now by the House History Man – Yenching Palace

By Prince Of Petworth

Then and Now by the House History Man is a new series by Paul K. Williams. Paul has been researching house histories in DC since 1995, having completed more than 1,500 to date. Read Paul’s previous post here.

The Yenching Palace was once located at 3524 Connecticut Avenue, NW and had been a fixture in the neighborhood since the 1950s. Its backward “Y” on the popular neon sign confused many a passerby.

It was the covert meeting place between ABC newsman John Scali and Aleksander Fomin of the Soviet Union during the 1962 Cuban missile crises, emissaries representing President John F. Kennedy and Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev.

The restaurant was built as two separate buildings in 1925 and 1928, which merged in 1945 to form the Seafare Restaurant, seen here on a 1950s era postcard (author).

Yenching Palace was opened in 1955 by Van Lung, the son of Chinese warlord Lung Yun. Lung died in 1991, and the restaurant was purchased by his nephew, Larry Lung. Over the years, celebrities, musicians, and politicians dined at the popular eatery. Just a few names included Mick Jagger, Henry Kissinger, Ann Landers, Jason Robards, Art Garfunkel, Alexander Haig, Lesley Stahl, Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein.

The restaurant was also the site of a press conference in the 1970s, when the arrival of the two giant pandas marked a new relationship with China. Lung closed the restaurant – to the dismay of many regulars – in 2007 when he leased the building to a Walgreens –the first Walgreens to locate in Washington, in fact. The company recreated the façade to its 1945 appearance.

Yenching Palace pictures by the author.

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