I just saw for the first time the new(ish) mural at U Street Cafe located at 1301 U Street, NW. It was painted one of my favorite muralists in DC, Joel Bergner. It was so big I couldn’t get it all in one photo. But here’s the rest:
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U Street
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A few weeks ago I mentioned that a new burger joint from the folks behind Policy will be coming to 14th and U. A reader just spotted the following alcohol license up on the window. It’s not clear if they’re affiliated but I’ll see what I can find out. The permit says, “New nightclub offering live performances, DJ, and “patron” dancing”. Not sure why it has patron in quotes… It also says the venue will be located in the basement level of the building. Occupancy is 295. So maybe the burger spot will be upstairs?
This PoPtrekker was a reader request. It was not possible to mention all the sights on U Street (there are just too many) so I decided to focus on some that may fall slightly below the radar and new development. True story: I thought the filming was on Sunday but it really was Saturday, so I double timed it down there and was 45 minutes late. Sorry IA! As a result I was a little frazzled in the begining and prattle on a bit in front of the Japanese market and Healing Center but it smooths out after that. Sorry ’bout that!
You can see previous PoPtrekker episodes here. This remains a joint Prince of Petworth/ Intangible Arts production. If you have a suggestion for a future PoPtrekker please email me directly.
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This sign terrified me when I first saw it. I’m a huge fan of Good Wood located at 1428 U Street, NW. I went in the store on Saturday and the owner said that he wasn’t too worried. I asked if he was looking for a new space for Good Wood but he said it was way too early for that. Apparently, it is not uncommon for a building like this to go on sale but not find a buyer. Should the building actually sell, it is likely Good Wood will remain somewhere in the neighborhood. Hopefully they won’t have to move…
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This home is located at 1317 Wallach Place, NW:
The flier says:
“STATELY & WELL MAINTAINED 3BR/1.5BA BAY-FRONT TH FEATURES LARGE ROOM PROPORTIONS, 2 DECORATIVE F/P’S, AMPLE NATURAL LIGHT W/ 7 SOUTH FACING WINDOWS, 10+’ CEILS, ORIGINAL MOLDINGS, HWF’S THROUGHOUT + GATED REAR YARD W/ PKG FOR 1-2 CARS. IDEAL U STREET/LOGAN CIRCLE LOCATION, STEPS TO RESTAURANTS, NIGHTLIFE, GALLERIES AND METRO.”
More info found here and a virtual tour found here.
The reader writes:
“Here’s one I think your readers will have a field day with. Just wow.”
I think the reader is referring to the paint choices and decorating. It definitely has a consistent style. Do you dig it? This 3 bed/1.5 bath is going for $820,000.
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Saw this disturbing incident on the MPD listserv from Commander Groomes:
“the below incident started off with an argument in the McDonalds… one of the parties then exited and went to wait for a bus in the 1900 blk of 16th ST when a blue Yukon pulled along side and pulled gun demanding his property…. the victim attempted to grab the gun and a fight ensued when the driver of the truck came out and struck the victim with a bat causing him injury – the truck sped off (we are following this lead) and victim taken to an area hospital…. we ask anyone who may have witnessed this attack to contact the 2d detectives or our tip line at 1 888 919 CRIME ..”
The original email:
“As I was coming home from church around 1:45 pm today (Sunday), I noticed a lot of police activity so I walked up to 16th and U. According to a couple of bystanders, a car had pulled up to the intersection, someone jumped out with a bat and began assaulting someone in the bus stop on the east side (our side) of 16th Street. For reasons I do not know, all the activity was over on the west side of 16th by the Starbucks. There was a fire engine and an ambulance which contained the victim (don’t know if victim was male or female). There were around 8 or 9 police cars. The bystanders told me that someone had gotten the car license number as it sped away. Finally, as I was walking home, about 10 minutes after I first noticed the activity (and clearly some additional but unknown amount of time after the assault had occurred), two police officers decided to go over to the bus stop and start to put up some crime scene tape. I asked if they had caught anyone and was told no and directed not to walk in their crime scene. I took another look over at what had grown to at least 12 police cars and was perplexed as to how all these police were helping to catch the perpetrators by milling around the scene talking.”
