Downtown

Richard Sandoval Restaurant News – More Info on Toro Toro Opening at 13th and I St, NW in March, and Reports of Mango Tree, Thai Restaurant, Coming to City Center

By Prince Of Petworth

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1300 I Street, NW

From a press release:

“Acclaimed Chef/Owner Richard Sandoval is pleased to announce the March anticipated opening of his Pan Latin steakhouse concept, Toro Toro, which will be located at 1300 I Street, NW, 20005. Toro Toro is a play on the Japanese word for tuna and the Spanish word for bull. The restaurant will offer a twist on the contemporary steakhouse experience by artfully blending Pan Latin flavors and creative sharing plates. Those dining at this handsome new restaurant will enjoy the 140-seat dining room and the 40-seat seasonal outdoor patio. A 70-seat lounge will be located on the lower level and offer late-night hours for those who wish to dance the night away.

Sandoval latest concept for Washington has a sister restaurant in Dubai, UAE. Guests can anticipate a spin on South and Central American ingredients and flavors through a variety of hot and cold small plates including arepas and ceviches, steaks served a la carte and savory side dishes meant for sharing. Fans will also be able to enjoy Toro Toro’s “Rodizio Experience,” which features unlimited amounts of perfectly grilled meats carved tableside. Endless eats and free-flowing cocktails will take center stage every Saturday and Sunday during the restaurant’s bottomless brunch.

The restaurant will also pour from an expansive beverage program. Guests can anticipate innovative, handcrafted libations made with ultra-premium Latin spirits. Two barrel aged cocktails will also be available, the Buena Vida and the Manhattan de Toro, along with a well-curated collection of 130 wines from around the world, and 35 wines by the glass.

LW Design Group LLC of Dubai, UAE, is responsible for designing the 12,400-square foot space, which draws inspiration from Japanese and Latin interior design elements. The main dining room is open and organized into distinctive sections, making the space feel intimate and inviting. The high-backed chairs and family-style dining tables give the room a comfortable, homey feel and are a striking contrast with the cool lounge space, which features a modern fireplace with burning amber flames. This warm light echoes throughout the space with golden pendants, stage lighting, metallic chandeliers and reflective backsplashes. Other design elements include gold leather tufted couches, lounge seating made of velvet upholstery with patterned silk cushions, copper tiles, cowhide accents, black marble floors, a sculptural metal cage staircase, eye-catching artwork and spiral horn wall accents, which combined create a sophisticated and sultry ambiance.

Toro Toro is located at 1300 I Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20005, less than one block from the McPherson Square Metro accessible on the Blue Lines, and three blocks from Metro Center Metro accessible on the Red Line. Toro Toro will open for lunch, dinner and late night and then add weekend brunch in the coming months.”

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CityCenterDC

And Washington Business Journal reports:

“Mango Tree, an upscale Thai restaurant from restaurateur Richard Sandoval, will be among the new dining offerings at CityCenterDC, a spokesman for Sandoval confirmed.”

Mango Tree will join Chef Daniel Boulud’s DBGB Kitchen & Bar as the other known restaurant in CityCenterDC.

Native Foods Cafe Coming to former Sizzling Express space at 18th and M St, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

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18th and M St, NW (just off Connecticut Ave)

Finally word of who will be moving into the former Sizzling Express space downtown – Native Food Cafe. A recent liquor license placard says:

“This is new restaurant serving vegan food. No dancing or entertainment. Total # of seats is 116 and the occupancy load is 160. Sidewalk Café # of seats: 14”

Hours of operation are as listed as Sunday through Thursday 7 am – 2am and Friday through Saturday 7 am – 3 am.

A Native Foods Cafe is also planned for Penn Quarter in the Navy Memorial Plaza.

According to their website:

“Native Foods Café is the premier chef-crafted vegan restaurant serving homemade, fresh food every day of the week. Native Foods Cafe has attracted acclaim in Zagat, USA Today, VegNews and numerous other publications.”

You can see their Menus here.

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18th Street looking south

Props to the Cops – Commanders Edition

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by PoPville flickr user KJinDC

From MPD:

“I would like to share some outstanding police work by members of MPD that occurred yesterday.

