Dupont Circle

GDoN Revisited by Hipchickindc – 1758 Church St NW

By Prince Of Petworth

Hipchickindc is a licensed real estate broker and a professional artist. Her official real estate bio is here and her art website is here. Unless specifically noted, neither she nor the company that she is affiliated with represented any of the parties or were directly involved in the transaction reported below. Unless otherwise noted, the source of information is Metropolitan Regional Information Systems (MRIS), which is the local multiple listing system. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

Featured Property: 1758 Church St NW

Legal Subdivision: Old City #2
Advertised Subdivision per Listing: Dupont
Original List Price: $1,795,000.
List Price at Contract: $1,749,000.
List Date: 04/28/2011
Days on Market: 25

Settled Sales Price: $1,650,000.

Settlement Date: 07/11/2011
Seller Subsidy: $0.
Bank Owned?: No Short Sale? No
Type Of Financing: MRIS reports a cash sale

Original Good Deal or Not post is: here

The listing can be seen: here. The virtual tour can be seen here.

If you’ve ever spent any time wandering the streets around Dupont Circle and wondered what it would take to snap up an entire house that’s already been completely renovated, this would kind of be your answer. Just like most neighborhoods in DC, houses in Dupont come in a range of sizes, styles, and conditions. Even in rough condition, an entire home in Dupont does not come cheap, nor is it an easy find these days.

Continues after the jump. (more…)

Ping Pong Dim Sum Opening Their Second Location in Dupont in “Mid-August”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

Have you posted anything about the new Ping Pong location opening up in Dupont Circle at the corner of New Hampshire and O Street (near 20th St)? It looks great! Was wondering when it will open.”

We learned that Ping Pong Dim Sum would be opening a second location back in Nov. ’10. After a few delays and a major build out they are no on target for a “mid-August” opening (according to a phone call with their Chinatown location).

They will be located in the old Fed Ex space at 1 Dupont Circle NW.

You can see their menu here.

Ping Pong Dim Sum’s first DC location opened at 900 7th Street, NW in Chinatown back in Dec. ’09.

Mari Vanna Restaurant Coming to 1141 Connecticut Ave, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

I’ve been wondering for a while who’d be moving into the prime space formerly held by Randstad (next to Godiva Chocolates) at 1141 Connecticut Ave, NW.


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Turns out it will be Mari Vanna Restaurant. According to a recent liquor license application, it will be:

“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. Background music will be provided. There will be no entertainment and no dancing. No nude performance.”

It sounds like it’ll be from the same folks behind Mari Vanna in New York City:

“The menu offers time honored Russian classics such as the flavorsome customary soup Borsch with Pampushka, Beets, Broth, Beef, Cabbage, Carrots and Potatoes served with Sour Cream in a beautiful tureen that holds enough for seconds or thirds; try the dish that can be found on any dining table across Russia on any given holiday, the Olivier Salad, Diced Carrots, Green Peas, Pickles, and Cubed Bologna with a Light Sage Mayonnaise. There is also the beloved Beef Stroganoff served with Buckwheat and Mushrooms in Truffle Oil, warmed in an adorable Russian doll koozie of sorts; or the succulent Chicken Kiev Cutlets, cooked to perfection, juicy and moist, filled with a decadent herbed butter sauce. And the piece de resistance is of course the Petrossian Caviar platters from red to black served in a stackable Russian doll dish with Russian style blinis, sour cream, diced red onion and crumbled egg yolk.

Complementing the authentic fare is a vodka program like none other, featuring dozens of top-shelf Russian vodka, as well as selections from all over the world, more than 70 varieties total. Mari Vanna also makes an eclectic list of house-infused Russian vodkas with flavors ranging from sweet to spicy and savory. Guests can sip on vodka infused with Horseradish, Beets, Oats & Honey, Apricot, Watermelon, Garlic & Dill and Pineapple, just to name a few, all displayed in giant canisters at the bar.”

You can see their full NYC menu here.

I’ll be sure to update as construction progresses.

Old Porter’s and Penang Spaces Get Leased on 1200 block of 19th St, NW in Dupont

By Prince Of Petworth


Former Porter’s space to become Irish Whiskey

Back in Jan. ’11, I wondered what was going on with this section of 19th St, NW just north of M Street. Sounds like it is back on track. The old Porter’s space at 1207 19th St, NW is going to become Irish Whiskey and the old Penang space 1837 M Street NW (just above the Chipotle) is going to become a Boqueria.

