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.

IMG_4600
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…)


29947465953_8bdde1f453_z
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.”

30581061285_7fffc587e8_z
Photo by Cassidy DuHon DuHonPhotography.com


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…)


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).”


dcscoop_tvaughn22
“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…)


IMG_5283
1300 4th Street, NE

Next up in new beer gardens – Neal Place Tap & Garden. The liquor license placard says:

“A beer garden serving numerous varieties of beer on tap for on-premises consumption only. Beer served from a beer trailer offering a variety of foods provided by different daily food trucks with recorded music. Total number of seats: 150. Total Occupancy Load: 199. Total number of Summer Garden seats: 150.”

IMG_5284

Will be located in Union Market next door to the bougie (and very very good) Italian restaurant Masseria:

IMG_5285


21176114850_ce85f2417f_z
Photo by PoPville flickr user James Jackson

For those on the east side:

“Bidwell [1309 5th Street, NE] will be holding a viewing tomorrow for the Republican GOP debate from 6pm and 8pm with a large projector for spectators and specialty drinks to suit the occasion. They will be offering a special “Trumptini” cocktail, a spin on a martini made with Tito’s vodka and a lemon twist, for $7”

and those on the west:

“The Looking Glass Lounge
3634 Georgia Ave NW

Come to Looking Glass to play Republican Debate Bingo! A winning card gets you a free draft beer or rail drink.

We’ll be sure to print enough bingo cards for everyone this time around.”


IMG_6763
1340 4th Street, NE

I’m super intrigued by this spot. The liquor license placard for Masseria says:

“Full-service restaurant serving Italian cuisine. Total Occupancy Load of 99, Summer Garden with 32 seats.”

Previously the Washington Post reported:

“Nicholas Stefanelli recently left Bibiana to open a place of his own at 1344 Fourth St. NE, in conjunction with Edens Realty Inc., the developers of the popular Union Market. The first free-standing restaurant outside the market will be called Masseria, a reference to the charming country houses, many on working farms, throughout Puglia.”

Updates when they get closer to opening, but lots of build out needs to finish first:

IMG_6765

Across the street from Solid Gold Inc.:

IMG_6764

Up the block from the old signage:

IMG_6762


View More Stories