Columbia Heights

From the owners of Maple:

“Yes, indeed, as you said, Maple is expanding into the former Columbia Heights Coffee space next door. We’ve lived in the neighborhood for about eight years, and we, too, were sad to see CH coffee leave. They were great neighbors and the nicest people. We are in the beginning stages of planning the expansion, so we don’t have a lot of details yet. Our indoor seating capacity will about double, with seating on the ground floor as well as a second-floor space that can also be used for private events. The increased seating will enable us to take reservations. We will also create an outdoor patio with seating in the backyard. Our kitchen will undergo a much-needed expansion as well. We are looking at a spring opening for the expansion.

Thanks,
Eric Gronning and Lori Robertson”

3416 11th Street, NW

Last month we learned the trailblazing Columbia Heights Coffee had closed on 11th Street. At that time some commenters had heard that next door neighbor Maple would be taking over the space. Turns out it is true. While my feelings about Columbia Heights Coffee have not changed, I am happy to hear that Maple is taking over the space. Maple is delicious and I’m glad I will have a better chance of getting a table. The news is still a bit bittersweet but at the end of the day – this is good news. You can see Maple’s menu here. Looking forward to seeing how the buildout turns out.

14th and Monroe Street, NW

“Dear PoPville,

I am writing on behalf of Monroe St NW residents; as I am sure you know, there’s a TGI Friday’s that will be setting up shop very soon at the corner of 14 and Monroe. Ever since we found out about this, the Monroe Street residents Association along with the Kelsey Elder community have been very inquisitive and worried about this type of businesses opening up in a residential street and specially right below a Community of elderly people. We have voiced our concerns to our councilmember Jim Graham and our ANC reps. We have attended multiple meetings and even one with the TGI Friday’s people on Wednesday. We had been working on a settlement agreement with the ANC and filed a formal protest to the ABRA Board. Everything went great until we questioned them on a couple of issues. They saw our settlement agreement and basically rejected any type of compromise on most of it. Their discourse on willing to do anything to be a good neighbor went out the door when we asked for them to amend their closing hours to around midnight. At that point their bullying behavior became apparent and they immediately shut us down without any room for discussion. The fact of the matter is that they have not shown any action or willingness to go out of their way to appease our concerns. (more…)

3313 11th Street, NW

From an email:

“El Chucho Cocina Superior in Columbia Heights has a new four-item brunch menu that will debut this Saturday November 9 when doors open at 11:30 a.m. The menu will feature a spin on traditional Chilaquiles (braised black beans, ranchero salsa, queso fresco inside a crispy tortilla); Buttermilk Masa Pancakes served with cinnamon butter, agave-maple syrup and fresh grapes, strawberries, cantaloupe and honeydew; Green Eggs and Ham (two poached eggs, ham and black beans served on top of crispy huaraches and topped with a chimichurri hollandaise); and Rum Raisin Tamales (two cream cheese tamales topped with rum raisin sauce and served with fresh fruit).

All brunch items are under $10, and El Chucho will also be serving brunch cocktails including red or green bloody marys, mimosas, and french press coffee.”