U Street

Angelico’s Pizzeria Opens at 1334 U Street, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

While I haven’t been a huge fan of the pizza, it’s nice to see the space looking 100% better. I’ll have to give them another shot! They’re located at 1334 U St, NW next to some cool murals.

Update: Based on some comments below, I have to change the title to a new Angelico’s location opens on U St. It’s funny because when I went in the store to speak with one of the workers they said it has always been there but just got fixed up. I thought I was losing my mind. I’m glad I wasn’t. And as I said originally it’s nice to see the space looking so much better. Sorry for the confusion.

New Bar, Dodge City, Has Soft Opening at 917 U Street, NW

By Prince Of Petworth


Upstairs bar

Well this totally fell below my radar. Thanks a million to a reader for sending word about U Street’s newest bar. I was able to hit the opening and snap some photos. Dodge City is located right next door to Velvet Lounge at 917 U Street, NW.

This spot has four partners – Abdul Kayoumy and Haile Berhane (also owners of Velvet Lounge) plus Patrick Mucklow and Angie Hopson. I chatted a bit with Patrick and Angie who were super nice. Patrick previously had worked at Black Cat and Bar Pilar while Angie used to work at this space’s previous resident, Kingpin, among other spots in the city. Even though it was just a soft opening Tuesday evening, I can say the place had a great vibe. Dodge City has two comfortable floors. On the first floor there is a nice bar with about 8 or 9 seats and tables while the second floor has another bar plus a DJ booth.

I asked Patrick how they came up with the name Dodge City – he replied, it’s from a Go Go album where one of the songs has a line, “DC Don’t Stand For Dodge City”. That may be one of the cooler lines I’ve heard in a long time. And while it’s a bit premature, I feel like this spot has the potential to be the best new bar to open up on U Street since Solly’s.


album that inspired the bar’s name

Many more photos after the jump including a look at the beer menu. (more…)

A Look Inside Newly Opened Pica Taco

By Prince Of Petworth

As I mentioned yesterday, thanks to all those who wrote in, the new Pica Taco located at 1406 Florida Ave, NW just had it’s grand opening. This whole week you can buy one taco get one free. And I’ll echo the sentiment of some readers – the space looks great:

A few more photos including menu after the jump. (more…)

New Pica Taco Grand Opening Sunday Buy One Taco get one Free

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo from @digitalhumanist

Thanks to all the readers who sent word (and photos) of the flyer that recently went out. The Pica Taco is located at 1406 Florida Ave, NW (just west of 14th) in the old LZ Restaurant space. Grand opening On Sunday April 18th through Saturday April 24th, buy one taco, get a second one free.

Judging New Restaurants – Dickson Wine Bar

By Prince Of Petworth

Dickson Wine Bar, located at 903 U St, NW has now been open for over a month and I’m wondering what are people’s initial impression? After only being open for a month they’ve gotten lots of good reviews on Yelp. How do they compare to Cork, Vinoteca, Room 11 and the others? For those who have been was there much of a wait for a table/seat?

Dear PoP – Has 24/Seven Closed?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

On Sunday night I noticed that the windows were covered up with brown paper. This morning the establishment appears to be closed for good.

It was a greasy spoon/falafel shop that was open late nights on weekends and mornings on weekdays. It had been around as long as I could remember. I’ve lived in the area for 23 years. The address is 1408 U Street, NW.

Their hours had been becoming erratic lately. On some mornings they were not open for breakfast. This was surprising, given that 24/7’s weekday customers were mostly Reeves Center employees. It never was open 24/7.”

Wow, this is pretty big news as I remember there were tons of fans of this place. When I walked by there wasn’t anyone I could ask to find out if they are closed for good or simply remodeling. Anyone here happen to know?

Folks were big fans of this place, weren’t they? I’ll be sure to update as more info becomes available.

