Georgetown

Eno Wine Room Opens in Georgetown Today

By Prince Of Petworth

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2810 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

From a press release:

“ENO wine room opens today at 2810 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW in Georgetown. With a mission to showcase interesting varietals and artisanal products in an approachable manner, ENO offers guests a curated selection of wines by the glass, bottle and flight, as well as small production cheeses, charcuterie and chocolates.

The opening list offers hundreds of selections from both the Old World and the New World, with approximately half of the bottles priced under $50. Flights are a central focus of ENO’s offerings, featuring 8 to 12 wine trios at any time, with themes such as Rhone Rangers, showcasing the classic styles of Northern and Southern Rhone, Jefferson’s heirs, built around three examples from Virginia wineries and Acid Trip, featuring high acid whites. The wine room also features approximately 35 wines by the glass, including eight on tap, with prices starting at $9.

The growing local wine scene is well represented in ENO’s offerings, showcasing several Virginia wineries, including King Family Vineyards, Paradise Springs Winery and Barboursville Vineyards. The wine room’s list also includes a series of private labels made by ENO from the initial step of barrel selection to the final blend, including two wines made in partnership with Dusted Valley in Walla Walla, Washington – “Columbeaux” and “GSM.”

ENO’s commitment to supporting local producers on the food front includes charcuterie selections from Stachowski’s Market in DC, chocolate truffles from Virginia confectioner Gearharts and cheeses from Calkins Creamery in Pennsylvania and Cherry Glenn Goat Cheese Co. in Maryland. A concise menu of salads, grilled sandwiches and snacks such as Deviled eggs with duck confit and a Bruschetta flight are also available at dinner, with lunch to follow soon after opening. ENO also offers food flights assembled from their rotating selection of cheese, charcuterie and chocolates.

Visits from artisanal producers, including local vintners, cheese makers and chocolatiers, will be a regular occurrence at ENO shortly after opening. These casual-yet-informative tasting sessions will allow guests to brush up on array of topics and give them access to featured partner artisans.

The three-level, 72-seat space retains much of the original brick and structure of the early 1900s row house in which it is located. The welcoming interior balances the traditional design elements of the historic space with updated artistic touches, such as an eye-catching chandelier made from a used wine barrel. The second floor features a glass encased temperature-controlled cellar, home to the wine room’s extensive sparkling wine and by the glass list. A second, larger cellar is located on the lower level, and has the capacity to hold nearly 1,800 bottles.

ENO wine room is located at 2810 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC. The hours of operations are Monday to Saturday from 4PM to 12AM and Sunday from 1PM to 10PM. Lunch to follow.”

I stopped by for some preview photos on Monday – have a look after the jump. (more…)

Reebok Fit Store Opens Today, Plus First Look Inside Olivia Macaron Opening Soon in Georgetown

By Prince Of Petworth

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1251 Wisconsin Avenue, NW

The Adidas/Reebok shuffle is now complete at 1251 Wisconsin Ave, NW. According to Washingtonian:

“In addition to selling apparel, ambassador Andrea Ferry says Reebok will host weekly and monthly workouts in the store and around the District with local personal trainers and instructors.”

I spoke with a worker at the store last night who confirmed today’s opening.

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3222 M Street, NW

I also stopped by Olivia Macaron and took peek inside. They open this Saturday “late next week” at at 3222 M St, NW across from the Dean and Deluca.

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Wed. Afternoon Rental Option – Georgetown

By Prince Of Petworth

2710 P Street Northwest

This rental is located at 2710 P Street, Northwest:

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The listing says:

“Grand Georgetown row home with original historic details, two decks off the back, private backyard, hardwood floors throughout, newly renovated kitchen with granite countertops and separate lower level unit with full kitchen and bath. Incredible location right between the best of Georgetown and Dupont Circle with Tennis courts around the corner. Walk everywhere!”

You can see more photos here.

This 5 bed/3.5 bath is going for $6,000/Mo.

