This has been a rough week for me, first the sweet Chinatown gate vanishes (though it’s possible it could return in 2015) and now my third favorite door has lost its cow – from 2012:
Dupont Circle
Photo by flickr user Dave Dugdale
“Dear PoPville,
Just wanted to give you a heads up so other workers can be aware of what’s happening. There’s a thief roaming Dupont and 14th Street taking what he can from tip jars when workers aren’t looking. The thief has hit at least two locations since yesterday and may be looking to hit up a few more. He’s a 5’9″ average build black guy in his early 40s with a shopping bag filled with lots of cups and other junk. He’ll ask for a cup of water and just hang around looking at customers or staring at the window. When a worker is helping another customer, he’ll take what he can from the tip jar and quickly leave the store. He’s awkward and will give normal people the creeps.
I know the description isn’t super helpful but if others are aware this is happening, they may be a bit more cognizant of not having too much cash in their tip jars. Every little bit helps.”
Photo from last World Cup in the Circle by PoPville flickr user ep_jhu
Back in December we heard that World Cup watching hoped to come back to Dupont Circle. Happy to report that the deal was sealed last Friday and it’s now official for Thursday June 26th – USA vs Germany. @DupontFestival and @GermanyinUSA both tweeted the good news:
“Are you ready for #WorldCup2014? Watch the game with us in #DupontCircle!”
1140 19th Street, NW
From a press release:
“GRK Fresh Greek is excited introduce DC to a fresh take on classic Greek food this summer. Dupont Circle (1140 19th Street, NW) will be the first DC metro area to experience what Nation’s Restaurant News calls a “Breakout Brand of 2014.”
Among its select classic quick serve menu selections is GRK’s signature Yeero, as well as fresh, authentic Greek yogurt. Spelled phonetically to differentiate this signature classic Greek dish from the traditional gyro, GRK’s Yeero features meat seasoned and marinated in yogurt, and slow roasted by artisans in a rotisserie grill. The straightforward menu offers choice of lamb & beef, chicken, pork or vegetables served on a classic pita baked in wood stove oven or served on a plate. To top it off, GRK offers three distinct, yogurt-based tzatzikis: classic and zesty GRK, spicy kaftero, or basil infused prassino. Entrée salads or side choices like the Aegean slaw with red and green cabbage, carrots, onions and fresh herbs dressed in lemon vinaigrette are also offered. Everything on the menu uses the best local as well as international ingredients the market has to offer.
Fresh yogurt offers a protein rich treat that is unlike any other found in the U.S. It is frozen or fresh with unique sweet and savory toppings imported from Greece, including black cherry, rose petal or fig preserves. Corfu, one of two yogurt specialties on the menu suggests basil, apples, figs, lentils, sea salt and extra virgin olive oil for toppings.
Lunch, dinner and late night dining is offered on the outdoor patio or inside at the counter facing the open kitchen or on the more intimate lower level. Beverages include beer and wine as well as a variety of Greek sodas and Illy coffee drinks.
Food ingredients aren’t the only authentic Greek part of GRK; principal Alex Alevras, moved to DC from Athens to build the concept as did his partner and founder, seasoned restaurateur, George Nikas and fellow partner Peter Psaromatis. The sleek, contemporary European architecture was designed by Alex Konopisopoulos with support from local architect Augeris Vakalopoulos.
After working to perfect the first location in New York City more than two years ago, GRK has chosen to expand the concept to DC with hopes to open 8-10 more stores in the region within the next few years.
GRK will be open Monday through Thursday 11am to 10pm, Friday 11am to 3am; Saturday 12 noon to 3am; and Sunday 12 noon to 10pm.”
On top of the uptick in “regular” graffiti comes word from a reader:
“a disturbing site on conn. ave this morning. there were also some on a nearby bus stop.”
Perhaps it’s some more jackass juveniles. Over the weekend Montgomery County Police reported:
“On May 2, the Montgomery County Police Department issued a crime alert highlighting a series of vandalisms that had occurred in the Rockville and Potomac areas during the month of April.
Three of the incidents were classified as hate incidents. These three incidents, which occurred between April 18 and April 21, are as follows:
Montgomery Child Care Association, 11614 Seven Locks Road – a swastika and “All Jews Burn” was drawn on two buses
Young Israel of Potomac, 11618 Seven Locks Road – a swastika was drawn on the synagogue sign
Residence in 11100 block of Old Coach Road – “SS” and a swastika were drawn on the windshield of a vehicle
During the course of the investigation, 1st District detectives were able to obtain surveillance video depicting the suspects in these incidents. With the help of a School Resource Officer, the suspects were identified as students at a local high school.
