La Tomate is located at 1701 Connecticut Avenue, NW. I’ve been wondering what’s going on with the construction in the little space next to their restaurant between the coming soon Cheeky Puppy (former Du Froyo space.) A worker at the space tells me that La Tomate is opening up a little cafe connected to the main restaurant. The worker says the space will have cappuccinos, sandwiches and that sorta thing. More details and updates when they get closer to opening.
1250 Connecticut Avenue, NW
It was almost exactly a year ago that we first heard of plans for a “female friendly” steakhouse. Back in August we saw coming soon signage for STK Steakhouse on Connecticut Ave. In September a placard was posted for STK’s liquor license. Signs still call for a Fall opening:
But a peek in the window reveals they still have a ways to go:
1709 Connecticut Avenue, NW
At long last a new tenant for the former Du Froyo spot in north Dupont near La Tomate. Their website says:
“The Cheeky Puppy serves the unique needs of city-dwelling pet lovers and celebrates the love – and sense of community – that our four-legged family members bring to our modern, urban lives.
The Cheeky Puppy also believes that having four-legged family is a privilege and should not contribute to the degradation of our planet nor harm the two and four-legged friends with whom we share it. At its heart, The Cheeky Puppy is fun, yet functional, sophisticated, not snobby.
We celebrate our home in Washington, D.C. and the special place that pets have in our nation’s history. It really is true — if you want a friend in Washington, get a dog. Or a cat. The Cheeky Puppy is decidedly bipartisan in its politics and emphatically nonpartisan in the dogs versus cats debate.”
From a press release:
“DC Bike Party’s Rock n’ Roll Ride is coming soon! On January 8th, the party ride which averages between 500-700 participants each month, will ride through Washington, DC with celebrating the birthdays of rock legends David Bowie and Elvis Presley with a Rock n’ Roll themed ride. Riders are encouraged to add songs to the DC Bike Party collaborative playlist to hear their favorite tracks through our mobile jukebox, Sound Bike DC.
The group, departing from Dupont Circle, will set out to complete an approximately 7-mile ride, visiting some of the city’s major landmarks and attractions with a pit stop at Malcom X Park before ending with a celebration at Black Whiskey on 14th Street. DC Bike Party participants will be treated to a free live show by local favorites, The Megaphone Barons!
A map of the complete route will be available at DCBikeParty.com 24 hours before the ride. Riders are welcome to join or depart the group at any point—many riders use Capital Bikeshare.
Everyone is welcome to attend or participate. RSVP on Facebook using this link. Specifics below:
WHAT: DC Bike Party’s Rock n’ Roll Ride: Bowie vs. Elvis
WHERE: Departs from the middle of Dupont Circle
WHEN: Wednesday, January 8th
Meet at 7:30 P.M.; Depart promptly at 8:00″
Update on the Indian grocery store (and more), Pansaari, coming to 1603 17th Street, NW corner of 17th and Q:
Check out lots more details including renderings and contribute to the Kickstarter campaign here.
1511 Connecticut Ave, NW
Thanks to a reader for sending the heads up:
Marvelous Market was located right next door to Kramerbooks just north of Dupont Circle.
1345 Connecticut Ave, NW
Next up in DC representing in arbitrary “best of” lists – congrats to Big Hunt for being named one of ‘the best 19 dive bars in America’ by Maxim Magazine:
“If you miss the beer-stained floors from your college frat house, welcome home. This Dupont Circle dive lives up to its name with big-game décor and a meat-markety scene of millennials on the prowl. Come on Tuesdays for 15¢ wings and $2.50 PBRs. There’s also a rooftop patio for those who want to jump after tanking at Monday night trivia.”
1132 19th Street, NW
End of an era. From the Washington Post:
“The pizza-and-pasta parlor will cease operations after Saturday night’s service, just a month or so after the restaurant celebrated its 70th anniversary at the same address, 1132 19th St. NW near Dupont Circle. A young Italian immigrant from Genoa, Luigi Calvi, opened the place in 1943 as a pizzeria, nothing more.”
Any fans of Famous Luigi’s?
They were located on 19th Street between L and M between the new Sophie’s Cuban Cuisine and G Street Food.
Update from a press release:
“For 70 years… since November 2, 1943, Famous Luigi’s has occupied a prime location on 19th St. NW in downtown Washington, DC. Legend has it that with the opening of his pizzeria, owner Luigi Calvi was the first person to introduce pizza to the nation’s capital. Luigi passed away in 1961 and left the restaurant to his niece Maddelena and her husband Corrado Bruzzo, who emigrated from Italy at that time to come run the business. The Bruzzos moved their family, including grandparents and their young daughter, into the upstairs flat above the restaurant, and turned the pizzeria into a full-service Italian eatery, complete with delicious, authentic family recipes, including homemade pastas and ravioli that the city had not yet seen.
The Bruzzo’s children Deborah and Corrado Jr. literally grew up in Famous Luigi’s. Wishing to pass along a strong work ethic, the Bruzzos taught their children the business from an early age. At five-years-old, Deborah was shown how to roll-out pizza dough using a Coco-Cola bottle instead of a rolling pin, and that began her life in the family business. In 2009, Deborah’s father Corrado Bruzzo passed away, and Famous Luigi’s traditions continued under the management of Deborah and her brother Corrado Jr.
But now, Famous Luigi’s has retired. After 70 years, its last dinner was served on Saturday, December 21st. After more than 40 years in the family business herself, Deborah Bruzzo, feeling that the time was right to pass the baton, has decided to retire as well. She will start a new chapter (literally), by becoming an author; for she is already writing a book about her family, the Famous Luigi’s experience, and the life lessons that it has taught her.
Deborah is particularly at peace with this decision, as she sees her family’s restaurant tradition being continued in a new location with a new generation. Osteria Marzano, which opened this summer in Alexandria, VA, is the dream of her daughter, Elena Bruzzo Pouchelon, who also grew up in the family business. Elena is Osteria Marzano’s Managing Owner in charge of the front of house, and her step-father Carmine Marzano is Executive Chef and Co-Owner, who also happens to be Deborah Bruzzo’s husband.
Deborah wishes to extend her sincere thanks and appreciation to all of Famous Luigi’s wonderful patrons and staff through the decades. Fans of Famous Luigi’s are encouraged to visit Osteria Marzano to experience how its Italian family tradition continues in an upscale dining restaurant.
Osteria Marzano serves classic brick oven pizzas, delicious handmade pastas, hearty main courses and a well-curated wine, beer and cocktail selection, as well as a variety of small “Assaggini” Italian tapas-style sharing plates uniquely available at the bar. Located in the Kingstowne region of Alexandria, VA, Osteria Marzano is a sophisticated, 6,100 sq. ft. venue for lunch, drinks, or dinner.
Osteria Marzano
6361 Walker Lane. Suite 140 (Metro Park VI)
Alexandria, VA 22310″
More photos after the jump. (more…)
From an email:
“We wanted to let you know that sweetgreen’s Dupont Circle store (1512 Connecticut Ave NW) will be closed for renovation starting today, Dec. 20th, and is expected to reopen on Tuesday, Jan.7th.
In keeping with sweetgreen’s focus on sustainability and green practices, the aim of the renovation is to rediscover the bones of the Dupont location. The modern design will expose the building’s original brick and incorporate reclaimed hickory wood throughout the store. Reclaimed slate boards will showcase the local produce list, seasonal signage, and menu boards. A new, stainless steel drink station will offer housemade beverages like lemonade and iced tea, and there will be a separate area for customers to pick up online orders without waiting in the main queue.”
