Embers Grill opens today near Georgetown Law School and Irish Times at 80 F St, NW. The menu was still being finalized when I stopped by but there will be lots of grill items, naturally, plus falafel and other interesting lunch options. They’ll be open Mon. – Sat. 7am to 5pm.
Thanks to a reader for spotting this new crepe option coming to Union Station. Crepe Lena is located in the lower level food court on the same side where the Burger King is coming.
1335 2nd Street, NE
A new Indian restaurant is coming to 1335 2nd Street, NE in the Courtyard Marriott by the NoMa metro. According to the liquor license posted out front Thaaja Indian Food Bar will be a:
“New Restaurant with Entertainment. Sidewalk Café with 10 Seats. Total Occupancy load of 62, with 32 seats.”
Their website says:
Thaaja was created for one simple reason: to show how versatile,
delicious, and healthy Indian food can be.A modern take on traditional Indian food, Thaaja lets you easily design your own meals. Simply pick your favorite flavors and build something fresh, creative and healthy. Start by choosing a base – a wrap, rice bowl, or salad, then add an assortment of proteins and toppings. Finish it off with one (or two!) of our mouth-watering, signature homemade sauces and dine with us or quickly take it to go wherever life takes you!
You can see their menu here.
1160 1st St, NE
The Starbucks coming to 1st and M St, NE has opened over the weekend.
@TonyTGoodman tweeted:
“New NoMa Starbucks at 1st/M NE has already expanded their hours: now 5:30-8 M-F, 7-8 Sa, 8-7 Sun”
And thanks to all who wrote in about a second Starbucks opening in Union Station. This new one is located next to the Roti on the west side of the first floor:
I’ve been curious about this week’s question for a while. It has me stumped. While I know that not everyone likes the name NoMa, I think it’s fair to say that it has been adopted by most folks. I know some still pine for Swampoodle but I think NoMa is staying for good. In contrast not one person I know calls Navy Yard – the Capitol Riverfront. Some people I know now call it the ball park but most have stuck with Navy Yard. Both neighborhoods have BIDs and banners. Both neighborhoods have had and continue to have major developments. So why do you think NoMa has stuck while Capitol Riverfront hasn’t?
This rental is located at 130 M Street, NE:
The listing says:
“Richley appointed, stylishly finished & invitingly spacious STUDIO apartment homes w/engaging amenities* Ultra-WALKABLE whirl of shopping, dining & nite life* INSTANT access to NoMa-Gallaudet METRO, Retail Harris Teeter at ground floor* Concierge* $500 pet fee/ $50/mo* Sec8 welcome* Rents start at $1993-2080/mo subject to change without notice*”
This studio is going for $1,993/Mo.
Photo by PoPville flickr user Barflydc
From the NoMa BID:
Mayor Vincent Gray has dedicated $490,000 for the design and development of NoMa parks, to be handled through the DC Office of Planning. The NoMa Business Improvement District announced the exciting news at Wednesday’s community meeting, where neighborhood stakeholders and residents were gathered to provide input on the NoMa Parks Plan.
The NoMa BID has been working since last winter on a strategic parks plan with design firm AECOM, and the planning effort has involved continuous coordination with District public agencies, including Office of Planning and the Department of Transportation.
“The NoMa BID has used a lot of its own funds and spent a considerable amount on creating strategies and plans for NoMa parks,” said NoMa BID Chairman Bruce Baschuk. Wednesday’s meeting was an important milestone in the parks planning process, and enabled neighborhood residents to give their input into the proposed uses, design and programming of potential park spaces and green spaces in NoMa. The greater NoMa neighborhood is in dire need of such public spaces; with 45,000 office workers and 3,500 residential units completed or under construction, that need grows more imperative eachyear.
The BID will use these funds for design, and eventually hopes to purchase land and then build a network of parks in NoMa. Reprogramming these funds through the Office of Planning will enable the parks planning team to further assess neighborhood sites that have been identified for future parks, according to the Mayor’s letter.
1309 5th Street, NE
Back in late August we learned that after 7 years Crafty Bastards would no longer be coming to Adams Morgan. Yesterday afternoon word came out that the fair would be moving to the new Union Market. From a press release:
Crafty Bastards Arts & Crafts Fair returns to Washington, D.C., on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012, for another handmade shopping extravaganza!
Crafty Bastards Arts & Crafts Fair is an exhibition and sale of handmade arts and crafts from independent artists presented by Washington City Paper. The ninth annual event will be Crafty Bastards’ first indoor show at an exciting new location— Union Market, the new year-round indoor market featuring 40 local artisans opening Sept. 8, 2102 with designs to be D.C.’s culinary epicenter. Union Market is located at 1309 5th Street NE in Washington, D.C., and accessible via the NoMa-Gallaudet University/New York Ave. station on Metro’s Red line.
Crafty Bastards at Union Market will have ticketed admission. Tickets are $10 and will be available for purchase Sept. 28, 2012, at washingtoncitypaper.com. A limited number of VIP tickets will be offered for $25, providing early shopping access before the doors open for general admission.
For those not familiar with Union Market – from their grand opening press release:
Union Market is an artisanal, curated, year-round food market featuring over 40 local vendors. This authentic marketplace will spark a more vibrant Union Market district that overtime will become the unique destination for DC’s sophisticated and creative community inclusive of culinary, entrepreneurial and artistic innovators.
Through a highly selective process, Union Market is composed of the finest food artisans ranging from up-and-coming entrepreneurs to well known restaurateurs all creating a unique culinary experience. Union Market vendors include:
Rappahannock Oysters Co.; Buffalo & Bergen created by well-known mixologist Gina Chersevani; an Amanda McClements’ lifestyle boutique; Righteous Cheese; Peregrine Espresso; Lyon Bakery; Trickling Springs Creamery; Harvey’s Market; Oh! Pickles; Almaala Farms; DC Empanadas and TaKorean.
Union Market will open this Saturday, September 8 and will be open on Friday through Sunday only until November. Hours of operation will be Friday 11 AM – 8 PM and Saturday & Sunday from 8 AM – 8 PM. In November, the Market will expand its operating hours and open 6 days a week.
For Crafty Bastard fans – will you still attend now that it will require a $10 ticket to enter?
Thanks to a reader for sending word that Burger King is coming to the Union Station food court.
Columbus Plaza Renovation
“Dear PoPville,
Any idea how much longer we can expect the construction at Union Station to continue?”
There are actually two renovations going on. First is the Columbus Plaza renovation out front – DDOT says:
“The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) announced plans are in place to start construction on the rehabilitation of Columbus Plaza and Massachusetts Avenue at Union Station. The construction activities for this $7.8 million project will start on Monday, September 12, 2011 and take approximately 18-months to complete.”
So about 6 more months there.
The renovation inside Union Station was slated to be completed in April but a lot of what we’re seeing now is due to the earthquake damage. You can read about the repairs here.