From a press release:

Boqueria, a popular contemporary tapas restaurant with two successful New York City locations, has signed a lease with Grosvenor Americas for 5,331 square feet of space at 1837 M St., NW in Washington, DC. Moving into the space formerly occupied by Penang Malaysian Cuisine, Boqueria plans to open in the fourth quarter of 2011.

Grosvenor Americas also has leased the adjacent 3,815 SF space at 1207 19th Street, NW to Irish Whiskey, which will take over the space formerly occupied by Porters Dining Saloon. A new concept from the owners of a nearby bar, The Mighty Pint, Irish Whiskey will be a “traditional public house” with a large selection of Irish whiskeys, unique beers, and Irish/American food.

“Grosvenor Americas is pleased to facilitate Boqueria’s expansion into Washington, DC,” said Perry C. Reith, Senior Asset Manager, Grosvenor Americas. “We are confident that Boqueria’s contemporary yet casual small plates concept will be as popular in the Golden Triangle as it is in New York City. Boqueria and its new neighbor, Irish Whiskey, will provide new social venue alternatives in this popular area just south of DuPont Circle.”

“Washington, DC is an exciting and bustling food town and we are honored to join the ranks of the city’s operators and restaurants,” said Boqueria owner Yann de Rochefort. (For more information, see www.boquerianyc.com.)


Former Penang space to become Boqueria

Judging Dupont Coffee Shop (reader request)

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo via Dupont Coffee Shop.

“Dear PoPville,

I’m curious to know if any PoP readers have tried Dupont Coffee Shop (apparently, a 30+ year institution). Their menu looks cheap and varied, but I haven’t heard any chatter about it…considering all of the other breakfast and lunch options in the neighborhood, it looks like they might have the best prices around. There are a few Yelp reviews, but not much else. They’ve been around for long enough; can we end the radio silence and get some people talking about this family-run business? Maybe a judging is in order?”

Dupont Coffee Shop is located at 1234 19th St, NW. You can see their menu here. Any fans?

Good Deal or Not? Weekly Wed. House Porn – “1895 bow front manse” edition

By Prince Of Petworth

This home is located at 2023 R St, NW:


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The flier says:

“A notable presence on one of Duponts most attractive and convenient blocks this 1895 bow front manse spans the width of two city lots A beautiful , unique and grand residence with exquisite architecture and classic formality which adapts very well to contemporary life. stunning rooms for entertaining. Charming outdoor spaces, 3 tandem parking and a 1 BR in-law suite”

You can find more info here and a virtual tour here.

This 6 bed/6 bath is yours for $2,875,000.

More $1 Beer Options Plus More Yoga Options

By Prince Of Petworth

When I first moved to DC – the $1 Buds on Thursday at Lucky Bar was supremely popular. I think it’s since been raised to $2 but it looks like we’re having a resurgence in $1 options. I was blown away by the all day $1 beers Mon. – Wed. at Hot N Juicy located at 2651 Connecticut Ave, NW in Woodley Park. Looks like we now got Thursday covered. Though the Madhatter option, located at 1321 Conn. Ave, NW, is only for Bud lights.

And in other Madhatter (building) news – looks like a yoga studio is coming to the third floor in the Fall:

Fire in Basement of Dupont Fine Wines at 1325 Connecticut Ave, NW in Dupont Circle

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to a reader for sending the photos. He writes,

“just took this at fiesta restaurant and lounge, 1327 conn ave – looks like there’s a fire coming out of first floor”

DCfireems tweets:

“Update – 1325 Conn Av NW (Dupont Fine Wines) – 3 sty commercial bldg – fire in bsmt, poss elec in nature w/ extension- expect traffic issues

Update – Conn Av NW – bulk of fire knocked – checking for extension – waiting on Pepco-involved electrical equipment-power controlled by FFs

Update – Connecticut Av NW – fire under control – Connecticut Av closed in both direction S of Dupont Circle – North of N St NW

Update – 1325 Conn Av @Dupont Fine Wines, elec fire w/ extension to 1327 Conn @ Fiesta Resturant – no inj – NB Conn Blocked, SB partial open”

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