Scuttlebutt

2nd Report of Walgreens coming to Union Station – Could a Harris Teeter be coming too?

By Prince Of Petworth

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“Dear PoPville,

I heard second-hand that the Walgreens in Union Station rumors have been confirmed. Some of the merchants who are being displaced in the food court area, said that a Walgreens and possibly a Harris Teeter (although this part sounds unlikely) would be located in the food court area where the Indian restaurant currently is.

I would be so excited if this were true! Union Station needs a drugstore like crazy.”

Ed. Note: Do you think there’s enough room for a Walgreens and a Harris Teeter? Would it even make sense to have both? Maybe it’ll be one of those big Walgreens that have a significant grocery section?

Artomatic is Awesome – Looks Like It’s Coming back to DC in 2015

By Prince Of Petworth

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Awesome even in adversity, from the 2008 show.

Some very good scuttlebutt for Artomatic fans – I hear they are coming back to DC possibly this summer. I also hear it will be in a sweet downtown location. Knocking wood, knocking wood! Updates when more is known. For those not famililar with Artomatic:

“Artomatic is a month-long art festival in the DC area that is “by artists, for everyone.” Anyone can show art or perform, and it is absolutely free to attend. Often located in a former office building that’s slated for demolition, we’re currently looking for a site for 2014. In addition to floor after floor of art and performance stages, workshops, tours, seminars and other events are held all month long.

No matter what kind of creative events you like, you will find something for you at Artomatic.”

And it is awesome.

Taste of India Closes in Woodley Park, New Irish Bar (McIntyre’s?) Coming

By Prince Of Petworth

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2621 Connecticut Avenue, NW

A tipster sends word about the recently closed Taste of India:

“With the recent closure of Murphy’s of DC leaving us bereft, there’s a wee bit o’ sunshine on the horizon. While nothing will replace Murphy’s, particularly with it’s roaring fireplace on nights like this, “Taste of India” closed a couple of weeks ago and the folks who own Maddy’s are turning the space into … an Irish bar. Rumor is that the new space will be named “McIntyre’s” and is slated to open “sometime in March”.”

Ed. Note: Maddy’s currently has located in Dupont at 1726 Connecticut Ave. NW and at 13th and L St, NW.

In November we learned Murphy’s was closing after almost 30 years in Woodley Park and would be replaced by Italian restaurant Bar Civita.

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Former Murphy’s space at 2609 24th St, NW

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Is a Latin ‘Eataly’ Coming to Union Market from Chef Jose Garces?

By Prince Of Petworth

Well this could be awesome. We’ve spoken a lot about a possible Eataly – but a huge Latin Market from Chef Jose Garces (Rural Society) sounds equally promising. From Washington Business Journal:

“Union Market developer Edens has a signed lease for a 20,000-square-foot Latin market, according to a letter submitted to the D.C. Zoning Commission last month. We’re hearing the market will be a new concept from Philadelphia-based chef Jose Garces that will offer a range of Latin groceries and prepared foods.”

New Restaurant, Sussex Drive, coming to DC, likely in Adams Morgan

By Prince Of Petworth

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Word on the street is that these guys are close to signing a lease on 18th Street in Adams Morgan – updates on the location when confirmed.

From a press release:

“Its not just celebrity chefs looking to contribute to the growth of the DC food scene; Chef Adam McFarland has returned to Washington to helm the kitchen of the upcoming Sussex Drive. Departing nearly five years ago, McFarland has been busy in New York City where he was mentored by Chef Michael Anthony and held coveted positions at Gramercy Tavern and Maysville. As the opening chef de cuisine of Maysville, his leadership helped garner critical praise including a glowing two stars in The New York Times.

McFarland is joined by industry-veteran Amy Troutmiller (Urbana, WestEnd Bistro) to bring Sussex Drive to life. Troutmiller will oversee the restaurants operation. Well known for her prowess in wine and bar programs, she also brings exceptional leadership, financial acumen and a passion for personalized service. The restaurants namesake is the street on which her mother was raised and where her first and fondest food experiences began. Troutmiller and McFarland are a dynamic team that should quickly impact the dining landscape of the city.

An upscale-casual, full-service concept, Sussex Drive will share with its guests an authentic story about the ingredients that surround us, presenting rustic fare with finesse. Seasonally-inspired cuisine, prepared with the freshest ingredients from farms, creameries, orchards and the Chesapeake Bay will be complemented by a unique approach to hospitality. With gracious service and a welcoming atmosphere, Sussex Drive will be Washington’s next quintessential neighborhood-gathering place. (more…)

More Big News for 9th Street in Shaw

By Prince Of Petworth

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1200 block of 9th Street, NW

Lots of folks have already heard that a new restaurant called Dabney is coming to one of these rowhouses on 9th Street in front of Blagden Alley. The Washington Post reported:

“On Oct. 14, Langhorne and Zink officially sealed a deal with Douglas Development to lease a Blagden Alley space behind a trio of rowhouses on Ninth Street NW. Actually, their space is still an Erector set of steel beams, located on a patch of dirt where an old brick structure once sat. Douglas is expected to complete construction and turn over an empty shell to the first-time restaurateurs by the end of November, and Langhorne hopes to open his 70-seat restaurant by late spring.”

More details on that space as construction progresses. But in the meantime I learned of some very sweet scuttlebutt, and of course it’s just scuttlebutt, but I hear The Passenger will be taking over one of the other spaces (and an unknown, to me, restaurant will be taking over the third.) The Passenger, located nearby at 1021 7th Street, NW is rumored to close sometime after New Years to make way for another construction project. Updates on the possible move as details emerge. Hopefully we will be able to shout – The Passenger is Dead, Long Live The Passenger!

Update: Sadly the folks from Passenger say they won’t be moving here.

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9th Street looking north toward N

Chipotle or Native Foods Cafe to take over former Casa Blanca space Dowtown?

By Prince Of Petworth

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1014 Vermont Ave, NW just north of K Street

Some interesting scuttlebutt from a reader after hearing of Casa Blanca’s recent closure:

“Chipotle and Native Foods were vying for the retail space in the building (which recently had a $10 million renovation, hence the removal of the granite on the facade.)… seemed to indicate they preferred Chipotle.”

Recently we learned a new Chipotle would likely be taking over the former Mixtec space in Adams Morgan and Native Foods Cafe just opened their first DC location at 18th and M St, NW. Updates when we learn the new tenant here.

PoP Pho Patrol: Phonation opening a brick and mortar space at 11th and M St, NW?

By Prince Of Petworth

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11th and M St, NW

Ed. Note: The building home to the laundromat at 11th and M St, NW pictured above went for sale for $2,999,000 in 2012. Will update when we find the exact location for the future Phonation restaurant.

@catiecat tweets us the big news:

“@PoPville my fave food truck @DCphonation told me they are opening a real restaurant at 11&M, maybe by end of year! #Awesome #BahnMis”

Check out DC Phonation’s menu here.

Their website also says:

“Phonation was created with an innovated vision where Rachel hopes to unite people through the famous and authentic taste of Vietnamese cuisine: pho and banh-mi. The menu also features a Mexican and Vietnamese fusion cuisine called the Burrito-Banh-mi that was inspired by a former employee. All that tasty freshness originally found in the famous BBQ pork and chicken banh-mi can now be savored in a simple tortilla.”

Any other fans?

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