This is a renovation going on in Columbia Heights. The vandals must really hate that financing company…
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Columbia Heights
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So as I was walking down 13th Street yesterday in Columbia Heights when I encountered, depending on your perspective, a neat or not so neat neighborhood find. I have spoken about these little zip lock bags before but I had never encountered a full one. I always thought I’d find a really small peanut butter and jelly sandwich inside but alas my eyes have finally been opened. Fortunately, I didn’t see the proprietor drop his stash but if I did should I have said, “excuse me sir, I think you dropped your stash?”. So anyway, I sold it for $20 bucks so that’s not so bad. (I’m just kidding mom.) To make a long story short, I smoked it. (I’m just kidding mom.) I threw it away. What would you have done with this neat find?
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All the hype is true! Red Rocks Pizzeria opened tonight and I wept like a baby I was so happy. Before I get to the restaurant let me just say that I think RedRocks represents all that is good and positive about development in Columbia Heights and Petworth. I sat outside and witnessed true diversity. There were Latinos, Whites, Blacks, young and old(er) and plenty of babies. I even spotted Petworth’s very own Bill Crandall and family. It almost felt like a community get together. You could just sense how happy everyone was. Like they had been waiting so long for something like this to come along. And it didn’t disappoint. Of course, there were some minor issues that need to be worked out but on opening night it is to be expected and overall I felt that the experience was sublime.
I started off with a delicious glass of Chimay beer which tasted like what I can only imagine beer tastes like in heaven. I ordered the Napoli pizza which came with anchovies, basil and all the good stuff. For 10 bucks it was delicious and plenty filling. But I think it is the combination of great food and great atmosphere that made the experience so pleasant. I honestly feel like that is the type of restaurant people have been dreaming about. And for the first time in a long time our dreams have finally come true. It is simple but classy, cheap but delicious. I couldn’t ask for anything more.
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Red Rocks Pizzeria on the inside. See full post above.
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If Petworth is the love of my life, Columbia Heights is my mistress. I love the stability of Petworth but Columbia Heights has so much excitement. But I think Columbia Heights is going through a bit of an identity crisis. I altered my walk home today so I could take a picture of the new Dunkin Donuts (see photo down below – sniffle, sniffle). I have to say the walk up 14th Street past Florida is less than pleasant. At first there was simply an uncomfortable vibe in the air. And then there was spit in the air. You remember the expression if looks could kill? Crossing Harvard a young woman looked me straight in the eye and spit at my feet. What the hell? I was stunned. I had my ipod on and I was grooving to the Drive by Truckers minding my own business. Would she have spit at anyone’s feet at that particular moment? As I have learned, it is often wiser to simply keep on walking. Which is what I did. Not two blocks later an older guy in his 40s yells at me: “yo baby, give me some of that water.” I had a bottle of water with me as it was approximately 1000 degrees today. “Yo baby, give me some of that water.” What the hell is that? Then of course I pass the gorgeous Dunkin Donuts. A few moments after that I pass the lovely Starbucks and the super cool Heights of Columbia Restaurant. So, Columbia Heights what are you? Are you just a hateful place or are you the hub of cool that I always tell everyone you are? Are you just playing mind games with me? I think we are old enough to be straight with each other. I think you are really good looking with your awesome rowhouses, sweet bars, and of course plentiful coffee shops (both chain and independent). So where do we go from here?
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Of course Columbia Heights has a Dunkin Donuts that is about to open on 14th St. just south of Harvard. Man, they know how to taunt me. I promise this is my last Donkin Donuts post for a while. Thanks to Chris for the heads up.
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This is another beautiful garden also located on the front yard. I’m super jealous of this one.
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I have often walked by this deli on my route down 11th Street. It always looked awesome but the only problem was that it was always closed. To my surprise and delight, yesterday it was open for business. And apparently it is under new management. So check it out on 11th Street just north of Wonderland.
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This is an updated photo from that condo development in CH whose most notable feature was the awful front door. That front door looks like the entrance to a county jail. And I know from experience but that is a completely different story… Anyway, as you can see the condo is now up for auction. Not a very good sign. Well, maybe you can get a steal if you don’t mind the door.
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Well, the sign has gone up and it looks awesome. Now it is important that when you say Pizzeria you pronounce it “Pitz-ah-ree-ah”, it has a real nice ring to it when you say it that way. I’ve sent out some feelers to my sources to find out when it will finally open but then I realized that I don’t have sources. Sorry, I’ve been drinking. Anyway, it looks great and I can’t wait to dig into that first piece of pitzah.