Brookland

Brookland’s Finest Update – They Got Their C of O! A Peek Inside – So Close Now…

By Prince Of Petworth

brooklands_finest
12th and Jackson Street, NE

Getting so close to Brookland’s Finest now – psyched to share the good news that they got their Certificate of Occupancy yesterday:

brooklands_finest_cofo

From their facebook page:

“Brookland’s Finest is a family friendly restaurant located in the Brookland neighborhood of northeast D.C.. We serve American comfort food, and we’re open for breakfast (brunch), lunch, and dinner 7 days a week opening at 7am weekdays, and 8am weekends.”

Only a few more inspections left – and you can see quite the change since we last looked inside, I’m digging the skylight:

brookland's_finest_inside
Photo courtesy of Brookland’s Finest

Big Changes Coming to Little Ricky’s in Brookland – Switching from Cuban to Southern

By Prince Of Petworth

little-rickys-brookland-sign-e1347554016852
3522 12th Street, NE

Thanks to a reader for sending the update from Little Ricky’s facebook page:

“Very soon you are going to see a big change at Little Ricky’s, most notably will be the menu. As with a great many things we tire of repetition and long to shake things up. Food is no different so with that Little Ricky’s will be shaking things up in the coming month reorienting our focus from Cuban cuisine to a pointedly Southern, albeit diverse, offering. Now, everyone in the restaurant industry has said we are nuts, and while we are certain they are correct- we’ve never been much for convention nor for playing it safe. Some will love the change, some will hate the change…to that end we are certain that those who hate it will tell us just how much on Yelp. That’s cool. For everyone else and those that have generously been our test subjects for various new menu items…..hold on to your britches dahlins cause it’s going to be a fun ride.

Chef Miguel, who is coming on as a partner in the venture, has created a fantastic menu that frankly we are super excited about. Little Ricky’s Dishes of the South draws inspiration from the Carolinas over to Texas, and points in between. Simplicity, Tradition, and a Celebration of Southern Micro-Cultures, that express themselves in the depths of flavor, are the themes that will drive our dish creation. The menu will be rolled out the evening of May 1st as we host the Ward 5 Happy Hour.

In preparation for the roll out we will be closed on Tuesday and Wednesday April 29th & 30th for a kitchen re-org. Sorry to disappoint anyone but it will be well worth it! See ya’ll on May 1st.”

Little Ricky’s opened up at 3522 12th Street, NE back in Nov. 2012.

“Three suspects armed with handguns ran into a house occupied by Catholic University Students”

By Prince Of Petworth

From Catholic University Campus Safety:

“4/4/14
Crime Alert – Off Campus – Armed Burglary

At approximately 6:00 p.m., the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) reported to the Department of Public Safety that off campus CUA students were the victims of an Armed Burglary. Three (3) suspects armed with handguns ran into a house occupied by CUA students in the 3300 block of 7th Street, N.E. The suspects tied up the victims and took their cell phones, wallets and cash. None of the victims sustained physical injuries. The suspects were last seen running south, away from the campus, on 7th Street, N.E. The investigation is being handled by MPD.

Description of Suspect:
(1) Black male; approximately 6’ in height; wearing a gray or black shirt; armed with a handgun.
(2) Black male; 5’9” – 5’10”; mustache; armed with a handgun.
(3) Black male; 6’ in height; braids hair style; wearing a navy blue or black hoodie; armed with a handgun.

If you have information relating to this incident, or witness suspicious activity, please call the Department of Public Safety on 202-319-5111.”

&Pizza opens in Brookland; Pizza Parts & Service opens on H Street

By Prince Of Petworth

IMG_5201
664-666 Monroe Street, NE

From an email:

“About the new shop:

– 1st store to offer patio seating.
– Signature black and white design elements are familiar to all the &pizza locations, but the new style of imagery brings out the diversity and amity the neighborhood prides itself in.
– The new large scale images evoke emotion and help to activate the large walls and high ceiling the space had to offer.
– Bathrooms with mirrored tile and characters from emerging local artist Kelly Towles.
– A large ampersand is found on the exterior of the store, made out of cut steel, exposing the foundational brick seen throughout the newly developed building.

Hours:
10a – 11p Sun – Thurs
10a – 12a Fri – Sat”

Pizza-Parts-Service_taylor_gourmet
1320 H Street, NE

Ed. Note: About those cheesesteaks – I’m told “will be coming to ALL Taylor Gourmet locations in a few months. Shooting for August!”

Pizza Parts & Service is located in the former Taylor Charles Steak & Ice space and:

“The neighborhood pizza garage opens today –

Hours:
11a – 10p Sunday – Thursday
11a – 330a Friday & Saturday

(delivery will launch in about 2 weeks)”

Check out the menu:

Pizza_Parts_Service_Menu

Remember the Whole Brookland’s Finest liquor license application Saga? Check out the Latest

By Prince Of Petworth

brookland's_finest
Brookland’s Finest future home at 12th and Jackson Street, NE

From an email:

“Attached is a DC Superior Court decision handed down yesterday. I represented the plaintiff in the case. The case is a FOIA case – one of my practice areas.

