U Street

Vinoteca, So Very Dissapointing

By Prince Of Petworth

I went to the new wine bar, Vinoteca, located next to Solly’s on 11th and U Street the other night. I am sorry to report that the experience was less than optimal. First off the decor seemed very conflicted. The lights were too bright yet they were trying to display a “classy” feel. Additionally, with a chill wine bar, why do you have ESPN playing over the bar? Don’t get me wrong, I like ESPN at Solly’s but it doesn’t work at a wine bar. Furthermore, the red tiling made the place have a bit of diner feel. On a positive note the server was very friendly despite extraordinarily long waits for the drinks to arrive. In their defense they did comp us a free round after a 20 minute wait for our last drinks. Hopefully these are just new restaurant growing pains but it was not a delightful first experience.

Solly’s on 11th and U St.

By Prince Of Petworth

I know I am way late in posting about this but since we’ve been talking about “dive” bars, I’d say Solly’s is a very strong candidate. It’s actually located right next door to the new wine bar, Vinoteca, opening up next week. Solly’s has great bartenders, a really nice owner, a sweet outdoor drinking area, and a nice upstairs area. Definitely worth checking out. (more…)

A Historic CVS

By Prince Of Petworth

This is the new CVS located at 10th and U. But I took a look at the little sign outside and it revealed that the CVS is housed in a historic DC building. So I ask you, is it a shame that a historic building now houses a CVS or is it great that the building still exists and there is a little sign to commemorate its past?

According to the sign the building has been an “important social and cultural center.  In addition to the Masons, it has housed a bowling alley, ballroom, and restaurant.”  And now a CVS.  Maybe I’m just looking a bit too deeply into this.  If it housed a bowling alley surely it can house a CVS…but, man, a bowling alley would be way cooler.

African American Civil War Memorial and Museum

By Prince Of Petworth

The Memorial

This is a spot that I’ve been meaning to check out for quite a while now and I’m glad that I did. The memorial is called the Spirit of Freedom and is surrounded by a Wall of Honor which list the names of 209,145 troops who served in the “United States Colored Troops” during the Civil War. You can find the memorial right outside the U St. metro stop at 10th and U St. (more…)

I Kind of Dig the Modern Architecture

By Prince Of Petworth

So this is a new building that went up in the U Street neighborhood. What do you think of the modern architecture? Does it work next to the more traditional rowhouses?

Got to Dig the Contrast

By Prince Of Petworth

I passed this combination on U St. the other day. I don’t know what it is but I really like the contrast of the upscale art gallery on the ground floor vs the Tattoos and Piercing shop on the second floor.

Meet Marvin For Real This Time

By Prince Of Petworth

Arguably the most anticipated new bar and restaurant, Marvin, has opened on 14th Street just north of U Street. This was the bar that had the soft opening last week. If you like Eighteenth Street Lounge and Local 16 you are going to love this place. It mirrors a similar exclusivity like ESL as you can only spot the place by a tiny sign (pictured) on its front door. But don’t be fooled by that subtlety. Despite the muted decor on the outside it is quite swank on the inside. You’ll find the restaurant on the first floor. The restaurant has a Belgian theme and offers Steak Frites ($24), Lobster Waterzooi ($25), lots of Moules Frites choices ($16), a Marvin Burger ($15) and a number of other choices. (more…)

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