3907 14th Street, NW
A couple weeks ago we learned the exciting news that the owners of El Chucho and Bar Charley were bringing a new spot to 14th and Randolph St, NW. At that time I wasn’t sure if they were going to be taking over Rib Pit Lounge and the Rib Pit or just one. Turns out they’ll just be taking over Rib Pit Lounge (apparently Rib Pit next door has been leased by someone else.) I spoke with Little Coco’s co-owner Gordon Banks who reveals a lot more awesome info. Starting out with my favorite feature – there will be a roof deck! But more on that in a minute.
Gordon says that he and partner Jackie Greenbaum have been talking about opening up a pizza/Italian restaurant for a long time because they like to work off the strengths of their chefs. And head Chef Adam Harvey knows his dough. [The name Little Coco’s is a play off the Chef’s wife’s last name.] So you can expect some mean wood fired pizzas at Little Coco’s. And in addition to pizza you can expect to find arincinis, lasagna, salads and other daily specials. But make no mistake, Gordon sees the spot as a casual neighborhood pizza place. Well anyone who has visited Bar Charley or El Chucho knows what he means by casual – if I may – pretty freaking cool but no white table cloths. The space is pretty small so I’m looking forward to seeing how they build it out.
Which leads us to that roof deck. It’ll be a three season roof deck just like they have at El Chucho. But also like El Chucho they’ll be very considerate to their neighbors in regards to dampening noise. Though it’s also important to remember that this will be a dining roof deck not a party roof deck. In that regard, one more important element that Gordon emphasized – it will be kid/family friendly. As Gordon lives around the block with a little one, that was something very important to him personally. The way he explained it, Little Coco’s will be a spot where you can take your kids and the parents can also have a nice meal/glass of wine/good beer or cocktail. There won’t be a fancy cocktail list but they will be able to make a proper Manhattan. For those with little ones we know these options are few and far between. But for those who don’t enjoy being around kids – fear not – he envisages the space without kids in a more traditional sense by around 8:30/9pm. If all goes well Little Coco’s is hoping to open this Spring.
