U Street

Solly’s Starts Serving Food This Sunday

By Prince Of Petworth


11th and U St, NW

Solly’s kitchen helmed by Cuzn Mike finally opens at 1pm this Sunday. Unfortunately the expansion into the former Madjet Ethiopian space will not be ready (still finalizing a few issues) but you’ll now be able to order from the “regular” bar. Here’s a little sample of what you’ll be able to get:

“Chicken parm” chicken cutlet, roasted tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, shaved Parmesan, prosciutto

Shrimp po boy. Dressed I.e. lettuce tomato mayo pickle

Roast beef on sourdough. Lettuce tomato. Pickled red onion. Tiger sauce

Homemade potato chips

After Sunday their kitchen hours will be from 4 pm until 11pm the rest of the week.

The New Anthony Bowen YMCA Looking Good at 14th and W St, NW

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user dullshick

dullshick snaps a great photo of the progress at 14th and W St, NW. From YMCA:

“This state-of-the-art mixed-use development in the vibrant U Street Corridor, will honor 160 years of impact while laying the foundation for the community’s future. The new 44,000 sq. ft. facility will feature a 6-lane indoor pool, 3 group exercise studios, a Wi-Fi café, a rooftop terrace, a youth development center, a demonstration kitchen and space for our life-changing wellness programs.”

Check out what it looked like in Jan. 2011 here.

And don’t forget a Sweetgreen and a Greek restaurant are coming here too.

Thurs. Afternoon Rental Option – U Street

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to a reader for sending this one from Craigslist:

Few neighborhoods in Washington DC have the abundance of first-rate dining, shopping, arts, music and culture that locals enjoy along the trendy and vibrant 14th and U Streets.
Spend some time here and live like a local in this cool and modern studio apt. in our neighborhood, minutes away from the U Street metro. The apartment is fully furnished.

It features
• open floor
• a beautiful and functional kitchen with Granite Island,
• and 55 inches TV

1 block away from the lively Meridian Hill Park
(Outdoor free jungle beat performance at night, and free yoga class in the park on Sundays)
Rental Bikes down the street
Steps Away from U Street
2 blocks from Columbia Heights (Target, Giant and the rest)
25 min walk to Dupont Circle
The nightly rate is $150

I am trying to get rent it out from the 17th of November, 2012 to the 25th of November 2012. Dates can be arranged for longer or shorter stays according to various offers. I have a full bed, and an extra queen air mattress bed if needed. The apartment is ideal for a couple. Walk down the street to the neighborhood restaurants in the city, cafes, best musical venues Black Cat, 9:30, farmer’s market and everything you need is located within a block. Check our guide, to help you navigate all that the area has to offer.

AC, Internet and Cable included
I hope you will choose our place and have a fabulous stay!

The reader notes the “Outdoor free jungle beat performance at night” – don’t think I’ve ever seen the Malcolm X/Meridian Park Drum Circle used as a rental advertising point before…

Judging Restaurants – The Mediterranean Spot

By Prince Of Petworth


1501 U Street, NW

The Mediterranean Spot (formerly 24/Seven located at 14th and U) opened in August in the former Love Cafe space at the corner of 15th and U St, NW. For those who’ve been – is it exactly the same as 24/Seven? Any must order items? I’m digging the new sign.


15th and U St, NW

Hanoi House Vietnamese Restaurant and Pho House Opening Nov. 25th in Former Blackbyrd Space – Have a Look at the Menu

By Prince Of Petworth


2005 14th St, NW

In mid-October we learned that Blackbyrd was going to become a Vietnamese Restaurant and Pho house. They’re going to open up on Nov. 25th and will likely be called the Hanoi House. Here’s a sneak peek at the menu created by Executive Chef James Claudio and his Vietnamese grandmother, Lap Claudio:

Apps

Cha Gio
crispy pork and shrimp spring rolls with dipping fish sauce

Cha Gio Chay
crispy vegetarian spring rolls with dipping sauce

Goi Cuon
fresh garden roll with shrimp and vegetables, hoisin-peanut dipping sauce

Goi Cuon Chay
vegetarian garden roll with crispy tofu, hoisin-peanut dipping sauce

Goi Du Du Kho Bo
green papaya salad with beef jerky, fresh herbs, peanuts, spicy soy dressing

Banh Mi –
-Cha Lua – Vietnamese pork sausage
-Thit Ga – grilled chicken
-Thit Bo – grilled beef
-Thit Heo – grilled pork

-Vermicelli Rice Noodle Bowls

Bun Voi Rau Thom (Vegetarian)
vermicelli salad, fried tofu, fresh herbs, vegetables, roasted peanuts

Bun Tom Nuong
char grilled Shrimp with Vermicelli Salad, fresh herbs, roasted peanuts

Bun Thit Nuong
char grilled pork with vermicelli Salad, fresh herbs, roasted peanuts

Bun Bo Xao
char grilled beef and lemongrass with vermicelli salad, fresh herbs, roasted peanuts

