U Street

Strictly Scuttlebutt: Former Tropicana Eatery to be Taken Over by folks Behind the former Cafe Nema?

By Prince Of Petworth


725 Florida Ave NW

A couple of weeks ago we noted the new paint job at the former Tropicana Jamaican Eatery which closed in late Jan. 2012 at 725 Florida Ave, NW. I’ve been getting tons of inquiries from folks wondering who might be moving into the space. It’s been tough to find out anything. I once asked workers on the scene and they said it would be a restaurant. I asked if they knew what type of restaurant and they told me it would serve food. Ok. Not a lot to work on with that but earlier in the week I heard some promising scuttlebutt. I’m not sure of the accuracy but since so many folks have been curious – what the hell.

I hear that the folks behind the former Cafe Nema (remember how awesome that sign was?) will be taking over the space. Cafe Nema was located at 1334 U St. NW which is now home to the ****ing Codmother.

Stay tuned for more info on the former Tropicana as it becomes available.

Ginger Root Design Expanding on U Street

By Prince Of Petworth


1530 U St, NW

Ginger Root Design opened up in Sept. 2010 at 1530 U St, NW. From an email:

“At Ginger Root Design, we are all beyond excited to announce that we are expanding! What exactly does that mean? The current location of Ginger Root will continue into the back so we can carry more artists and eco-friendly goods, and upstairs will be our tailoring and sewing shop. We need to hire more people but don’t have enough space for them, so we are making room :-) For the first bit of change, here is our new logo for the store!”

Judging Markets – Smucker Farms

By Prince Of Petworth


2118 14th St, NW

I was pretty excited when Smuckers Farms opened up at 2118 14th St, NW in Nov. 2011. For those not familiar with Smucker Farms their Website says:

Smucker Farms of Lancaster Co. was founded to make a direct connection between the producers of food and products in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and consumers in Washington, DC. We focus on small farmers and producers, stocking our shelves with the best that Southeast PA has to offer. Many of the small farmers in Lancaster, primarily Amish and Mennonite, have distanced themselves from the corporate food chain and are instead focusing on high quality artisan food and products.

The result is an explosion in the availability of grass fed beef, free range poultry and eggs, heirloom pork, European style cheeses, butters, and yogurts, and of course an abundance of organic leafy greens, root vegetables and fruit. Smucker Farms will also be carrying a wide variety of unique baked goods, canned products, dry goods, handmade soaps and beauty products. To best serve the busy urban dweller, we have prepared modern American take away meals made in Lancaster, PA for your home and office. For those who want a weekly variety of fresh produce and fruit, Smucker Farms is the pick-up point for a CSA program organized by a cooperative of Amish and Mennonite farmers in Lancaster Co. Examples of handmade furniture are scattered throughout the store to help you choose an item for pick up or delivery, and handmade toys can be put to the test in our Kid’s Corner.

Any fans?

Former AM PM Carryout Building Gutted at 14 and V St, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

Back in Dec. 2011 a reader noted that work had begun on the former AM PM Carryout roof at 14th and V St, NW. Permits still list Dupont Italian Kitchen as the owner though it’s still not clear if they plan on opening a Tex-Mex place called La Fonda in the space. What is clear, is that this project is huge. They have gutted the entire building:

And it runs along the entire building:

You can go to the alley and look in the back and see all the way through to 14th Street:

I can’t wait to see how this turns out. And who moves in…

Celebrate Marvin Gaye Day 2012 with Marvin’s original band “The Marquees”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo via wikipedia

From an email:

Marvin Gaye Day 2012
Monday, April 2nd 6:00 PM
“Life & Legacy”
Marvin @ 2007 14th Street NW

Monday, April 2nd marks the 73rd birthday of Marvin Pentz Gaye, Jr. and this year, the children and grandchildren of Marvin Gaye and Restaurant Marvin and Stella Artois are proud to present, “Life & Legacy; A Celebration”.

The event begins at 6 pm and will feature a concert by Marvin’s original band “The Marquees”, with special guest singer and Marvin’s brother Antwuan, Marvin Gaye guitarist Gordon “Guitar” Banks and Brandon Clark. Marvin’s “Main Ingredient” Monday night DJ Jahsonic will finish the night with a Marvin-centric set.

In an effort to celebrate Marvin Gaye’s legacy, “Life & Legacy” will serve as a fundraiser for Arms Around The Child, www.armsaroundthechild.org, donating all proceeds from the event in his name.

