Columbia Heights

Dear PoP – Good Latino Food around 14th and Spring, NW?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

My fiance and I just moved to the area, after living in Logan Circle for 5 years. We’re very happy about the change! There seem to be a ton of Latino restaurants within a block or so of us, so I’m a bit overwhelmed with where to start. Some seem a little unsafe even? Rinconcito on 11th was our go-to spot in Logan, and we’ve tried Rinconcito II further down in CH, but it just wasn’t quite the same. Anything around 14th and Spring worth trying?”

I generally consider TDF (pictured above) located at 3463 14th St, NW to be one of the best in town. Robyn liked La Molienda at 3568 14th St, NW. Which are your favorites? Any to be avoided?

We looked at other favorite Latino restaurants here.

Second Genesis by Karen

By Prince Of Petworth

The following was written by former, and I’m now happy to say current, PoP contributor Karen Frantz.

If you happened to stroll down the 1300 block of Harvard Street, you probably wouldn’t think much of two connected row houses halfway down the block that make up the Columbia Heights location for Second Genesis. Painted blue with a vegetable and herb garden planted in a clean and manicured front yard and a yellow sun logo donning the entrance’s transom, the buildings look like they house some hip non-profit, the kind of which you can find all over the D.C. area. And if that was your conclusion you’d in fact be right: Second Genesis is a non-profit, only it’s doesn’t do the kind of work you might expect. It’s a residential facility for low-income individuals undergoing rehabilitation for addiction to drugs and alcohol.

I bring this up the fact that this might surprise you not because it should or shouldn’t, but because until recently Second Genesis might have actually preferred that it did. In fact, as Second Genesis’ development and digital media coordinator, Bianca Poll, told me when I visited the facility last week, though most people are supportive of rehabilitation programs in general, many feel differently when the program is close to where they live—the not-in-my-backyard mentality. And for that reason, Second Genesis has before been wary of being too open, too loud—but no longer. Bianca told me she’s eager to change the NIMBY mindset that some in the area may have about drug rehabilitation programs like Second Genesis’, and invited me to tour the facility and learn more about the work of the non-profit.

Second Genesis was founded in 1969 as part of the Alexandria Mental Health Clinic, and since has expanded to five centers in D.C. and Maryland. Approximately 1200 clients a year are served by Second Genesis through outpatient and residential treatment centers—including the approximately 50 clients able to be served by the residential facility in Columbia Heights. Staff includes physicians, psychologists, addiction counselors, experienced teachers, and administrative staff. It’s the oldest provider of therapeutic community services to fight addiction in the mid-Atlantic region, and its principles include “facilitating individual change and positive growth” in order to break the cycle of addiction. Although different centers are structured in different ways—for example, some house men, some house women, some house women and children—all are therapeutic communities that rely on treatment stages in which clients gain increased levels of personal and social responsibility.

Continues after the jump. (more…)

Judging Pop Ups and Backs of Rowhouses

By Prince Of Petworth

It’s been a while since we’ve taken a look at this pop up on Clifton between 13th and 14th Streets, NW. It’s looks like it’s nearly completed. So what do you think of the pop up and and the back – thumbs up or down?

Dear PoP – What Do Folks Think of the inside of Alero in Columbia Heights

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

Just checked out the new CH Alero.

Food was what I expected- same as Cleveland Park location and I suppose that’s a good thing.

As for the ambiance….whoa. I’m writing to find out if any other readers, or you,yourself have experienced the mexican cuisine meets Night at the Roxbury atmosphere? It was too much to handle. It turned a leisurely Friday night dinner into a squat and gobble.”

I’m sad to say that I haven’t had a chance to eat at the new Alero located in the Tivoli at 3345 14th St, NW. For those who have checked it out, how’s the atmosphere?

Update on Meridian Pint coming to 11th and Park Road, NW (Brace Yourself – Table Taps!!!)

By Prince Of Petworth

If you were excited about the sneak peek from three weeks ago these photos could very well blow your mind (I know my jaw hit the floor on multiple occasions). First let me say that (as others have noted) the new opening date for Meridian Pint is looking like it’ll be June 17th give or take a few days.

