U Street

Good Deal or Not? White Picket Fence Edition

By Prince Of Petworth

This home is located at 1417 Swann Street, NW:


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The flier says:

“Price REDUCED! Built in 1989 but looks like 1889! Vacant. Open floor plan but separate living and dining rooms. Large kitchen with french doors to deck and rear yard. Two bedrooms. Master is very large with lots of closets and whirlpool bath. Second bedroom is very nice size. Great block in the heart of Logan/Dupont/U Street!”

You can find more info and a virtual tour here.

In my humble opinion I’d say this is really one of the best blocks this close to the U Street Metro. Now it is a small house thought the photos look pretty nice (although I’m not digging the kitchen). So what do you think – does $775,500 seem reasonable to be on this sweet block?

Looks Like There Might Be Some Movement At 14U

By Prince Of Petworth

Back in June we learned that the old coffee spot at the corner of 14th and U would become a boutique (selling handbags and such) and cafe. I’m not sure if that’s still the plan but I did notice some construction permits in the front window so hopefully they’ll be opening up in some capacity pretty soon. And by some capacity I really mean as a cafe of sorts…

You think this spot is too small to support just a cafe given the high rents of the area?

Good Deal or Not? I’ve Always Wondered What They Look Like On The Inside Edition

By Prince Of Petworth

This home is located at 2011 13th St, NW:


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The flier says:

“JUST LISTED! CIRCA 1906 3BR/2BA BAYFRONT TOWNHOUSE WITH A 2BR/1BA LL IN-LAW SUITE CURRENTLY RENTED FOR $1995/MO! ($300K TOWARD MORG. ) RECENT TOTAL RENOVATION PRESERVING MANY ORIG ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENTS. CHEF’S KIT, NEW BATHS, HWF’S, 2 DECKS & 2-CAR PARKING! PERFECT MOVE-IN CONDITION! IDEAL LOGAN/U STREET LOCATION, STEPS TO RESTAURANTS, SHOPPING, THEATERS & METRO.”

More info and a virtual tour here.

I’ve probably walked by this home a thousand times and I’ve always been curious what it looks like on the inside. So if there are others like me be sure to check out the virtual tour. It’s also a phenomenal location. I wonder if it’ll possibly go for the asking price of $975,000?

It also has a sweet vestibule:

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Sneak Peek: Next Door (The New Spot From The Folks at Ben’s Chili Bowl)

By Prince Of Petworth

Last weekend I stopped into the new spot from the owners of Ben’s Chili Bowl located right next door (and aptly named ‘Next Door’) at 1213 U St NW. I spoke briefly with one of the owners, Nizam. He described the new spot as a place that everyone’s been asking for, primarily, the ability to get a half smoke and a beer. But it is much more than that. The space is very warm and comfortable and a bit more upscale than the original shop next door. Nizam was sure to explain that “we love Ben’s exactly like it is”. He explained that the new spot is “a chance for the second generation to do something ourselves while paying tribute to Ben’s and keeping Ben’s exactly the way it is.” He also emphasized that Next Door will be a comfortable spot with the same atmosphere as the original Ben’s. “It’s not going to be a trendy place it is going to be about service, friendliness and fun”, said Nizam. It is possible that the spot may host some live music or become a destination spot to watch “the game”. While the menu is not finalized, in addition to the traditional Ben’s fare, you’ll likely be able to find wings, nachos, bigger burgers, salads and the possibility of “getting some veggies”. Nizam explains, “we don’t want to be ‘bougie’ high end, everything at Ben’s is tasty we it to be the same thing here”.

I have to say I’m super excited about this development that is supposed to open before the New Year. The prospect of some chili cheese fries with a beer is nearly bringing tears of joy to my eyes. A couple more photos after the jump. (more…)

T Street Between 13th and 14th Gets New Brick Sidewalk

By Prince Of Petworth

I dig these brick sidewalks but seem to recall folks saying they were hard to maintain. I also recall a photo I took of some weeds growing out of the cracks of a brick sidewalk this past Summer. Is the sand supposed to prevent that or does it just make the walk even? Also if this is more expensive than regular concrete sidewalks who pays for it? So any fans of brick sidewalks out there?

PoP Profile: John “Solly” Solomon – Owner/Proprietor Solly’s Tavern

By Prince Of Petworth

The first time I went into Solly’s I had a couple of beers and the bartender asked me if I’d like a glass of Power’s Irish Whiskey. At that moment I knew I had found a new bar to add to my favorites. Solly’s is also one of the few bars in town where there are zero pretensions. It is a true neighborhood bar. It resides in a very popular neighborhood at the corner of 11th and U. Last Friday I had the opportunity to sit down and speak with Solly’s namesake – John “Solly” Solomon.

Solly, 39, can look quite intimidating at first glance but when you sit down and talk with him he could not be nicer. He grew up in Colorado but has lived in DC for 21 years. He moved to the U Street area 10 years ago and lives right around the corner from his tavern. It is amazing what we take for granted in this particular area – Solly remarked how monumental it was when the 7 Eleven opened up on U Street. When I walk by the 7 Eleven today I find it hard to believe that it hasn’t always been there.

Prior to opening up the bar Solly worked at the Old Dominion Brewing Company in Ashburn where he did almost everything “from brewing beer to being the general manager of the brew pub.” He was able to snag this great spot at 11th and U when the previous owner of U-Turn was looking to move back to Ethiopia. Solly was able to purchase the business which already had a tavern license. Solly describes his bar as “a neighborhood bar, a place where anyone would feel comfortable.” While there are tvs around the bar to watch sporting events there are intentionally only two downstairs so they don’t overwhelm conversation. Continues after the jump. (more…)

New Restaurant/Bar – Lounge of Three – Coming To U Street

By Prince Of Petworth

Back in June I had noticed some alcoholic beverage applications for this building at 1013 U Street. This past weekend I was able to chat with one of the owners. This is going to be a restaurant/bar serving “American” food. There is going to be a big bar downstairs and a smaller one upstairs. The owner hopes to be open by Jan. 1st. It’s nice to see the empty storefronts on this section of U Street get filled.

Healing Arts Gallery at Smith Farm Center Presents “Visions of Paradise” – National Geographic Contemporary Masters

By Prince Of Petworth

I was walking past the former neat neighborhood find, Healing Arts Gallery, located at 1632 U Street and I noticed they have a sweet National Geographic photography exhibit going on.

Their flier says:

“Visions of Paradise

Where…or what…is heaven on earth? Nine National Geographic contemporary masters answer the
question in a new gallery show. From the exuberance of a coming-of-age ritual to the boldness of a
wild creature’s gaze to the pride in catching the Big Fish, these images offer an exquisite sense of place
as they reveal an intimate state of mind. Visions of Paradise, part of the FotoWeekDC photography
festival, features master shooters William Albert Allard, Jodi Cobb, David Doubilet, Beverly Joubert,
Michael Nichols, Paul Nicklen, Randy Olson, Joel Sartore, and Michael Yamashita.”

The photographs are amazing. I spoke with gallery director, Sandy Rossi, who mentioned that there is a special reception Friday Dec. 5th from 5:30-8pm when the National Geographic’s Directory of Photography will host a Q&A session.

Sweet. The exhibit runs until Jan. 2, 2009.

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