Petworth

Petworth’s Chez Billy Update: Patio, Live Jazz and Dinner for Locals Coming Soon

By Prince Of Petworth


3815 Georgia Ave, NW

Chez Billy opened at 3815 Georgia Ave, NW in April 2012. Here are some updates from an email:

Patio

Chez Billy’s backyard beer garden will debut in mid June. We will feature our bar menu and reduced pricing on growlers of selected draft beers.

Jazz in the lounge

In cooperation with the Petworth Jazz Project, Chez Billy will feature live jazz sessions every Thursday, Friday and Saturday in the upstairs lounge. The full bar menu will be available. Entertainment hours will run from 6:30 until late night.

Dinner for locals

Every Sunday through Wednesday locals are invited to join us at Chez Billy for neighborhood appreciation dining specials. Patrons seated in the dining room by 6:30 who present proof of residency in zip codes 20010 and 20011 will get 15% off of their entire check. Reservations are suggested. Please mention neighborhood appreciation when booking a reservation through open table.

You can see all menus here:

Dinner Menu

Brunch Menu

Bar Menu

Bill’s Seafood, Fish in the ‘Hood Now Called Fish in the Neighborhood. New Sign and Window Installed

By Prince Of Petworth


3601 Georgia Ave. NW

Back in Jan. 2012 I asked if Fish in the Hood’s iconic glass window was in jeopardy after a shooting cracked the window. Looks like the name itself was in jeopardy. The Washington Post calls it Gentrification Spelled Out:

Even as upscale, high-rise condos went up around it and a string of hipster bars opened nearby, the beloved storefront restaurant Fish in the ’Hood remained an iconic institution on its gritty but evolving stretch of Georgia Avenue. Such was the pace of change that longtime customers often found themselves joking: Is this really still “the ’hood?”

Last week, Bill White, the restaurant’s owner, answered that question. He climbed a ladder and hung a new boardwalk-style neon sign that reads: Fish in the Neighborhood, with “neighbor” in bold.

Fortunately the Post adds: “Along with the new sign, White’s going to put in a new window and redo the fish.”

You can read Eric’s love of the restaurant and see what the sign used to look like here.

Dear PoPville – Sherman Circle Getting Street Lights – Should It?

By Prince Of Petworth


Sherman Circle, intersection of Illinois Avenue, Kansas Avenue, 7th Street, and Crittenden Street NW

Dear PoPville,

I just saw two workers putting little orange flags in the ground in Sherman Circle. They said they are going to install “21 street lights.” I’m not aware of any problems in Sherman Circle since the terrible homicide a couple of years ago, and I think Sherman Circle is pretty much perfect as it is, so I worry that it will look like a Christmas Tree after this is done. Does anybody know how bright the lights will be? How many other (traffic circle) parks around the city are lighted? I know there was demand for this a while back, but I spend a lot of time in Sherman Circle, and it doesn’t seem necessary anymore. I wonder what PoPville thinks?

Chuck Brown Remembered in Petworth

By Prince Of Petworth

Awesome new mural went up Friday night outside of Sweet Mango Cafe at the corner of Georgia and New Hampshire Ave, NW in honor of the great Chuck Brown.

A reader writes:

“McFarland JH art teachers are painting it right now, and apparently will continue through the weekend. So far it looks great.”

The 5pm Post – Petworth Jazz Project Fundraiser Sat.

By Prince Of Petworth

From an email:

Hope to see you all this Saturday, May 19th, 6-9pm at Chez Billy, for the pre-season fundraiser for Season 2 of the Petworth Jazz Project!

This year there will be 5 shows, on the last Saturday of every month from May through September, on the lawn at the Petworth Rec Center at 8th and Taylor St. NW. The talent is sourced in collaboration with Omrao Brown of Bohemian Caverns, and is truly the best of the best in local jazz.

The season kicks off on May 26th with a performance by the Jolley Brothers.

If you cannot attend the fundraiser but wish to donate, please follow this link.

The fundraiser event will feature a silent auction with art works by:
Trevor Young
Tim Conlon
Aniekan Udofia
Albus Cavus
Mark Jenkins (signed book “Urban Theater”)
Brandon Hill
Peter Chang
Jeff Huntington
James Kerns

Live music by Herb Scott (sax), supporting the DJ, Rich “The Unknown” Patterson.

$10 suggested donation.

Mon. Afternoon Rental Option – Petworth

By Prince Of Petworth

This rental is located at 3935 Georgia Avenue, NW:


View Larger Map

The listing says:

“GORGEOUS RENOVATION OF 2Br/1Ba in Petworth, above comm. space 2 BLOCKS FROM METRO, Yes !, Chez Billy Bistro, Blue Banana ETC. BEAUTIFUL OPEN Kitchen, Newish Bath, HdWd Fls throughout & Flooded with SUNLIGHT.”

This 2 bed/1 bath is going for $2,000/Mo.

Former King-N-I Space at 847 Upshur St, NW to Become a Sit Down Restaurant and Lounge in Petworth

By Prince Of Petworth


847 Upshur St, NW

I’m not gonna pretend to understand what happened to the King-n-I that was located at 847 Upshur St, NW. But the closure might be a blessing in disguise. I spoke with one of the new owners who shares great news. The space is being completely gutted and while it will still feature a large bar there will also be a proper sit down area including a lounge area with tvs showing sports. At the moment the plans are to name the restaurant simply – “Good Food”. It will feature “good soul food.” They still have to apply for permits, as well as a liquor license, so it will likely be a few months before they open. Stay tuned.

The 5pm Post – Petworth Community Market Opens Friday

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user dullshick

From a Press Release:

The Petworth Community Market starts Friday, May 4! Come out for the traditional celebratory watermelon cutting at 4 p.m., then shop fresh produce and local products to your heart’s content.

Now in its third season, the Petworth Community Market (PCM) runs Fridays, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., from May 4 through October 26.

This Friday, May 4th, visit the market on Ninth Street, NW between Upshur Street and Georgia Avenue with neighbors, Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners and key partners to help ring in the market’s opening at 4 p.m. in style. The opening will feature a watermelon cutting and entertainment provided by local musicians Brian Fenke (4-6pm) and Eminence Band (6-8pm), so bring your dancing shoes! Credit cards are accepted at the market.

Full list of vendors after the jump. (more…)

Then and Now by the House History Man – 234 Upshur St, NW

By Prince Of Petworth


Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division

Then and Now by the House History Man is a new series by Paul K. Williams. Paul has been researching house histories in DC since 1995, having completed more than 1,500 to date.

The District Grocery Store photographed here about 1933 was located at 234 Upshur Street, NW, on the southeast corner of 3rd Street. It was built beginning in the spring of 1932 by Washington native Morris Miller, who lived upstairs along with his wife Minnie and two children. At the height of the Great Depression, he advertised four cans of corn in the window for just 25 cents!

The row of houses from 218 to 234 Upshur had been designed by S. H. Howthur and built in 1920. According to the census, Miller lived there in 1930 and added the store on the ground floor in 1932, designed by architect Julius Wenig. It cost $2,000 to construct.

As a Jewish grocery store owner he like many others were faced with discrimination from grocery wholesalers, so a group of 21 Jewish owners formed the District Grocery Stores Association in 1929. They built their own warehouse to supply the small chain, purchased goods cooperatively and in bulk, and thus managed to survive both the Depression and the encroachment by large chain stores.

Like many families during the Depression, the Miller’s rented a room in their house to earn income. Alex and Sylvia Brooks lived with them in 1930, he being a driver for a bakery. Both of his parents had been born in Russia.

The house and a vacant storefront still exist today, seen below. Gone are the retractable cloth awnings and the enameled signage, but the front entranceway can still be seen on the right, facing 3rd Street.


234 Upshur St, NW in 2012

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