Columbia Heights

Some More Coffee News For Ya

By Prince Of Petworth

If people have been in withdrawal from Mocha Hut’s closing up at U Street between 13th and 14th, you are in for some relief soon.

I’m told U Street Cafe is planning on opening up May 14th!

And the owners are the same folks who will be opening up Tynan Coffee & Tea in Columbia Heights (next to Five Guys on Irving Street).

Tynan Coffee & Tea is looking to open up later this year in the Summer/Fall time frame. For more info on Tynan you can see the press release from Donatelli Development after the jump. (more…)

Rain Can’t Dampen Wonderland’s Sundress Party

By Prince Of Petworth

Sadly, I was too soaked and beat down from walking around all day to participate in the festivities but when I passed by Wonderland it was definitely rocking. For those that went, did the party kick ass?

And the sight below really cracked me up.

GDoN Revisited by Hipchickindc

By Prince Of Petworth

In real life, hipchickindc is licensed as a real estate broker in the District of Columbia and Virginia, and as a real estate salesperson in Maryland. Unless specifically noted, neither she nor the company that she is affiliated with represented any of the parties or were directly involved in the transaction reported below. Unless otherwise noted, the source of information is Metropolitan Regional Information Systems (MRIS), which is the local multiple listing system. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

Featured Property: 1119 Clifton St NW

Original List Price: $869,900.

List Price at Contract: $839,900.

List Date: 11/06/2008

Days on Market: 94

Settled Sales Price: $810,000.

Settlement Date: 04/17/2009

Seller Subsidy: $5,000.

Bank Owned?: No

Type Of Financing: Conventional

Listing History: Last purchased in 2006 when it was in bad shape and pre-Target. Totally renovated since.

Original GDoN Post is: Here

Listings: Here are the listings from 2006 (first) and the most recent one. Unfortunately, the virtual tour is no longer active from the first listing so you can’t see the “before” pics. To see the lovely renovation, click the camera icon at top left of the 2nd listing.

Back in 2006, I headed a team with Re/Max and one of my licensed assistants represented the (then) buyer (now seller) of this property when it was in need of a lot of TLC. It’s a big house with a large lot, great bones and an even better view. The (then) buyers employed one of my favorite financing tools…a rehab loan…and it looks like they put it to good use. In 2006, they paid $520,000. and got back $10,000. toward closing. I forget how many other offers there were at the time, but the list price was $500,000.

In any case, the PoP GDoN commenters were rough on this one, so some will probably be surprised that it actually sold over $800,000., but it did.

More Sweet Scuttlebutt – “Top Chef” contestant Carla Hall Looking at Spaces in Columbia Heights

By Prince Of Petworth

Ed. Note: If Missy Frederick can confirm this there is a free t-shirt in it for her.

A PoP reader attended a fundraiser this week for a prominent Democrat in Congress. The event was catered by Alchemy Catering…a catering service operated by Carla Hall who was a contestant on “Top Chef”. She’s lived in the DC area for a long time.

The reader was able to chat with her for about 15 minutes and mentioned that he lives in Columbia Heights. Ms. Hall mentioned that she visited the neighborhood a couple days ago looking at an empty space in the Highland Park building. Apparently, Ms. Hall is looking for a new space where she can have a cooking school of sorts, along with a dining room somehow associated with cooking classes. The format seemed uncertain, but the general description made the reader think of the new cooking class/wine tasting space that Zola opened at the corner of 9th and E Streets, NW.

A Pre-Preview Dinner With the Folks Opening Up the new Restaurant, Social, at 14th and Meridian

By Prince Of Petworth

This is by far one of the cooler experiences I’ve had while running this blog. Ever since I posted this note from the owners, I’ve been super curious about this project. A quick reminder – this is the spot at 3466 14th Street that used to be an old Christian bookstore.

DSCN5585

Above is an old picture and construction has moved along nicely. The owners are planning on opening up in June with a number of soft openings. But back to the dinner. I was pretty psyched to have received an email from Gabbie Lenzi, Social’s PR rep, inviting me to dinner at one of the owner’s lofts in the O Street (unit block of O Street, NW) artist quarters. The following folks attended the dinner:

AJ Guy: Partner, Operations Manager
Scott Hammons: Partner
Tim Korzep: Partner
Joseph Norton: Restaurant Manager
Larry Miller: Bar Manager/ Mixologist
Michael Clements: Executive Chef
Julie Cole (First Lady of Social)

So basically, we all hung out in the living room of the loft (which was killer by the by) and Mike would bring out course after course all while drinking the occasional glass of wine… It was super casual and I enjoyed learning about the background of this project. It has been in the planning process for 2 years though those involved have been friends far longer that. It was interesting to learn that they considered opening up in Logan Circle, H Street, NE and other spots before choosing the Columbia Heights location. Since choosing their location they have grown to love the neighborhood though if they are successful it’s certainly possible they could open a second location.