Pho

Pho Chay
Vietnamese vegetarian noodle soup

Pho Ga
Vietnamese chicken noodle soup

Pho Bo
Vietnamese beef noodle soup, beef round eye, tendon
-add ons – beef brisket, beef meatballs, tripe

Dac Biet/Specials

Com Chien
Combination fried rice – chicken, pork, beef, shrimp, green peas, garlic, onion, carrots, fish sauce, cilantro

Banh Xeo
crisp rice flour crepe, shrimp, onions, bean sprouts, fresh herbs and lettuce

Banh Xeo Chay
crisp rice flour crepe, shiitake mushroom and tofu, fresh herbs and lettuce

Trang Mieng/essert

Chuoi Chien Dot Ruou
banana fritters flambé, caramel sauce

Say Goodbye to the old Fidelty Storage Sign

By Prince Of Petworth

I’ve always loved this old Fidelity Storage sign touting 1000 indestructible rooms seen from 14th Street, NW just south of U Street. Well the cranes have gone in for the coming Louis at 14th development so not sure how much longer we’ll get to see it. Fortunately there is another sweet old sign closer to U street that should still be visible but it doesn’t mention the indestructible rooms. All will be forgiven when Trader Joe’s opens…

Monday U Street Neighborhood Logo Competition Entries

By Prince Of Petworth

Ed. Note: Of course people can be critical about a design competition – though voting will take place in poll form after the hurricane – but if you are critical please show a little decency and don’t be rude about it. We’re just trying to have a little fun.

Entries are now closed for the U Street logo design competition, but we will have lots more competitions coming up for other neighborhoods. Also I’m feeling a Hurricane Sandy competition as well…


Logo by Drew Litowitz

“This logo represents the vibrate, elegant side of U Street, with its many art galleries, music venues, and cool hangout spots.”


Logo by Erin Pedati

“Here’s my submission for branding U Street. I’ve worked/attended school in DC for over a decade, but recently moved to the U St Corridor. It’s always been my favorite part of the city, especially because of the wide variety of concert/music venues. Not only is this neighborhood steeped in a rich jazz tradition, but it’s also home to 9:30 Club, Black Cat, and newer places like U Street Music Hall.

Anyway–I tried to convey that here, with the musical silhouettes, against another icon, row houses. I also wanted to incorporate elements of the DC Flag.”


Logo by Sebastian

“My primary motivation was, “What would I like to see on the front or back of a shirt that would communicate clear pride in the neighborhood immediately from close up or far away?” A simple design is necessary to answer that question. I included the hashtag because the hashtag is a marker for something unique. It puts a word within a sentence above it, commanding a more significant purpose and existence beyond those words around it. The diversity of this neighborhood puts it on the same plane. I was inspired by the metro, as it has a very significant influence on the neighborhood’s development. That is why I included the yellow and green around the hashtag. The lettering for “Ustreet” is also intentional: It matches the station markers on the metro map (non-transfer stations, which the U St. station is: White with a thick black stroke/border). The line underneath is the straight east-west line of U Street on a map, and the drop off on the right (east) is where Florida picks up and starts heading east at 7th street. The thin black border around the entire design is optional, and more there so when you post it there is a frame around the image.”


Logo by G.C.


Logo by Ana Tobin

Friday Entries for the U Street Logo Competition

By Prince Of Petworth

Ed. Note: Of course people can be critical about a design competition – though voting will take place in poll form next week – but if you are critical please show a little decency and don’t be rude about it. We’re just trying to have a little fun.

If you’d like to enter the U Street logo design competition, please send an email to princeofpetworth(at)gmail by the end of the day with your design and “neighborhood logo competition” in the subject line.


Logo by Mike Fogel

“I’m a freelancer who’s always looking for new projects. Had some time off yesterday and thought it’d be more fun to work on this than browse craigslist for the thousandth time! Happy to hear anyone’s feedback.”


Logo by Kiah G.

“I like my logo because it is simple, classic, and clean, and I think it will look nice on a T shirt.”


Logo by Tom Haskard

“Having lived near U St for the past year, the area to me reminds me of the music I’ve heard here, be it at 9:30 Club, U St Music Hall or any of the jazz bars. The beamed notes combined with the slur to combine a U shape.”


Logo by anonymous


Logo by Emily Boyer

Continues after the jump. (more…)

Cause Philanthropub Now Open at 1926 9th Street, NW

By Prince Of Petworth


1926 9th Street, NW

I was lucky enough to be invited to Cause’s opening event and the finished space looks amazing. I was also able to meet some of the organizations who will benefit from Cause’s philanthropy and was, for the first time, realizing how awesome this place really is. I’m betting there will be an Oprah or some national news coverage in the near future if they can pull this off. While I tasted some delicious drinks, I’m eager to go back and try the menu. Wishing them the very best. We will revisit for a proper judging after they’ve been open a bit.

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