Chinatown

777 I Street, NW

Follow up to yesterday’s signage posted post, from a press release:

“Chef Victor Albisu announces the opening of Taco Bamba’s first D.C. location on Friday, April 6. After a quick renovation, his Taco Bamba lunch counter at 777 I (EYE) St. NW will re-open as a permanent location in Chinatown, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week, including a full-service bar program. A fifth Taco Bamba location (and fourth in Northern Virginia) is set to open in University Mall in Fairfax, Va. this fall.

“The response to Taco Bamba’s lunch-only run in Chinatown was better than I had ever expected,” Albisu said, “Because we create a new menu for every location, I feel like Taco Bamba just keeps improving. My team of chefs, managers and bartenders went all out to deliver a menu and experience that meets the energy in Chinatown. And University Mall is giving us a chance to try some cool new tacos. The ‘dirty’ tacos that will be exclusive to that location are my new favorite thing.”

Taco Bamba in Washington, D.C.

The menu at Taco Bamba Chinatown has been bolstered with The Royale with Cheese, a burger patty seared on the griddle, topped with Chihuahua cheese, flipped into a flour tortilla and topped with lettuce and a thousand island dressing made with mezcal. The Chivito Torta carries on the spirit of Del Campo, offering a version of the restaurant’s infamous Argentine sandwich to tide chivito lovers over till the restaurant returns in a new location. A chile relleno stuffed with suadero-style house-smoked brisket is topped with Taco Bamba’s version of classic nacho cheese.

A reinvigorated cocktail program (more…)

777 I Street, NW

I’ve got the chills. Thanks to Mary for sending! Last month we learned:

“Nearly five years after opening the award-winning South American steakhouse, chef Victor Albisu is replacing Del Campo with two Mexican concepts. Taco Bamba, his wildly popular counter-service taqueria, will have its first permanent D.C. home in the front bar and dining room, while the back dining room and patio will welcome Poca Madre. Albisu’s first upscale Mexican concept will offer a refined menu for dinner only.

When Taco Bamba opens as a permanent concept the week of April 2, it will do so with a new-to-Chinatown look.

Renovations to the back dining room and enclosed patio are expected to finish in April for a spring opening of Poca Madre, which is Mexican slang for “really cool.”

Albisu is actively searching for a new location to open Del Campo in the District.”

427 11th Street, NW

This is the former Elisir Italian Restaurant that closed in January 2014 and was then seized for tax issues back in February of 2014. A new liquor license for the space is posted for Punjab Grill:

“New C Restaurant serving Indian cuisine. Seating Capacity of 150, Total Occupancy Load of 199. Sidewalk Cafe with 50 seats. The License will include an Entertainment Endorsement to provide Live Entertainment.”

Updates as they get closer to opening.

looking north towards E Street near E Street Cinema

740 6th Street, NW

Thanks to MD for sending the Spice-6 coming soon signage already up in the former On Rye space.

If you missed it last week, you can see the new Dosa menu too. (more…)

740 6th Street, NW

From an email:

“Spice-6 Modern Indian  is coming to Chinatown in the space that On Rye used to occupy.

Targeting a mid-April opening!

This will be Spice-6’s third area location (Hyattsville and Vienna/Dunn Loring Metro currently open). Their forth location will be at Westfield Montgomery Mall in the food court (mid-May).

A few things to note for this location.

Photo courtesy Spice-6

In addition to their naan pizza, rice bowls, salads, naan wraps and kabob platters they are adding items!!

The family owned and operated restaurant will be launching a full (real) DOSA Menu. Catering to vegans and vegetarians (they will prep be prepping proteins in a separate space in the kitchen so there is no cross over).

Also, adding Vada’s to the menu. A savory Southern Indian donut made from lentil flour, onions and spices – to be dipped in sambar and served with a coconut and tomato chutney.”

Dosa Menu (more…)

701 7th Street, NW

Sushi Go Round closed back in August 2016.

Arosto’s website says:

“Locally family owned and operated, Arosto Pizza offers over 15 signature pizzas, fresh salads, and world class sandwiches served on bread that’s baked to order in our Stone Hearth Pizza Oven.
Arosto Pizza’s homemade dough is crispy, flavorful, and provides the perfect base to the homemade sauces and hearty toppings that Arosto Pizza has to offer.
Stop in for lunch or dinner and grab a glass of Italian wine or bottle of local craft beer to accompany your fire roasted pizza!”

Check out Arosto’s Virginia menu here. Updates as they get closer to opening.

Looking towards Clyde’s and 7th Street: