Finally! Thanks to a reader for tweeting us word. Mastro’s is coming to the former M&S Grill space downtown. Their website says:
“Mastro’s collection of sophisticated, classic Steakhouses and Ocean Club Seafood locations are recognized for their combination of world-class service, highly acclaimed cuisine, and live entertainment in an elegant yet energetic atmosphere. A truly unparalleled dining experience…
Mastro’s Steakhouse
Washington D.C.
Opening May 2015”
13th and F Street, NW
1028 19th Street, NW
Ed. Note: This is the former Boloco Burritos space that abruptly closed in December. I stopped by yesterday and was told more Red Robin’s are coming too.
From a press release:
“Even more residents and workers in Washington, DC will be able to enjoy their fill of the gourmet, fast and heavenly burger experience – a place where burger lovers can delight in a variety of fire-grilled creations using fresh, unique ingredients that made Red Robin® restaurants famous. Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. (Red Robin) today announced that a second Washington, DC-area Red Robin Burger Works® will open on March 23, 2015 at 1028 19th Street, NW in the Golden Triangle.
The new 19th and L Street location remixes the classic atmosphere of Red Robin restaurants, which has welcomed guests for more than four decades, in a quick-serve dining format with a modern twist: gourmet, mouth-watering burgers, starting at $4.99, and fries in under five minutes from when you order. Nearby Residents and workers will be able to “Get Their Quick Fix of YUMMM®” at Red Robin Burger Works and enjoy many of Red Robin’s signature burgers, such as the Whiskey River® BBQ burger, Royal Red Robin Burger® (topped with a fresh fried egg), the Banzai Burger® with grilled pineapple or the Guacamole Bacon burger.
Hours for the new location are 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Thursday, Friday 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Sunday 10:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. In addition to breakfast options in the morning, the restaurant’s full menu will be offered all day. (more…)
Streets of Washington, written by John DeFerrari, covers some of DC’s most interesting buildings and history. John is the author of Historic Restaurants of Washington, D.C.: Capital Eats, published by the History Press, Inc. and also the author of Lost Washington DC.
The iconic Masonic Temple building on the northwest corner of 9th and F Streets NW was the first major private building to be constructed downtown after the Civil War, and it was an extraordinary achievement. Richly decorated inside and out and with a grand ballroom on the second floor, it was one of the city’s important cultural centers when it first opened its doors in 1869. The building had many lives, including as a bastion of the temperance movement in the early years of the 20th century and later as a furniture store. It would also become the first major building to be successfully protected by the District’s Historic Landmark and Historic District Protection Act of 1978.
The old Masonic Temple on the northwest corner of 9th and F Streets NW (photo by the author).
The building was constructed as the headquarters for the local Grand Lodge of Masons. Freemasonry is a centuries-old tradition descended from medieval stone masons’ guilds that evolved into a strictly fraternal order dedicated to benevolent acts. Masons organize themselves into lodges, which are chartered by regional Grand Lodges. Masons were first active in Washington in the late 18th century and formed a Grand Lodge here in 1811. By the mid 19th century they were using a hall at 9th and D Streets NW and needed a larger, more prestigious building to house their meeting hall and headquarters. In 1864, as the Civil War raged, Congress gave them a charter to acquire and develop a site for a new hall. The association purchased the 9th and F Streets lot in 1865 and began raising funds to construct the building. The project was run strictly as a for-profit business, with funds raised by the sale of stock. Stockholders would earn income from rental of the building’s public spaces on the first and second floors. (more…)
825 14th Street, NW courtesy buredo
From an email:
“We’re serving burrito-size sushi rolls (buredo means “blade” in Japanese) and using fresh and innovative ingredients.”
Buredo is opening in the former Yogen Fruz space in “a few months”! Updates when they get closer.
Photo from previous bike ticketing on 11th Street, NW
Ed. Note: Yes cyclists should obey the law. Yes, drivers should drive the speed limit. Having said that – heads up!
Thanks to a reader for sending word:
“yesterday and today a cop has been stopping as many cyclists as he could and (presumably) giving them tickets/citations.
riding against the flow (it’s a one-way street), running red lights, riding on the sidewalk, etc.
not sure.
but he has stopped dozens and dozens of folks.”
A reader reports around 5pm:
“Car on sidewalk downtown at 17 and H. Totally took out a tree and may snarl some rush hour traffic down here. Just heard emergency response arrive.”
It’s hard to keep up – fortunately you guys are good! Today a reader reports:
“Centrolina has posted Job hiring info
[“Centrolina, the first solo project from Chef Amy Brandwein, will be an Italian market and restaurant set in Washington’s new CityCenterDC development. The market will offer a selection of imported Italian specialty items along with meat, fish, and produce from local farms, a selection of house-made items including handmade pasta and sauces, and a barista-serviced coffee program. The restaurant will showcase a seasonal, frequently-rotating menu of regional Italian dishes for lunch and dinner daily.”]
Louis Vuitton has postage signage with a Spring 2015 Open Date
Caudalie [French skincare company] is rumored to open today, they had their awning and signage put up.”
A reader reports:
“1. Alexis Bittar [jewelery store] opened up next to Kate Spade.
2. Someone was evicted from City Center, the sad/interesting part was they moved out their own belongings, they weren’t dumped on the sidewalk, they packed up some items and left most of them in a pile for people to scavenge from. People were scavenging all afternoon yesterday.”
Photo by PoPville flickr user Erin
From MPD:
“The Metropolitan Police Department and the Department of Transportation would like to inform the public of street closures in conjunction with the 2015 St Patrick’s Day Parade scheduled for Sunday, March 15, 2015.
The following street closures will occur from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm:
· 7th Street, N.W. between Constitution Avenue, N.W. and Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.,
The following street closures will occur from 11:30 am until 3:00 pm:
· Constitution Avenue, NW from Pennsylvania Avenue, NW to 17th Street, NW
· 6th Street, NW from Pennsylvania Avenue, NW to Constitution Avenue, NW
· 10th Street, NW from Pennsylvania Avenue, NW to Constitution Avenue, NW
· 7th, 9th, 12th, 14th and 15th Streets, NW from Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. to Independence Avenue, S.W.”
A reader reports:
“Attached is a photo I took of a protest by the Armenian National Committee of America that I saw today at 12th & K St., NW. They were protesting outside the offices of Gephardt Group Government Relations, led by former congressman Richard Gephardt, who the protesters said represents the government of Turkey that refuses to acknowledge the Armenian Genocide.”