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2436 14th Street, NW

Back in April we learned that Creme and their famous chicken and waffles brunch would be returning to 14th Street in June and they were pretty close – opening Tuesday July 1st – from an email:

“We’re excited to announce Creme Restaurant & Bar, formerly of U St, will be opening on Tuesday, July 1st at our new location in Columbia Heights!”

Their website says:

“Creme Restaurant & Bar is a premier casual fine dining destination for all to enjoy in the heart of DC.

With 10 years of service to the District, and a restaurant in Baltimore, Creme is known for blending award-winning food, amazing service and a friendly, comfortable family-owned atmosphere.

Tegist “Teggy” Ayalew joined the restaurant business in 1996 but the concept of Creme was created in 2004 when construction began on her U Street location.

With amazing dishes like chicken and waffles and DC’s booming brunch culture, Creme Cafe & Lounge quickly became the go-to restaurant in uptown DC.

From 2005 to 2013, Creme resided on U Street with Teggy’s son, Ezra, becoming the manager in 2010. With the success of the DC location, Teggy and Ezra were able to open Creme Restaurant & Lounge, previously known as CR Lounge, in Baltimore’s Mt. Vernon neighborhood the same year.

On October 31, 2013, Creme officially closed its doors due to the construction and development of the U Street Corridor. Creme would later announce plans to move to 14th Street NW inside the new luxury apartment building of Capitol View on 14th. Its new location in the LEED Platinum Certified building is directly in line with Ezra’s beliefs of living a green lifestyle and creating sustainability and awareness in our environment.

Ezra believes that “green living is not a fad as it’s something that has to happen.”

With a water heater that conserves water, LED lights and recycled wood, Ezra’s landscape architecture background has come in handy when trying to create a more sustainable restaurant in Creme.

Ezra’s end goal for Creme is to consistently provide good food for Washington DC, promote the idea of eating local and supporting small businesses. He believes that “awesome food isn’t just a fad – it’s a living” and that the DC food scene deserves a quality casual fine dining experience in restaurants and event services.”

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looking south toward Florida ave and U Street


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JBG’s Atlantic Plumbing Mixed-Use Development (photo courtesy of JBG)

From a press release:

“DC’s leading artist service organization and contemporary art presenter – announces that the organization will move to street-level office and gallery space in The JBG Companies’ Atlantic Plumbing mixed-use residential and retail development in the U Street Corridor cultural district. As WPA marks its 40-year anniversary milestone in 2015, the new space matches the forward-looking vision for the future of the organization with unprecedented opportunities to expand programming and increase impact within the Greater Washington area.

WPA will move into 1,500 square feet in the main Atlantic Plumbing building at 8th and V Streets NW – adjacent to the 9:30 Club, DC’s renowned music venue – by early fall of 2015, which coincides with the launch of the organization’s 40th anniversary celebration.

“We are thrilled to offer our artists and the community a dedicated exhibition space. Combining WPA’s administrative offices with new galleries in such a visible, flexible, contemporary space will greatly enhance our programming capabilities,” said WPA Executive Director Lisa Gold. “We are imagining exciting new possibilities for our artists, partners, and supporters to experience art and engage in dialogue. And, as we approach this important anniversary milestone, this new space is a transformative step towards an illustrious future for WPA.”

The WPA space fronts 8th Street NW and will include a gallery to house exhibitions and events, staff offices, and retail space for original artists’ works. The space will operate Monday through Saturday from 12 p.m. until 6 p.m. with occasional evening events.

“The U Street corridor is an ideal home for WPA, given its artistic spirit, history, and diversity,” said Kim Ward, chair of the WPA Board of Directors. “Since its founding, WPA has programmed and presented exhibitions in a variety of spaces – remaining versatile and responsive to the art of the times, while acting as a leader in creating partnerships with other arts organizations and institutions. We will continue to do that from a location that will provide a strong community hub for the arts with expanded room for programming and exhibitions.”

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8th and V St, NW June 2014


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“LITERATURE AND MARTINIS | The Gibson Celebrates National Martini Day with Pours, Prose, and Poe.

In celebration of National Martini Day, Thursday, June 19, 6pm – 9pm!
The Gibson 2009 14th St, NW

Join The Gibson for “Literature & Martinis”, an evening featuring the sophisticated, strong and distinctly American cocktail at the specialty price of $10 and created by The Gibson’s master mixologist Franklin Jones and Jo-Jo Valenzuela plus pop-up performances of varying topics including classic American authors.

To attend please email your RSVP to [email protected].”


A reader sends from CM Jim Graham posted on the U Street listserv:

“Dear friends ~~~Today [Monday] at 3:30 IN THE AFTERNOON there there was a drive-by shooting on 1400 block of V street NW. The only damage was to car windows but oh my god what might have happened!! I have been in touch with MPD~~~they are actively looking for information. All very grateful that nobody was hurt.

It brings to mind the shooting that occurred late last year at about the same location

Surely this must relate to some kind of gang beef or other insane behavior

Now asking MPD to release All relevant information

Councilmember jim graham”

Updates when more info is known/released


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“Dear PoPville,

Attached is a picture of the 15th street bike lane at U street Sunday afternoon. I just don’t understand why it is allowed for this construction truck to block the bike lane, especially at such a busy intersection. Its dangerous. I live at nearby; I drive, I walk and I bike in the area. A few weeks back you posted a picture of a car blocking a bike lane — presumably those people would be ticketed and towed if left for days; why is this vehicle allowed to do so essentially without penalty? This willful disregard for the few safe paths is one of the reasons people who ride bikes feel unsafe in the city. And don’t get me started on the terrible light synchronization of the 15th street bike lane — you basically hit every red light riding at a medium pace…”


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A reader sends the terrible news:

“Sad morning news. Henry’s Soul Cafe at 17th and U — noted for sweet potato pies — looks to be destroyed by a fire. Several engines responded and U was closed in both directions.”

From @IAFF36 around 6:45am:

“Building Fire – 1704 U St NW – 1-story commercial bldg, smoke showing #DCFD #dctraffic

Update – 1704 U St NW – fire knocked down, checking for extension, searches negative #DCFD”

From @DCPoliceDept at 7:53am:

“UPDATE: The 1600-1800 Blocks of U Street, NW are NOW OPEN “


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Photo courtesy Friends of Harrison Recreation Center

From a press release:

“Friends of Harrison Recreation Center and the U Street Neighborhood Association is proud to presents the Fifth Annual U Street Movie Series – Harrison Field Under the Starts. From June to September, this FREE summer movie series is meant to honor the musical and culturally diverse roots of the Greater U Street Corridor.

WHO: Admission is free and donations are always welcome and appreciated
WHAT: MARLEY, 2012, film by Kevin MacDonald – FREE outdoor movie
WHERE: Harrison Recreation Center – 1300 V St. NW
WHEN: June 18, 2014 – Movie to begin after sundown (June 25 – rain date)

Additional dates and movies are:

July 16 – Talk to Me
August 20 – Chuck Brown: Put Your Hands Up!
September 17 – The Bayou: DC’s Killer Joint”


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