Downtown

1730 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

From Craigslist:

“GCDC, Grilled Cheese DC, is hiring a General Manager to lead the charge for DC’s newest restaurant. gcdc is a new fast-casual meets wine bar concept with the goal of bringing the perfect grilled cheese sandwich to the DC metro area. We are looking to hire a General Manager who has the following credentials: proven leader, team builder, energetic and enthusiasm for people and food, fast-casual experience and desire to grow with a new company.

The quality of our product is our top priority and will be achieved by using fresh local ingredients, innovative technology, and uniform precision. Our objective is to provide a new alternative to typical fast food that offers a superior tasting product at comparable speed and price, while offering a healthier more enjoyable experience. gcdc will offer an exciting menu of perfectly cooked gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, homemade soups, “tater tots,” and an array of different and healthy beverages. Fruits and vegetables will be fresh and local. Cheeses and meats will come from high-end local vendors. Cheese plates, wine, beer and charcuterie will be our focus starting around 4pm daily as we look to appeal to the White House, World Bank and business community in our neighborhood as the local gathering place each evening.

GCDC will be opening at the end of 2013 and will be located one block from the White House at 1730 Pennsylvania Ave. NW.”

1129 20th Street, NW

In the beginning of the week we learned that Newton’s Noodles hoped to open this week pending DCRA approval. They got it. From a press release:

“Chorks and fuzu have officially arrived in Dupont: Newton’s Noodles, the new fast-casual concept from award-winning Executive Chef Dennis Friedman, opens today at 11 a.m. The restaurant revolves around Friedman’s signature fuzu, a customizable noodle dish that gained popularity at the chef’s acclaimed Bethesda restaurant, Newton’s Table.

Friedman created his signature fuzu (shrimp, scallops, chicken, egg, carrots, snowpeas, onions, bean sprouts, scallions, crispy shallots and black sesame) on his first day as an executive chef and later brought it to Newton’s Table, where it gained a formidable critical and popular following. The dish serves as the foundation of the Newton’s Noodles menu: guests can order the original or customize with their choice of noodle, protein, sauce and vegetables. And, all varieties of the made-to-order fuzu will be prepared using all-natural, locally-sourced ingredients prepared at a speedy clip. Friedman has perfected the dish throughout his tenure at both restaurants, a taste he describes as “the perfect mix of salty and sweet, with a touch of heat.” (more…)

1129 20th Street, NW

Sticky note attached to front door:

Though originally aiming for a July opening, the wait continues for Newton’s Noodles to open Downtown. On Sept. 27th they write on their facebook page:

“We apologize for any confusion and the delay. We are doing everything we can to get DCRA to give us the green light. We hope it will be by early next week. We will keep you posted. Thank you for your patience.”

You can see their menu here.

1708 L Street, NW

The former Balletto space (and Indian experience before that) is going to become a Stone Fish Grill.

And they’re hiring: