Scuttlebutt

This Week in Scuttlebutt – Brasserie from NY possibly coming to new Development at 14th and Rhode Island Ave, NW formerly home to Caribou Coffee

By Prince Of Petworth

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14th and Rhode Island Ave, NW

Yes, yes, it is true, despite mixed messages from PR the former Caribou Coffee at 14th and Rhode Island will not reopen as a Peet’s (though the space was used to train Peet’s employees.) As many have noted the building is set to be razed:

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Washington Business Journal reported in April:

the developer plans a six story mixed-use building with 30 apartments, one floor of office space spanning roughly 5,000 square feet and upward of 10,000 square feet of ground floor and below-grade retail and restaurants.

As for retail, Abdo said he’s looking for “something unique and eclectic,” but he has yet to sign any deals or enlist a broker.

A source of mine hears that one rumor is for a “bigtime restaurant/brasserie from NY”.

In June their were rumors of NY Brasserie, The Smith, was looking at CityCenter so perhaps at some point they were looking here too? Updates as demo starts construction progresses and leases are signed. One thing is for sure – this corner is soon to look quite different.

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Looking south on 14th

This Week in Scuttlebutt – Chaia (vegetarian tacos) Coming to Georgetown?

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo via Chaia

A very good source hears that Chaia (vegetarian tacos) is looking to open up their first brick and mortar location in Georgetown. Their website says:

“We are honored to be nominated DC Tastemakers based on our innovative “plant-based” tacos. We sell them on a weekly basis at various markets and pop-up venues throughout DC. The Washington Post reported: “Trying to find the Chaia taco stand at the farmers market? Just look for the longest line.” We use fresh, locally sourced ingredients to create and inspire our menus each week. As one of the White House Pastry Chef’s tweeted after a meal from Chaia “these tacos are life changing and healthy too”.

All tacos are served with handmade corn tortillas, topped with microgreens and our special chipotle yogurt sauce.

Creamy Braised Chard + Potato with Green Sauce

Market Mushrooms, Feta + Red Sauce

Garlicky Greens, Goat Cheese + Pickled Red Onion

Potato and Spring Asparagus with a Creamy Poblano Sauce

Smokey Zucchini with Bovre Cheese and Radish

Roasted Winter Squash with Chili, Queso and Mint

Grilled Corn, Mexican Aioli, + Queso”

Friday Question of the Day – Warby Parker Coming to 9th and U? What other retail would you like to see?

By Prince Of Petworth

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9th and U Street, NW

Still no confirmation about a Whole Foods for the vicinity of 9th and U St, NW but I am hearing more scuttlebutt – word is that a Warby Parker eye glass shop will be taking over a retail space nearby. You can see their current retail locations here. The source who hears this rumor also says that the type of new retail coming to 9th and U will be of a similar variety ie not just super high end like CityCenter but a bit more, God I’m hesitant to use the word – hip. So anyway, I’m wondering what type of retail (besides restaurants/bars) you guys think would realistically do well around 9th and U St, NW. Any fans of Warby Parker?

L&N Thrift Store to Close on Georgia Ave and Condos Coming? Any Good Thrift Stores Left in DC?

By Prince Of Petworth

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3112 Georgia Ave, NW

An interesting piece of scuttlebutt passed on from a reader:

“I was in the L&N Thrift Store on Georgia Avenue and the lady in there told me that they were selling the building to a developer who was going to put that building together with the one next door to assemble a lot to build condos on.”

Ed. Note: Before moving to Georgia Ave, L and N Thrift was located at 1830 14th St, NW now home to the Amsterdam Falafel in Logan.

With word that Mike’s Thrift store will also likely be closing on H Street – are there any good thrift stores left in the District?

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Scuttlebutt: Capriotti’s Coming to old Cheesesteak Factory space on M Street

By Prince Of Petworth

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3347 M Street, NW

Still scuttlebutt at this point but a reliable source hears a Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop is coming to the former Philadelphia Cheesesteak Factory space in Georgetown. Capriotti’s opened their first DC location at 1800 M Street, NW in Nov. 2013:

“Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop, founded in Wilmington, DE and long a favorite of Delaware beach-goers, expands its presence on the East Coast as it opens its first location Thursday, November 21 in the Nation’s Capital at 18th and M Streets NW.”

Anyone check out the 18th and M Street spot yet? If so, any good sandwich recs? How do they compare to a Taylor Gourmet or Potbelly?

Serendipity 3, Home of the $1000 Golden Opulence Sundae, Closes in Georgetown – Under Armour Coming?

By Prince Of Petworth

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3150 M Street, NW

Well the home of the $1000 Golden Opulence Sundae is no more. Serendipity 3 has closed in the prime corner of Wisconsin and M St, NW formerly home to Nathan’s before Serendipity 3.

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Washingtonian noted the closure last week and also adds:

“Under Armour founder Kevin Plank recently bought the building…Rumors of the sports clothing store moving into Wisconsin Avenue and M Street, Northwest, have abounded since.”

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If this happens this’ll be the next Le Diplomate in DC – NYC’s The Smith Brasserie Looking at CityCenter

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by PoPville flickr user clif_burns

Potentially huge news from the Washington Business Journal:

“The group [The Smith] is eyeing a space in the area formerly intended for Apple on Eye Street NW facing the CityCenter’s Northwest Park, adjacent to where Momofuku’s David Chang is also said to be looking at space.”

The Smith’s website says:

The Smith is a casual American Brasserie with three upbeat locations in New York City: The Smith East Village, overlooking bustling Third Avenue, The Smith Midtown, in the heart of Manhattan, located on 51st Street and Second Avenue and The Smith Lincoln Center directly across from historic Lincoln Center.

Utilizing local products and purveyors, the breakfast, lunch, brunch and dinner menus feature a selection of familiar bistro dishes. Signature dishes at all locations include Crispy Fried Calamari “Brooklyn Style,” Pot of Mussels with chardonnay-dijon broth and perfectly cooked hand cut fries and four different cuts of steak prepared char broiled, served with a choice of homemade sauces including béarnaise, green peppercorn and chimichurri. Most of the desserts are fun twists on classics, including Sticky Toffee Pudding, S’mores in a Jar and Hot Fudge Sundae with almond bark and flourless chocolate cake.

Our bars offer an elaborate menu of classic and signature cocktails made with fresh fruit and herbs. We serve seven local hand crafted beers on tap and have a selection of 20 wines available by the glass or carafe as well as a hand selected bottle list.

The crowd at The Smith is eclectic, attracting after-work colleagues, late-night revelers, families for Sunday brunch and more. Our guests come for all occasions – a drink after work, a quick bite before a movie, a business dinner, or to celebrate a birthday.

You can see their menus here.

My folks actually live around the corner from one of these and I’ve had the occasion to visit a few times. I’m a big fan and while I was a big supporter of an Apple store opening here, I think The Smith would be a great addition to the District dining scene. It reminds me of Philly’s Le Parc opening in DC as Le Diplomate. The Smith is a big beautiful space that I think will be equally as successful as Le Diplomate if they open here. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Malgudi’s Closes on P Street, Could Become a Mexican Restaurant or Bistro/Cafe?

By Prince Of Petworth

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1633 P Street, NW

Back in August of 2013 Malgudi’s Indian Restaurant opened up in the former Cafe Luna space in the lower level of 1633 P St, NW. I spoke with a worker at Heritage India (still open upstairs) and he says he heard the space will become a Mexican restaurant.  Another Malgudi’s location remains open in Glover Park.

CityPaper’s Jessica Sidman spoke with the owner and reports:

“Tuli says they are thinking of replacing the short-lived restaurant with a bistro/cafe, but she said she could not provide further details at this time.”

Were there any fans of Malgudi’s P Street location?

Huge Shaw Development Scuttlebutt: Scripture Cathedral to be Purchased by Roadside Development?

By Prince Of Petworth

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9th and O Street, NW

Back in March of last year we had heard that the Scripture Cathedral was purchased by developers. Not sure if that deal fell through but now I’m hearing that not only is the Church close to a new buyer but also other properties including the adjoining parking lot (pictured below), the two adjoining buildings on 9th as well as the air rights over the gas station on 9th. And perhaps of even greater interest – I hear the developer in negotiations is Roadside Development. This is the team that developed the nearby CityMarket at O project. If they are able to seal the deal this will be huge!

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Parking lot at 8th and O St, NW looking east toward 7th Street

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