“Dear PoPville,

On Friday, I was leaving work and walking to my car, parked on V Street NW between 11th and 12th. Typical scene– dog walkers, middle schoolers heading home, and so on. I got into my car and as I leaned out to close the door, one of the middle school girls slammed my door. At first I thought she was trying to show off in front of her friends, but soon those friends started kicking my car and abruptly ran off. I unsuccessfully tried to follow them, and I didn’t get a look at their uniforms to identify what school they were coming from. There was no damage to the car, but I’d really love to know if others in the U Street/Shaw area are experiencing similar situations so that we can open up a discussion on how to address the issue of teenage violence towards adults.”


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This rental is located at 1007 V Street, NW:

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The listing says:

“Luxury 3-story townhouse (not a condo/apt) with spiral stairs, 2 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms, open 3rd floor sunny atrium/loft great for work or yoga, private roof deck (view of Washington Monument and fireworks), wet bar; the backyard has a remote operated scrolling gate and room for 2 private off-street parking spaces (in series) or you can use it for one car and a backyard patio — perfect for grilling.

$4000 per month (OBO) plus utilities, 50% furnished (this is flexible), available December 15 (flexible), minimum one year lease and one month’s deposit.

Professional kitchen with stainless steel appliances (Bertazzoni wrought iron gas range, Miele refrigerator and dishwasher, Bosch built-in microwave), Vetrazzo recycled glass counters, bamboo hardwood floors, exposed brick and ductwork, electric skylights, excellent for houseplants, high efficiency heating/cooling, sound system wired throughout, front loading high efficiency washer and dryer, Toto dual flush toilets, tankless never-ending hot water, deep soaking tub.

Located in the heart of the U Street Corridor and its renaissance, but on a quiet street one block from all the fun (music, food, wine, theaters, etc.) and one block from the Metro.

1400 square feet interior.
170 square feet private exterior roof deck.
150 square feet front yard.
400 square feet exterior back yard patio (offstreet parking).

Please note that this is two bedrooms only (the third floor atrium will not be used as a bedroom). This home is perfect for a couple, one person or two housemates who are looking for high-end, occasional work-at-home, studio and great outdoor spaces.

No pets. No smoking.”

You can see more photos here.

This 2 bed/1.5 is going for $4,000/Mo.


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1401 T Street, NW

From a press release:

“Med Lahlou and Antonio Matarazzo of the Lalou Group are pleased to announce the December 16th anticipated opening of their new Italian concept, Lupo Verde. The intimate 100-seat restaurant, which translates to “green wolf”, will serve authentic, rustic, Italian fare in the bustling 14th Street neighborhood at 1401 T Street, NW, 20009. This is the Lalou Group’s forth concept in Washington as the restaurant group owns Ulah Bistro, Tunnicliff’s Tavern and Station 4 on the Southwest Waterfront. Lupo Verde will open serving dinner nightly, from 5 PM to 11 PM. Guests will also be able to enjoy late night hours Sunday through Thursday, from 11 PM to 2 AM, and Friday and Saturday, from 11 PM to 3 AM.

Corporate Chef Orlando Amaro will oversee the menu at Lupo Verde, which will feature a variety of small plates, house-made charcuteries, cheeses, breads and antipasti. Wood-fired pizzas will also be available along with a selection of paninis and salads at lunch, and house-made pastas, whole roasted fish and a premiere selection of meats during dinner. Customers will be able to purchase 70% of the restaurant’s menu “to go” including 50 cheeses (five of which will be made in-house while the rest will be made from local farmers or imported from Italy) sold by the ounce, two house-made prosciuttos and several other house cured meats. Fresh and dried house-made pastas will be available for purchase by the kilo, along with house-made sauces and rustic house-made breads. Daily specials will be posted on the chalkboard on both levels of the restaurant. (more…)


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1336 U Street, NW

In August Tabaq closed at 1336 U Street, NW. Yesterday I noticed a new twitter follower called Newtown Kitchen which says it is a, “Modern American Kitchen, Bar & Lounge 1336 U Street NW” Newtown’s website says they are launching in 10 days, the website was a bit premature, plans are now to open in mid-December.