Iconic Sign at The Guards in Georgetown being Auctioned for Charity (Rialto Italian Rest. Opening Sept. 26th)

By Prince Of Petworth

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2915 M Street, NW

From a press release:

“If you’ve ever been down M street in Georgetown, chances are you’ve seen the iconic sign of the British Foot Guard hanging at The Guards restaurant, which recently closed its doors after 62 years in business. The historic building, located at 2915 M Street NW, will now be home to Rialto, a new authentic Italian restaurant opening on September 26th. After several offers to purchase the landmark sign, Rialto’s owners, Ben Kirane, and Moe and Joe Idrissi, have decided to auction it off on eBay so that locals will have the chance to own a piece of restaurant history.

“There’s a lot of history at The Guards, which from what I have heard was once the playground of celebrities and politicians alike, and we’ve quickly come to realize that the sign is sentimental to many locals,” says restaurant co-owner and entrepreneur, Ben Kirane, who along with co-owners Moe and Joe Idrissi, who also own Thunder Burger & Bar, and Bodega Spanish Tapas & Lounge.

DC locals aren’t the only ones who covet the treasures from The Guard. As the unconfirmed legend goes, Elton John once dined there, and fell so in love with the fireplace on the lower level that he offered to buy it for $100,000 on the spot. The owner graciously declined the offer. Rialto owners aren’t expecting quite as much for the sign, however they anticipate the sign will go for around $10,000 or more.

The closing of The Guards is emotional for many, but locals have a lot to look forward to with the opening of Rialto, whose menu and décor have been designed to transport diners to Venice with every dish. Featuring partially open kitchens, Rialto will serve up fresh-made pasta, imported specialty ingredients, and fresh seafood, and offers a cheese counter. The décor is unique, custom made, and most of the items have been imported from Europe. The menu features a variety of dishes that are meat- and seafood-based, as well as a variety of vegetarian-friendly dishes.

“It is with great enthusiasm and excitement that we bring Rialto to Georgetown, a place where the residents celebrate the history of their surroundings, and we look forward to becoming a part of that history,” adds Kirane.

About Rialto

Rialto is an authentic Italian restaurant located in the heart of Georgetown in Washington D.C. The menu features a variety of authentic Italian dishes with a contemporary touch. The restaurant’s Executive Chef is Ryan Fichter, who has years of experience in the industry. The restaurant was started by serial entrepreneurs Ben Kirane, and Moe and Joe Idrissi, who also own Thunder Burger & Bar, and Bodega Spanish Tapas & Lounge, both located in the heart of Georgetown.”

El Centro D.F. Georgetown Launching Free Wed. Tequila and Mezcal Tastings

By Prince Of Petworth

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1218 Wisconsin Avenue, NW

From a press release:

“Celebrity Chef Richard Sandoval’s newly opened El Centro D.F. Georgetown, located at 1218 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, 20007, will begin hosting a weekly series of tequila and mezcal tastings, running throughout the fall. This new series will begin Wednesday, September 18th from 5 PM to 7 PM at the second floor bar. Guests will have an opportunity to sample five varieties of Patrón Tequila: Blanco, Reposado, Anejo, Patron XO Café, and Patron XO Cocoa. El Centro D.F. Georgetown’s Bar Manager Joel Mann will lead the tastings along with a representative from each supplier. The tequila and mezcal tastings are free, and open to the public. A calendar of upcoming tastings through November 13th is listed below:

Wednesday, September 18th

PATRÓN TEQUILA
(five tequilas will be available)
Blanco, Reposado, Anejo, Patron XO Café, Patron XO Cocoa (more…)

Streets of Washington Presents – Saving the Washington Canoe Club’s historic boathouse

By Prince Of Petworth

Streets of Washington, written by John DeFerrari, covers some of DC’s most interesting buildings and history. John is the author of Historic Restaurants of Washington, D.C.: Capital Eats, to be published this September by the History Press, Inc. John is also the author of Lost Washington DC.