The courses we tasted we’re prepared in a tiny kitchen which I thought was rather impressive:

As I’ve said before I’m no food critic but to this simple lad from Petworth many of the courses were fantastic. I particularly liked the Calimari Ripieni and the Crispy Chicken. But all of the courses have not been finalized as yet. What is super cool about these folks is that they are such an interesting mix. Yet they all were super friendly. They have an interesting vision for the spot. You can read their vision previously posted here. But basically on the first floor (actually half a floor down) you’ll have the “cellar” where you can hang out and have some drinks (by the by the Mixologist/bar manager was one of the most enthusiastic folks I have ever met) and either stay there or then head upstairs for dinner. On the second floor will be what they call the “living room”. In the living room you will be taken care of by a “guide” who will be available for any questions you may have about the dining experience or really any questions at all. The owners would like to see the “guides” build the type of relationships that many good bartenders have with their patrons around town.

The dining vision includes a sharing experience. So you can get big plate and share with your dining companions. Because the place will be set up as a “living room” plus the existence of the “cellar”, the owners imagine the restaurant as a destination spot. You can eat a casual dinner here and then hang out in the “cellar” or vice versa. Plus there will be a sidewalk cafe area as well as a veranda on the second floor (both spots can seat 25). In the future it is highly likely that Social will offer brunch and late night options as well.

All I can say is that if the food, the drinks and the atmosphere are nearly as good as they were at this pre-preview dinner this place is going to be a huge success.

See some more photos of the dishes as well as a look at the cocktail menu after the jump. (more…)

Good Deal or Not? I’ve Always Wondered Edition

By Prince Of Petworth

This condo is located at 1300 Kenyon Street, NW:


View Larger Map

The flier says:

“This light filled 2BR/2BA condo is 1 block from Metro, dining and shopping in Columbia Heights. Gourmet kitchen with granite counters, cherry cabinets, ss appl. and breakfast bar. Cherry HW floors throughout, crown molding, gas fireplace and lots of windows. Brick patio and prof. landscaping. Off street parking space is included”

More info and photos found here.

There are some buildings in the city that I’ve always wondered what they look like on the inside. I’ve been super curious about this one for a while. And while it’s nothing like I expected, it’s pretty amazing. I’m very curious to know what you guys think about the photos? $529,000 sound reasonable?

Some Serious Scuttlebutt For Ya – IHOP Coming to Columbia Heights DCUSA?

By Prince Of Petworth

Welcome to your Monday scuttlebutt that will overjoy nearly half the readership and infuriate the other half. So I had gotten wind of the news a few weeks ago but I was holding off to try and get confirmation from another source. But today a reader sent me:

“FYI, I heard from a fairly good source (though not 100 percent) that IHOP signed a letter of intent to go into DCUSA.”

This email and another source, I think, makes it official scuttlebutt! Does this help dull the pain of the news about Ellwood Thompson grocery store? Any fans of IHOP out there? Think they’ll do well in Columbia Heights?

Dcist Reports Ellwood Thompson Grocery Store Plans in DCUSA Delayed

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to a reader for sending this disappointing news. Dcist is reporting:

“In a press release and message posted to their company blog today, Richmond-based organic grocer Ellwood Thompson’s announced that their planned expansion to the DCUSA development in Columbia Heights is on hold, seemingly indefinitely.”

Dear PoP – What’s Going Into the Empty Lot Behind DCUSA

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

I walk down Hiatt (behind DC USA) every day on the way to the metro, and I pass by a few things that might be of interest. There is a huge undeveloped lot behind DC USA that I would love to see turned into a public space. Do you know what the plans are for this area?”

Hmm, this was the old Bell Multicultural School which was demolished back in June. So does anyone know what is going to happen to this land?

Scuttlebutt: Slot Next To CH Coffee on 11th Street

By Prince Of Petworth

From a reader:

“I was over at CHC Saturday morning, and some folks had opened up the shuttered space next door (where CHC was unfortunately unable to expand) and they were messing around in there. I distinctly overheard someone say he was planning to sell vintage furniture in there.”

I wasn’t able to confirm this info so please consider this strictly, strictly scuttlebutt. There is a distinct possibility that this space will become something else. But, damn it, I enjoy scuttlebutt. While many of us were truly saddened that CH Coffee was unable to expand, I’m curious, would you be happy if this space turned into a vintage furniture shop?

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