U Street

Hana Japanese Market Opens Up at 17th and U

By Prince Of Petworth

Well this is super cool. From a reader:

“There is a new Japanese grocery store that seems to have recently opened, The name of the store is Hana, and it is at the corner of U and 17th (NW). I am very happy to have a Japanese store in our neighborhood. Before, we had to take a metro to Rockville (and walk along the Rockville Pike..) or to Bethesda to get Japanese groceries.

Good thing about this store is..It is small, but I can get things for everyday use, like curry roux, sauce, tofu, noodle, and snack. Also, they have ingredients for okonomiyaki, Japanese pancakes, which I do not think many Japanese restaurants serve.”

I checked it out and it was phenomenal. Back in the day I was a reporter for a Japanese newspaper (Asahi Shimbun) and ever since then I have loved Japanese food. We used to work late all the time and got the greatest Japanese delivery. This looks like a great spot to fill the void I’ve been missing. The owner was super nice as well.

More photos after the jump. (more…)

Neat Neighborhood Find: Corte Salon

By Prince Of Petworth

You’d never find this place if you didn’t know it was there. Or if you don’t have a passion for doors…

Corte Salon is located at 1019 U Street, NW and opened at this location the first week of September. You can spot a little sign on the door but from the street you’d have no idea there was such a nice place upstairs.

Their Web site says:

“At CORTE Salon, we strive to create an exclusive experience for our guests that is as unique as they are. Our mission is to provide every client with an outstanding experience in an elegant, serene and sophisticated environment.

We appreciate all of our guests and work hard to maintain our relationships with each of them.

Serving both women and men, CORTE Salon will provide a full line of individually tailored services from a group of highly skilled and diverse professionals. With such a diverse staff, clients will easily find someone who compliments their own style, background, and personality.

At the beginning of every appointment, we will talk with you and help you decide upon the best look and appropriate treatments. CORTE Salon offer the highest quality professional hair products and our staff will personalize a daily routine for you based on your individual preferences.

Over the next several months as we continue to grow, we will be adding such services as facials, manicures, pedicures, waxing, and massage.”

So if you’ve been looking for a Salon in the neighborhood you’ve now found it.

A Truly Diverse Gas Station

By Prince Of Petworth

This sign is from the gas station located at 14th and W. I don’t know about you but the only food I’m buying at a gas station is a bag of chips and maybe a slim jim…

Is it just me or does it seem really wrong to buy fried chicken or Chinese food at a gas station?

This Just In

By Prince Of Petworth

“I’ve just learned Yes Organic has scheduled a private opening ceremony Monday, November 17th from 3PM.

In addition, CVS is also scheduled to open Monday at 8AM.”

Local 16 Is Committed To Green

By Prince Of Petworth

 

I’ve always liked Local 16 located on U Street just west of 16th Street. I believe they have one of the best roof decks in the city and this only adds to the allure. The sign says they are happy to share their herb garden. Nice. It also says they use “vegetables from a biodynamic farm whenever possible.” So I guess I’m wondering what exactly makes a restaurant green? Is using vegetables from a biodynamic farm as well as herbs from an herb garden enough to proclaim oneself green? I do think it’s cool that they share the herbs with their neighbors, I’m just curious about the new trend of folks calling themselves “green”.

Busboys & Poets is wind powered:

And they have rocks in their urinals:

What is the true definition of a green establishment?

Tina Visits the Hamiltonian Gallery on U Street

By Prince Of Petworth

This week I paid a visit to the newest addition to the U Street art scene, the Hamiltonian Gallery at 1353 U Street. As described on their website (www.hamiltoniangallery.com), the gallery is dedicated to showing the work of the So Hamiltonian Fellows and focuses on innovative works by emerging and mid-career artists. Perhaps a fortunate result having a day off in the middle of the week, I was lucky enough to have the space mostly to myself for a while, and had the opportunity to meet Paul So, the founder of the Gallery and the Hamiltonian Artist Organization.

Before I took a look around I spent some time talking to Paul and getting the scoop on the Gallery, and the fellowship program. The Hamiltonian Gallery is different from a traditional gallery in the sense that the artists who display their work were awarded a spot in a competitive two-year fellowship program. Paul’s vision for the organization and the fellowship program was born out of his own experience in working towards his career as a Physics professor at George Mason University. He kind of equates the program to the Post Doctoral Research work that he did, and sees it as on opportunity to help guide up-and-coming artists as they begin their careers.

The program and the gallery function as both an opportunity for new artists to display their work, and participate in some of the gallery operations as a way to develop and hone their knowledge in the business of art management. Displays in the Gallery will be changing every 5 to 6 weeks, and will typically show two Fellows alongside one more established artists who has displayed in galleries before. Right now, the Gallery is showcasing the works of photographers Jonathan B. French, Anne Chan and Michael Dax Iacovone (Chan and Iacovone are the fellows). French’s installation focuses on the faces and the displaced relationships of Africans in the Americas and throughout the rest of the world. Chan creates tiny dioramas using staples. These are really cool to look at, and had I not read the exhibition details I never would have guessed what it was. And, Iacovone (my personal favorite) has created some sweet looking landscape photos using special dislocation and documentary photography techniques.Continues after the jump. (more…)

Judging Restaurants – Tabaq

By Prince Of Petworth

I super curious to know what folks think about Tabaq located at 1336 U Street, NW. I’ve only been for drinks but I hear the food is supposed to pretty good. So any fans out there?

Judging Restaurants

By Prince Of Petworth

What do y’all think about Utopia located at 1418 U Street? I used to be a huge fan because I especially liked the live music on Friday or Saturday nights. But the last time I went the food wasn’t as good as I remembered. Any fans out there?

We’ll make this a twofer. I’ve also been wondering about Coppi’s Organic located next door at 1416 U Street. I’ve never eaten there but have always been curious. For those who have eaten at both which is better?

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