Downtown

11th Street between H and New York Ave, NW

A new Point Chaud crepes spot has opened up on 11th Street, NW between the Capitol City Brewery and the Haad Thai restaurant across from the rapidly progressing City Center. You can see their menu here. They also have locations at 1012 14th St. NW and 1736 14th St. NW.

Maybe Eatmore Chicken will change their name back…

From a press release:

This coming winter, Washingtonians can look forward to the opening of Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken, a casual yet refined take on two comfort food classics – fried chicken and doughnuts. Founded by childhood friends Elliot Spaisman and Jeff Halpern, Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken will open its first location in Downtown Washington near Metro Center. Pastry Chef Jason Gehring, most recently overseeing the pastry program at Fiola, will helm the kitchen and menu development. Astro plans to serve a rotating variety of doughnuts and fried chicken daily, during the breakfast, lunch and late afternoon rush.

The name Astro was inspired by the desire to provide a stellar product and experience to Washingtonians. In this case, sweet and savory all-American favorites – fried chicken and doughnuts – come together with an inventive and whimsical take on flavors and offerings. Sourcing some of the finest ingredients available, Chef Gehring will offer a variety of doughnuts with familiar flavors like glazed, chocolate and sugar. Customers can also expect nostalgic renditions like peanut butter and jelly, crème brulee, and riffs on iconic desserts like the black and white cookie. “One of my greatest culinary inspirations was my grandmother, and I plan on honoring her fried chicken recipe at Astro, with regular and spicy varieties” said Gehring. Astro is finalizing partners now, but plans to serve premium coffee from artisan roasters.

Combining their culinary and service backgrounds, Gehring and Spaisman will lead the back and front of the house respectively. While opening is expected later this winter, Astro plans on hosting pop-up tastings throughout late fall and early winter.

Astro has been a project in the making for the past three years. Raising funds during a downturn economy, while finding an attractive location that was appropriately ventilated for deep-frying, was a long-standing challenge. “In the early planning stages, we worked with Valerie Hill of Johnny’s Half Shell to help with recipe development,” said Spaisman. “We also looked to long-time friends John Fulchino and Chef Ann Cashion for some very insightful industry advice,” he continued. “Three years later, we’re so happy to have found a great talent in Jason, who has been adding to those first recipes and putting his own personal stamp on the flavor varieties.”

Co-founders, Elliot Spaisman and Jeff Halpern, the first native Washingtonian to play for the Washington Capitals, grew up playing hockey together in Montgomery County, Md. Doughnuts were the reward of choice after games, particularly those from the recently reopened Montgomery Doughnuts. Spaisman, with a long-standing career in antiques, was always a lover of food, having worked at Balducci’s (formerly Sutton Place Gourmet) throughout his high school and college years. He and Halpern both have a passion for food and were inspired by a fond childhood memory, to offer Washingtonians a fun interpretation on two comfort food favorites.

1129 20th Street, NW (between L and M Streets)

The Post’s Tom Sietsema reports:

“Friedman [Dennis Friedman of Bethesda’s Newton’s Table] feels much more certain about promoting one of the restaurant’s signature dishes, Fuzu noodles, within a fast-casual concept, which is a long way of announcing the May 1 opening of the 76-seat Newton’s Noodles at 1129 20th St. NW in the District.”

Anyone ever try Newton’s Table up in Bethesda?

1909 K Street, NW

At the end of August we noted that Teatro Goldoni had closed for renovations and was planning on reopening in October. Apparently plans have changed, significantly!

Bisnow has the scoop on the plans for an Icelandic Restaurant called Look set to open Nov. 16th:

“It will be world cuisine small plates, with 200 seats, hologram TVs, interactive lighting on the bar and stairs, and as sleek and modern as his last entry was traditional.”

1099 New York Avenue, NW

UPDATE

Despite the fact that a reader gives a tip and a call to the restaurant confirmed that Againn would be closing their doors downtown on November 3rd, I’ve received an email from AGAINN General Manager and partner, Romeo Santos, who says AGAINN not closing Nov. 3rd.

We judged them back in March 2010. You can see their menu here.

Though their Website says:

“IMPORTANT ANNOUNCMENT FOR OUR VALUED LIVING SOCIAL GUESTS. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 31ST WILL BE THE FINAL DAY TO REDEEM ALL LIVING SOCIAL VOUCHERS, HURRY IN SO THAT YOU DON’T MISS OUT”

1020 19th Street, NW

Thanks to a reader for sending:

“Spotted this real estate sign at Java Green at 19th and L NW – guess it closed permanently?”

Back in August we learned that Java Green and Cafe Green had closed “temporarily”. Looks like it’s permanent.

1518 K Street, NW

About a month ago we learned that that a new oyster bar and tapas restaurant was coming to 1518 K St, NW in late Fall. They’ve posted a liquor license application which shares a few more details about Catch 15:

“New Tavern. Oyster bar & small plates. Entertainment with DJ, occasional Flamingo dancers, guitar player, and other live music. Occupancy load is 160. Sidewalk Café with 30 seats.”

Flamenco dancers could be pretty cool. Flamingo dancers could be absolutely epic!

Another former Quiznos space gets a new tenant. The one at 1025 Vermont Ave, NW (just north of K Street) will become a Cafe Mediterranean.