12th and Florida Ave, NW
A reader writes:
“This is on Florida Ave between 11th and 12th. This building got hit badly by taggers earlier this year. They gave it a new paint job over the weekend. I love the new colors – very bold!
This building is also home to previous Horse’s Ass Award, Bemmi Hardware Store.”
Previously:
12th and U Street, NW
Back in February and then May we noted some drama at The Islander. For fans there is a sad update. Thanks to all who sent emails about the Washington Post article:
“Green said that after decades of serving up pineapple chicken, Caribbean kicker cocktails and Green’s Calypso Chicken, she is closing the Islander, eager to leave the stresses of running a restaurant in a changing neighborhood to someone else.”
Though the Post also notes:
“But there is a glimmer of hope that the spirit of the Islander may live on. As manager of the lounge, Darryl Green said he plans to take over and relocate the business to a more affordable place in the District.”
1214 U Street, NW
A reader hears:
“Yesterday I heard some scuttlebutt that Ulah Bistro on U Street was closing after 7 years on Tuesday, July 28th.”
Anyone else hear this?
1833 14th Street, NW
From an email:
“Tuesday, July 21st is Hemingway’s birthday. Without him there’d be no Pilar, so Bar Pilar is commemorating what would have been Papa’s 116th birthday that night with a special EH-inspired menu from Executive Chef Jesse Miller along with classic Hemingway cocktails made with Pilar Rum. The bar also will have happy hour specials from 5 to 7pm and a punch all night.
Tuesday night’s menu includes:
Radishes with Sea Salt, Cultured Butter and Bread $4
Pickled Mushrooms $3
Chilled Cucumber Soup with Fried Leeks $8
Lobster Salad, Tarragon Aioli, Smoked egg and Capers $14
Braised Octopus Salad with Chili Vinegar $12
Boises Avocado dressed with Cilantro $7
Fish Empanadas with Sweet ’n Sour Sauce $9
Duck Egg Omelet with Cultured Butter, Fresh Truffles and Duck Cracklings $14
Pilar Rabbit Stew with Paprika and Chickpeas $12
Curry of Wild Bird with Rice $13
Country Ham & Chorizo Spaghetti with Cuban Pork Broth $14
Suckling Pig with Salsa Verde and Potatoes $14
Menu is subject to change. No reservations required.”
1330 U Street, NW
From a press release:
“Summertime on the east coast often evokes memories of Maryland blue crab feasts, lobster boils on the beach and gatherings with friends and family. Celebrating the most delicious of summer’s bounty, The Fainting Goat on U Street is launching “Picnics at the Goat” on Monday evenings, a series of monthly-rotating, casual family-style suppers focused around different iconic summer foods. The series kicks off tonight, July 20, with a juicy fried chicken feast complete with hot biscuits, smoked Gouda mac ‘n cheese and other summer sides.
Executive Chef Nathan Beauchamp is inviting groups of two or more to come enjoy summer-favorite fare, such as Maryland blue crabs, peel n’ eat shrimp, and a classic lobster boil complete with Andouille sausage, potatoes and corn on the cob. Ranging from $25-$40 per person, the feasts are available every Monday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The full schedule and menus are below.
JULY – Fried Chicken Picnics
(7/20, 7/27)
Chef Beauchamp is frying up juicy chicken and serving alongside family-style sides of creamy-style coleslaw, freshly baked biscuits, smoked Gouda mac ‘n cheese, and to end the meal, homemade strawberry shortcake.
AUGUST – Maryland Blue Crab Feasts
(8/3, 8/10, 8/17, 8/24, 8/31)
An Eastern Shore native, Chef Beauchamp’s childhood was spent cracking crabs on the Chesapeake Bay. He’s bringing in peak-season Maryland Blue Crabs, and serving with the sides he loves most – corn on the cob, coleslaw, peel n’ eat shrimp, and for dessert, homemade summer berry cobbler.
SEPTEMBER – Lobster Boils
(9/7, 9/14, 9/21, 9/28)
Chef Beauchamp will host a classic lobster boil evocative of a summer gathering on the beach, with fresh lobster, corn on the cob, Andouille sausage and red potatoes, and serve a freshly baked seasonal fruit pie to end the meal on a sweet note.
The picnics will range from $25-$40 per person, with a minimum of two people depending on the week’s menu. Menus are subject to change based on availability. Reservations are required and should be made in advance by calling the restaurant at (202) 735-0344. For more information, please visit www.faintinggoatdc.com.”
1328 Florida Ave, NW
Some very specific scuttlebutt about The Manhattan development. In addition to the WeWork space a reader says:
“A bit of scuttlebutt: the part of the building on the other side of the alley with the brick facade is going to house a few new restaurants. One is a German style pub that is being opened by Richard Sandoval Restaurants (El Centro, Masa 14). Another is a pizzeria and a third is a cafe (most likely Philz Coffee of San Francisco).”
1213 U Street, NW
We’ve talked about this before but given the recent news I think it’s time for a straight up call to Ben’s. And especially because this mural is so prominent on U Street (not to mention only a few years old) – it’s embarrassing. But worse than that, I can only imagine how victims of sexual assault feel when they walk by it. It should be taken down period. There may not be precedent in doing so but it’s still the right thing to do. Think they should? Think they will? I’m sure there are many candidates more deserving of this space – how about a return of Duke Ellington to U Street?
1328 Florida Ave, NW
Back in 2011 we wondered what should become of The Manhattan. Now we now – WeWork. From the Washington Business Journal:
“WeWork has signed a lease for about 51,000 square feet at Manhattan Laundry, a combination of three adjacent properties into roughly 81,000-square feet of office space at 1336 Florida Ave. NW.”
Anyone use WeWork?
Photo courtesy Friends of Harrison Recreation Center
From an email:
“Friends of Harrison Recreation Center and the U Street Neighborhood Association are proud to present the first movie of the Sixth Annual U Street Movie Series – Harrison Field Under the Stars. This FREE summer movie series celebrates the musical and culturally diverse roots of the Greater U Street Corridor. Please join us for this event, which benefits Harrison Recreation Center.
Wednesday, July 15th, movie #1 is a double feature. Our nod to Initiative 71 will be a two-fer! Reefer Madness will start 8:20-8:30, and will be followed by Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure. Gates open at 7 pm , and we will be playing some tunes.
More information available at: https://www.facebook.com/ustreetmovieseries
WHO: Admission is free and donations are always welcome and appreciated
WHAT: Reefer Madness PSA/Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure – TWO FREE outdoor movies
Gates open at 7 with music playing before film begins.
WHERE: Harrison Recreation Center – 1330 V St. NW, Washington DC 20009
WHEN: Wednesday, July 15, 2014 – Movie to begin after sundown
2016 Film Series
Movie #2 Wednesday, August 19: Monsoon Wedding
Movie #3 Saturday, September 12 (special date!): Frozen
This film will be shown earlier and on a Saturday, in order to accommodate families with young and school-aged children
Movie #4 Wednesday, September 16: The Wiz”
1301 U Street, NW
“Dear PoPville,
What’s the deal with U Sushi? There are signs saying that they are now in Sala Thai. What’s going into the space?”
The Sala Thai folks say they closed the independent U Sushi space because their 10 year lease was up and prices were rising. Not clear if a new tenant has been found yet but will update as soon as its known.