Though it receives little attention in the media, competitive canoeing ranks high among the city’s sports achievements. Washington has participated in competitive flatwater canoeing at the Olympics ever since the sport was first introduced in 1924, and much of America’s success has been due to the athletes of the venerable Washington Canoe Club, headquartered in one of the Georgetown waterfront’s most historic and picturesque structures, a 1905 boathouse at 3700 Water Street NW. The green wooden-shingled structure, perched on the edge of the flood-prone Potomac river, has deteriorated over the years and gradually fallen into disrepair. Its future is now largely in the hands of the National Park Service.

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Washington Canoe Club (photo by the author).

A hundred years ago, the Potomac river was the center of attention for summer sports and recreation, a place where refreshing breezes off the water could ease the swelter of un-air-conditioned city living. Many people would set up summer camps along either side of the Potomac from Georgetown to Great Falls and beyond, and hundreds would line the shores of the river or the railings of the Aqueduct Bridge to watch hotly-contested boat races. A June 1904 article in The Washington Post rhapsodized that “The beautiful stretch of water from the Analostan [Theodore Roosevelt Island] Boat House up to within a dozen furlongs of the Chain Bridge is the one most utilized by the oarsmen and canoeists, and the ever-passing throng makes the stream take on the appearance of the Grand Canal at Venice, with the gondolas left out.” (more…)

TJ Maxx & HomeGoods Opens in Georgetown

By Prince Of Petworth

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3222 M Street, NW

The following was written by PoP contributor Jessica Bonness. Jessica runs JGB Interiors and writes at Paint It What I Tell You.

It’s a pretty average Home Goods, which means it has a ton of extremely reasonably priced furniture, lamps, bedding, accessories, and aisles upon aisles of kitchen gadgets and random food-finds. I think it’s a great resource for people who live in a city, because they stock a lot of small pieces of furniture that fit little apartments nicely.

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A few of my favorite finds are a “soda crate” that inexplicably says “cream cheese,” a huge planter that looks bronzed and antiqued but is actually pretty lightweight, some cute canisters, great colorful barstools, and a truly neat wooden sofa that is not cheap at $599, but it is surprisingly pretty comfortable. In the toy section, I found a few Bruder brand toy trucks that my son loves; they usually retail for close to $80 but at Home Goods they were only $29.99.

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I encourage clients to go here a lot if they are on a budget or running out of their budgeted funds; now they don’t have to go as far. I will definitely be back for myself.

The one thing that’s really different about this Home Goods location is that it shares a space and registers with TJ Maxx, which seems to have a lot of designer clothing. I didn’t peruse that part of the store, but it looks like it would be fun to explore another day.

El Centro Opening Georgetown Location on Friday

By Prince Of Petworth

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1218 Wisconsin Ave, NW

Back in April we learned that the old Third Edition space would become an El Centro.  We judged the Logan Circle El Centro at 1819 14th St, NW back in Aug. 2011.

From a press release:

“El Centro D.F. will open a second location of its vibrant Taqueria and Tequileria at 1218 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, 20007 in Georgetown on Friday, September 6th. Renowned chef and restaurateur Richard Sandoval is working with Chef Juan Romero to showcase his popular Mexican comfort food, full of authentic flavors found throughout his homeland. New dishes will be introduced on the Georgetown menu along with house-infused tequilas. Diners can anticipate over 270 different types of tequila and mezcal, handcrafted margaritas and classic Latin cocktails to pair with Sandoval’s enticing menu.

The Georgetown El Centro D.F. is similar in design to its sister restaurant on 14th Street, with the addition of a secluded outdoor patio that can seat 55 guests. Spread over two floors, the restaurant can accommodate 59 guests on the first level and 99 guests on the second. For this project, architect and designer, Brie Husted, drew inspirations from traditional Mexican towns. “El Centro D.F. Georgetown embodies the spirit of Mexico City,” says Husted. “The ground floor features a wooden vaulted ceiling with masonry wall structure, reclaimed wooden tables and comfortable benches. The upper level has a café sentiment with reclaimed wood lathe and custom murals created using old wood, used metal and Mexican newspapers. The garden patio has old world charm with ivy climbing up a neighboring brick wall, a large bar and a fire bit.” (more…)

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