Martial law pic.twitter.com/GhvhoGoeLc
— Smoke Monday (@nwford21) June 2, 2020
And a couple other close ups from earlier that I forgot to share: (more…)
Martial law pic.twitter.com/GhvhoGoeLc
— Smoke Monday (@nwford21) June 2, 2020
And a couple other close ups from earlier that I forgot to share: (more…)

Photo by James McNellis
James reports to us at 6:30am: “It appears that wmata headquarters is on fire.”
DCFD reported at 6:25am: “Working Fire 600 5th St NW. fire showing from top floor of Metro headquarters.”
From WMATA:
“We are grateful all employees and occupants were safely evacuated during this morning’s fire at Metro’s headquarters, the Jackson Graham Building in Downtown, DC. Thanks to the quick response from DC Firefighters, the fire was quickly contained, and there were no reported injuries to Metro employees or first responders. We are currently assessing the damage and working closely with DCFEMS to identify the cause of the fire.
Metro is currently constructing a new headquarters in DC to replace the Jackson Graham Building, which has not undergone a major renovation since its construction and does not meet today’s fire & life safety standards for new buildings. As noted in our public presentations, fire/life safety factors were primary considerations in our decision to move.”
Crazy video of the huge flames coming out of the windows: (more…)

505 H Street, NW
Thanks to Priya for the heads up: “I’m so excited my fave hibachi spot Momiji is reopening for take-out.”
Check out Momiji’s menu here.
“To our loyal and wonderful guests, we are happy to announce that, we will be re-opening for take out, May 12, 2020. Call us at 202.408.8110 for orders and more information.” (more…)

page not found screenshot from Lucky Strike DC’s website
Whoa, thanks to Dustin for sending: “Talks swirling that Lucky Strike in Gallery Place (701 7th Street, NW) has reportedly closed for good @PoPville (Their twitter account is gone too)”
Ed. Note: Last week we learned that Fado had also permanently closed in Chinatown. And back in January before the virus we learned that Bar Louie had closed after many years in Gallery Place.

stock photo
Ed. Note: If you ever see someone holding a combat knife like the one above, do not hesitate to call the police at 911.
“Dear PoPville,
Yesterday, my boyfriend and I were on a walk and were walking up 7th street through Gallery Place. Right before we reached the corner where the PNC Bank is, a man turned to walk down the same sidewalk we were on. Before he passed us, I noticed that he was holding a combat knife facing outwards while walking, very similar to the photo above. Luckily, there was no interaction and we walked home afterwards, but seeing as this man was about a couple feet away from us on the sidewalk – what does one do in this situation? (more…)

808 7th Street, NW
Yesterday we shared the scuttlebutt, today it’s confirmed:
“Fado Irish Pub in Washington DC opened on March 16, 1998 with a 20-year lease on our building at 808 7th Street. March 16th was our last day of business before the COVID-19 shutdown. It is with great regret that we tell you that, 22 years to the day of our opening, it was our final day of business at 808 7th Street, forever.
Like many others in D.C., the reason for our closing is “progress”. We have negotiated quarterly extensions to our lease for the past two years, while trying to negotiate a long term-agreement. And, after years of trying, we have been unable to do so. There will be many restaurants that will not reopen after the current closures. Ironically, ours is not about COVID-19, we just could not renew our lease.
There are not many places in our business that stay around for 22 years. That is a rare achievement made possible by long-term and caring customers. But there is a bigger achievement, as well. It is the people who have honored us by being part of our team for, in some cases, decades. You never want to single anyone out for special mention but in some cases it is necessary. Marina, Marcelino, Mary, and Jonesy all worked (or as Greg would say, pretended to work!) with us for over 20 years. There were so many other characters, regulars and influencers of our business who were on our team for over 10 or 15 years. The list is too long to mention. They were the reasons we were a D.C. favorite for so long. (more…)

808 7th Street, NW
Yesterday two very close sources told me that Fado would be closing permanently. I haven’t seen confirmation yet on Fado’s social media or website but this afternoon someone shared the following public Facebook post from someone seemingly very much in the know:
“FADO
22 years to the day that Fado opened in Chinatown DC (March 16, 1998), we closed our doors to Coronavirus on March 16, 2020. This week, that closing became permanent. (more…)
Thanks to Beekeeper Brian Danza, “a beekeeping hobbyist” (@cherryblossomhoney on IG), for showing us the before an after of how he gets those bees from yesterday off the tree and ready to transport, in this case to Virginia. (more…)

inside 777 I Street, NW courtesy Taco Bamba
Thanks to Caitlin for passing on the sad news:
“Friends and Loyal Guests,
Like so many other D.C. restaurants, the time has come for us to shutter operations at the Chinatown location of Taco Bamba and Poca Madre at the close of business on Friday, March 27. (more…)

Thanks to Mona for sending: “I’ve wondered what was going on the corner of 7th & K Street, NW because of the amazing chandeliers inside.”
Truluck’s website says: “NOW HIRING FOR APRIL 2020 OPENING” (more…)