U Street

In Other Patio Opening News – Vinoteca’s also Opens with new Spring Menu

By Prince Of Petworth

vinoteca
1940 11th Street, NW

And since we’re finally getting good weather – from a press release:

“One of U Street’s favorite outdoor gathering spots, Vinoteca has just opened its lively front patio and charming backyard Plaza Bar for Washingtonians looking to enjoy the beautiful coming spring weather. Al fresco diners can enjoy an expanded new Grill Menu of housemade hot dogs, burgers and other grilled snacks, sip new spring cocktails, play a round of bocce or enjoy a brunch in the sun at Vinoteca.

NEW SPRING GRILL MENU

Equipped with a full outdoor grill, Chef Lonnie Zoeller has amped up his grill offerings with an expanded menu of housemade hot dogs and burgers just for the spring season. Chef Zoeller began making his own housemade hot dogs last year, and has added several new varieties including the Who Dat Doggy, a boudin pork dog with grilled red onions and remoulade, and the Barbie Dog, chicken dog with BBQ, cheddar and apple. These join the classic Plaza Dog topped with ketchup/mustard/relish, the Frankfurter topped with homemade sauerkraut and caraway mustard, anda spiced-up veggie dog. All dogs are $7, and $6 at happy hour.

Burger lovers now have three juicy, grilled-to-order choices: the O.G. Bocce, a local beef burger topped with basil aioli, fresh mozzarella, grilled red onions, lettuce and tomato; the Holy Mother of Pork topped with fig & bacon jam, gruyere and frisee; and for veggie lovers, the Ciao Fungo, a portobella mushroom burger topped with roasted red pepper, feta and arugula. The O.G. Bocce and Holy Mother of Pork burgers are $9 ($8 at happy hour), and the Ciao Fungo is $7 ($6 at happy hour).

Other simple yet flavorful snacks coming off the grill include Beef Skewers with chimichurri, onions and queso fresco, Chicken Skewers with honey, lime, garlic and cashews, and Grilled Cauliflower with Asiago cheese and chives.

SPRING COCKTAILS (more…)

Big Police Presence at 11th and U Street, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

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Just after 12pm @DCPoliceDept tweeted that U Street was closed between 11th and Vermont. The reader who sends the photo above notes “The group on corner is all cops.” Anyone happen to know what’s up?

UPDATE: MPD says that it was a training drill.

Ed. Note: Whew.

First Set of Venues hosting Bands for the DC Funk Parade Music Festival, May 3

By Prince Of Petworth

From a press release:

“The DC Department of Funk announced the first set of U Street neighborhood venues who will be hosting the DC Funk Parade Music Festival, planned for May 3, 2014. While more will be announced in the coming weeks, the beginning line-up includes:

U Street Music Hall (1115 U St NW)
Tropicalia (2001 14th St. NW)
Solly’s (1942 11th St. NW)
DC9 (1940 9th St. NW)
Jojo Restaurant and Bar (1518 U St. NW)

These venues will feature Free, Live and Local DC Funk inspired bands from 7pm-10pm on Saturday, May 3, immediately following the Funk Parade occurring on V St. NW.

Band lineups will be announced in the coming weeks.

The DC Funk Parade is a one-of-a-kind parade, street fair, and music festival to celebrate U Street, the District and the spirit of funk. It is hosted and sponsored largely by neighborhood businesses. This event is free to the public all day so we rely on the community for support, please donate here. Each donation comes with an amazing set of perks donated by some of our favorite U Street businesses.”

2014 Marvin Gaye Day is April 2nd, featuring a performance by Gaye’s original band, The Marquees

By Prince Of Petworth

marvin_gaye_75th_birthday_celebration_dc

From a press release:

“Marvin, the Washington D.C. bistro and bar inspired by the transformative time D.C. native Marvin Gaye spent in Belgium, announces it’s 2014 Marvin Gaye Day celebration, marking what would have been the 75th birthday of the legendary singer.

The 7th annual Marvin Gaye Day celebration begins at 4pm on Wednesday, April 2nd with a performance by Gaye’s original band, The Marquees, a Marvin tradition since 2008. Joining them are soul singers Martin Luther and Maimouna Youssef, who will perform a rousing tribute to Gaye and Tammi Terrell — Gaye’s duet partner on seven Top 40 singles including “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” and “You’re All I Need To Get By”. Gordon “Guitar” Banks, Gaye’s music director, the Savoy-Ellingtons, children of musical great Duke Ellington, and a roster of local artists will all pay tribute with musical performances throughout the day.

Washington D.C. based indie rock band, U.S. Royalty, joins the line-up this year showing how Marvin’s influence transcends not only time, but also genre. Additionally, neighboring vinyl shop, Som Records will host a “Hitsville Pop-up Shop” at Marvin selling the best vinyl from the 1960s to the early 1980s from 4pm-close.

In keeping with tradition, all proceeds from the day’s events will benefit The Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, the beneficiary chosen by the Gaye family, and given in Marvin Gaye’s name.”

Marvin is located at 2007 14th Street, NW just north of U Street.

Operator of Eastern Market Flea Market Coming to U Street

By Prince Of Petworth

u_street_flea
912 U Street, NW

A little competition for the District Flea opening April 5th at 945 Florida Ave, NW…

From a press release:

“Collaboration of the two oldest flea markets in the City in the opening of a new market, U Street Flea, was announced jointly today by Michael Berman, President of Diverse Markets Management (DMM), operator of The Flea Market at Eastern Market on Capitol Hill, established in the early 1980s and Michael Sussman, founder of Georgetown Flea Market, opened in the mid 1970s.

Located at 912 U St. NW, a parking lot near the intersection of U and 9th Streets, NW, the market will feature a diverse mix of arts, crafts, imports, antiques and collectibles 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday, according to Berman, whose DMM will manage the market, on space licensed to Sussman by the City.

“We’re very excited to be working with the “Dean of D.C. Fleas’ for the first time,” exclaimed Berman. “And we hope this is just the beginning of a long term relationship” between the two management teams. (more…)

MPD Involved Traffic Accident at Vermont and U Street, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

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Thanks to a couple of readers for sending around 2:45pm from Vermont and U St, NW.

Update from MPD:

“The incident involved a 3D member and both the officer and driver of the other involved vehicle received non-life threatening injuries. The officer was on patrol.”

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