Last week MPD warned of three taser robberies along N Street, NW. Last night @DCPoliceDept tweeted:
“Robbery F&V_2100 10th Street NW_ 4 B/M’s running towards V. Street NW.”
A reader reports it happened around 9pm Sunday night. Though the MPD tweet doesn’t mention a specific weapon the reader reports:
“The victim was tasered and had his iphone stolen.”
Thanks to a reader for sending this great one from 9 1/2 Street just off U Street.
1346 T Street, NW
Back in Dec. 2012 we first learned a new tavern serving international street cuisine would be moving into the former Collage Cafe space on T Street next door to St. Ex. In March we learned some folks were protesting their liquor license. I’m happy to report that they’ve cleared that hurdle and received their building permits as well. The house was originally built in 1887 so there is some serious work to be done. And there has already been some serious demo:
I spoke with co-owner Rose Previte who tells me that after getting their building permit yesterday, they are aiming for a November/December opening. Plans are for a 12 person bar towards the back and table seating in the front with a small outdoor patio out front and in back. While they are still searching for a chef, the cuisine is inspired by Rose’s travels (with her journalist husband) overseas for three years. She tells me that the one commonality of the countries she lived in was great street food. And great street food is what she plans to bring to DC. It will be a casual neighborhood spot – there won’t be reservations taken or a host/hostess. The vision is to give the space the feel of an outdoor market place.
Can’t wait to see how this turns out. Stay tuned for updates as construction progresses.
Looking west towards St. Ex and 14th Street
14th and V Street, NW
Eater DC shares the good news about Diego reopening in about three weeks:
“Diego has found the new chef needed for the restaurant to reopen its doors. Billy McCormick, the EatWell Group veteran who most recently worked at the revamped Virtue Feed & Grain, will next give Tex-Mex food a shot.”
They note that the menu has completely changed so we’ll be sure to post it when it becomes available.
“Dear PoPville,
Sunday night at about 7.10pm, a gaggle of at least 10 quad bikes and off-road motorbikes were driven north up 14th St NW (at Florida) by young men, without lights, helmets or regard to the correct direction of traffic, ignoring traffic signals, performing wheelies, and weaving in and out of cars. There wasn’t a police vehicle in sight.
While it looked very daring, if not cool, I called the Police as it seemed rather a hazard – and just in case it was a semi-organized criminal gang on the loose, but wondered if there had been any other sightings?”
In Feb. a reader saw about 40 ATVs in Columbia Heights. In Aug. a reader spotted around 20 around McMillan reservior .
1916 14th Street, NW
“Dear PoPville,
A few days ago you posted about the significant preservation effort that is built into the large development at 6th and K. I’m often pleased by the fact that many historic buildings and facades are preserved as a part of new developments, and amazed at the efforts they undertake. But sometimes, like in the case of The Louis building at 14th and U, I’m just left bewildered.
The extent of the “preservation” seems to be just the facade of an older single story building, and not all that interesting a facade at that. How/why does this happen? Is the developer given an incentive to keep such a “structure”? Surely they can re-recreate something like what the photo shows them to be preserving – it’s just a front with some trim… What’s the deal with these preservations?”
Ed. Note: This is the facade of the former El Paraiso restaurant which closed in July 2011. The surrounding buildings were demolished in May 2012.
1438 U Street, NW
About a month ago we learned the long vacant building, formerly home to Old Station 9, at 1438 U St, NW would become an Indian Cultural Center. Thanks to @cspkcats for sending the link to the Hindustan Times confirming the news:
“Once done, the building will have an auditorium, a gallery for paintings and pictures, a library, a conference hall and more – modeled on other Indian cultural centers around the world.
The Indian Embassy has not announced the purchase yet, and may be want to do so during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to the US and DC later this month.”
1330 U Street, NW
Back in late January we first learned that a new bar and restaurant called the Fainting Goat would be coming to the former Urban Essentials space at 1330 U St, NW. They’ve resolved the protests against them and are on track for a late November/early December opening. I stopped in for a very early look a couple of days ago and I think folks are going to be very very happy.
First of all the design team is the same team that designed Bloomingdale’s Boundary Stone and Red Hen and more recently designed Baby Wale by the Convention Center.
In speaking with co-owner Greg Algie I learned a few more details about the space. There will be 129 seats total of which 26 are bar seats. Speaking of the bar, there will be 12 beers on tap and one prosecco on tap.
The menu will be kinda like a gastropub but without pretension. Greg described it as quality food done simply, also food that you’d want to make at home but just don’t have the time to do. He envisions the space as a real neighborhood spot where folks could end up 2-3 times a week.
You can get an idea of how the space will be laid out from the photos. There will be a small bar and high top tables down front where folks can hang out on the first floor. In the lower level will be the kitchen and private dining room. And the upper level is sorta split in two with proper dining on the left hand side and a larger bar on the right hand side. And you’ll of course be able to order food in all the spaces.
I learned a bit more about the design (stained glass coming) but I’m just gonna wait for it to be built because the photos will do far better justice than my words.
At any rate, Greg is a super down to earth guy and I think that is a good indication that this going to be a very chill spot. Not to mention the great name – Fainting Goat. Apparently back in the day when Greg and his buddies would go out to the bars, when engaging with strangers Greg would – well have a look at a clip:
Have a look at the inside after the jump. (more…)
2201 14th Street, NW
From an email:
“Kapnos, Mike Isabella’s young 14th Street Greek restaurant is beginning brunch service this week. Brunch will be served Saturdays and Sundays from 11am-3pm and feature Greek-influenced takes on morning classics like Baklava French Toast and Spit Roasted Chicken and Waffles. The full menu is available here.
In addition to the new brunch menu, Kapnos has recently opened its patio. The al-fresco space located along W Street adds over three dozen seats to the restaurant.”
Photo courtesy of District Flea
From District Flea:
“Hello DC! The District Flea is very excited to announce its opening this fall in the U Street Corridor. A collaboration between local vendors and the people that started the Brooklyn Flea, our market will feature antique and repurposed furniture, vintage clothing, collectibles and antiques, as well as a tightly curated selection of jewelry, art, and crafts by artisans from in and around DC, New York, Baltimore, and Philly. And of course, delicious fresh food! We’ll be open every Saturday from September 14th – October 19th, 10 AM to 5 PM. At 945 Florida Avenue, NW.”
Photo courtesy of District Flea
Thanks to all the readers who wrote in about it. Anyone else check it out?
Photo courtesy of District Flea