2101 L Street, NW
A new Thai restaurant called Krung-Thep is coming to 2101 L Street, NW (though the entrance is actually on 21st Street a bit north of L Street. According to a liquor license application posted out front:
“New Full Service Thai Restaurant and Bar. Seating Capacity is 142, with a total Occupancy Load of 174 and Summer Garden with 52 seats.”
21st Street looking north
M Street, NW just west of 19th Street
Sweet Diablo opened at 19th and M St, NW back in Aug. 2012. Their website says:
Sweet Diablo brings Portugal’s corner café to downtown Washington, DC. Opened by partners Rosa Silva and Nuno Geraldes Freire in 2012, Sweet Diablo celebrates the European tradition of creating culinary experiences through artisanal confections, freshly made breads, fine cheeses and meats, and farm fresh produce. Life is to be savored, and it starts with what is on your plate.
At Sweet Diablo, we prepare our menu in the Portuguese tradition of using beautiful ingredients in simple combinations to bring out amazing flavors. With recipes created by Chef Michael Guerrieri, our Paoninis are a play on the Panini sandwich combining Portuguese meats and cheeses on freshly baked ciabatta to create distinct flavors that will captivate your mouth. Our soups and salads create a lighter play on some of these traditional ingredients.
We brew Illy coffee to serve alongside our Pastéis de Nata, a Portuguese custard tart whose tradition dates back to 1837 where it was first created in a Lisbon monastery. All of our breads and pastries are baked freshly each morning.
Our Not Your Usual Cheescake (NYUC) is pure temptation. Made without eggs, and topped with a fruit sauce, each bite is delectable.
The Best Chocolate Cake in the World by Chef Carlos Braz Lopes
Sweet Diablo is proud to feature renowned Portuguese Chef Carlos Braz Lopes signature chocolate cake. This flourless, gluten-free confection features thin, crunchy chocolate meringue layers filled with a creamy chocolate mousse and a ganache top. A popular sensation in Portugal, Spain, Australia and Brazil, Sweet Diablo is proud to be the exclusive distributor of the Best Chocolate Cake in the World in the United States.
You can see their full menu here. Any fans?
1140 19th Street, NW
Back in June 2012 we learned that 1140 19th St, NW would be getting completely renovated. Do you like the way it turned out? A Noodles and Company is coming to the retail space. Most recently a Noodles and Company opened up a few weeks ago at 17th and K St, NW. You can see what 1140 19th Street used to look like here.
1700 Block of L St, NW
A Sarar clothing store is coming to the former Verizon store space on the 1700 block of L Street, NW. And on the corner in the former Ritz Camera space, I’m told a bank will be taking over that space. This is across the street from the former Borders space which is becoming a Nordstrom Rack soon.
Anyone familiar with Sarar?
18th and L St, NW
1909 K Street, NW
Thanks to a tipster for sending word that the new Icelandic restaurant, LOOK, hopes to open this Friday and Saturday with late night service and normal hours starting Monday. LOOK is located in the former Teatro Goldoni space at 1909 K Street, NW. Stay tuned.
Congrats to Irish Whiskey on their 1 year anniversary. To celebrate they’ve launched:
DOLLAR-BOTTLE BUBBLY BRUNCH KICKOFF
Dollar-Bottle Bubbly Brunch is just what it states: $1.00 for a full bottle of champagne every
Saturday and Sunday between the hours of 11:00am to 3:00pm with a $10.00 minimum food
purchase. Brunch/Cocktail menu will also include rotating cocktail specials created by one of its
seven skilled bartenders.
You can see all their menus here.
These are great. From a press release:
The Golden Triangle Business Improvement District (BID) is making recycling easier for neighborhood workers and visitors with the installation of 58 dual-flow trash/recycling bins in the central business district. The BID currently maintains 280 trashcans within its 43 block area and plans to convert all cans to dual-flow bins in the next couple of years.
Last year, the BID launched a pilot program to co-locate 10 recycling cans with existing trashcans throughout the neighborhood for the purpose of collecting recycling data. The information gathered helped determine the need to provide a recycling option and the public’s response showed a desire to be environmentally-conscious. The dual-flow cans divide the bin to provide a recycling or trash option, but don’t add clutter to the street. The District’s single-stream recycling guidelines mean paper, aluminum, glass and plastic are comingled and collected in a single bin.
675 15th Street, NW
Ebbitt Express is closing this Friday after 19 years. It’s located in the atrium next to Old Ebbitt Grill. Their website says:
Ebbitt Express caters to local workers, shoppers and visitors on the go.
The accent here is on wholesome, healthy food, freshly prepared every day using the natural, locally-produced ingredients Clyde’s is famous for. Freshly baked muffins, bagels, yogurt and fresh fruit greet workers during the morning rush. But lunch is what Ebbitt Express is most noted for. Choice meats and chicken are grilled to order. And selection is exceptional, ranging from baked potatoes and grilled vegetables to pasta, soups and salads.
I spoke to an employee who said the express simply wasn’t making enough money. While I was there customers consistently shared their disbelief. One even offered to start a petition to keep them from closing. Sad news indeed. Thanks to all who sent word. Fortunately Old Ebbitt Grill will offer carry out:
11th and Massachusetts Ave, NW
Thanks to a reader for sending word:
“I’ve noticed recent activity in the long vacant retail space at 11 and Mass. Saw Subway signs in there this morning.”
In Jan. we learned that condo sales had begun at CityCenterDC. CityCenterDC’s boundaries are New York Avenue NW, 9th Street NW, H Street NW, and 11th Street NW. Last week I took a tour of a model unit and got to see this unbelievably cool 3-D model of the development by LIDCM Corporation. I think I have underestimated how transformative this development is gonna be. To say I was blown away is an understatement. I can’t wait until we get confirmation on the retail and restaurants (“With over 295,000 sq ft of retail space, CityCenterDC will feature nearly 60 stores, restaurants and cafes”) but in the meantime – check out some more photos of the model:
More photos after the jump. (more…)