Here are details from the owner:

“NEWTOWN : a planned urban center created in an undeveloped area designed to serve a mix of residential & commercial needs.

ABOUT NEWTOWN KITCHEN, BAR & LOUNGE (formerly Tabaq Bistro)

At Newtown we strive to provide our guest with a Unique dining experience that embraces the history of the great historic U Street neighborhood. Our seasonal menu showcases market dishes by Chef / Owner Howsoon H.O. Cham crafted from ingredients supplied by local farmers, fishermen & meat ranchers from Frederick Maryland to West Virginia. Master Mixologist Seembad Jaudally of Ciroc Nation created one of U Street’s most distinctive and fresh bar program to compliment the restaurant’s modern concept. From the white room’s private dining room, the all year round retractable rooftop to the Unique red room with wall mounted fireplace, each of the drinks truly reflect the tastes of an era that has evoked change. Tabaq Bistro, Opened in the trendy U Street Corridor since April of 2005, features one of the most unique retractable roof tops on the east coast. The Fully retractable rooftop with great view of the Washington capital along with its 2 private dining rooms has allowed diners to relax and indulge in the cuisine of the Mediterranean as well as the Modern American Cuisine respectively.

More details including menus after the jump. (more…)


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14th and S Street, NW

From an email:

“garden district will be closed for the winter from december 8th to march 1st.

garden district will be closed for thanksgiving on thursday 11/28, but we’re firing up the smoker and the patio heaters again on friday 11/29 for 9 more days of FUN before our last hurrah of the year on saturday, december 7th.

thanks to our great customers and friends for a really fun year #3 (we really can’t believe it has been 3 years!)–we look forward to seeing all of you before we close for the winter, and again when we reopen on march 1st, 2014!”

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Photo by PoPville flickr user afagen

“Dear PoPville,

My boyfriend and I left Nellie’s tonight [Friday] around 6pm and were walking back to our condo in Bloomingdale. We passed by the 9:30 Club and there was a ten year old BMW parked across the sidewalk. My boyfriend is a BMW-phile, so as a joke, I softly bumped him into the rear quarter panel and said something to the effect of “you’re going to buy this car for me?” We giggled and kept walking when suddenly this guy with a badge called us back to the car. He was an MPD officer and claimed we’d damaged his car somehow. He demanded our identification and threatened to arrest us.

He took my driver’s license and wrote down my information. I asked him to go look for actual damage on his car and he refused. My boyfriend initially refused to give him his name and our address, but as a lawyer I told him he should just cooperate with the cops, even when they’re being irrational d*cks. My boyfriend told him to go look for damage on his car, since he was detaining us, and again he refused. My boyfriend gave his information but then asked the cop if he was detaining us because we are gay, and the cop suddenly stammered and gave our licenses back and told us to be on our way. I asked him for a card and he told me to look at his badge to get his name, and refused to give us his badge number…so this is my chance to say that Officer, you cannot use your badge to “protect” your personal property, you homophobe.”


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1013 V Street, NW

Well we’ve certainly looked at the outside enough, time to get a peek at the inside – check out some photos here.

From the brokers:

“These stylish condominiums are flooded with light & feature all steel new construction, high ceilings, hardwood floors, gas & heat cooking, outdoor space, low condo fees, parking & sweeping city views. The Ella is located one block from the metro & close to the bars & restaurants of vibrant 14th Street.”


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917 U Street, NW

Earlier in the week I mentioned that the Taqueria coming next to Dodge City (from the Hilton bothers) would be opening in late December. Here’s more good news – it will have a huge retractable roof:

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I took a peek inside and while there is obviously still work to be done, you can tell there will also be multiple bars on either side of the space.

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I’m loving this trend of retractable roofs – first Red Rocks on H Street, then word of plans for Ivy and Coney and now this – sweet.

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2100 Vermont Avenue, NW

Thanks to a reader for sending word that this Horse’s Ass Award nominee has applied for a raze permit. Rumors abound as to what will happen to the space. Those in the know tell me they hear plans of a restaurant/bar or possibly a small condo building as the lot behind the building goes with it as well. But these are just rumors at the moment. Updates as we learn more.

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Application after the jump. (more…)


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