2418 18th Street, NW
Back in March we saw a sign for Kabob Diner – coming soon to the former Shawarma Spot space. Turns out that plan was scratched and Shawarma Spot has reopened with a new menu including kebabs. Looking forward to giving them a try:
2008
Today 2450 18th Street, NW is home to Shenanigans.
2013
2435 18th Street, NW
Back in Aug. 2012 Toledo Lounge had closed for renovations. In Feb. 2013 we learned the space would be renamed Libertine. I noticed a new awning went up on Saturday and was previously told that this was holding up there opening. Apparently there was a debate about the size of the awning or something like that. Anyway, should be opening very soon. Looking forward to seeing what the inside looks like.
This rental is located at 2611 Adams Mill Road, NW:
The listing says:
“Cozy true 1 BR apartment steps from shops and restaurants and walk to Woodley Metro. Small pets OK with $20/pet/month extra rent. $40/app fee/adult. Certified security deposit check required with app. L&F application in docs. Section 8 applicants welcome.”
This 1 bed/1 bath is going for $1,650/Mo.
From MPD:
On April 27, 2013, at approximately 2:17 A.M., five suspects attacked several citizens in the 1900 block of Calvert Street, NW. The suspects assaulted the citizens by punching them. During the attack, one of the citizens was robbed of his cellphone and wrist watch.
Several minutes later, the same five suspects attempted to rob a second victim about a block away. The suspects demanded the victim’s watch. When the victim did not immediately comply, the suspects began punching him. The suspects were unable to obtain the victim’s watch, and fled the scene.
A short time later, members of the Metropolitan Police Department stopped three of the suspects. Two of the suspects had fled in an unknown direction and remain at large. After a preliminary investigation was completed, the suspects were arrested and charged with Robbery and Assault with Intent to Rob. The victim’s wrist watch was recovered during the on-scene investigation.
Anyone with additional information regarding these crimes is asked to call the Metropolitan Police Department on (202) 727-9099.
2118 18th Street, NW
A patron who was leaving swore to me this was the best Egyptian food in the city. Blend Cafe is located at 2118 18th St, NW above Turquoise Jewelry. The Ful Madames plate does look delicious:
Click photo to enlarge
But I am curious about the Mexican hot dog listed in the sandwich menu.
Breakfast menu after the jump. (more…)
2479 18th Street, NW
Thanks to a reader for sending this one in from Adams Morgan. He notes the interesting sign:
1819 Columbia Road, NW
This edition of Eating Around Town was written by Abbey Becker. Abbey previously wrote about Boundary Stone. She lives near Eastern Market.
Since its opening in 1995, Cashion’s Eat Place (1819 Columbia Rd NW) has always done its best to cook with local ingredients, and it cooks them well. But for a restaurant that’s been around as long as Cashion’s, it’s understandable that though their menu is priced right around other mid-priced to upscale restaurants (depending on your interpretation) in the District, it’s often overlooked by diners. The proprietors themselves admit that their clientele tends to be on the older side, and that younger generations tend to bypass them for restaurants that are new to the city.
Cashion’s held a small preview dinner earlier this week to showcase the additions to their menu and the updated decor, and I was lucky enough to be included as a contributor to PoPville.
Let me say up front that while I am always up for a free meal, I’m wary of someone trying to “sell” me on how innovative the food is, how underrated they are, etc. But everything I ate was flavorful, balanced, and clearly made with care, and it’s obvious that the owners truly love what they do.
Chef John Manolatos has been at Cashion’s since the first day it opened. He had no culinary training aside from working in a deli making sandwiches, but the kitchen took him on and taught him the skills that eventually made him sous-chef. Because of the mentorship he received, he had made it a point to hire kitchen staff not based on experience or professional training, but on the enthusiasm they bring.
Justin Abad, the longtime general manager turned owner who also chooses the wine list, has worked at Cashion’s for the majority of his career. He’s an excellent host–personable, knowledgeable, and eager to please–but it’s clearly genuine. You can tell there’s nowhere he’d rather be.