Yesterday, at approximately 12:30 p.m., two juvenile suspects, one age 16 and one age 17, were arrested and charged with the above three incidents. In addition, the suspects are believed to be responsible for a number of the other vandalism incidents that occurred last month.”
This rental is located at 1759 R Street, Northwest. The listing says:
“2 bedrooms, 27 year old annex adjacent to American Institute Cancer w/elevator, sep street entrance. Washer/dry in unit, rent covers all utilities plus parking. Parking is NOT allowing business days between 8am – 5pm (evenings/weekends only). Roof deck privileges evenings/weekends. Good credit is a MUST, NO PETS, NO SMOKERS. 4 blocks to Dupont Circle Metro, walk to shopping, restaurants, more.”
You can see more photos here.
This 2 bed/1.5 bath is going for $2,200/Mo.
1301 Connecticut Avenue, NW
“Dear PoPville,
Amidst the fusillade of new bars/restaurants we’re still here and serving huge portions of quality comfy food at very reasonable prices…
Luna Grill & Diner is locally owned and has been serving quality comfort food at an affordable price in the beating heart of Dupont Circle since 1996.
Every Sunday and Monday night from 5pm to close = *half-price pasta*
Large portions of penne, linguini, or spinach linguini with your choice of marinara, pesto, parmesan cream, or olive oil/garlic, as well as a host of toppings to choose from (Sun-dried tomatoes, meatballs, fresh mozzarella, spinach, jumbo shrimp, asparagus, Italian sausage, and more)…and as much fresh-baked toast toscano bread you can handle…
$5 Sangria (white or red) and pints of DC Brau Public all night long.
Luna is open 7 days a week at 8am and serves breakfast all day long every day, as well as time-tested “comfort food” items such as meatloaf w/ mashed potatoes and sauteed spinach, veggie pesto lasagna, country-fried steak, Jambalaya pasta, shrimp & grits, burgers, lump crab cakes, pan-fried catfish, meat chili, and more….Or try our classic grilled cheese/cream of tomato soup combo.”
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2011 S Street, NW
Thanks to a reader for sending word about Thaiphoon’s sign:
“Appears to have been a small fire in the sign outside…a couple of the letters are gone with small scorch stain..nothing serious.”
Not clear if the damage this time was a result of lightning but Thaiphoon just might have the worst luck when it comes to their sign. Back in August 2010 their sign was hit by lightning and they lost one of their Os. You can see a photo of that damage here.
Update from 2010 photographer Captain Easychord – not a lightning strike:
“FYI: I’m the one who took the 2010 picture (got another one this morning too… going for the complete set!)… I checked in with the folks at Thaiphoon after the “o” fire of 2010 and that one wasn’t caused by a lightning strike. The lights on the sign are illuminated 24/7 (you can see this if you look closely mid-day). During heavy rains on the morning of the first fire, water got into one of these lights and caused it to short out and catch fire. Lightning didn’t really make sense if you looked at the taller buildings all around Thaiphoon. The only reason I speculated about it back then was because of the super close lightning strikes we did have that morning. I suspect today’s fire was also related to water in the lights…”
1513 17th Street, NW
From an email:
“In response to customer feedback, Duke’s Grocery is expanding kitchen service hours with a new Late Night Supper Menu. It includes some tasty new dishes (Buku Banh Mi Burger, Vietnamese Fried Rice) alongside some of our most popular items (Proper Burger, Lomito ‘Completo’).
The menu is attached and it will run Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, from 10:30pm – 1:00am.
In addition, there will be drink specials from 10:00pm to close on select beer, wine and cocktails.”
Thanks to a reader for passing on from the Phantom Flower Planter of the Dupont North Metro – Henry Docter. Metro Killed Them, Every One:
With a promise of more plantings:
A Modest Proposal
In exchange for The Phantom Planter’s promise to forgo the pleasure
of creating and then unveiling Surprise #3,1. Metro will unconditionally surrender.
2. This May, Henry Docter, aka The Phantom Planter would like to try again and replant
the climbing vines and erect sculptures for them to climb up. Then after the first frost of
2014, he will clean everything up and Metro can install a groundcover of their choice.