The bottom line is that An ANC Commissioner got caught trying to delete a digital public document (an audio recording of an SMD meting) rather than produce it in compliance with a court order.

As a result:

The court referred the matter to both the DOJ and OAG for criminal prosecution of Commissioner Carolyn Steptoe for perjury and for attempted destruction of a public record.

The court found ANC 5B in contempt and ordered it to pay for the cost to hire a forensic computer firm to recover the audio file Commissioner Steptoe tried to delete.

The case arose from the controversy over the Brookland’s Finest liquor license application. My client asked ANC 5B for documents that Commissioner Steptoe gave to her colleagues that she said supported her position that ANC 5B should oppose the license application. My client also sought a copy of the audio recording Commissioner Steptoe made of her April 27, 2013 SMD meeting.

At a march 19, 2014 evidentiary hearing, Commissioner Steptoe testified that she denied my client’s FOIA requests because she did not like the requesters and thought their requests were “rude.”

In the end, ANC 5B was forced to produce all of the documents.”

You can read the full ruling below:

Crimmins v DC Final Order (PDF)

I have heartburn just reading this, can’t imagine actually being involved in it. And in happier news – can’t wait for Brookland’s Finest to finally be able to open soon!!

The Bike Rack and Filter Coffee Coming to Brookland – “the first true bike shop/coffee shop concept in DC”

By Prince Of Petworth

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Monroe Street NE between Michigan Avenue and 7th Street NE

Brookland blowing up Vol. oh I can’t keep track anymore… We first heard about the possibility back in January and now it’s confirmed – from an email:

“Rasheed Jabr (owner of Filter Coffee) and I [Chuck Harney owner of the Bike Rack] have leased space on the Arts Walk of the Monroe Street Market development in Brookland. We will be opening The Bike Rack and Filter Coffee, the first true bike shop/coffee shop concept in DC. We expect to open later this summer. The building we will be located in happens to be next to the Metropolitan Branch Trail and the Metro Red Line.”

From a press release:

“Local businesses The Bike Rack and Filter Coffeehouse have leased a combined 2,546-square-foot space in the Brookland Works building, located along Monroe Street NE between Michigan Avenue and 7th Street NE. Construction is scheduled to begin shortly and the new establishment is expected to open in fall 2014.

The Bike Rack is a full-service, independent bike shop run by people who care about cycling and who strive to improve the cycling experience of every customer – with outstanding service and a friendly, welcoming atmosphere. The Bike Rack, with a current location at 1412 Q Street NW, works to build a strong cycling community with weekend rides, clinics, local partnerships, clubs, teams, and active involvement in local cycling advocacy.

Filter Coffeehouse and Espresso Bar currently has two Washington, DC locations – one in Dupont Circle and one in Foggy Bottom. The shop offers hand-poured cups of carefully chosen single origin coffees, french pressed offerings in the morning hours, and classic espresso-based drinks – all chosen and prepared with an uncompromising commitment to quality and service. Filter’s coffees are carefully roasted by Ceremony Coffee, a local roaster in Annapolis, MD.”

Tues. Afternoon Rental Option – Brookland

By Prince Of Petworth

1026 Girard Street Northeast

This rental is located at 1026 Girard Street, Northeast. The listing says:

“Call first showing contact for ALARM Code. Beautiful renovated end TH a few blocks from Catholic Univ. & Metro. All new kitchen with granite and high-end cabinets. 3 all-new baths, hardwood floors, a master suite w/dressing/sitting Rm complete the most beautiful interior in Brookland. Basement waterproofing, huge rear patio. Pets are case by case”

You can see more photos here.

This 3 bed/3.5 bath is going for $3,200/Mo.

Brookland House Pending Contract with Listing Price of $829,900 “sold last June for $312,000”

By Prince Of Petworth

1717 Kearny St. NE

Speaking of Brookland blowing up, a reader writes:

“1717 Kearny Street, NE is currently pending for $829.9 – sold last June for $312.5k. Pretty amazing.”

The listing said:

“What a beauty! Extraordinary renovated detached home near Brookland metro & Arts Walk. Elegant sun drenched open spaces accented w/ maple floors, luxurious fixtures, kitchen-aid appliances, over-sized kit cabinets, roomy bedrooms, mst suite w/ spa bath, walk-in & cedar closets, state of the art whole house electronics w/ audio/video/intercom, tiered back yard w/ deck patio, shed & gated 3 OSP”

You can see photos of the inside here.

Brookland Blowing Up Vol. 36 – Busboys and Poets

By Prince Of Petworth

IMG_5203
Monroe and Michigan Ave, NE

Brookland’s incredible retail/restaurant/residential growth continues this week with confirmation of the long rumored Busboys and Poets coming to 625 Monroe Street, NE. A recent liquor license application says:

“American bistro with full entree menu serving breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner. Background music and live entertainment will be provided to include but not limited to poetry reading, occasional showing of films and a pianist. Total # of seats is 236 and the occupancy load is 305. Total # of seats in the summer garden is 58.”

Hours are listed as Sunday through Thursday 7 am – 2 am and Friday through Saturday 7 am – 3 am.

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