14th and S Street, NW
The Washington Post reported on Friday afternoon:
“Eager to end complaints from the Standard Biergarten in New York, the operators of Standard in the District plan to change the name of their joint to the Garden District, says co-owner Tad Curtz.”
Garden District plant/gardening store was located in the space until they moved across the street in 2009 before ultimately closing in 2011.
Garden District from 2007
From MPD:
“On June 30, 2013, at approximately 3:26 A.M., three victims were stabbed in the 2000 block of 12th Street, NW. The victims suffered slash wounds that were non-life threatening.
The vitims reported that they were inside of the 7-11 Store at 12th and U Streets, NW, when they became involved in a verbal argument with three suspects. After exiting the 7-11 Store, the suspects attacked the victims. One suspect slashed all three victims with a knife. The other suspects assaulted the victims by striking them with their shoes
An off-duty MPD Sergeant observed the assault and called for assistance. Police officers from the Third District arrived on the scene moments later. The three female suspects were apprehended. One suspect was charged with Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (Knife). The other two suspects were charged with Assault with a Dangerous Weapon(Shoe). The victims were transported to a local area hospital for treatment of their injuries.
Anyone with information related to these crimes is urged to contact the MPD Command Information Center at 202-727-9099.”
1215 U Street, NW
Great news from the mayor’s office:
Mayor Vincent C. Gray is pleased to join with the Deputy Mayor For Planning and Economic Development (DMPED), DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (DCCAH) and the Department of General Services (DGS) in announcing the selection of I.M.P., owners of the 9:30 Club, as the winning bid to become the new operator for the Historic Lincoln Theatre, beginning September 2013. The selection of the new operator highlights Mayor Gray’s commitment to a long-term sustainable business plan for the theatre, as well as the city’s efforts to revitalize one of the District of Columbia’s most important and historic cultural landmarks.
I.M.P. demonstrates a proven track record of successfully operating and managing cultural facilities throughout the Washington Metropolitan Area and represents a strong brand of excellence. I.M.P. possesses the experienced leadership necessary to build and sustain a consistent artistic identity for the Lincoln Theatre. Currently, I.M.P. operates the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C., Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland and produces concerts in various venues of all sizes throughout the region.
“I applaud the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities and the Department of General Services for moving this process forward,” said Mayor Gray. “I’m delighted that we can now move forward with I.M.P. and begin revitalizing this immense cultural asset.”
The process of selecting an operator began in January 2012 when Mayor Vincent C. Gray granted oversight of the Lincoln Theatre to the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities (DCCAH). The DCCAH’s primary role was to continue operating the theatre while developing a sustainable long-term business strategy for the theater. The District evaluated the Letters of Intent based upon the economic terms, vision and business model. A shortlist of Offerors was selected to submit detailed backup information as a second round of evaluations. From there, a selection panel of representatives from District government agencies, the local arts community, and Ward One convened to evaluate the short-listed candidates.
“This selection raises the bar for arts and entertainment in Washington,” said Judith Terra, Chair of the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities. “As we move toward becoming the cultural capital of the United States, our cultural assets that draw residents and visitors to our neighborhoods continue to define the greatness of our city.”
“The Historic Lincoln Theatre has been a cultural landmark in Washington for more than 90 years, and will continue to provide high quality artistic excellence for our residents and visitors,” said Lionell Thomas, Executive Director of the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities. “The new vision for the theater represents the growing diversity of our city.”
“The Department of General Services is very pleased with the outcome of this process that will bring this historic jewel back to life,” said Brian J. Hanlon, DGS Director. “This was a collaborative effort that resulted in selecting a very strong, long-term operator for the Lincoln Theatre.”
