Columbia Heights

A Note From The Owners of the New Restaurant, Social, Opening At The Corner of 14th and Meridian

By Prince Of Petworth

“As the Columbia Heights neighborhood persists as one of DC’s flourishing residential communities, we look forward to bringing you a unique new restaurant called Social, on the 14th Street Corridor. Situated on the southwest corner of 14th Street and Meridian Place, NW, Social will reside in a newly redeveloped property, once a rundown vacant building.

 

Part restaurant and part living room, it is the perfect neighborhood venue for any occasion. To create an unrushed and comfortable environment, Social does not take reservations and does not require you commit to your whole meal in one order. Shareable menu items are featured in three different sizes starting at eight dollars, allowing the guest to mix and match in any combination. The plates are as interesting as the beverage selection. We are confident that Social will be a welcome addition to Columbia Heights. Social will be open seven nights a week and Saturdays and Sundays for brunch.

 

Diners and critics alike will look forward to items like the Short Rib Sloppy “Joe” Sliders with Port Reduction or the Jumbo Shrimp with Cajun Cocktail Sauce. Brunch lovers will truly revel in the European style brunch offering and a “Bloody Mary” menu featuring international, versions of the traditional.

 

The décor is more reminiscent of a District residence than that of a formal restaurant. The residential feel of the “cellar” and “family room” featuring furnishings from Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, is a refreshing change from the overly prevalent modern martini bar and white table cloth restaurant.

 

Partners AJ Guy, Scott Hammons and Tim Korzep have history with successful hospitality projects making their venture a likely combination. Their combined experience in operations and development includes Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants, Houston’s Restaurants and the Ian Schrager Company providing the team with a wealth of hospitality knowledge.

We look forward to hosting you and yours!

Kind regards,

AJ, Scott and Tim”

The President and First Lady Visit Capitol City Public Charter School

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to all who sent emails. Here’s the Post write up.

“At the school, the president and Michelle Obama read to a group of second-graders in the school library from a picture book entitled “The Moon over Star,” an account of the first moon landing in July of 1969.”

And many thanks to the reader who caught the motorcade and sent the above photo. Our man on the scene writes:

“They was there for about half an hour, they came in the front door and then left through the side door in the alley. At first they had everyone on the Mt Pleasant side of 16th street, then they moved us all to the corner of 16th and Irving across from Bell Multicultural High School. There were about 50 people there on the corner waiting for them to leave the school. One we were all on the sidewalk they put up police tape. Once the motorcade started a police car pulled up right in front of us as well. As they were pulling away the Obama’s were in the second limo and he looked over at us on the sidewalk and waved.”

In less than a month the President has been to U Street and CH/MT. P – gotta love it.

Borderline Neighborhood To Finally Get A Name Of Its Own! Tivoli or Tivoli North

By Prince Of Petworth

Well, I’m dying to here what you guys think about this one! There’s always been lots of controversy about upper 14th Street and which neighborhood it falls under. Just last week we were discussing whether or not the Red Derby was in Petworth or Columbia heights. Renaming neighborhoods or parts of neighborhoods has always been controversial. Case in point – North of Mass Ave or NOMA.

So here’s the scoop. Currently, there are discussions about renaming the area on 14th Street from Monroe north to Shepherd. The name will be – Tivoli North. Or Tivoli North Corridor. Personally, I think it’s a great name. I know that Columbia Heights technically goes as far north as Spring St. Road but I believe the area from Monroe Street on north has it’s own distinct flavor. So what do you think about the name Tivoli North – Thumbs up or down? Any alternative suggestions?

Thai Tanic Restaurant Coming To 14th Street In Columbia Heights!

By Prince Of Petworth

Holy cow, this is pretty sweet news! It will be located in the nearly completed Allegro apartments located at 3460 14th Street, NW. Many are probably familiar with Thai Tanic in Logan Circle, yeah? here are some pretty good Yelp reviews. Thanks to a reader for sharing the news:

“I had dinner at the Thai Tanic in Logan Circle this week. I asked our waitress about their future Columbia Heights location and she said the plan is for an April opening!!! Of course, this depends on how quickly the developer can wrap up construction at the Allegro, but good news to hear that our hood will be getting some yummy Thai food soon! it will likely have outdoor seating as I heard the space is already zoned to allow for that.”