“Life & Legacy” would also like to highlight the Kennedy Center’s “What’s Going On Now” event, marking the 40th anniversary of Marvin Gaye’s performance of said song on the Kennedy Center stage.

Inspired Teaching Demonstration Public Charter School Leases Part of Manhattan Laundry Building

By Prince Of Petworth


1328 Florida Ave, NW

Thanks to a reader for sending an update:

“In recent years, there’s been speculation about what would happen to the historic modernist Manhattan Laundry building at 1328 Florida Avenue once Meridian Charter School, the current occupant, announced plans to move to 1301 V Street.

Last week the Inspired Teaching Demonstration Public Charter School, which opened this fall in temporary Northeast digs, announced it had signed a lease on the Manhattan Laundry space. ITS will knock down existing walls in the building to create more library space and common areas, and has plans to create a roof deck playground. Leaders of the school, which enrolls children from every ward in the City, are happy about the move to a central, metro- and bus-accessible location, which is also close to the nonprofit Center for Inspired Teaching.

No official word yet on what organizations might share space with ITS, which next year will serves children through 4th grade and at capacity go through 8th grade.”

The reader later adds in an email:

“The office space on the top floor of the building will continue to be used by start-ups, etc. also, the Annex space is slated for a Montessori?”

Details on Solly’s Expansion Plans at 11th and U St, NW, Will Feature Sandwiches/Subs from “Cuzn Mike”

By Prince Of Petworth

Back in late Jan. 2012 we learned that Solly’s would be expanding next door into the former Madjet Ethiopian Restaurant at the corner of 11th and U St, NW. At that time we heard that we’d soon be able to grab a bite to eat at Solly’s. I recently sat down with the guy who’s going to make that happen – newly hired “Cuzn Mike” Clements.

Cuzn Mike is a very familiar face around town. Some will remember him from the Red Bean (now Radius) which he opened back in 2004 in Mt. Pleasant. Others will recognize him as the face behind the upstairs bar and sometimes griller at Jack Rose in Adams Morgan. Soon you will know him as the guy who makes the delicious sandwiches at Solly’s.

Quick side note, I’ve always wondered how he got the nickname Cuzn Mike. When he first came to DC he worked at 9:30 Club with his cousin and on his first day his cousin introduced him to all the employees as “my cousin Mike”. The name stuck.

Back to the important stuff. When Solly’s decided to expand it never had any intention of becoming a gourmet restaurant. What they did want to provide was a good, reasonable priced food option. Enter Cuzn Mike, “I’ve already got 60 different sandwiches I’m planning on rotating in.” Cuzn explains that there will always be 2 or 3 cold sandwiches, 2 or 3 hot sandwiches, a soup and a rotating entree. Prices will range between $6-$12.

“Dressing the sandwich properly is the key” according to Cuzn. Having spent four years in New Orleans he is very excited to offer Po Boys. So how to dress a sandwich properly? Lettuce, tomato, mayo and pickle upon request. We can expect to find shrimp po boys, oyster po boys not to mention jambalaya and gumbo. But the place is not New Orleans themed. Cuzn is also psyched to be able to roast his own turkey and roast beef. These sandwiches will always be made sliced to order. I was happy to hear we weren’t talking about pre-made sandwiches but freshly sliced. I was also happy to hear about the pastrami sandwich. Oh yeah, there was lots of talk of bacon and house made potato chips too.

If all goes according to plan they hope to complete the expansion in May. There won’t be any servers but they will be open for lunch, late night and eventually will offer a to go window for late night eats.

While the expansion will be connected to the original space it will also feature its own bar. Oh yeah, I forgot about the Fish Tacos. Stay tuned for taco Tuesdays coming soon!


Possible take out window one day

Dear PoPville – Trouble at 2100 Vermont Ave NW

By Prince Of Petworth

Dear PoPville,

Have you heard anything about the tragedy that is 2100 Vermont Ave NW. The attached letter is on the front door as of yesterday so it seems like the blight is not going anywhere for at least 5 months. But what is weird is that they have started some external painting recently. What is the deal? Do you have any insight to this?

Bar Pilar’s 2nd Floor Opens, Looks Awesome

By Prince Of Petworth


1833 14th St, NW

We first heard about Bar Pilar’s expansion plans at 1833 14th St, NW back in Dec. 2010. While they already reopened the first floor last month, the second floor expansion was finally revealed this weekend. And I’m happy to report it looks awesome.

I was told that the second floor will primarily be used for dining and the menu will be served late night until around 1am.

Lots more photos after the jump. (more…)

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