606 Florida Ave, NW
A few readers have been asking for updates on Rito Loco burritos coming next door to Bistro Bohem – the owners tell me:
“We have acquired almost all of our equipment and are just waiting on our final permit from DDOT. The final permit from DDOT is to tear up the sidewalk in order to increase the size of the water line into the building. We hope to open for full service by the beginning of the year.”
“Dear PoPville,
Last evening around 6:40pm I was biking home on Rhode Island Ave NW. At the intersection with 7th Street I slowed to wait for traffic to pass. At the southeast corner of the intersection where I was slowly biking by, a group of young African American girls (I would say 3-5 kids, ages 12-15) with school bags was gathered. One of them reached her arm out and pepper-sprayed me directly in the face.
A second later, I was blinded and shocked by the pain, but I managed to stop and pull my bike off the street without getting hit by a car (or bus). Fortunately, some bystanders helped me with water and napkins to try to get the spray out of my eyes.
I believe the girls boarded a G8 bus that was directly behind me. I could definitely hear them laughing at me. There were no witnesses and I was blinded, so there wasn’t much I could do about it. After a shower and rinsing my eyes in cold water, I was totally fine.
Shaw residents, watch out for these punk-ass kids!”
1905 9th Street, NW
From an email:
“After almost six years, 1905 Restaurant is ready for a bit of a refresh. The restaurant will close on Monday, November 24th for several weeks to make upgrades in the kitchen and update the dining room. To help clear out the pantry before the renovations, everything on Chef Hatton’s menu will be half priced on Sunday, November 23rd for dinner service. During 1905’s facelift, owners Tony Lucca & Phil Rodriguez invite everyone to visit their new venture, El Camino, at 108 Rhode Island Avenue NW in Bloomingdale.”
1200 block of 9th Street, NW
A few weeks ago we heard some scuttlebutt that The Passenger would be moving to 9th Street/Blagden alley when they would close in January. We were close – it’s Columbia Room. Washington Post reported yesterday:
The Passenger and the Columbia Room are closing to the public on Jan. 1. The two trailblazing cocktail bars will then take different paths: Derek Brown is moving the Columbia Room a few blocks north to Blagden Alley, where it will occupy the space above chef Jeremiah Langhorne’s forthcoming restaurant, the Dabney. The Passenger, meanwhile, will go dark until Tom Brown, Derek’s brother, is able to find the perfect place for it in Shaw.
Updates on both as they get closer to opening.
From an email:
“For the rest of November until World Giving Day Tuesday December 2nd, Ivy & Coney will be doing a big charity push for The Washington Humane Society.
It’s really simple. Bring in either a blanket or pillow or give a minimum $10 using the #donate on our Twitter or Facebook Page, and as a thank you we will give you a Free Hot Dog & Beer! It’s one time per customer during the period so we encourage people to spread the word to others. We really want to raise as much money as possible or get as many blankets/pillows as possible for the animals.”
1537 7th Street, NW
Photo credit: Ross Ridenour
A reader writes:
“Right around 3:00am a minivan, which was in pursuit by police, crashed at the corner of Q St NW and New Jersey Ave. A man jumped out of the driver side and ran east on Q St, chased by police cars. In seconds at least 10-15 more police vehicles arrived. The van had caught fire pretty immediately following the crash and it engulfed the front half of the van by the time fire trucks arrived. Thankfully, firefighters put it out before an explosion could happen. About 20 minutes later, a search helicopter was circling the area with a search light.”
Huge report from NBC Washington:
“The new facility, which would be housed on city-owned land near the Shaw Metro station in Northwest, would cost between $30 million and $40 million and seat approximately 5,000. The exact location is at 11th and Rhode Island streets NW, currently the site of dog and skate parks.”
Updates as/if this progresses.
1240 9th Street, NW (just south of N Street)
Good news, after a small delay, Lost and Found was able to open Friday night! You can see some more photos of the inside here. Anyone stop by over the weekend?
1437 11th Street, NW
Thanks to a reader for sending word. This is on 11th Street just south of P in the former dollar store. Updates as they get closer to opening.
“Dear PoPville,
I live near Blagden Alley. Within the last couple of month’s I’ve seen prostitutes on several occasions hanging around seemingly looking for business. They just started construction a few doors down from us and now they’re around more frequently. This morning on my way to work there were 3 on the corner of 10th and N and a few interested construction workers walking by. I walked by a cop parked over by 12th and told him, and he drove off in their direction. Not sure what he can do if they’re not actually transacting, but hopefully will scare both parties into thinking twice before coming back to that corner. Is there anything else I could do in situations like this, especially if I didn’t happen to walk by a cop? I don’t know if 9-1-1 is an appropriate option as there is really nothing illegal going on with them standing around. Just not something we like to see in the mornings or at any time of the day, especially in our own neighborhoods. I’m wondering if other people have experienced similar situations and how they’ve handled them?”