Dupont Circle

PoP Preview – Yola, Fresh Yogurt Parfait Bar and Coffee House Opening in Dupont

By Prince Of Petworth

We first learned about Yola, coming to 1323 Connecticut Ave, NW back in late August. I’m happy to report that they’ll be open for business on Monday. Co-owner Laura Smith was kind enough to give me a quick tour earlier in the week. From Yola’s Web site:

“Co-founders David and Laura, both longtime D.C. residents, are a father-daughter team. The idea for Yola came up during a family dinner in 2009. Laura had seen a similar concept in Europe and wondered why D.C. didn’t have anything like it. David and Laura put their heads together and a year and a half later, Yola was born.”

Their menu is “a combination of tasty seasonal ingredients backed up by an ever-reliable supply of superfoods and organic supplements.” They offer yogurt parfaits with unlimited toppings, smoothies, tea and coffee and eventually some grab and go sandwiches. A regular fresh yogurt is $4.25 and a large is $5.50.

The space is very comfortable and much larger than I thought it would be based on the size of the storefront.

More photos after the jump. (more…)

Shake Shack One Step Closer To Opening in DC

By Prince Of Petworth

I’m happy to report that Shake Shack coming to 1216 18th St NW in the former Fuddruckers space has applied for a liquor license:

“American style restaurant specializing in burgers and shakes. No entertainment or dancing provided. Sidewalk Café with 12 seats. Seating capacity is 102. Total occupancy load is 108.”

Though it’s still not clear if they are going to keep the classic Fuddruckers door handle:

Brickskeller Closing Dec. 18th?

By Prince Of Petworth

J Street Beer Review shares the news:

“The Brickskeller is closing.

Here at J Street Beer, we have on good authority that the final day for the DC craft beer pioneer will be December 18th, 2010.”

We judged the Brickskeller located at 1523 22nd St NW back in Sept. There have been rumors of a sale for months so most wont be too surprised by the news. But if you go drinking tonight, you might want to pour a little out for the Brickskeller that was at one time a powerhouse in DC’s beer scene.

Lucky Brand Store Closing in Dupont at the end of Jan.

By Prince Of Petworth

I just noticed that a big sign advertising “prime 1st floor retail” space has been posted above Lucky Brand Jeans located at 1739 Connecticut Ave NW.  I went in the store on Sat. and they confirmed that this location will be closing at the end of January.  However, the Georgetown location at 3273 M St NW will remain open.  The Dupont location is located right next to the old Anna Maria’s restaurant that remains vacant.

This is also just down the block from the old Lambda Rising space which will soon become a Comfort One Shoes.

What do you guys think will go into the “prime 1st floor retail” space? More retail? Another restaurant? Or it’ll sit vacant for a while?

Old Mar de Plata Space Becoming St. Arnold’s Belgian Restaurant/Pub on Jefferson Place, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

I’ve been monitoring this space since Mar de Plata closed here at 1827 Jefferson Place, NW back in August. Looks like they have a healthy appreciation for a proper beer:

Welcome to St. Arnold’s of Jefferson Place! The name St. Arnold refers to the Patron Saint of Brewing, which conjures up visions of great food, world-class beers and an inviting meeting place in the midtown area. During his lifetime, St. Arnold was said to have performed numerous miracles involving the multiplying of beer. He also was a proponent of the consumption of good food and beer, as he felt it was good for the soul and fostered a sense of community. Our inspiration for St. Arnold’s starts here. We strive to offer a menu of Belgian and American classics in a casual setting.

You can see their beer list here.

You can see their menu here.

I peeked my head in and it looks like there is still a few weeks of construction that needs to be completed but I’ll be sure to update when an opening date is selected.

After looking at their beer list and menu – I’m gonna go out on a limb and say this is a big score for Dupont. Any spot dedicated to the ‘Patron Saint of Brewing’ has a very promising future in my eyes…

New PoP Feature: What’s a Fair Price for this Rental?