“It’s an honor and a thrill to be entrusted with bringing new life to such a wonderful old theatre,” said Seth Hurwitz, chairman of I.M.P. “Who doesn’t love places like this? You walk into it and gasp every time. To be able to make this more a part of people’s lives here again is an opportunity that is truly a privilege. There are so many kinds of shows that we are not able to do at 9:30 Club that we will now have a place for, including many that we had to take out of the city. Although we have been doing this for 33 years, we have added very few venues in our family roster. But this one we couldn’t pass up. The Lincoln is just too cool not to do.”
Thanks to a reader for sending a link to this frightening accident that took place back in March 2011. The cyclist recounts his ordeal on Greater Greater Washington:
“On a pleasant March morning in 2011, I was on my way to work, biking south on 14th St NW in the center of the right lane. As I approached W Street, I looked to make sure I had ample time to cross. The light was green. As I left the intersection, an SUV driver made a left turn across traffic, directly into my path. All I could do was hit the brakes hard.”
Read his full account here.
2005 14th Street, NW
Huge news for U Street. Chef Erik Bruner-Yang from the incredibly popular Toki Underground (1234 H St, NE) is hooking up with the folks from Hanoi House (2005 14th Street, NW) starting July 7th. Not clear if Hanoi House will be changing their name or what exactly will be on the menu but more info as it becomes available. Can’t wait to learn more!
2015 14th Street, NW
The discount clothing store Mila is closing on 14th Street just north of U Street. A worker at the store said he heard a “convenience store” would be replacing them. More details when they become available.
2118 14th Street, NW
Back in December ’12 we learned that Smucker Farms was hoping to add beer and wine to their shelves at 2118 14th St, NW. That day has arrived:
They are already and will be having lots of tastings too.
And cold beer will be available too:
14th and W Street, NW
From a press release:
“On July 5, Chef Mike Isabella will open Kapnos, his third Washington restaurant, on the bustling 14th street corridor (2201 14th St. NW). An ode to Northern Greece, the Kapnos menu will feature spit-roasted whole animals and shareable mezze plates that range from smoked mushrooms and ferno patates to raw spot prawns and charred octopus. The interior design of the 160-seat restaurant is heavily influenced by Isabella’s travels through Northern Greece and the former Macedonian empire, with warm earth tones accented by Byzantine detailing, whimsical floor art and custom lighting made from suspended wine glasses and bottles.
“I’ve been cooking Greek food for a large part of my career, and with Kapnos I really wanted to show a different side of Greek cooking in D.C.,” says chef/owner Mike Isabella. “That’s why we’ll be spit-roasting whole animals every day – it’s a taste of Northern Greece, and a different way of enjoying a cuisine that a lot of people think they already know.”
The dining room at Kapnos wraps around the restaurant’s massive open kitchen, creating the feeling of a great room with a pair of hickory-fired rotisserie grills at its center. Just beyond the main entrance, a 10-seat bar overlooks the two massive cookers, giving guests an up-close view of the chefs at work and the open flame. A 50-seat bar adjoins the dining room and is home to the restaurant’s extensive wine selection and Greek-influenced beverage program.
The Menu
Isabella worked closely with his business partners, brothers George and Nick Pagonis, on the Kapnos menu. His chef de cuisine and general manager, respectively, are the sons of Greek immigrants and fluent speakers of their ancestral tongue. Kapnos means smoke in Greek, and Isabella infuses a rich smokiness in all the meats cooked in the rotisserie grills. Suckling pig, baby goat, lamb and chicken can all be ordered in 4 oz tasting portions. Whole animals can also be ordered in advance and served at the 10-seat chef’s table where Isabella and his team slice and serve the whole animal from a special carving station at the foot of the table.
The mezze menu – Greek and Mediterranean-influenced shareable plates – is divided into Spreads, Raw, Cold, Garden and Ocean sections, and includes dips, salads, seafood crudos, roasted and grilled vegetables and classic Mediterranean seafood dishes. A selection of Greek classics – think mousaka, spanakopita and souzoukakia – rotate as daily specials. In addition to Northern Greece, Isabella and his team draw culinary influence from Athens, the islands of Crete and Paros and the Peloponnesian peninsula.
