union market

“Toli Moli Burmese Bodega opens inside Union Market on November 25 with South Asian groceries, Burmese fare, and more”

By Prince Of Petworth


photo: Farrah Skeiky/Dim Sum Media

From a press release:

“After a year and a half of serving up falooda and noodles inside Union Market, the Toli Moli team of Simone Jacobson, Jocelyn Law-Yone, and Eric Wang prepares to open a cultural hub celebrating the spice diaspora: Toli Moli Burmese Bodega.

“As citizens of the world, our collective identities revolve around art, food, community, and ideas,” says Jacobson. “We love to bring people together and the bodega space is an opportunity to share with DC how we grew up eating all over the map. It’s the very definition of ‘toli moli’, a little of this and a little of that. We’re most excited about being a place that uplifts other Asian American, woman-owned, and immigrant-run businesses. This is an exciting opportunity for us to grow and bring our ‘falooda nation’ family along with us.” (more…)

O – Ku Asian restaurant coming to NoMa

By Prince Of Petworth


1274 5th Street, NE

The liquor license placard for O-Ku says:

“New Restaurant, serving authentic Asian cuisine. Total Occupancy Load is 299 with seating for 175. Summer Garden with 49 seats.”

Anyone know if they’re related to the O-Ku from Charleston, Atlanta and Charlotte? Updates when more is known.

Update from O-Ku’s PR:

“O-Ku is a new Japanese restaurant with an emphasis on sushi that will open near Union Market at 1274 5th St. NE in spring 2018. Owned and operated by The Indigo Road, O-Ku also has locations in Atlanta, Charleston and Charlotte but is far from the typical restaurant chain. Each O-Ku location has different chefs, menus, and décor. Charleston-based architect David Thompson will design the space. The DC location will feature 120 seats downstairs with an upstairs cocktail lounge and rooftop with outdoor seating and its menu will include items cooked over Robata grills and traditional Binchotan charcoal as well as a large selection of sushi and a variety of non-traditional Japanese dishes.

O-Ku DC is projected to open in April 2018.”

Across the street:

“steakhouse from Le Diplomate guy”

By Prince Of Petworth

Capitol Phil reminds us:

“ICYMI (I did): Strip of 12 businesses being renovated on 5th in Florida Mkt to be steakhouse from Le Diplomate guy. Seems really big.”

Back in June we learned that Stephen Starr was bringing St. Anselm, “New Restaurant offering steakhouse cuisine from the grill with 150 seats”, with restaurateur Joe Carroll. They anticipated opening “early next year”. STAY TUNED.

Orange County’s The Bruery (independent craft brewery featuring experimental and barrel-aged beers) coming to Union Market this November

By Prince Of Petworth

From a press release:

“Fans have traveled far and wide for experimental and barrel-aged beers from The Bruery since the independent craft brewery opened its doors in Orange County in 2008. From homebrewing roots and an unassuming corner unit in a business complex that housed the company’s first brewhouse and Tasting Room, the company has methodically grown its footprint and capabilities. This includes the build out of three distinct brands – The Bruery, Bruery Terreux and Offshoot Beer Co. – in addition to state-of-the-art enhancements in brewing and production, expansion into new markets and opening a second Tasting Room at the sour & wild Bruery Terreux facility.

The company has a reputation for pushing boundaries, such as creating a new category for bourbon barrel-aged imperial stouts, one that hovers around 20% ABV, and Society membership programs for fans to connect with their favorite breweries on an even deeper level. But there is one thing that the company has never been bold enough to attempt: establishing a brick-and-mortar presence east of the Mississippi. That is, until now.

This fall, The Bruery is branching out and bringing beer directly to the East Coast by opening a premier retail store that’s within driving distance for thousands of fans of independent craft beer. Located in the heart of one of Washington, D.C.’s most exciting urban villages, The Bruery Store at Union Market District will provide easy access for Society members to pickup online purchases, along with onsite bottle and can sales, rotating taps for growler fills, merchandise and gifts for the general public. (more…)

Fast Casual Mediterranean, Shouk, joining Pluma by Bluebird and Trader Joe’s at 4th and Florida Ave, NE

By Prince Of Petworth


350 Florida Ave, NE

Ed. Note: Also coming to the new Edison building near Union Market are Trader Joe’s and Pluma by Bluebird Bakery.

From a press release:

“Modern eatery and market, Shouk is excited to announce a second location is expected to open in early 2018 in The Edison at Union Market District.

Voted Eater Fast Casual Restaurant of the Year in 2016, Shouk is eager to bring its Israeli market food to a neighborhood known for its markets and dining destinations. Founder Ran Nussbacher and executive chef Dennis Friedman spent countless hours researching and composing dishes made entirely of plants. As the fast casual restaurant that satisfies every diet, Shouk’s new location will continue to offer a menu of airy pitas and earthy bowls for which it has become known. (more…)

“TasteLab’s Marketplace at Union Market will instantly become a destination for foodies who care about eating or discovering local products”

By Prince Of Petworth

Union_market
1309 5th Street, NE

From a press release:

“TasteLab, a Culinary Incubator in NE DC, launched a marketplace at Union Market on Tuesday, April 18th. The marketplace features an eclectic mix of food and beverages made exclusively by the over sixty-five small businesses that produce their products at TasteLab. The Grand Opening Celebration will occur over the weekend of April 22nd & 23rd and feature tastings and product demos.

