Back in March we learned that Sweet Diablo chocolate was coming to the small retail space just west of the Jos A Bank on M Street just west of 19th.
New signage is up:
And the inside is looking close to completion:
Dupont Circle
1737 Connecticut Ave, NW
I was amazed at all the progress made at 1737 Connecticut Ave, NW where the BoardRoom is coming to the former Anna Maria restaurant (which closed in June 2009.) In Oct. 2011 we learned it will become a:
“New Tavern. Vintage game room with jukebox. Occupancy load is 251, seating is 90.”
You can see what the building looked like in June 2011 here.
Walking by earlier in the week you can get a peek of the inside:
1721 Connecticut Ave, NW
The Ginza Japanese store located at 1721 Connecticut Ave, NW in north Dupont Circle is going out of business. I spoke with the owner who said everything is currently 20% off and they will remain open for a “couple more months”. It’s possible they may reopen in a new location but they have not found a new space at the moment.
I’ve always loved this store, I’ll be sad to see it go.
1141 Connecticut Ave, NW
Dear PoPville,
Just saw this construction going on across the street from The Mayflower Hotel on my way to work this morning. There was a Bobcat out front and workers going in and out, but I couldn’t see inside. The fencing prevented me from getting close but the sign does indicate an unenclosed sidewalk cafe.
The last post PoP had was from almost a year ago. Is this still Mari Vanna or something else?
Back in Aug. 2011 we learned that Mari Vanna would be coming to 1141 Connecticut Ave, NW next to the Godiva Chocolate store. It took a while but as you noted proper construction has finally started. And it is indeed still slated to become a Mari Vanna.
“A fine dining restaurant serving traditional Russian cuisine with a seating capacity of 215 people inside and sidewalk café seating for 25 people outside. Total occupancy load is 250.”
You can see their full NYC menu here.
2120 P St, NW
Thanks to a reader for sending the photos. A couple weeks ago we learned that Crios Modern Mexican would be coming into the former Vento space at 2120 P St, NW from the owners of Scion, located next door. They open on Monday July 30th:
2020 Florida Ave, NW
Banana Leaves was closed for over a year after suffering a devastating fire in March 2011. They reopened in April 2012. Is the food just as good as it was before? You can see their menu here.
1825 18th St. NW
Dear PoPville,
Any word on what’s up with The Cajun Experience on 18th Street in Adams Morgan? Their website is down and no one is answering the phone. Also, the recent Yelp reviews are horrible. I used to really like this place and I had high hopes for them, but I can’t seem to figure out what happened! I have a LivingSocial deal for this place…guess I’ll try to get a refund.
Wow, just last week I noticed a banner announcing new managment:
But I stopped by over the weekend to check in and the banner was gone and the place was deserted:
We judged the Cajun Experience back in March 2011. We we first learned that they would open in the old Inti Peruvian space by Lauriol Plaza back in Dec. 2010.
From MPD around 3:30pm Sat. afternoon:
“Minutes ago, officers were summoned to the 17th and Corcoran Street area for sounds of gunshots. Upon their arrival, they found an adult male suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. We are still investigating the incident and anyone with information related to this event is encouraged to call (202) 727 9099.”
Another readers sends word of a man found dead Sat. morning in an alley by 17th and P St, NW:
“A middle aged man in wait staff clothing (black collared shirt, black slacks, black socks/shoes) was found dead in an alley in Dupont Circle. The alley runs from 17th to 18th and is located between P and Church. Police arrived around 10:15am – regular cops, secret service (i’m guessing bc of nearby Iraqi embassy), OCME, CSIB. Haven’t seen anything in the news yet. My neighbors walked through the alley at 9:15am and didn’t see anything. First things that jumped to mind were the washington club and the Iraqi embassy – both a block away, both have traditional wait staff.”
1501 Connecticut Avenue, NW
The Starbucks just north of Dupont Circle reopens next Tuesday July 17th.
I’m eager to see how the 2nd floor turns out:
2120 P St, NW
Back in April I shared some scuttlebutt that a tex-mex restaurant was coming to the former Vento space at 2120 P St, NW from the owners of Scion, located next door. Thanks to a reader for sending a tweet from @ScionRestaurant:
“No better time than today, our 3rd birthday, to announce that we will be opening Crios Modern Mexican very soon in Dupont Circle!”
Looks like they’ll be having a sneek peek at Scion on Wed. July 18:
