Back in July 2010 a reader alerted us to a new taqueria operating out of the Big Hunt at 1345 Connecticut Ave, NW. There were lots of fans.
Turns out they’re going to H St, NE:
H Street NE
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A few weeks ago I noted Boundary Road, coming to 414 H St, NE, was starting to look good. Last week I was lucky enough to chat with owners Karlos Leopold and Brad Walker (and much of the team) as well as get a peek of the space. It was great to see that construction on the inside was much further along than I thought. It’s also much bigger than I thought at nearly 2,000 square feet (probably seating around 80-100 people). You can sorta tell from a picture I’ll post below but there will be a phenomenal bar, lots of reclaimed wood, and even some awesome lighting from Corehaus Designs.
Chef Brad Walker was kind enough to share a bit of his background:
I started working in the restaurant business when I was 15 at a crab shack/Greek restaurant in Bel Air, MD. I worked mostly in front of the house positions through college and after. My first job in the area was with Ragtime in Arlington, where my current business partner and I met. I attended L’Academie de Cuisine in Gaithersburg in 2006. For my externship, I was with the opening staff at Central, Michel Richard. After 9 months with Central, I was hired as a cook at Proof, before being promoted to Sous Chef. I spent a little more than a year with Haidar Karoum before I moved over to Cashion’s Eat Place with Chef John Manolatos. After a few years, I left Cashion’s in a short-lived attempt to help an unnamed company open a few new places. After bouncing around the local restaurant scene, I landed with Chef Fabio Trabocchi at Fiola as a cook shortly after they opened. I have been working towards Boundary Road for many years, with some of the best chefs in DC. I’m excited for the opportunity to cook for my new neighbors on H street and the city at large.
And here’s a look at their opening day menu:
While there will be a serious focus on food – drinks will not be neglected. There will be 8 beers on tap and 12 or so in bottles. Karlos describes it as a combination between an American Bistro and Beer Tavern.
They are hoping for a mid-January opening.
I’ve said it before and I’m sure I’ll say it again – this looks like another huge score for H Street.
Earlier in the week a reader mentioned the Pierce School lofts at 14th and Maryland Ave, NE. Rent.com says:
True New York Style Loft Apartment Now For Rent…Live In An Old School…1,115 Square Feet of Live/Work Space…. By their very definition, lofts are former commercial spaces that have been adapted for residential use and living/work environments. Pierce School Lofts are TRUE NY Style lofts just like you have seen in many popular movies. These lofts vary in size ranging from 1,115 sq. ft. to just over 2,200 total sq ft of living/work space. The 14′ ceilings and enormous windows that are each 8′ tall and 4′ wide really let the light in to create a vast, open and airy feel unlike any other traditional apartment. Many of the remnants from the school’s history still exist within each of the units including the original 110 year old hardwood floors, chalkboards, school clock, even the American flag. Evolve has added state-of-the-art kitchens within each of the units that include stainless steel appliances with a dishwasher, built-in microwave, side-by-side refrigerator, electric self-cleaning range and a front loading washer / dryer. The countertops are made of 3/4″ thick white carera marble that is reminiscent of the 1893 period in which the school was built.
The old cloakrooms of the school have now been converted into a master bathroom for each of the loft apartments. This new bathroom comes with a built-in ceramic tiled shower, claw foot soaking tub, built-in urinal and dual vanity with vessel sinks to give each bathroom an industrial / utilitarian look and feel that often makes guests stop and wonder if these bathrooms were original to the old school.
In addition to a unique living experience, Pierce School Lofts offers rich amenities that consumers in the highly competitive DC Rental market are looking for including a 38,000 gallon in-ground swimming pool, spa, and a professional gym. Pierce School Lofts have been upgraded with the latest in wireless Internet technology provided by DC Access so that residents can surf the net in their apartments or while sipping a drink by the pool.