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A few readers had sent in news about DC’s Office of Tax Revenue (OTR) closing 8 restaurants. As we’ve heard the Argonaut has already reopened. I also noticed that Cafe Nema located at 1334 U Street, NW was also on the list. I got frightened that the sports bar upstairs, Momo’s also may have closed. I’m happy to report that I just got off the phone with them and both spots are now open. Whew! Go Yankees!
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“Dear PoP,
Here are some details on that building you spoke about @ http://www.princeofpetworth.
From: http://www.anc1b.org/mins.html”
ABRA 082871 – The Brixton – 901 U Street N.W.
Commissioner Raia introduced Mr. Ian Hilton, representing The Brixton.
Mr. Hilton said he handles operations at Restaurant Marvin and the Gibson. He and his brother have been very interested in the building at 901 U Street NW and very saddened by its deteriorating condition. They succeeded in contacting the building owner and are now planning to establish a gastropub in the building. They would have a very substantial food component, similar to Restaurant Marvin. They want to have a roof deck. They have already hired PolySonic, a company that will help them make sure they do not repeat mistakes of the past regarding noise. They propose to have ambient music from speakers, similar to Bouche, and will be very careful about monitoring volume. They are applying for a C-T license but do not yet know the exact percentages. They plan to be very active with the neighborhood and are asking for the Commission’s support. He has been talking with Commissioner Raia for about a month while working on acquiring the building. He said that renovation would take a very long time. The building is in very bad shape. They have some conceptual drawings and must work with Steve Calcott at the Historic Preservation Review Board, which they are happy to do. They want to restore the building and make it a destination on the block.
Commissioner Moss asked if they planned to brew beer on-site.
Mr. Hilton said they would not do that, as it requires very expensive equipment. He said a gastropub is an English pub where food is a major component. The closes example he could think of was Commonwealth on Irving Street in Columbia Heights. The name Brixton comes from a neighborhood in East London, England, very similar to the neighborhood around 9th and U Streets.
Commissioner Smith asked what kind of food would be served.
Mr. Hilton said the menu would include fish and chips. The menu price point will be reasonably low. The kitchen will operate until closing. Burgers, fries and food typical of a London pub will be featured. He added that they would enter into a voluntary agreement.
Chairperson Nadeau asked for questions from the community.
Mr. Tom Matha asked how large would the restaurant be.
Mr. Hilton said he could give the square footage for the building, which is 2,400 square feet on the first floor and 2,400 square feet on the second floor. The roof deck will probably be 1,600 square feet. The basement is unusable at this time, but could be 1,200 square feet, so the total for the building is about 7,000 square feet, of which 1,500 square feet will be for the kitchen and service areas.
Commissioner Raia said that he had been talking with Mr. Hilton and expected to speak with the WNA. Since they are a new restaurant, setting a specific food component in the voluntary agreement is not possible. They will wait six months or a year to see how the business develops before setting the food component of the agreement.
Commissioner Raia moved that ANC 1B support The Brixton’s application for a C-T license subject to a voluntary agreement, that he be authorized to negotiate the voluntary agreement on behalf of ANC 1B, with a draft to be circulated to all Commissioners for comment, and that Chairperson Nadeau and himself be authorized to sign the agreement.
Commissioner Muhammad seconded the motion.
The motion was adopted unanimously, 9-0.
Sound good?
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Dupont Circle isn’t the only one getting a new burger restaurant. The “burger joint/steaks” place will be a partnership between Omar Miskinyar from nearby Policy (just south of T St on 14th), Aman Ayoubi, (Local 16, 18th St Lounge, Marvin’s and formerly Dragonfly), and David Karim (Josephine’s, Policy and Current). They expect to open up in 5 months!
First cheesesteaks then crepes (not to mention Masa 14 and Birch & Barley/Church Key a bit further south) and now this. This has been a great couple of weeks for 14th Street.
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Well, when I said JJ’s Philly Cheese Steak was going to open on Friday, I did mention they may have a soft opening before then. So thanks to all who have sent in emails. JJ’s is definitely open at 1939 14th St., NW.
So, any intital reviews/reactions?