Letter From Linda K. Argo, Director DCRA, About Uptown ARTS Overlay District

By Prince Of Petworth

Last week week we had a huge discussion about “no New Building Permits or C of Os will be issued to eating and drinking establishments in MidCity (14th and U Streets, NW)”. The Director of DCRA, Linda Argo recently sent out a letter to clarify the situation. She writes:

“Also, it is very important to note that the Office of Planning is finalizing recommendations to the Zoning Commission to increase the 25% cap on eating and drinking establishments, as well as how the cap is calculated. These proposed amendments will be submitted to the Zoning Commission by April 26, 2010.”

Word on the street is that the increase could go up to 50%.

See full overlay map here – Uptown ARTS Overlay District

Full letter after the jump. (more…)

Dear PoP – DCRA says no new restaurants on 14th street & U street corridors!

By Prince Of Petworth

A reader sent in a link from the Mid City Business Association. They report:

URGENT: DCRA rules no New Building Permits or C of Os will be issued to eating and drinking establishments in MidCity.

On April 5th, 2010 Matt LaGrant, DC’s Zoning Administrator, issued a ruling that DCRA will no longer grant Building Permits or Certificate of Occupancies for restaurants, bars, diners, coffees shops and carry-outs along 14th and U streets (plus adjacent commercial side streets) because of zoning regulations restricting the availability of space to eating and drinking establishments to 25% of the linear frontage of the greater 14th and U Street area. To see a map of the overlay go here.

What the ruling means

*Anyone seeking to open an eating and drinking establishment (including delis, coffee shops and carry outs) will need to go before the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) to seek a special exception.
*Requiring all new projects to go to the BZA will absorb an enormous amount of business, community and government resources as projects seek exemptions to a rule that is widely regarded as outdated and harmful to economic development.
*It will stall new projects and prevent existing ones from expanding
*It will discourage entrepreneurs from investing in the MidCity area, including underdeveloped parts of the district.
*It will send a strong message to local, regional, national investors that DC is business unfriendly

MIdCity Business Association’s Response to the Ruling
We will be sending a letter to CM Jim Graham, CM Jack Evans and other city officials asking for their help in obtaining an urgent text change to the zoning regulations to increase the allowance from 25% to 50% of the total area.

We will be continue to work with our community partners including the Logan Circle Communtiy Association and the U Street Neighborhood Association along with commissioners from ANC1B, ANC2F and ANC2B to develop a constructive and positive response as our community coalition continues to work together to promote positive, balanced economic and community development in MidCity.

We last discussed concerns about development in this area here. Do you think this will hurt the continued revival of the 14th and U Street Corridors?

Dear PoP – Planned Power Outage for U Street, NW?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user UrsulaAntares

“Dear PoP,

Have you heard anything about this? I’d hope that Pepco would give a bit more notice than this.

Excerpt:

We have literally just received notification from our property manager that Pepco is going to turn off the power in the area from 11:45 p.m. tonight until 8:00 a.m. tomorrow (although they said it could be restored as early as 6:00 a.m.) Pepco is disrupting service because they are reconfiguring the power grid for the U Street area — there is much higher usage than in the past and shifting users from one power grid to another should help to mitigate this situation.”

Has anyone else received word about this? I didn’t see anything on their Web site. Did they say the street boundaries that will be affected?

Mon. Afternoon Rental Option

By Prince Of Petworth

This apartment is located at 15th and Chapin Streets, NW:


View Larger Map

The Craigslist ad says:

“- Walking distance to Metro (Green Line – U St. station), shopping and restaurants
– Open kitchen design with stainless steel appliances and granite countertops
– Washer/dryer
– Large sunny energy-efficient windows
– 900 square feet
– Secure building
– Off-street parking option is available
– Great landlord and neighbors”

I’m posting this one becuase I’ve walked by the building dozens of times and was curious to see some photos of the units. Assuming you get a roomate is $2500 reasonable for a 2 bedroom? If you’re not looking for a roomate, I was also intrigued by this studio for $1300 located at 16th and Park Road, NW.

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