But back to the table taps. Holy freaking cow these things are awesome. I believe these are the first table taps in any bar/restaurant in DC. So they are located in the lower level in the Joint Chiefs section. There are currently two tables set up with table taps (with a possibility of adding a third). There are two taps per table and the patrons simply swipe their card and have at it. As this bar celebrates American Craft Beers (more on that in a second) you’re not likely to find Schlitz on these table taps (no disrespect to Schlitz). They are unbelievable cool:


Meridian Pint Owner John Andrade shows the table taps to Sam Adams Founder Jim Koch (wearing sport coat)


Tap monitor


Meridian Pint Owner John Andrade show table tap to Dogfish Brewery Founder Sam Calagione (right)

Lots more photos of the space and more on American Craft Brew masters visit after the jump. (more…)

Columbia Heights Farmers Market

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user kc.corcoran

While I only caught the last half hour of the new Columbia Heights’ Farmers Market and Community Market Place it looked great.

For those that stopped by – how was the vibe? The fruit/vegetables? Was it a nice mix of vendors?


Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC

A few of my photos plus one more super delicious looking one from Mr T in DC after the jump. (more…)

Ellwood Thompson’s Finally to Open in Columbia Heights this Winter?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

Last night Jack McGrath of Ellwood Thompson and David Stein, Director of Operations of DCUSA, came to speak to the North Columbia Heights Neighborhood Association. Very good and exciting news to report.

McGrath, whom I believe is one of the owners, discussed Ellwood’s mission and how it fits into the community. Ellwood’s started in 1988 in Richmond as a small community grocery store. Their focus is on local sourcing (within 100 miles, which will generate overlap with Richmond products, though, obviously, not every product will be sourced locally), sustainability (agriculture, environment, etc), community, and education. They focus on providing healthy products and have a list of additives and ingredients that are banned from products that they sell in their store. They intend to be a community gathering spot with in-house dining and a full working kitchen, besides the groceries. Price points hover around Whole Foods, but Ellwoods offers more vegetarian and vegan options. The space will be approx. 15,000 sq. feet and, if all the legal hoops and other last minute details pan out, they plan to start construction sometime in July with a target completion date of Mid-January. Hopefully, they’ll be able to work with the new farmer’s market and other community projects to really become a valuable asset to CH above and beyond providing their core products.

Stein was positive and attended the meeting to provide support to Ellwoods. He mentioned that prospective tenants of DCUSA have been interested to see what will happen with Ellwoods. As you’ve heard before, DCUSA is selective about the tenants that they will put in the remaining spaces, looking for a diverse mix that will fit with the community. He explained the many facets of diversity, but I won’t go into them here. He was positive about filling up the space with in the next 12 to 18 months, particularly after Ellwoods comes in. IHOP is still on track, though no lease has been signed yet so it’s still off the record. The good thing is that the company locally franchises its restaurants, so the owners/franchisees of the prospective IHOP will be local folks.”

In other grocery store news Borderstan notes that the P St, Whole Foods will be undergoing renovations:

“Renovations are underway at the Logan Circle Whole Foods Market at 1440 P Street NW. Construction is expected to be complete in November 2010. A rendering of the mezzanine level cafe and progress photos can be found on the store’s Facebook page.”

Dear PoP – What are Cardozo Track’s Summer Hours?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user cyrusrassool

“Dear PoP,

Is the cardozo track closed all summer long? isn’t there summer school or something that would justify it being open during summer? can you tell that I love it?”

Thanks to CM Jim Graham’s office for looking into this:

“According to a representative from Cardozo High School, the track will be open in the summer from 6:30 to 8 am. It will also be open on most evenings from 4pm to dusk, but may be closed at certain times when they don’t have a staff member available to open and close the gates. Additionally, the Banneker track is open to the public and is just a few blocks away.”

Judging Buildings – 1000 Block Kenyon St, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

We’ve been monitoring the progress of this building on the 1000 block of Kenyon St, NW for many months. I’ve always asked if you think it fits in with the block. I think we may have that answer now. I respect the amount of work that went into to this building but I’m not so sure it is meshing with the block. I know that can be a good thing sometimes but I’m not sure it is this time. What do you guys think – thumbs up or down?

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