Dupont Circle

More Polka and Beer Options in DC for Oktoberfest

By Prince Of Petworth


1500 New Hampshire Avenue, NW

From a press release:

First celebrated 200 years ago in Munich, Germany to commemorate a royal wedding, Oktoberfest is a trendsetting celebration, not only for German-themed restaurants anymore. Both Swiss born chefs who hail from the Northern region, Food & Beverage Director Silvan Kramer and Chef David Fritsche may not be donning lederhosen and dirndls, but they go decidedly German being seasoned in the traditions of Oktoberfest.

From noon on Saturday, September 22 [coinciding with the opening of the original festival in Munich] through Sunday, September 30, Bar Dupont Oktoberfest brings old-world festivity to the nation’s capital as the patio expanse across from Dupont Circle is transformed into a jolly Biergarten with live polka music, four featured Oktoberfest-style brews on draft, and hearty traditional German festival fare.

The Bar Dupont Biergarten will open daily from noon until closing, offering Paulaner Oktoberfest, Paulaner Hefeweizen, Paulaner Pilsner, and Sam Adams Octoberfest on draft. Steins and pitchers will accommodate all levels of thirst and stamina. From the grill, there are Bratwurst, Knockwurst, Kielbasa, and Weisswurst to try with a variety of German mustards and traditional accompaniments, from German Potato Salad to Sauerkraut. This is your chance to sample a delectably melted Raclette with Baby Potatoes and Pickles, and finish it off with a Gingerbread heart. Food will be prepared on the patio on the grill during the weekends, and served from the kitchen on weekdays.

On Sunday, September 23rd from 2:00-7:00pm, the air will resound with the oom-pahs of the four-man Polka Brothers Band; Thursday the 27th from 6:00-9:00 will feature The Continentals of Washington DC; and on Friday, September 28th from 6:00-10:00, Liab und Schneid will provide the authentic entertainment; recorded polka music will be played on the patio throughout the rest of Oktoberfest.

Beer
Paulaner Hefeweizen, Paulaner Oktoberfest, Paulaner Pilsner, Sam Adams Octoberfest
$5 small mug, $9 large mug, $12 mass, $20 pitcher

Traditional German Fare
Bratwurst, Knockwurst, Kielbasa, Weisswurst
$5 Wurst/Sausage with Bun
$10 Wurst/Sausage with Sauerkraut and German Potato Salad
$9 Raclette with Baby Potatoes and Pickles
$3 Pretzel with Mustard
$6 Gingerbread Heart

Oktoberfest at the Brewmaster’s Castle (Heurich House Museum) in Dupont Circle on Sept. 22

By Prince Of Petworth

From a press release:

On September 22, All Points West (APW), DC’s unconventional classical chamber collective, will present a new take on Oktoberfest by performing a wide range of German music spanning the classical and popular genres at the Heurich House Museum, Washington’s 19th century “Brewmaster’s Castle.” The event will take place at the Heurich House Museum (1307 New Hampshire Ave NW Washington, DC 20036, near Dupont Metro Station) September 22 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Throughout the afternoon APW will perform a variety of German music in the castle garden, featuring Beethoven’s “Septet in Eb Major”, Hindemith’s “Kleine Kammermusik” for woodwind quintet, and Paul Schoenfield’s “Cafe Music”. Smaller musical morsels will be served as well, ranging from the baroque to German pop, and even a polka or two. There will also be German beer on tap throughout the afternoon sponsored by the Representative of German Industry and Trade (RGIT), with food provided by Occasions Catering. Tickets are available through Eventbrite at: brewmastersbiergarten.eventbrite.com.

Christian Heurich, DC’s most successful brewer, was a German immigrant who built his ornate home in Dupont from 1892-1894. This home has been preserved as the Heurich House Museum, one of the country’s most intact and technologically advanced Victorian mansions. It is an ornate edifice, a monument to a bygone era of flourishes, gilding, and craftsmanship, which APW will transform through the power of music. Learn more about the museum at www.heurichhouse.org.

Board Room Close to Opening in Dupont, Will Charge for Games

By Prince Of Petworth


1737 Connecticut Ave, NW

Back in early August we noted there was significant progress at Board Room DC coming to the former Anna Maria restaurant in Dupont. Their Facebook page says:

“The Board Room is a vintage game bar that features over 20 games to rent, vintage coin operated games, house infused bourbon and vodka, 21 beers on tap, hand crafted cocktails and wine by the glass and bottle!”

The City Paper notes:

“It will cost between $1 and $5 to check out a game (which you can keep for as long as you’re there).”

When I walked by on Friday there was a sign posted on the front door saying they hoped to open this week.

Would you pay between $1 and $5 to rent a vintage board game?

