Back in May ’08 we first heard about Patty Boom Boom located at 1359 U Street, NW. This is the Jamaican themed spot owned by the folks behind Marvin. I hear they’ll have a DJ on Thursday as well. I’m looking forward to checking this spot out.
D’Brows located at 1203 U Street, NW has become a tarot card reader. It always boggles my mind how tarot card readers can afford rent in prime real estate. What is this France?…
While we’ve heard of the closings on 14th Street (Swann Cleaners and the one a bit further south) I’m happy to report a couple of new openings. Bill’s cleaners had finally opened up at the corner of 13th and Florida Ave (1301 Florida Ave, NW).
And Cupid Cleaners has opened up in Adams Morgan at 1704 Euclid Street, NW. This is an organic cleaners that will have a 20% grand opening discount for a couple of months. Because Bill’s was closed when I walked by I only got pricing info for Cupid. Before the discount shirts are $1.35, pants are $4.95, and suits are $9.95.
Well this is completely wild. I had no idea that Axis Bar & Grill closed (their Web site is still working) at 1340 U Street, NW. Thanks to a tweet from @FrenchTwistDC indeed Bistro La Bonne has opened up in that space. Their Web site says:
“U Street finally has its own bistro! Chef Daniel La Bonne has long desired to create a French bistro with his personal touches, and Bistro La Bonne is his latest creation and personal vision. Chef Daniel has set a successful track record in opening and running several restaurants and bistros which earned 2.5 to 3 stars from the Washington Post and a place in the highly regarded Washington Post Dining Guide…
Chef Daniel invites you to join him in this comfortable and popular establishment. The delectable menu and accessible wine list should please anyone who walks into this homey bistro. Chef Daniel prepares menus for the brunch, lunch, dinner, and late night crowds. Chef Daniel La Bonne and the friendly staff will make your visit a quality neighborhood experience.”
You can see their menu here. I think this is great news. Will anyone miss Axis? Do you think a Bistro is a good fit for U Street?
Wow, Masa 14 located at 1825 14th St, NW has only been only been open a few months and it’s already set to expand according to an alcohol beverage application. In addition to adding a summer garden they’d like to open up the second floor as well:
A few folks have recently asked me about this cool building located at 1328 Florida Ave, NW. Some thought it was a condo but actually it’s Meridian Public charter school:
We’ve looked at this building before and it definitely is a gem with great details:
The building on the 2100 block of 11th Street, NW (south of W) looks nearly completed. Think it fits in with the block? Overall – thumbs up or down?
Photo by PoPville flickr user Wake Up The Giant
Thanks to a reader for sending this link:
“Ben Ali was a businessman with a plan. He gave all three of his sons the middle name Ben in case one of them ever took over Ben’s Chili Bowl, the restaurant he opened in the de facto segregated District of Columbia of 1958. It turned out that two of them, Kamal and Nizam, did just that, and by the time their father died, they had long ago proved equal to the task, turning a neighborhood haunt for chili dogs and chili cheeseburgers into an internationally known business, with annual sales exceeding $5 million.”
You can read the rest of the tribute here.
Since we didn’t have any house porn last week I thought I’d start the week this good looking house located at 1925 15th Street, NW:
The flier says:
“Wonderfully renovated beauty – offers modern living & flexibility – as a grand 5 bed/3.5 ba home on 3 luxury levels or as a 3 bed/2.5 ba home on 2 levels + sep metered 2 bed/1 bath legal CofO rental in LL (could get $2000+ mo). Meticulously redone, dramatic dual stairways, entertain size open spaces, custom doors & details, 5 FPs, open spaces, 2 car secure parking!”
You can find more info here and a mouse on house virtual tour here.
What do you think of the renovation itself? Think it can go for the asking price of $1,175,000 (dropped from $1,249,000)?
DC Mud released some interesting details last week:
“VIDA Fitness received the okay today to build its “flagship” gym and spa on U Street. VIDA’s owner will renovate the near century-old building at 1612 U Street and add an 8,500 s.f. extension glass extension to accommodate the new gym.
The new gym will easily out-muscle the current occupant, as well as existing VIDAs, with a 51,500-s.f., 4-story gym boasting “a private rooftop club with a 60-foot pool, resort cabanas, communal fire pit, outdoor waterfall, sundeck and a member lounge with restaurant service,” substantially beating out the 29,000 s.f. Verizon Center location.
…a still unnamed restaurant, operated by Capitol City Brewing Company, taking over the first-floor restaurant space.”
You can read more details from DC Mud here.