NoMa (Near Northeast)

Next up in Indiegogo fundraising campaigns – The District Fishwife hoping to open in Union Market in about 3 weeks. From their Indiegogo page:

“The District Fishwife is Northeast DC’s first sustainable seafood market, opening at Union Market in NE DC at the end of January 2014. We will offer fresh and sustainably caught and raised seafood and prepared seafood for take-away, notably our own take on the classic Fish and Chips. Fiona Lewis is The Fishwife, and will be running the day-to-day operations of the shop. She brings a passion for seafood and the health of the world’s oceans, and a desire to educate customers to make more sustainable and healthy choices when they bring home seafood.

We’ve put everything we’ve got into this shop and we’re asking for your help now to get us to the finish line. Most of the equipment–cold room, display case, kitchen appliances, hood, etc.–is already purchased, and the build-out is almost complete, but we still need to have our equipment installed and put the finishing touches on the shop.

We are also committed to offering the best quality sustainable seafood available from Day One.In order to make sure we have the best fish we can find, we’ve brought on a local seafood expert as our fish buyer, Vernon Lingonfelter. Vernon knows good fish when he sees it, and we need to make sure he can pay for it on the spot.

So this is where you come in. We need about $20,000 to pay for these finishing touches and for working capital so Vernon can buy that top-quality sustainable fish when he sees it.

We’ve put together some fun perks to thank our funders, including shout-outs, magnets, beanies and caps, t-shirts, lunch for two, a one-on-one fish cutting class with Vernon, and a Feast of the Seven Fishes.”

You can read more and contribute here. Also watch the video above if you can, this place sounds awesome!

1309 5th Street, NE

Union Market’s newest restaurant is about to open at 1309 5th Street, NE in NoMa. From a press release:

“Union Market, the highly acclaimed food market redeveloped by EDENS, one of the nation’s leading retail real estate owners and developers, announced today that renowned chef John Mooney will return to his roots in Washington D.C. to open his highly anticipated restaurant concept, Bidwell on Thursday, January 9, 2014.

Bidwell’s motto and mantra is “Responsibly Sourced”, acknowledging the heritage of American cuisine and the offerings of neighboring artisanal Market vendors. The restaurant is named after General John Bidwell, a general in the U.S. Army in the 1800’s, a United States Presidential candidate in 1892, and founder of Chico, California. He was an avid farmer known for developing the Bidwell heirloom melon, a gold medal winning flour, and is credited for California’s first commercial raisin crop. Much of the produce served at Bidwell will come from its own crop of fruit and vegetables grown in over seventy aeroponic planters on the roof of Union Market; this is literally roof to table cuisine.

The Bidwell menu will feature several of Chef Mooney’s signature dishes with Southern flair and flavor including: Gin & Tonic Salmon with Caramelized Cauliflower, Crispy Deviled Eggs with Homemade Ranch Dressing, Lobster Taco with Avocado Tomatillo Salsa, and Suckling Pig. Completing the menu is a confidently curated selection of regional wines, craft beers and classic cocktails.

Designed by New York architectural firm GRADE, this expansive 120-seat restaurant will represent a perfect pairing of modern and historic industrial elements, GRADE’s way of acknowledging Union Market’s storied past while creating an enticing environment for its future guests. Design elements such as its strong lines and white tile lining the bar are balanced by aesthetically softer details including a sprawling white and beige marble countertop, reclaimed wood and charming lighting fixtures reminiscent of a time long ago. Its open kitchen with spacious Chef’s counter and additional outdoor seating will create a casual, social atmosphere in the midst of the bustling Market.

Chef John Mooney has traveled the world as a chef, honing his craft around a variety of cultures and cuisines. DC diners were the first to discover John, at Red Sage and then Raku. Following his time in D.C., Mooney launched the W Hotel New York’s flagship restaurant Heartbeat, where, as executive chef, his love for serving seasonal, fresh, and organic produce grew. In 2004, he was appointed corporate consulting chef of India’s Taj Hotel group, where he opened the country’s first organic restaurant, PURE by Michel Nischan. In 2008, at Highland Manor in Florida, he began aeroponic gardening. These practices were ultimately brought to the ultra-seasonal menu (and the rooftop) of his New York City West Village restaurant Bell, Book & Candle, where Mooney was named a 2011 StarChefs.com Rising Star Sustainability Chef. Bidwell will be an embodiment of his commitment to serving delicious, creative, naturally sourced American food.

Bidwell is located in Union Market, 1309 5th Street NE, Washington DC 20002 and the hours are as follows: Lunch will be served Tuesday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; Dinner will be served Tuesday through Thursday, and Sunday from 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., and 5:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and Brunch will be served on Saturday and Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.”

I took a peek at their friends and family menu and fondly recall something about lobster tacos…

Space looks nice too!