Continues after the jump. (more…)
This rental is located at 2440 16th Street, NW:
The listing says:
“Urban living at it’s best! stylish, bright & airy top floor corner unit w/2 MBR suites in sought-after Park Tower, across from Meridian Hill Park, walking distance to metro, Adams Morgan nightlife and Harris Teeter at the back door; kitchen has been renovated w/42 inch cabinets, stainless steel, and granite; w/d in unit, ex storage, bike and exercise rooms, 24 hour front desk, rental parking avlbl”
This 2 bed/2 bath is going for $2,800/Mo.
2440 18th Street, NW
From the owner:
Before it was Adams Morgan, the 18th St and Columbia Road NW area was home for many well-known clubs including the famous Showboat, where top entertainment performed. Many well known businesses got their start on 18th street : The first Toys R Us, the first Peoples Drug and Dart Drug Stores and Gartenhaus Furs.
Al Shapiro spent much of his time in the neighborhood and was a regular at one of the local 18th restaurants called Ballance’s Columbian Restaurant, nicknamed Bobbies. Once he learned his favorite restaurant was for sale, he jumped on it, and renamed it Millie and Al’s. Millie was Al’s girlfriend who bartended and had a great steady following.
In 60’s patrons could fill the bar from 8:30 am til the wee hours bringing a new meaning to the word, Regulars. Many sat at the bar the same time everyday and the only way they gave up their permanent bar stool was after passing away.
In the early days of Millie and Al’s, a group from the neighborhood car dealership came in everyday after work and sat at the same booth. The manager, who was part of this group died and as a Memorial gesture they brought the horse picture from his office in and placed it above their booth in his honor. Soon after the managers death, a new manager was assigned the position in the same office. He learned of the picture being moved from the office and went to Al to request that the picture be returned. There was no doing by Al, the boys brought it in honor of their friend, who died, and it would remain there . This picture still remains in the same place and has never been damaged or tampered with.
Al existed through so many neighborhood transitions, including some really bad times. Not many would have endured these changes and stayed. This area once had the nickname “Little Harlem”. You could not walk the sidewalks as a pedestrian without fear. Not long after the riots a little Havana was born with crime to match. These were ruff gangsters that could drink until they were blinded. If it was last call and the bar was closing, Al would describe these guys not wanting to leave a drop of beer, so they would chug the remains until it would seem to come out of their ears.
Al was not a very tall or bulky man, but many watched him literally jump up to hit or throw one of these gangster or punks out. They did not resist, whether it was respect or fear, but Al won. He never really boasted in this victory; it was Al defending his turf.
There were riots, gangsters, thugs, and then suddenly there were Yuppies. All the bad` paid off for the good times in Adams Morgan. Soon to explode to an area not duplicated or matched, diversity all the way.
As the neighborhood progressed less violence was occurring and the various cultures were uniting, thus Adams Morgan Day was born. A yearly event that has continued for over 35 years.
2013 marks the 50th year for Millie and Als, a true landmark to Adams Morgan.
The arrival of Yuppie era started a wave of restaurants, bars, and businesses to open so rapid that a Moratorium to new liquor licenses started. Millie and Al’s once a lone bar in a neighborhood with few other businesses was now surrounded by bars, restaurants and clubs. Competition or not, MA maintained its business and it increased its loyal Regulars.
The crowds grew as well as the bathroom lines. More and more couples hooked up and many getting married. There is a large unknown amount of couples that owe their partnership to MA’s: A traveling couple in China bumped into another couple wearing a MA t-shirt and reminisced over meeting at MA.
A young couple on a motorcycle stopped to help a woman with a flat tire on a hot summer day in Minneapolis. Conversation revealed that the couple met at MA and were visiting Minneapolis to announce their engagement to their parents and the misfortunate woman with flat was best friends with the owner of MA.
A couple visiting opening day at a new restaurant were introduced to the owners when they realized they all met at MA’s. Chances are someone you know met their spouse or partner at MA’s, as one of their t-shirts quotes “I met Your Mother at Millie & Al’s”.
Millie and Al’s in the early 70s courtesy of owner Barbara Shapiro