Archive | December, 2015

All Stores Now Closed at H Street Connection in Anticipation of Demolition, Rebuild

30 Dec
Former Samurai Studio and Clothing Store at H Street Connection Mall

Former Samurai Studio and Clothing Store at H Street Connection Mall

It appears that all stores are now closed in the H Street Connection strip mall (south side of H Street in between 8th and 10th Streets), including the Rite Aid that anchored the mall.  We heard several months ago that all tenants had until December 31st to leave the mall which is scheduled to be demolished in 2016.  Over the past several weeks, numerous businesses have held liquidation sales and closed their doors one at a time.  The 7-Eleven in the mall recently moved one block to the west.  Once demolished, the H Street Connection will be rebuilt as a massive residential and retail development (see more details from Washington Business Journal here).

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Signage Up for Fresca Taqueria on H Street

29 Dec

fresca signage

Progress continues at the upcoming Fresca Taqueria (701 H Street) with signage going up during the holiday week.  A peak inside reveals that construction has been going steady and that the restaurant looks like it will be ready to open up soon.  Fresca will be replacing The Spot Deli that went out of business earlier this year.

frescasignage2

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Sally’s Middle Name to Expand with Second Floor, Patio (With Design Images)

21 Dec
sallysmiddlenameexpansion

Design Mock Up for Second Floor Patio

Sally’s Middle Name (1320 H Street) appeared before the ANC 6A Alcoholic Beverage Licensing Committee last week to describe its plans to expand within its existing building.  Due to the success of the restaurant thus far, it plans to expand into the second floor of its building.  Prior to Sally’s taking over the lease of Pizza Parts and Service, this second floor area served as an office space for Taylor Gourmet (which owned Pizza Parts and Service).  Since Sally’s took over the building, this second floor space has been a boutique retail/clothing store.  It will now be converted into additional dining area for the restaurant.  Additionally, the restaurant will be opening up a patio for outdoor dining on the second floor and applying for an expanded liquor license that will allow it to serve cocktails in addition to beer and wine.

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Sospeso to Bring Mediterranean Food to H Street This Spring

16 Dec
Front Windows of Future Sospeso on H Street (1344 H Street)

Front Windows of Future Sospeso on H Street (1344 H Street)

A new Mediterranean restaurant is planned for H Street this coming spring.  Michael Rosato, currently General Manager of Sotto on 14th Street, will be opening up Sospeso at 1344 H Street in the two floor building that previously was Evolve Property Management.  As the space was not previously a restaurant, it requires extensive renovations.  However, the current plan is to open the restaurant in May.  Once completed, Sospeso will open at 7 am and stay open through late night, featuring coffee in the morning and wine in the evening.  It will have a bar downstairs with seating both upstairs and downstairs.  There are also plans to have an outdoor patio on the second floor.

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Ocopa Hopes to Add Live Music

16 Dec
Patio Area at Ocopa

Patio Area at Ocopa

Ocopa (1324 H Street) appeared last night in front of ANC 6A’s Alcoholic Beverage Licensing Committee to support its application for a live entertainment endorsement for its liquor license.  The live entertainment endorsement would allow Ocopa to host live music and DJs.  Representatives for Ocopa said that they hope to be able to bring in live music acts to play Latin music for major events like New Years Eve in the future.

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Union Social Space Available for Holiday Parties

15 Dec

unionsocialprivateevents

Need a spot for your last minute holiday party or gathering?  The recently opened Union Social (100 Florida Avenue) in NoMa is taking reservations for large group events now through the holidays.  You can choose from either a full sit down meal or a happy hour with food and drink.  As we mentioned when it opened, Union Social has a large separate bar space off to the side of the main restaurant that is intended for private functions.  Unlike many other venues, the private area has a separate bar that is just dedicated to the private party.

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DC Harvest Unveils New Years Eve Menu

14 Dec

dcharvestnye

DC Harvest (517 H Street) has released its menu for New Years Eve, and it features all new items.  In addition to a three course meal, customers can chose to have their food paired with wine or craft cocktails.  There will also be a complimentary champagne toast at midnight.   We hope that the Florida Snapper Bahn Mi sticks around after New Years as well!

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Chef Luke Feltz Takes Over Kitchen at Boundary Road

11 Dec
Boundary Road Chef Luke Feltz

Boundary Road Chef Luke Feltz

In November, Luke Feltz took over as head chef of Boundary Road (414 H Street) for co-owner Brad Walker.  Feltz is not new to Boundary Road as he was the existing sous chef.  We recently chatted with Chef Feltz about his background and what he has in store for Boundary Road.

District Cuisine: Prior to your time at Boundary Road, where have you cooked?
Luke Feltz: I first started cooking when I was 16 at Red Cedar Grill in Williamston, MI, then for four years at the Blue Parrot Bistro in Gettysburg, PA.

DC: What drew you to Boundary Road?
LF: I moved to DC looking for a job in (stereotype coming up) political science and international relations. I needed a part-time job and I knew (and loved) cooking. Chef Brad and I actually went to the same college, and were in the same fraternity 11 years apart. He offered me a job working the salad station at Boundary Road in 2012. Over the next year, I worked my way up to lead line cook. When I got a job offer coordinating a nuclear security policy grant, Brad said I could come back whenever I wanted if I changed my mind about career paths. Ten months later, I was back as the sous chef at Boundary Road.

DC: What is your vision for Boundary Road going forward?
LF: My vision is primarily to continue making the locally and sustainably sourced comfort food that the neighborhood has grown to know and love.

DC: Should we expect major changes to the menu in the coming weeks?

LF: The holiday season isn’t an ideal time to make drastic changes, and furthermore, I have no interest in making drastic changes. I believe in the food that we cook here. That said, there is always room to improve. After the holiday season is over, diners can expect Boundary Road to go back to its roots. Think additional pierogis, more house made charcuterie, perhaps some new options for lunch — but the favorites like the brick chicken won’t go away.

In terms of the holiday season, I will be keeping up the tradition of Foie La La, and we’ll be offering a special foie dish December 15-25.

DC: When you are cooking at home, what is your favorite dish to make?
LF: Mushroom risotto. It was the first “fancy” dish that I ever made, I think in 8th grade, and I love mushrooms. It’s my go-to.

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Nando’s Plans to Open in January on H Street

11 Dec
New Signage at Nando's on H Street

New Signage at Nando’s on H Street

New signage is up for the Nando’s that is coming soon to 411-413 H Street, and it says that the restaurant will be coming in January.  Construction has been moving swiftly for quite some time on both the exterior and interior of the building.  From a peak inside a few days ago, it does appear that the restaurant could be ready to open in a matter of weeks.

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