Back in Feb. ’11 I shared some scuttlebutt saying that a high end Indian Restaurant has signed a lease in the old Naby’s space at 1128 H Street, NE. @mgholwill now shares a few more details:
“New restaurant at 1128 H (old Naby’s space) to be called Casbah. Hope to open in March. #HStDC hopes so too.”
and
“New South Asian/Indian Restaurant at 1128 H, live dinner music, CR (rest. license) sidewalk cafe. #HStDC”
I think of Granville Moore’s as the grand daddy of the “new” H Street, NE. Though with so many new restaurants opening up – I’m wondering if there are still dedicated fans? You can see their menu here. For the fans, any must order items?
Granville Moore’s is located at 1238 H St, NE.
1251 H St, NE is the former Danny’s Carryout located next to Smith Commons. According to a recent liquor license application, Sol Mexican Grill will be a:
“New Tavern serving Tex-Mex cuisine with a full bar. Entertainment will include a Dee Jay on Fridays and Saturdays. Seating capacity is 35. Total occupancy load is 49. Summer Garden with seating for 10 patrons.”
And in related restaurant news, it looks like (Tacos) Impala Cantina Y Taqueria is back on track with a new sign saying coming this Spring to 1358 H St, NE:
The huge old church at 14th and Maryland Ave, NE looks like it may finally be getting fixed up. It had been for sale last I checked but just last weekend I noticed that the very early demo appears to have started. Though, I didn’t see any dumpsters so I’m not sure how far along the plans are. But the location and property are pretty amazing so it’ll be interesting to see how the renovations turn out. Anyone hear any news/scuttlebutt about who’s coming?
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816 H St, NE
Lots of interesting H Street, NE tweeted by @mgholwill on Friday:
New digs for @HR57jazz moving to 1007 H late Jan, 2012. Best yet? Includes street front coffee shop Alchemy open 7 am til midnight.
Tony Puisan will retain @HR57jazz space at 816 H for new BeBop Cafe for blues club, poetry, events.
If you’ve been longing for a bakery on #HStDC, new Alchemy coffee shop @HR57jazz at 1007 H plans house-made pastries, breakfast all day.
Plans sound cool. Sadly, I have still not reconciled their move from Logan Circle…
1007 H St, NE
Back in late November I shared the news that Maple Italian restaurant was coming to 3418 11th St, NW next to Columbia Heights coffee. More info has been revealed from a new crowd sourcing website called Popularise:
We plan to name the restaurant after a beautiful piece of tiger maple that Eric will use to build our 20-foot-long bar. The sustainably harvested wood came from a tree that had fallen in a swamp. The growth rings and “tiger-streaks” give the wood a rich texture, and it will create a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
New York’s many panini bars have perfected this concept, but D.C. is missing the yummy trend. We’d offer Italian panini, fresh mozzarella and roasted red peppers, mortadella and goat cheese, but also more American, butcher-style sandwiches. Think short ribs and caramelized onion, or smoked chicken and cheddar. Our recent trip to Cochon Butcher in New Orleans convinced us we should expand the offerings beyond the traditional Italian standbys. Got a favorite combination? Tell us your idea.
Earlier this afternoon a bit more info was released via email:
Maple is the creation of architect Eric Gronning and journalist Lori Robertson. Gronning has been the architect for several successful Washington, D.C., restaurants, including Jack Rose, Marvin, Cork, Pizzeria Paradiso and the Palena expansion. He is also a licensed general contractor, specialty metal fabricator and furniture designer. He will be personally fabricating many components of Maple. Robertson, currently an editor with the website FactCheck.org, has been a journalist for 15 years, writing about politics, the media, travel and health issues.
And here’s the word on 1351 H St, NE. Vote appears split between Red Rocks and Durkl.
Thanks to a reader for sending word and photo about a stop work order posted at 1358 H St, NE. In Sept. ’11 we learned that 1358 H St, NE will be home to the popular Taco Impala which had temporarily operated out of the Philadelphia Water Ice space down the street at 1204 H St, NE. Hopefully this is just a hiccup.