U Street

American Ice Company BBQ and Bar Open for Business Thursday!

By Prince Of Petworth

American Ice Company, located at 917 V St, NW, had a preview opening on Tuesday night and as I suspected it is absolutely ridiculously amazing. All I can I say is that the attention to detail is among the best I’ve ever seen. The beer (I had a wheat beer called 321) was perfect and the bbq was smoky goodness.

This is the best bar to open up in NW DC since nearby Dodge City which was the best new NW bar to open since Solly’s…

But back to American Ice Company, well see for yourself:

Lots more photos after the jump. (more…)

The 5pm Post – Brazilian Christmas Party Saturday

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

We’re throwing a Brazilian Christmas party on Saturday, December 18 called For All a Good Night. There’s going to be a live Brazilian band playing Forró and Pagode music, as well as dance lessons from a well known Samba teacher and dancer, Sonia Pessoa.

Forró (pronounced foh-haw) is a Brazilian couples dance that anyone can learn.

The event is at Level X Bar & Lounge, upstairs of Axum Ethiopian Restaurant (1934 9th St NW) and lasts from 8pm to 2:30am.”

Dear PoP – Gym Recommendations and Construction Between Stetsons and Results/Vida on U St, NW?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

I’ve been a member of U-Street results for the past year and a half and was dissapointed to hear that they are closing. The location is great for me so I’d like to join Vida but they are going to charge me $25/mo than I pay at Results (Vida’s membership is $92/mo). One of my friends is a Results member and pays far less than I do for his current membership. For him to join Vida he’d have to pay an additional $40/mo.

First off I think it’s bad policy that they kick you out of your gym and then raise your monthly membership. Since most of your viewers are members of some health clubs I’d be curious to know how the prices range for different gym and even what the range people pay for the same gym.”

We spoke about some gym recommendations here back in August.

And related:

“I was just curious if you know what is being built in the small alley between Stetson’s and Results on U st.”

Hmm, I just assumed this was going to be a part of the new Vida gym that will replace Results. Anyone know what’s being built there?

Dear PoP – Church at 10th and V St, NW: Change of Plans?

By Prince Of Petworth

The saga of the old church at 10th and V St, NW continues. Thanks to a reader for sending in the latest:

“Dear PoP,

I’ve been following the progress on the church owned by Sorg & Associates at 10th and V St NW. While the arrival of the new dumpsters is encouraging I was wondering if anyone knows any details of the redevelopment plan.

I had read that Sorg planned to turn the church into office space, with 60+ condos to be built on the adjacent vacant lot.

Out of curiosity I checked out the building plan review status on DCRA’s page http://cpms.dcra.dc.gov/OBPAT/idjob_info.asp (Application B1009512). It appears that the owner has submitted new plans to build 3 apartment units (per the “Fire Review”)?

The church building seems much too large for 3 apartment units.

Any idea what the new plans might entail?”

Yeah, that would be three huge apartment units. Do you think they’ll be super luxury units or do you think the number is likely off?

Free Pizza and Beer at Local 16 Tonight

By Prince Of Petworth

This is a pretty sweet promotion announced by yelp today. It will be held at Local 16 (1602 U St NW) tonight (Thurs.) from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm:

“Take a break from the chill and join Blue Moon for a preview of their upcoming Spring seasonal. Complimentary pizza and beer from 6:30-8:30pm.”

DC9 Club Can Re-Open Dec. 15th

By Prince Of Petworth


DC9 pictured in October.

TBD’s Sommer Mathis has the scoop on the Dec. 15th opening date after attending the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board meeting this afternoon. She writes:

“A status hearing was held today on the club’s license, which was suspended indefinitely after five of the club’s employees were arrested for assault in relation to a man’s death outside of the club in October.”

We last spoke about the case on Nov. 1st, we spoke about the vigil here and here and spoke about the original incident here and here on Oct. 15th.

Do you think it makes sense that the club is allowed to reopen before the autopsy report is issued?

DC9 is located at 1940 9th Street NW.

Dear PoP – Any Plans for the Corner of 11th and V St, NW?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

You had a number of posts recently about the V Street NW area, which kinda brought up my question – do you know what’s up with the old mechanic’s shop/property on the northeast corner of 11th and V Street? It was boarded up and gated for a while, then the city came in during the spring and tried to clean up after a shooting around here, dumping oil down V Street in the process in the middle of the afternoon. Now it remains ungated and nothing has happened since. Seems like a such a good place for someone to develop, but maybe the clean up is too much.”

Yeah, I’ve noticed the gate remains open as well. I’ve also noted a small tractor on the lot:

I think I once heard that a small condo project was slated to be built on this property but I don’t know if that’s the case anymore. Anyone else hear some scuttlebutt here?

Ed. Note: A number of folks have written in that the old church nearby at the corner of 10th and V St, NW now has dumpsters on the lot.

Re-Judging Restaurants – Oohhs and Aahhs

By Prince Of Petworth

We’ve spoken a few times about Oohs and Aahhs located at 1005 U St, NW and there was nearly universal praise. So I was surprised to receive the following email:

“Went to Ooh’s and Aah’s on U ST today for the first time for lunch. Ordered their special. Fried chicken breast, two sides. When I went to pay… 17.95, thinking that was for two of us, I paid, but it was for one meal. I was appalled. I’m sure it’s good chicken but isn’t that ridiculous?”

You can see their regular lunch menu here.

Those prices seem normal. Has the special always cost so much? I wonder if there was an increase after they were seen on Diners, Drive Ins and Dives with Guy Fieri?

What do you guys think – is Oohhs and Aahhs still one of the best spots in town?

Reports of Shots Fired – MPD Makes Gun arrest at 1400 V St, NW

By Prince Of Petworth


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From MPD:

“On November 29, 2010, at approximately 7:00 p.m., members of the Third District were investigating the sounds of gun shots in the vicinity of the 1400 block of V Street, N.W. Upon their arrival, members observed a male individual matching the lookout for the suspect. Members pursued the suspect on foot and observed him tossing a gun to the ground. The suspect was apprehended without further incident. A revolver was recovered on the scene.

Actions by Third District members are a testament to our resolve to keep the community safe. As always, we appreciate the public for being our eyes and ears. Thank you.”

Movement at 14th and W St, NW and 14th and Belmont St, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to all who’ve written in about the progress at 14th and W St, NW (pictured above). We’ve been eagerly awaiting movement since Oct. ’07. Perseus Realty just issued a press release this afternoon:

“14W Apartments

Perseus Realty, LLC (Perseus Realty) of Washington, D.C. and its joint venture partner Jefferson Apartment Group (JAG) of McLean Virginia will begin construction shortly on a new mixed-use development at 14th and W Streets, N.W. in Washington, D.C. The approximately 300,000 square foot project will have 231 rental apartments, an all-new 44,000 square foot YMCA facility, and over 10,000 square feet of ground-level retail space. With equity financing from Rockpoint Group, L.L.C. and a $53 million construction loan from Wells Fargo Bank, NA, the development team will begin demolition of the existing buildings in early December. The state-of-the-art YMCA and first apartments will deliver in summer of 2012, with the remaining apartments delivering by fall of 2012.”

And a bit further north it looks like construction may also soon start as they’ve put some new barriers down at the old Nehemiah site at 14th and Belmont St, NW.

Full Perseus press release after the jump. (more…)

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