Downtown

H&M opening 1133 Connecticut Ave location tomorrow at noon

By Prince Of Petworth

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1133 Connecticut Ave, NW

Ed. Note: This is the former Filene’s that closed back in 2011.

From a press release:

“H & M, Hennes & Mauritz AB (H&M), is excited to announce the opening of a new location in Washington, D.C. at 1133 Connecticut Avenue. Opening on Thursday, August 7th at noon, H&M at 1133 Connecticut Avenue will give customers in the D.C. area more access to the latest trends at the best prices.

The approximately 28,000 square foot H&M at 1133 Connecticut Avenue will offer collections for ladies, men, young ladies and young men, with separate “store within store” sections for accessories, lingerie, sports apparel, and its plus-size line, H&M+.

H&M is the first fashion company to roll out a global garment recycling program. Through this initiative, H&M customers at 1133 Connecticut Avenue can help save natural resources and contribute to a reduced environmental impact by donating old and unwanted pieces of clothing from any brand while in the store. Customers will receive a voucher for 15% off their entire purchase for each bag of donated clothing.

To kick off the recycling program on opening day, customers who bring garments to be recycled before the store opens at noon will also have the chance to win H&M gift cards valued between $50 and $100 in addition to receiving the 15% off voucher.

In celebration of opening day, H&M at 1133 Connecticut Avenue will offer the first 100 shoppers in line an H&M t-shirt and Access to Fashion Pass, valued from $10 to $300, in addition to other fantastic opening offers for the whole family!

Store hours will be Monday through Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., and Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.”

Ashok Bajaj’s The Oval Room will reopen on Monday, August 4th “after a complete million dollar renovation changing both the menu direction and the design scheme”

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo via The Oval Room

From a press release:

“Ashok Bajaj is pleased announce that his landmark power dining restaurant, the Oval Room, which originally opened in October 1994, will reopen on Monday, August 4th after a complete million dollar renovation changing both the menu direction and the design scheme. James Beard Foundation’s award-nominated restaurant designer Martin Vahtra of Projects Design Associates of New York is responsible for creating its design scheme.

The restaurant’s light-filled interior will take on a sleeker ambiance. Vahtra is incorporating a white Carrera marble bar and flooring, with striking darker mahogany wood accents throughout. One will find bold art pieces, theatrical lighting, faux leather and plush fabrics with rich, deep accent colors of burgundy and deep brown contrasting soft gray, beige and touches of lilac. The large eye-catcher installation in the main dining room is a painting created by nationally recognized American artist Jennifer Bartlett. Her work combines abstract and representational styles.

In addition to a new a la carte menu, Executive Chef Tony Conte will be introducing a four-course, fixed price offering at $60 (excluding tax and gratuity) or $90 with complementing wine pairings, selected by Oval Room’s new sommelier Alek Milford. The restaurant will also introduce a $20 lunch at the bar special including one beverage (wine or a non-alcoholic choice), an entrée selection and a dessert sorbet. Those in the neighborhood will also want to drop by for Happy Hour, Monday-Friday from 5 PM to 6:30 PM, for a 20 percent savings on all libations at the bar or on the 35-seat patio, which also has new furnishing. Finally, a familiar face for many, Simon Stilwell is moving from Rasika to be the opening general manager of the new Oval Room. (more…)

Next Up in New Steakhouses – Mastro’s

By Prince Of Petworth

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13th and F Street, NW

Steakhouse explosion of ’14 continues today with Mastro’s Steakhouse.

@ranpuba tweets us:

“Hey @PoPville, info on this replacement for M&S Grill?”

Back in March we learned that Mastro’s Steakhouse would be taking over the former M&S Grill space which closed in June 2013.

Mastro’s 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…”

You can see their Chicago menu here.

Ed. Note: Yesterday we learned that Claudia’s Steakhouse was coming to the former American Express space at 15th and K St, NW.

GSA Releases Shortlist of 3 Options for New FBI Consolidated Headquarters

By Prince Of Petworth

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From GSA:

“A joint panel of the General Services Administration (GSA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has concluded site evaluations for the new FBI Headquarters and has identified three sites as potential locations.

The potential sites for a new consolidated headquarters for the FBI are:

•Greenbelt – A portion of the site known as the Greenbelt Metro Station located near the intersection of Interstates 95/495 and Exit 24 (Greenbelt Station) in Prince George’s County, Maryland.

•Landover – The site known as the former Landover Mall located near the intersection of Interstates 95/495 and MD 202 in Prince George’s County, Maryland.

•Springfield – The site known as the GSA Franconia Warehouse Complex located near the intersection of Interstate 95 and Franconia Road in Fairfax County, Virginia.