By Prince Of Petworth

Ed. Note: I’ve been getting a few inquiries like this so I thought it would be fun to start it as a regular feature. If you’re looking to rent a place out and are curious what is a realistic price send an email with ‘what’s a fair price’ in the title to princeofpetworth(at)gmail(dot)com. We can also do this for people selling their homes if interested.

“Dear PoP,

Similar to your recent post on suggested rent for an apartment in Bloomingdale, I was wondering if you could ask a question regarding a unit that I am renovating to be available in a few months.

The apartment for rent will be a newly-renovated English basement at 16th and Swann Streets in Dupont area. It will be about 700 sq. ft with its own separate entrance through a garden area in back. The apartment will be well-lit with overhead lighting and natural light through a back glass door and two front windows. The kitchen will have granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. The floor will be acid-stained concrete and there will be one wall with painted white brick. There will be a split-duct wall-mounted AC and baseboard heating. The apartment will have its own COO and will have separate utilities. I will allow pets.

I would appreciate any recommendations as to the appropriate rental price.”

I’m thinking in the $1300 – 1500 range? I was off last time so I’m curious to see what folks think for this one.


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Old Townhouse/Secret Safeway to Become Offices?

By Prince Of Petworth

Back in August we heard some Scuttlebutt that an H Mart was interested in coming to the old Secret Safeway space at 1800 20th St, NW in Dupont. Sadly, new permits that have gone up don’t indicate an H Mart. Or any grocery store. It says the proposed use is offices:

Oh well. More as info becomes available…

Panera Bread Opens First DC Location Today in Dupont

By Prince Of Petworth

From a press release:

“Panera Bread will open its first bakery-cafe in Washington, DC located at 1350 Connecticut Avenue NW in Dupont Circle on Friday, November 12, 2010.

The new bakery-cafe in Washington, DC will offer a warm and welcoming environment including intimate seating areas, comfortable chairs, a community table and free WiFi Internet access.

The hours of operation for Panera Bread at 1350 Connecticut Avenue NW are Monday-Saturday 6:00 am-9:00 pm and Sunday 7:00 am-8:00 pm.”

Most folks were pretty psyched when we first learned about this back in Aug.

Ping Pong Dim Sum Opening 2nd Location in Dupont!

By Prince Of Petworth


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Wow, this is pretty big news for Dim Sum fans. Thanks to a reader for sending in the scoop from an employee of the One Dupont Circle building where Ping Pong Dim Sum will go into the old Georgetown Valet and Fed Ex spaces:

I am happy to announce that the American Council on Education entered into a long term agreement with Ping Pong Dim Sum Restaurant to lease the space vacated by Georgetown Valet and FedEx Office. Because of some unanticipated obstructions, for example the requirement to obtain a zoning variance to extend the window line as requested by Ping Pong, the process took longer than we anticipated. However, in the end we feel that we were able to negotiate very favorable lease terms for ACE with an upscale and established restaurant that will add value to the NCHE building and the Dupont Circle business community.

The construction necessary to extend the window line is tentatively scheduled to begin November 28, 2010 and should be complete and ready to turn over to Ping Pong in January 2011. Once turned over to Ping Pong they can start the construction necessary to build out the interior space according to their design drawings. The tentative grand opening for the restaurant is scheduled for 2Q 2011 with much anticipation.

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

Scuttlebutt: Old Lambda Bookstore Space Becoming a Comfort One Shoes

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to a reader for writing in and letting me know that the old Lambda Rising Bookstore space at 1625 Connecticut Ave, NW was getting fixed up. While only scuttlebutt at the moment, it seems that the space is going to be filled by a Comfort One Shoes. That seems a bit odd considering Comfort One Shoes is closing a space just down the block at 1607 Connecticut Ave, NW. Well not the most exciting news but there you have it. More info as it becomes available.

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