At approximately 6:00 pm, a female citizen was walking in the area of the 500 block of C Street, NW when a juvenile suspect snatched her cell phone and fled on foot. The female gave brief chase and then alerted Commander Jake Kishter of the Third District and Commander Keith Williams of the Police Academy who were walking in the area. The two Commanders gave chase and subsequently apprehended the suspect along with the victim’s cell phone.”

Ed. Note: This is the second time Commander Kishter has received props chasing suspects on foot.

Action on 19th Between L and M Continues – Former Oh Fish! Maki Sushi Joint by Kaz to become DC Pizza

By Prince Of Petworth

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1103 19th Street, NW (19th and L St, NW)

Washington Business Journal’s permit roundup reports:

“1899 L St. NW: Renovation to a vacant, 1,170-square-foot street-level retail tenant for a new 10-seat pizza joint. Per the permit, the eatery will be called “DC PIZZA.”

Previously the Business Journal had reported:

“D.C. Pizza will lease 1,200 square feet of space at 1103 19th St. NW. The restaurant, from serial franchise owners Bob Daly and Lisa Lakin, will feature personal, choose-your-own-topping pizzas made to order.”

1899 L Street is the building on the corner of 19th and L and this retail space is actually accessed from 19th Street not L. Back in July 2013 we noted that the Oh Fish! Maki Sushi Joint by Kaz had closed.

Lots of action for 19th Street between L and M lately. Recently Famous Luigi’s Pizza closed, Sophie’s Cuban opened, Nature’s Table opened, Noodles and Co opened and yesterday we learned GRK Greek Fresh is coming from NYC. And just north of M the New Orleans Po Boy Shop is still closed.

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Whoa – The Corcoran Gallery of Art to be Taken Over by GW University and the National Gallery of Art

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC

From an email:

“Following the long period of investigation pursued by our Board, I have wonderful news to report. The Corcoran Gallery of Art and Corcoran College of Art and Design, the National Gallery of Art, and the George Washington University (GW) today are announcing a proposed collaboration that would safeguard and increase access to the Corcoran’s iconic collection as a resource for the public in Washington, DC; maintain the historic Corcoran building as the renovated showplace for an important new program of exhibitions of modern and contemporary art; and strengthen and elevate the Corcoran College and its programs. The collaboration would raise the stature of arts education in the District and expand the benefits, services, and interdisciplinary opportunities that both the National Gallery of Art and GW provide to students, museum-goers, and the Washington community.

Our three institutions are now entering a working period to set the definitive terms of a collaboration, under which the Corcoran College of Art and Design would become a part of the George Washington University. GW would operate the College, maintain its distinct identity, and assume ownership of, and responsibility for, the Corcoran building. The National Gallery of Art would organize and present exhibitions of modern and contemporary art within the building under the name Corcoran Contemporary, National Gallery of Art. The National Gallery would also maintain and program a Corcoran Legacy Gallery within the building, displaying a selection of works from the collection that are closely identified with the 17th Street landmark. These and other works of the Corcoran collection would become the responsibility of the National Gallery of Art. Works accessioned by the National Gallery would bear the credit line “Corcoran Collection.” For works not accessioned by the National Gallery, the Corcoran, in consultation with the National Gallery, will develop a distribution policy and program.

As you know, this proposed arrangement among three prominent Washington, DC, institutions comes as the culmination of a five-year effort by the Corcoran’s Board of Trustees to preserve the 17th Street building as both a museum space and a home for the College and to ensure the future of the Corcoran collection as a treasure accessible to all. Due to the challenges faced by the Corcoran, our Board has sought to achieve these goals by exploring collaborations with other cultural and educational institutions.

I want you to know that this coalition among our three institutions will open important new possibilities for Washington, DC. The Corcoran’s great cultural, educational, and civic resources, which are at the heart of this city, will not only remain in Washington but will become stronger, more exciting, and more widely accessible, in a way that stays centered on the Corcoran’s dedication to art and mission of encouraging American genius and opens the galleries to all for free. We are deeply grateful for the bold imagination of the boards of all three institutions for working to make this outcome possible.

Our partner institutions are as thrilled as we are (more…)

Martinez + Johnson and Mecanoo Architecture Selected to Renovate MLK Library – No Decision yet on if it “will be renovated as a stand-alone library or as a mixed-use building with additional floors”

By Prince Of Petworth

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From a press release:

“Today, Mayor Vincent C. Gray joined Interim Chief Librarian Joi Mecks and members of the D.C. Public Library (DCPL) Board of Trustees to announce that the team of Martinez + Johnson and Mecanoo Architecture has been selected to renovate the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library.