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courtesy TasteLab

“Not only will this marketplace allow us introduce all of these incredible products and entrepreneurs to the thousands of people who visit Union Market on a daily basis, but we will be creating a new revenue stream for our members and in some cases, putting them on their first shelves,” said Ryan Hansan, Founder of TasteLab. (more…)

“Private Security Guard threatened to stand in all of our photographs if we refused to leave”

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by Cassidy DuHon DuHonPhotography.com

“Dear PoPville,

A private security guard from Union Market attempted to remove me from a public sidewalk yesterday. I was taking engagement photos of a couple who’s been coming to the market since it opened, and really loves the FOLLOW YOUR HEART mural painted on the side of the building.

Since everyone involved was obviously on public property, I refused security’s request and tried to explain that a public sidewalk is fair game. The guard said that we weren’t allowed to use ‘big cameras’ there (I use a handheld but normal professional size camera) and then actually threatened to stand in all of our photographs if we refused to leave. After things got heated and I threatened to call the police to explain public property laws to her, she called a supervisor and backed off without apology.

Multiple colleagues of mine have been harassed by security in unusual ways at Union Market, both on and simply near the property. There’s no posted photo policy that I’m aware of, and let’s just say that the White House campus photography policy is less strict than this place.”

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Photo by Cassidy DuHon DuHonPhotography.com

Holy Toli Moli! “has become a permanent addition to Union Market” also adding Burmese Cold Noodle Salads

By Prince Of Petworth

tmoli
Photo by by Farrah Skeiky

From a press release:

“Toli Moli, DC’s first Falooda Shoppe, has become a permanent addition to Union Market with an indefinite lease. With an extended stay that continues beyond summer months, the team is introducing savory food to its sweet menu: Burmese Cold Noodle Salads. To celebrate this menu addition, Toli Moli will give away 50 snack-size servings to guests this Sunday, August 21st.

The two Burmese noodle salads will be added to the menu on Tuesday, August 30th. Guests can expect Smoky Eggplant & Udon Noodle, and Tofu & Thin Noodle. In Burma, there are hundreds of varieties of cold or room temperature noodle salads that are consumed as snacks and as main meals. One main ingredient is chickpea flour, which is used primarily in Burma and neighboring countries. Sometimes called let thoke or let thote or let thohk, these dry noodles offer a colorful, nutritious alternative to basic salads and usually contain a crunchy element such as puffed rice noodles or fried onions. Chilies, crunchy toppings and lime are typically served on the side.

toli moli
​Tofu & Thin Noodle (left); Smoky Eggplant & Udon Noodle (right) by Farrah Skeiky

Smoky Eggplant & Udon Noodle: stewed eggplant in turmeric, paprika, onion, garlic, ginger, tomato, cilantro and fish sauce, lentil/chickpea flour, sesame seeds, red cabbage, seasonal vegetables, rice udon, roasted chili paste, whole fresh green chili, fried onion

Tofu & Thin Noodle: lightly pan-fried ground tofu with black bean and garlic paste, white cabbage, seasonal vegetables, green onion, sliced tomatoes, pickled radishes, cilantro, fish sauce, tamarind-sesame dressing with shrimp flakes, vermicelli, house-made rice noodle crispies, roasted chili paste, whole fresh green chili

From Chef Jocelyn Law-Yone: (more…)

“a pretty decent selection of craft beers for a great price (all beers are between $5-7).”

By Prince Of Petworth

neal place
1300 4th Street, NE

A reader reports:

“I stopped by the new Neal Place Tap+Garden yesterday and wanted to report that it is now open! They have been apparently open for close to 2 months, and even though I have stopped by there multiple times I did not see many people there so I assumed they were not open.

We walked in yesterday and talked with one of the employees. They have been open for about two months. It is open Thursday through Sunday each week (entirely sure on the hours for those days). Just thought it would be nice to send out another update on the blog to let people, who may not be quite as inquisitive as I was, know that the new beer garden is now open. They had a pretty decent selection of craft beers for a great price (all beers are between $5-7).”

Free Ice Cream at Union Market’s DC Scoop Event Sunday

By Prince Of Petworth

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“Over 3,000 Washingtonians turned out for the fifth annual DC Scoop event last year” Photo credit: Travis Vaughn

From a press release:

“Union Market, northeast D.C.’s vibrant retail and culinary district, invites local families, friends and ice cream fans out for the sixth annual DC Scoop event on Sunday, July 17 from 1 to 4pm. The highly-anticipated, free ice cream extravaganza will take place at Dock 5, the indoor space above the Market, where ice cream vendors from 11 different creameries will put their best foot forward to win the coveted “Best Ice Cream” title.

DC Scoop guests will enjoy a wide array of free samples and servings for purchase, including gelato, ice cream sandwiches, popsicles and soda shoppe-style scoops. Frozen treat fanatics at the family-friendly event can also participate in ice cream-eating contests, raffles and giveaways. Timber Pizza Co. will provide savory complements to patrons’ favorite desserts, while Union Market vendor Buffalo & Bergen will join the fun to serve Root Beer Floats to kids.

Nicecream Factory, the 2014 and 2015 DC Scoop winner, pairs liquid nitrogen with fresh local ingredients to create flavors for customers on the spot, a business model developed by owners Gilbert Welsford and Sandra Tran. “We were so excited to be recognized,” says Welsford. “There were so many incredible competitors participating in last year’s DC Scoop event. We’re passionate about what we do and we were glad to provide the D.C. area with what we think is the best ice cream out there.”

A panel of judges – including ice cream aficionados from Dolcezza and Puddin’ – will help crown the winner of DC Scoop. “Bringing a little sweetness to northeast D.C. is something we look forward to each summer here at the Market,” says Toyin Alli, owner of Puddin’. “I’m honored to be part of the Trinidad community and live out my dream of being an ice cream judge at DC Scoop.”

DC Scoop 2016 participants (more…)

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