Columbia Heights

A Reader Samples Mayorga’s New Menu

By Prince Of Petworth

“In a quandary about take-home food last Friday, I stopped to try out the new Korean menu upstairs at Mayorga. I ordered a Mandu Kuk soup, a Bul Go Ki Donb rice, and Joe Yock Bock entrée. The soup dish had dumplings, the rice dish was with beef, and the entrée was with barbequed pork (normally served on a sizzling platter). The food came with a good array of side dishes, including very good and spicy kimchee. We had to spice up the flavor in the soup a bit, but the dumplings were terrific. The beef dish was the best. The total cost, including the happy hour beer I had while waiting, was $47 without the tip. I was very happy, and intend to go back for a sit-down meal.”

Sounds good but is $47 reasonable for all that?

Columbia Heights Dog Park Petition

By Prince Of Petworth

From a reader:

“We are trying to build and demonstrate support for a dog park at the corner of 11th and Park (across from RedRocks and the future Meridian Pint). This is a small piece of land currently owned and used by Metro for ventilation.

Can you please ask your dog owning and non-dog owning readers to take a moment to sign the petition? Of course we would love the PoP’s stamp of approval on this as well! http://www.petitiononline.com/chdogs/petition.html

Thanks!

JR”

I think it’s a great idea. Best of luck!

Time to Play Good Deal or Not?

By Prince Of Petworth

Located at 3011 13th Street, NW this one is a “brand new custom built home brought to you by Leyla Phelan and Evers & Co.”. The flier says, “3 luxurious levels, meticulously renovated…4 bedrooms, 3 spa-like baths, a powder room, open floor plan, parking and a palatial outdoor roof deck.” Holy cow a palatial outdoor roof deck on 13th Street sounds pretty fresh. And I found the photos online here. Pretty sick. I think we may have a winner here. Of course it’s still way out of my league but it’s nice to see something this dope on 13th Street below a million. The price is $824,500. So good deal or not?

Red Rocks Switches to Park Benches

By Prince Of Petworth

Didn’t Red Rocks used to have regular tables in the outdoor area? I wonder if they were influenced by Wonderland. What do you think, do you prefer picnic tables to proper tables? I can appreciate picnic tables but I think when I’m out to eat a meal I prefer to have a back on my chair. What about you guys?

Hmm, Nice New(ish) Construction?

By Prince Of Petworth

What do you think of the brick on the first floor and vinyl(?) up top? Looks like they may have also been able to fit more windows in up top too, yeah?

Intangible Tales: All Hits, No Misses for the Columbia Heights Missus!

By Prince Of Petworth

Story written and all photographs taken by the great Intangible Arts. Ed. note: This is my favorite one yet!

So here’s a few places you’d never expect to find me: At an NFL game, in a church, in a Turkish brothel, anywhere in Texas, uh… Disneyland or anywhere with loads of children, and in the audience at a beauty pageant.

But NO! Scratch that last one!

Last Thursday was the event to crown the new Mrs. District of Columbia and Mrs. Maryland America. The winners go on to represent their home turf in the national Mrs. America smackdown. And this ain’t no puny, teenage “Miss America” neither — this contest is for the married folk. The missus-es.

Mrs. Intangible and I had a fine reason to attend the event, since our neighbor was in the race, representing our fair neighborhood as Mrs. Columbia Heights. Who knew we lived next door to possible royalty?

Markette Smith-Sheppard, who worked her way through school and is developing a fine career in broadcast journalism, decided spontaneously a while ago to try the pageant scene. Why not? She’s fiercely intelligent and charming as hell. Destined for greatness! Story continues after the jump. (more…)

Neat Neighborhood Find: First Bloom of Bloom

By Prince Of Petworth

It’s official – 11th Street is the coolest street in the city. Forget about Columbia Heights Coffee, Wonderland, Red Rocks and the soon to be Meridian Pint – First Bloom of Bloom – the new “spontaneous, underground, music, art and inspiration in the heart of Columbia Heights” is ridiculously awesome! I was sitting with a friend at Red Rocks drinking a couple of beers and relaxing after the Parade and a guy named Jon Chambers comes over to us to talk about his new spot. (And when I came home I had quite a few emails from folks also telling me about this new space.) Well, it is exactly like it sounds – art and music and lots of good vibes. I should say that this awesome spot is located at 3222 11th St, NW right between Wonderland and El Rinconcito. It is in one of those buildings that we’ve been wondering what will become of it. And I don’t think it would be possible for anything cooler than this to arrive.

I was given a tour during the day and got to see much of the cool art located on two levels. I then returned around 11:30 that evening to listen to some phenomenal music. The event was free although you could give a $5 donation but it wasn’t mandatory. I was a little hesitant when I heard a lot of talk about love and peace. The New Yorker in me came out and I thought I may have entered some sort of cult headquarters. But I couldn’t have been further off base. These folks are simply socially conscious people who are trying to bring the community together. The hope seems to be that all sorts of folks, white, black, latino, young, old, etc, will use this space as a community center. Pictured above is Jason Jasper who had an incredible voice and sang acapella. You can also see to the right of the photo that there was an artist painting a piece throughout the evening inspired by the music being played. Sat. night was the last night of a three night stand but I’ll be sure to post info for upcoming shows/events as they become available. I realized it was a super cool evening when famed WJLA anchor, Maureen Bunyan, arrived (see photo below). It seems like this space is really going to evolve into something great. Lots more photos after the jump. (more…)

Scuttlebutt of the Week: Oh Boy, Oh Boy, Oh Boy Edition

By Prince Of Petworth

Lots of good scuttlebutt to report. Firstly, I have been tipped by a very reliable source that within three to six weeks there will be a major announcement by the DC USA complex in Columbia Heights. That announcement is – Elwood Thompson’s grocery store will in fact be opening up! Secondly, it is likely that the Ross Dress For Less Store will no longer be coming to DC USA. Thirdly, and I think New Columbia Heights heard this rumor as well, REI is still very seriously considering opening a store in the DC USA complex. Holy sweet that would be awesome. Now I think it will be helpful if they receive encouragement via email. So definitely comment here if you’d like to see an REI but also make sure to contact REI directly here.

I had some false info about the Five Guys Opening last week (scuttlebutt accuracy down to 96%).  But I am 99.9% sure they will be opening this Tuesday at 11am!

And sadly Colorado Kitchen has served its last dinner Sat. night and it’s last brunch on Sun.

But hey Elwood Thompson’s Grocery store is coming and with some luck so will REI!

View More Stories