17th and U Street, NW

UPDATE: Owner tells me via email that they have signed a leaseback after the building has sold and have not plans to close. Trying to get more details and will share as soon as I do. Great news!!

Ed. Note: I’ve really been holding off on this hoping it wasn’t really going to happen. But I’ve received so many tips, like the one below, that I can’t hold off any longer after having chatted with an employee as well. I stopped in to get my rice ball fix and was hesitantly told that after this summer they will likely be closing their doors. If it happens then that gives about a good five, six months or so. If you, like me, are a huge fan – I’d start going regularly while we still can.

“Dear PoPville,

Just heard that our beloved Hana Market is in fact closing soon. I saw your post from July 2024 about the package sale of the buildings. The update from today is that (more…)



courtesy Uchi

From a press release:

“Hai Hospitality, the acclaimed Austin, Texas-based hospitality group best known for its Uchi, Uchiko and Uchibā restaurant concepts, announced today that it has signed a lease at 17xM, an award-winning Class A trophy office building in Washington’s Central Business District developed by Skanska USA Commercial Development. The space will be home to Uchi, the nontraditional Japanese restaurant founded in 2003 by James Beard Award-winning Chef Tyson Cole with seven locations nationwide. It is set to open in late fall 2025. (more…)



1520 14th Street, NW previously home to Estadio

Thanks to Tom for sending the photo above at Bar Japonais, more info including menu details from a press release:

“Bar Japonais is arriving soon to 14th Street and is excited to provide a sneak peek of their opening menu. The team behind Bar Chinois, Dean Mosones, Mark Minicucci, and Margaux Donati, are launching the new izakaya restaurant next month.

The French-Japanese restaurant will be open for dinner six days a week with a focus on shareables and a creative drink menu. The menu ranges from inventive and traditional skewers and appetizers to refreshing salads, fresh sashimi and hand rolls, enticing mains and delectable desserts. (more…)


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