Mattress Discounters Closes Prime Location at 18th and Connecticut Ave, NW

By Prince Of Petworth


1212 18Th Street, NW

Thanks to a reader for sending word:

“The Mattress Discounters on 18th and Connecticut closed yesterday. I can’t say that it surprised me, I’d always thought that it was a strange location for a mattress store. Hopefully something cool, and more appropriate, will go in there quickly.”

I’ll def. keep a close eye on this prime space to see who eventually takes over the space.

Fri. Afternoon Rental Option – U Street

By Prince Of Petworth

This rental is located at 17th and U St, NW:


View Larger Map

The listing says:

“Renovated 2nd floor unit in charming rowhouse…Large new windows, gorgeous hardwd floors, beautiful kitchen with granite, stainless steel appliances, new cabinets, spacious front living area that opens to kitchen and is flooded with light.”

This 2 bed is going for $2650/Mo.

New Liquor Store Coming to Former Pleasure Place Space in Dupont

By Prince Of Petworth


1710 Connecticut Avenue, NW

Back in Aug. 2010 the Pleasure Place closed at at 1710 Connecticut Ave, NW in north Dupont Circle. For a while it looked like a new market from the owners of Toscana Cafe would be opening in the space but that seemed to have fallen through in Dec. 2011. Now a new liquor license application has been posted for a proposed liquor store. Proposed hours are Monday through Saturday 9 am to 10 pm. More info as it becomes available.

Vigilante Coffee Opening Pop Up Shop at Mr. Yogato (17th and P St, NW)

By Prince Of Petworth


1515 17th Street, NW

From an email:

On September 4, local Micro-Roaster Vigilante Coffee is opening DC’s first gourmet coffee Pop-up Shop! It will be located at Mr. Yogato (17th and P) from 7 am – 10:00 am everyday and operate as a completely separate store. Vigilante will feature a full espresso bar, single origin pour overs, Cold Brew Iced coffee, and a quick cup option for those on the run.

Vigilante is the only DC micro-roaster to feature Hawaiian beans; instead of importing from South America, co-founder Chris Roessler travels to farms on 4 different Hawaiian Islands to find the best American-grown beans! He is officially a “local micro-roaster,” meaning he roasts the beans here in DC in very small batches (less than 5 pounds) as opposed to the normal 20+ pound batch!


Photo courtesy of Vigilante coffee

Firefly to Close for 18-Day Restaurant Refresh and Renovation

By Prince Of Petworth

Renovation season continues with Firefly located at 1310 New Hampshire Ave, NW.

From a press release:

After 10 years of operation, Firefly will undergo significant interior renovations for a refreshed look, and will close to the public on Monday, September 10th reopening for business on Saturday, September 29th.

The design concept for the renovation was led by GrizForm Design Architects, an award-winning design firm based in Washington, DC. The intimate, rustic ambience of Firefly will remain, and renovation elements will stay true to the eco-friendly ethos of the restaurant, as many of the materials will be salvaged or recycled, and any scrap removed from the restaurant will be repurposed. “After ten years, we are thrilled that Firefly will be undergoing a renovation. Griz and his team are creating a warm, inviting aesthetic that will preserve Firefly’s atmosphere, but also give it some much needed modern upgrades, as well as add extra seating capacity” said Executive Chef Daniel Bortnick.

The iconic tree will remain as a centerpiece of the restaurant, and will be updated with a swing that will hang beneath the tree branches. The kitchen façade will be transformed to look like the outside of a cottage, featuring salvaged windows, through which guests will be able to see Chef Daniel Bortnick and his team at work in the kitchen. The design team, led by Griz Dwight AIA, will incorporate materials such as various new and reclaimed woods, a color palette that includes greens, oranges, browns and rusty reds, as well as a custom designed ceiling emulating the ethereal light of a firefly. “The concept enhances the Firefly brand by reimagining the kitchen as a house at the edge of the woods and the dining room embodying the mood of a country field at dusk,” says Dwight.

The renovation will also allow for a total of ten additional bar and lounge seats to be added, including an additional high top table in the bar area, three additional bar stools, and three additional lounge tables. With the additional seating, the renovation will also be taking measures to sound proof the restaurant, using vinyl-wrapped sound panels on the back wall as well as using Acousti-Coat sound reduction paint on the ceiling.

The components of the renovation will include:

An expanded bar area and terrazzo bar top made of recycled glass;
A renovated lounge area with banquettes, a tree root and wired sculpture, and ivy wall façade;
A porch swing, where guests can sit while waiting, that will hang beneath the restaurant’s iconic candle-lit tree;
Slabs from fallen trees that will both complement existing oak tables and new walnut chairs, as well as act as a divider between the bar and dining areas;
Reclaimed barn wood tables, reupholstered banquettes and chairs;
Ambient lighting and sound paneling;
A salvaged window and brick kitchen façade;
Additional seating.

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