Takoma (Takoma Park)

Scuttlebutt Confirmed: Busboys and Poets Coming to Takoma

By Prince Of Petworth

Back in Dec. 2012 I shared some scuttlebutt that a Busboys and Poets would be coming to the new Takoma Central project at 235 Carroll Street, NW. Happy to report it’s been confirmed. The Post’s Jonathan O’Connell reports they’re shooting to open in Spring 2014. From a press release:

Federal Capital Partners (FCP) and Level 2 Development (Level 2) have signed fast-growing and highly popular Busboys and Poets to a 6,500 square foot lease at Takoma Central in the Takoma neighborhood of Northwest Washington, DC. The pioneering restaurant/bookstore/market concept will occupy a large portion of the 9,000 square foot retail ground floor of the $36 million, mixed-use development located at the corner of Carroll and Maple Streets. Takoma Central will feature 150 rental apartments adjacent to the Takoma Metrorail station and is just steps from the center of this eclectic, historic urban village. Busboys and Poets is cherished by its customers as a contemporary community center, where people gather to eat, work, browse through books and join in conversation. Takoma is considered to be one of Washington’s most diverse and popular “towns within a city” and Busboys and Poets is a perfect fit for this flourishing neighborhood.

David Franco, Managing Partner at Level 2, commented, “We are thrilled to bring Busboys and Poets to Takoma Central. Busboys’ personality is Takoma Central’s personality is Takoma DC’s personality, setting the stage for a hip Takoma celebrating both its old and new character. Takoma Central, with its commanding Busboys and Poets frontage and outdoor, multi-level terraced dining, will bridge the gap between the Takoma Metro Station and the historic Takoma downtown. Takoma will become the new “it” destination stop on Metro’s red line.”

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Grant Avenue Market Coming to Takoma Park in Spring 2013

By Prince Of Petworth


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From a press release:

The organizer of the hugely successful Fenton Street Market, in conjunction with the Old Takoma Business Association, will be bringing a new market to historic Takoma Park, MD in Spring 2013. The new Grant Avenue Market will showcase antiques, collectibles and other funky finds and will take place on one block of Grant Avenue in the Takoma Junction neighborhood in Takoma Park. Market goers can expect to find the same winning format as the Fenton Street Market – vendor booths, music and food – adding yet another activity to the busy Sunday line-up in Old Takoma which already offers the popular Takoma Park Farmers Market from 10am-2pm.

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Eating Around Town – Middle Eastern Cuisine and Market

By Prince Of Petworth


7006 Carroll Ave. Takoma Park, MD

This edition of Eating Around Town was written by Abbey Becker. Abbey lives near Eastern Market.

Neighborhood Gem: Middle Eastern Cuisine and Market

Downtown Takoma Park is nothing if not eclectic, and Middle Eastern Cuisine and Market fits in just fine. Local hangout Olive Lounge & Grill is in the back of the restaurant, but up front, you can sit down for a full meal with table service.

This is definitely a “come as you are” kind of place—on a Sunday night, there was a young family enjoying an early dinner, while at the table next to them was a man wearing headphones and a parka throughout his entire meal.

Drinks are cheap for DC. Wine by the glass for around $6 to $7 per glass, lots of beers by the bottle ranging between $4 and $5. Water in big plastic cups. No frills, but gets the job done.

You’re not impressed, I know. But order lunch or dinner and you’ll understand.

My group of four ordered the Mezza platter, a hulking tray with homemade hummus, baba ghanoush, falafels, stuffed grape leaves, what I think was a Mediterranean salad or maybe tabbouleh, and an olive-flavored dip with the texture of hummus, all served with a basket of warm, pillowy pita. The olive dip was exceptional—creamy, salty, and rich. One of the people I was with said she generally doesn’t like grape leaves, but that these were excellent (she ate two!). The falafels were maybe the best I’ve had in the District. They were lightly fried, not greasy at all, with a creamy interior that showcased the flavor of the chickpeas and nothing more. The tabbouleh was zingy, lemony, and refreshing. Don’t be afraid of the $18 price tag. It’s definitely worth it.

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Jeff Black Opening “modern American restaurant” in Takoma Park

By Prince Of Petworth


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Thanks to everyone who sent links for this huge news coming to Takoma Park. A new restaurant from Jeff Black (owner of Logan Circle’s Pearl Dive and Black Jack among many others) is coming to 6937-6939 Laurel Ave not far from the Takoma metro in Takoma Park, MD. The Post’s Tom Sietsema reports:

Still to be named, their modern American restaurant will embrace a dining room, two spots for drinking, a patio, live entertainment a couple times a week and — to absolutely no one’s surprise given Black’s multiple seafood-themed establishments — a raw bar.

A few weeks ago we also learned that a Busboys and Poets is also likely coming to Takoma.

New Coffee Shop, La Mano Coffee Bar, Coming to Takoma

By Prince Of Petworth


304 Carroll St, NW

More good news for Takoma. I’m told:

“It’s a small space (460sq ft) so, once construction gets started, it should go fairly quickly. We’re forecasting a Spring opening.”

The coffee bar will be called La Mano Coffee Bar:

La Mano Coffee Bar is dedicated to bringing artisanally produced coffee beverages, as well as a menu of sweet and savory baked goods and complimentary sides, all prepared in-house, to the Historic Takoma Neighborhood of Washington, D.C. and Maryland. Stay tuned for updates as we set to open our doors in Spring 2013.

Construction Starts at Takoma Central

By Prince Of Petworth


235 Carroll Street, NW

According to Level2Development, Takoma Central, will be:

Takoma Central knits together the environmentally friendly Takoma Park community’s historic main street business district and Takoma Metro Station with the development of 150 rental apartments. The apartments are conveniently located amongst the independent shops and restaurants of Takoma Park and minutes away from the bustling shopping and dining destination of downtown Silver Spring, MD. The building is tailored to complement the unique architecture of the neighborhood, with a five-story Victorian-style warehouse design connected by a glass “hyphen” to a contemporary, four-story brick and stone building in the Art Deco style. Level 2 is developing Takoma Central in partnership with Federal Capital Partners (FCP).


Rendering via level 2 development

Takoma Central will be located right across the street from the Trohv home goods store.

Random PoP proclamation – Trohv is awesome.


Trohv, 232 Carroll Street NW

Great Mosaic Mural

By Prince Of Petworth

From near the Takoma (DC) metro station. It’s called “From a Model to a Rainbow” by Sam Gilliam.

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