Good Deal or Not? Gotta Love The View Edition

By Prince Of Petworth

This converted Rowhome is located at 1303 Clifton Street, NW:


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The flier says:

“New 4 unit conversion. LAST unit available! Modern kitchens w/ granite cntrs, custom cabs, SS apps, bamboo hdwds. Beautiful slate baths, spacious walk in closets. Great size BRs, pre wired sound w/ IPOD docking stations. Great location! Spectacular views of entire city! Just a few blocks to metro, U St Corridor & Columbia Heights dev (Target, etc). Come check them out!”

More info and photos can be found here.

I love this location because it is right near that part of 13th Street where you have an amazing view of downtown and the monuments. It is also very close to the building we judged yesterday.

A reader writes:

“I used to live next door (the white house on the left, looking at the photo) in a really nice condo conversion. When I lived there (2006-2007) the house next door was incredibly scary. It was falling down in terrible repair, and we used to joke about the one guy who lived there, who was bizarre beyond words. He never talked to anyone, and we took to calling him Boo Radley. Once our neighbors on the top floor told us they could see his roof, where he was keeping rows and rows of 5 gallon buckets filled with dirt that he would tend, but he’d take them inside before we could see what sprouted in them. We were actually worried their weight would cave the roof in.

Not long after I moved out (end of 07), I walked by and saw a sign had gone up by a contractor. They spent about a year quite literally gutting the entire house, and now they look like really sweet condo conversions. $499 is kind of brutal, but some of them have outdoor space, and they’re near the corner of Clifton & 13th, at the top of Cardozo which has the sweet view of the Capitol building and Washington monument, where everyone watches the fireworks. My upstairs neighbor there had his condo on the market, with similar specs as these new ones, for over a year at about $450K, with multiple price drops, until he gave up had to rent it out. I’m curious how this building will do.”

The asking price is $499,000. What’s the premium for an amazing view? What do you think of the condo itself?

Good Deal or Not? What I Thought Was Going To Be House Porn But Is Actually A Shell Edition

By Prince Of Petworth

This home is located at 3457 Holmead Place, NW:


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The flier says:

“This is a 2 unit Victorian shell. Plans have been completed to include an upper level owners unit which is about 1,800 sq ft with 2 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms. The other unit will be about 1,400 sqft with 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. There is 2 car parking in the rear. Close to the new Giant, Tivoli Theater, Target and the Metro. This is a short sale documents on my web site.”

More info and photos can be found here.

Clearly the home has gotten some new paint and windows but I guess we should just assume that the inside is still a shell? I also think this is a pretty great location near the Giant grocery store but still relatively quiet. The asking price has also dropped $100k and is now being offered at $499,900. So when fixed up don’t you think it could be some potential house porn? What would make the price a good deal for this shell?

It’s Official – Columbia Heights Gets an Unofficial Dog Park at 11th and Park

By Prince Of Petworth

Last Friday I wrote about the coming dog park at 17th and S Street, NW. In the comments section a reader wrote:

“For a variety of reasons, the Park Road space will not be an “official” dog park anytime in the immediate future (if ever). However, dog owners may note the improved layout of the space (there should be gates going in to fill those two spaces in the fence at some point) which happens to be conducive to use by dogs, and should feel free to congregate, informally, accordingly. Hopefully, regular users will take an interest in keeping the space clean, tidy, and green.”

I spoke with some folks today that confirmed the above comment. The space is owned by Metro and the gate will be intentionally unlocked so that folks can bring their dogs there. MPD won’t bother you because it is Metro land but I agree with the original commenter that it will be up to the community to keep the space clean. I think Councilman Graham probably deserves a fair share of credit as he did quite a bit to make this an official park but it seems to me an unofficial park should be just as good. From what I understand it’s good to go right now. So for folks with dogs be sure to write me and let me know how it goes.

Random Reader Trivia

By Prince Of Petworth

“Since you often talk about Columbia Heights in your blog, i thought you might find it interesting that the 1951 version of “The day the earth stood still” takes place in Columbia Heights.

The spacemen stays at a bed and breakfast. When the army approached this address, the spacemen escaped in a taxi. once the army realized their mistake, the officer got on the radio and said that the spacemen was in a taxi heading north on 14th st from Harvard. Also there is a 14th st nw street sign so its the right quadrant. unfortunately, 14th st ends in a ‘T” w/ Harvard so its fake, but still cool.”

Now I’m going to have to go rent it!  What do you think is the best DC based film?

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