Columbia Heights

Comment From the Owner of Restaurant Going into the Bi-Rite at 11th and Park in Columbia Heights

By Prince Of Petworth

“My name is John Andrade, owner of Asylum in Adams Morgan and owner of what will be The Meridian Pint at 11th & Park. So much has been said about 3DG’s building design so I won’t get into that but I would like to touch on my ideas for my space. To clarify, it is not going to be a Belgian restaurant, it is going to be an American style restaurant and lounge with international flavors. The beer will be draft only to minimize environmental impact as well as noise impact from the dumping of bottles. With 20 beers on draft I intend to have a large selection with strong Belgian influences. Wine will also be in abundance and both beer and wine will come with pairing suggestions for an excellent dinner experience.

Since I am still in the planning stages I welcome any comments or suggestions that anyone may have. If there is something in particular you’d like to see me incorporate into the design or menu I’d be happy to consider it.”

John Andrade
[email protected]

REI Coming to DCUSA in Columbia Heights?

By Prince Of Petworth

Holy canoli! I think this would be phenomenal. Of course I love hiking but still an REI would be fantastic, no? A reader writes:

“I recently came across news on the Columbia Heights News website that REI is considering a location at the new DCUSA in Columbia Heights. This would be a great addition as the outdoor coop is a solid company known for, besides quality outdoor gear, being an all around good and ethical company – the kind of retail neighbor that would be awesome for the neighborhood.

It would be helpful for those interested to be in touch with all the usual suspects when dealing with DCUA (Jim Graham and GridProperties – [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]), but particularly with REI.

In response to my email to Grip Properties in support of the REI, I was told the following:

Thanks for your e-mail. It would be most helpful if you and your friends and colleagues would contact REI directly. They are new to urban markets and need to hear directly from their potential customers.

After a few email exchanges with REI, I was informed that the best way to get in touch with them was through this link: http://www.rei.com/shared/help/feedback/servicefb.html – Surprisingly, they said they will forward any emails regarding the project to administrative offices associated with such things.

I think this would be a huge development for the community. The Columbia Heights News website mentioned they were in direct competition with Ross Dress For Less (you know, the store very similar to the Marshals already moving into DCUSA) – so either way its probably a good thing if community members made their preferences known.”

Allegro Condos Going Rental

By Prince Of Petworth

Yikes, I’m a little late on this one. But thanks to Marco for alerting me to the news. DC Mud reported last Wed. “Metro Properties Inc. has just announced that the Allegro Condominiums, their 297 unit project at 3460 14th street in Columbia Heights, has joined the tide of condo conversions and is now destined to become an apartment building.”

So it begs the question: Do you think the condos being built over the Petworth metro will remain condos or go rental too? I think even if there is a conversion to rental it will be good for the neighborhood as there will still be lots of folks moving in to patronize the existing and soon to be establishments. How do you guys interpret the news for Columbia Heights, Petworth and the general trend?

And of course Happy President’s Day!

Welcome To Columbia Heights

By Prince Of Petworth

I love the fact that the signs are in both Spanish and English. But I’m not so sure about what the people are doing. Are they playing volleyball? Do people play a lot of volleyball in Columbia Heights? Do you guys like these welcome signs?

We also got pretty cool welcome signs in Petworth almost exactly a year ago.

Check Out What the Old Bi-Rite at 11th and Park is Going to Look Like

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to a commenter from the forum section alerting me to this development as posted on the North Columbia Heights Civic Association Web site. Apparently, this is the design of 3DG. My first reaction is ‘Awesome!’ because obviously the old Bi-Rite is in pretty beat shape. But now that I look at the rendering a little longer, what the hell is that black wall? It seems a little weird, no? So what do you think of the design?

Reason #28 Columbia Heights is Badass

By Prince Of Petworth

Many of its residents have cutting edge fashion sense. Not that I know much about fashion but these arm warmers seem pretty dope sky to me.

Wilco Ticket Contest 8th Entry

By Prince Of Petworth

“This is a photo taken from 13th street next to cardozo high school. I love this spot because of the elevated view of the city, which seems like a rare thing here. Plus its a view of the monument that I’ve rarely seen in many photos. Not the typical tourist shot of the monument from the mall.”

Columbia Heights to Get A Sushi Restaurant!

By Prince Of Petworth

This is fantastic news. A great addition to the restaurant scene. So has anyone been to the Sake Club in Woodley Park? Please tell me it is good sushi. Now we just need a good Greek place to open up…

From the press release: Donatelli Development announced today that an agreement has been reached with the owners of Sake Club, a popular sushi and sake restaurant located on Connecticut Avenue in Woodley Park, to build a new restaurant in the retail portion of Highland Park, bringing to six the number of restaurants expected to open in the building.

The new Sake Club restaurant will be 1,800 square feet, facing Irving Street near the western end of the Highland Park development, about half way between 14th and 15th streets. The owners expect to build a restaurant with a similar look and feel to the one in Woodley Park, which will complement the other restaurant offerings in the building:

– A fine-dining restaurant in the British “gastropub” style, with an eclectic but accessible and affordable menu, from Hank’s Oyster Bar founder Jamie Leeds;

– Five Guys Burgers and Fries, started in 1986 just a few miles away in Arlington, since expanded into a franchise operation covering 16 states and the District of Columbia;

– Pete’s New Haven Style Apizza, featuring fresh pizza, pastas, panini, soups, antipasto, salads and gelato, as well as a selection of domestic and Italian wines and beer;

– Potbelly Sandwich Works, offering sandwiches made to order, salads, soups, smoothies and various sweets; and

– Zinnia, a locally owned sit-down restaurant serving an exotic menu of Caribbean foods and drinks, tapas-style, in a comfortable lounge environment.

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