At the bar, Kapnos continues to take notes from the Mediterranean. Its draft offerings include a trio of lemonade cocktails, including one made with grilled lemons, and three wines. The wine list includes 150 bottled and 25 by-the-glass offerings that draw heavily from Greece but also include selections from old and new world regions. The cocktail program will include a dozen libations utilizing head mixologist Taha Ismail’s house-made sodas and bitters as well as the flavors of Greece with regional ingredients and liqueurs. Select cocktails will be available in small jugs to be shared at the table. The full dinner menu will be available at the bar.
The Space
Inspired by the rustic mountainous regions of Greece, Isabella worked with Streetsense, a Bethesda-based integrated architecture and design firm, to develop the look and feel of Kapnos. The space is designed to emulate both the regional fare that is served and the Greek name of the restaurant, which means smoke. The 160-seat, 6,000-square foot space uses earthy tones and natural materials offset by a variety of eclectic lighting styles and vibrant drapes, cushions, and millwork panels to create an atmosphere reminiscent of gypsy caravans and mountain homes.
The bar conveys a rustic, outdoor quality with its ebony-stained distressed wood bar front, charred wood bar top, and live edge walnut slab communal bar tables. The dining area exudes a comfortable, lived-in quality, best captured in the 38-seat semi-private dining area that features deep velvet curtains, punched metal Moroccan lanterns, and a window view into the display kitchen. Adjacent to the display kitchen sits an immense butcher block chef’s table, made up of individual mesquite blocks. It was designed and handcrafted by the Streetsense team and serves as a highlight of the variety of dining options available. This 10-seat community style chef’s table features an integrated carving station and is illuminated by four wine bottle chandeliers. In addition to the chef’s table and private dining room, guests also have options to dine in a recessed dining area with reclaimed oak floors.
G
In the weeks following the opening of Kapnos, Isabella will debut a second concept under the same roof – G. A companion to Graffiato, Isabella’s Italian-inspired Chinatown restaurant, G will serve Italian sandwiches by day (some of which will utilize meats from Kapnos’s whole animal roasts), and offer a fixed-price four-course tasting menu by night.
Location: 2201 14th St. NW
Phone: 202-234-5000
Hours: Bar opens at 4pm daily.
Sunday-Wednesday, 5-10pm
Thursday, 5-11pm
Friday-Saturday, 5pm-12am”
A peek in the window:
1117 V Street, NW
From Izakaya Seki:
“The new happy hour deal is on Monday, Wed, Thurs from 5-7pm — we’re offering draft Sapporo OR a glass of shochu (a Japanese distilled alcohol) along with a small bite for $5.
The shochu and the small bites offerings are subject to change but this week, it’s Hakutake Shiro (a rice shochu from Kumamoto) and the option of yakitori (grilled chicken skewer), minitomatoes wrapped in bacon, or tuna sashimi.”
Photo via Izakaya Seki
2108 Vermont Ave, NW
Any fans of Veracruz?
VeraCruz is DC’s only, and one of the world’s very few bar/venues dedicated to interior murals. The entire interior space is muralized every 8-10 weeks by local, regional, national and foreign artists, creating a radically transformed space regularly throughout the year. But this is not uncurated graffiti. Rather we exhibit work created exclusively by highly skilled mural artists, featuring a juxtaposition of on wall and 2D work, the latter of which is for sale.
guaranteed payday loansVeraCruz also specializes as an event space and is regularly available to host a wide range of gatherings, including fundraisers, professional association meetings, private celebrations, and community meetings.
The venue has an “art bar” influenced by the diversity of Latin America as seen right here in the DC area. The beverage program is centered on the best beers, spirits and wines from countries ranging from Mexico to Costa Rica to Peru and well beyond within Latin America and the rest of the world.
You can see their drink menu here.