Next Steps
GSA will conduct National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reviews on each the three sites, which includes opportunities for public comment. During the NEPA review, GSA will initiate the first of a two-phase Request For Proposal (RFP) seeking qualified developers. The second phase includes the solicitation of development proposals from qualified developers identified in the first phase.”

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From Congresswoman Norton:

“Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management, today released the following statement upon being informed of the General Services Administration’s (GSA) shortlist of potential sites for the new Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) headquarters. The shortlist includes the Greenbelt Metro Station Site and Landover Mall Site in Prince George’s County, MD, and the GSA Springfield/Franconia Warehouse Complex in Fairfax County, VA.

“There had been prior indications that the District’s site would not be selected for the new FBI headquarters. Nevertheless, we take considerable comfort in knowing that at last the current FBI headquarters site is now ripe to bring new jobs and revenue to the District of Columbia. The District alone, among those competing, could not lose in the FBI headquarters selection process. Considering the 6.7 acres that will soon become available in the District at the current headquarters site and the groundbreaking of the Trump Hotel at the Old Post Office building last week, the opportunity to redevelop the Hoover Building site is an occasion for joyful anticipation and for getting to work on the further transformation of Pennsylvania Avenue.”

Last week, Norton attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the historic Old Post Office building at 1100 Pennsylvania Ave NW, where construction will begin to convert the inside of the iconic, 114-year-old building into a luxury hotel. A Norton bill, the Old Post Office Building Redevelopment Act of 2008, required the redevelopment of the building, which will further add to the transformation of the Pennsylvania Avenue corridor.”

“Pomeranian dog disappeared across from the Justice Dept.” UPDATE: “at the dc humane society”

By Prince Of Petworth

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@Dewb tweets us:

“@PoPville Dog disappeared during day trip—untied near 950 Pennsylvania NW. Any tips greatly appreciated!”

Hello. I’m posting this on behalf of my friend Mary, who was visiting from Boston for the day. Any emails will go straight to her.

Now then, Mary has a lovely little Pomeranian female named Kaiju. My friend tied Kaiju to a post across from the Justice Dept. and left for about 20 min. When she came back, Kaiju was gone. Kaiju weighs about 4 lb. and was securely tied to the post. There’s no way she got loose and ran away. Somebody had to have taken her. We’re hoping somebody mistakenly thought Kaiju was abused and took her away. Mary has been calling around and trying to get information from people in the area. Nothing has come up yet, so we’re taking to the Internet.

If anybody has any information, please send Mary an email. Kaiju is a lovable little fluffball who needs to be reunited with Mary ASAP.

UPDATE from Facebook:

“Omg she is fine! She is at the dc humane society. She was turned in by a good samaritan.”

Claudia’s Steakhouse Coming to former American Express space at 15th and K St, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

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1501 K Street, NW

Back in October 2013 we learned we’d have to find a new spot to purchase our travelers checks since the American Express store closed. We also noted it was a pretty prime location. The steakhouse explosion of ’14 continues with word of Claudia’s Steakhouse taking over this space. A liquor license placard posted out front says:

“New full service upper tier restaurant serving Latin infusion cuisine in a steakhouse environment. Entertainment to include live band performances and dancing during evening hours. Seating is for 300 patrons. Sidewalk café seating 45 patrons.”

It’s located on 15th Street between the Cosi and the new G Street Food. Updates as construction progresses.

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New restaurant from Chef Barry Koslow replacing J&G Steakhouse at W Hotel to be Called Pinea – Opening September

By Prince Of Petworth

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515 15th Street, NW

From a press release:

“W Washington DC, the closest hotel to the White House announces Pinea, the new restaurant slated to open in September 2014 in the hotel at 515 15th Street NW.

Pinea, named for the two-needled pine trees of Southern Europe, the source of pine nuts, will offer contemporary regional European dishes with a focus on France, Italy and Spain created by Chef Barry Koslow. The menu will follow flavor profiles popular in these regions including citrus, fresh herbs such as lavender and rosemary and special olive oils. All will enhance an exceptional selection of local vegetables and seasonally varying meat and seafood. (more…)

DC Pizza Opening Soon on 19th Street – “build your own pie | ready in 3 minutes”

By Prince Of Petworth

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1103 19th Street, NW

DC Pizza coming to the former Fish! Maki Sushi Joint by Kaz is looking ready to open very soon. Their website is now live and explains their process. Hours are listed as 11am-9pm daily. You can see their menu here: dc-pizza menu (PDF)

Prices are listed as “UP TO THREE TOPPINGS $8.62, JUST CHEESE $5.99, additional toppings $.99”

Their Facebook page explains it succinctly:

“Choose the crust, sauces and toppings you love and we will bake it up in less than three minutes! Yummy”
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