Martinez + Johnson is a District-based firm that has extensive experience with historic renovation projects, including DCPL’s Takoma Park and Georgetown libraries. Mecanoo is a Netherlands-based firm whose work includes Boston’s Dudley Municipal Center.

“Today, the District takes another step towards giving our residents the great central library they deserve in a way that helps improve both the public’s library experience and our library system’s bottom line,” said Mayor Gray. “I would like to thank the Library for selecting the best architecture team for the job. I also want to thank all of the people who provided input into the selection process.”

“Today, we take a huge step in helping to define what central library service will mean for urban libraries around the country,” said DCPL Board of Trustees member Neil Albert. “We’ve come a long way since the library began its transformation in 2006. I’m excited for what is yet to come for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library and the D.C. Public Library in general.”

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library will be renovated to accommodate 21st-century library services. The library, which first opened in 1972, has many systems that need to be updated or replaced. Additionally, many aspects of library service have changed greatly in the 40 years since the building opened.

“The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library is a good library, but it can be an amazing library for the District,” said Mecks. “Now that we have a design team identified, we can begin to envision the next chapter for library service in the District. Martinez + Johnson and Mecanoo will work with library staff and the community on determining what services will be offered in the new Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library. There will be more community meetings, more focus groups, more surveys and more crowdsourcing to come.”

Martinez + Johnson Architecture and Mecanoo Architecture were one of three finalists along with Patkau Architects/Ayers Saint Gross with Krueck + Sexton and STUDIOS Architecture/The Freelon Group. A Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC) composed of library, urban planning, architecture and preservation experts selected the final team, with assistance from an advisory panel, based on the team’s:

· Senior personnel assigned to the project and their experience designing and completing major libraries and obtaining appropriate approvals from D.C. and federal review agencies;

· Approach to managing the project, developing the project budget, managing the costs and schedule while ensuring the final design meets budget requirements and addressing key challenges that are inherent in the project; and

· Ability to meet or exceed the District’s Certified Business Enterprise participation rate of 35 percent.

In addition, community input was shared with the TEC and informed the selection. Such input included people in-person and online participating in the teams’ public presentations on Saturday, Feb. 15; more than 1,200 people posting and discussing over 100 different ideas on the library’s crowdsourcing platform; participant comments in 14 focus groups; and nearly 400 completed online and paper surveys about what residents wanted to see in a renovated central library.

With Martinez + Johnson Architecture and Mecanoo Architecture identified, library officials will begin preparing a contract for approval by the contract review committee of the DCPL Board of Trustees and the D.C. Council. In addition, the Advisory Panel will help the library continue to collect input from the community on what they would like to see in their renovated Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library.

Upon contract approval, Martinez + Johnson and Mecanoo will work with library staff and consultants to determine if the project will be renovated as a stand-alone library or as a mixed-use building with additional floors. No decisions have been made on the type or extent of the renovations or additions to the library.

The total cost for the project has not been determined. Early estimates for the total cost range from $225 million to $250 million. The Mayor and D.C. Council have committed $103 million to the project in the capital budget.”

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9th and G Street, NW

Caribou Coffee Closes at 17th and Penn, will Reopen as Peet’s Coffee & Tea in a Month

By Prince Of Petworth

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17th and Pennsylvania Ave, NW

The Caribou Coffee located by the White House at 17th and Pennsylvania Ave, NW closed on Sunday:

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They’ll reopen as Peet’s Coffee & Tea in about a month:

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In December we noted the Logan Circle Caribou had closed and would reopen as Peet’s in about three months.

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14th and Rhode Island Avenue, NW

At that time an employee said they’d use the space as a training spot for all the Peet’s DC employees. Looks like that is indeed the case:

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National Gallery of Art East Building – Looking Good

By Prince Of Petworth

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6th and Constitution Ave NW

It has obviously been a while since I walked by because I didn’t even know all the scaffolding had come down. It’s not totally finished because construction fences are still up but you can see it’s looking sweet as ever:

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More photos after the jump. (more…)

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