Archive | April, 2016

More Details and Menu for The Tavern at Ivy City SmokeHouse

15 Apr
tavernsalmon

The Ivy City SmokeHouse Platter

If you haven’t yet checked out Ivy City SmokeHouse in Ivy City (1356 Okie Street, NE…right off New York Avenue), you need to this weekend.  Their market provides the most extensive selection of fresh seafood in the area at reasonable price levels.  The SmokeHouse is owned by Profish, the seafood wholesaler and retailer that provides seafood to many of the top restaurants in the city, and that connection helps keep the prices down.  In addition to fresh seafood, the market sells a variety of smoked seafood products (hence the name).  There is a large fish counter featuring the daily selection that is open to the public seven days a week.  If they don’t have the type of fish that you want, they can order it for you within a day or two.

Part of the Fish Counter at Ivy City SmokeHouse

Part of the Fish Counter at Ivy City SmokeHouse

Recently, the SmokeHouse expanded to create a tavern upstairs that serves dinner featuring the extensive selection of seafood that Profish carries.  The head chef of the Ivy City SmokeHouse Tavern is Alberto Baizano, a native of Mexico who comes from a fifth generation culinary family.  Chef Baizano, a graduate of the Morelos Culinary Institute, previously worked at a variety of well known DC restaurants including Occidental Grill, Zola, Cheff Geoff’s, and NoPa.  He specializes in seafood, especially ceviche.  While ceviche is not currently on the menu, we’re told that customers can expect to see it soon.

Menu at Ivy City SmokeHouse Tavern

Menu at Ivy City SmokeHouse Tavern

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Cusbah Responds: We Intend To Stay At Current Location

14 Apr
Exterior of Cusbah (1128 H Street)

Exterior of Cusbah (1128 H Street)

Earlier this week, District Cuisine reported that Cusbah (1128 H Street) needed to vacate its current location by the end of April as the space was being marketed for a new tenant.  The story generated considerable buzz but also support for the restaurant (both via Twitter and on other social media channels).  Management at Cusbah reached out to District Cuisine with a response that is included in its entirely below.

Per Cusbah ownership:

Dear loyal Cusbah Patrons, H Street neighbors and future guests,

A number of local blogs are reporting the impending closure of Cusbah on May 1, 2016. The inundation of phone calls, which both reflect support and curiosity have prompted this note.

Cusbah is currently in a legal dispute with our landlord regarding our lease. Since we opened for business in August of 2012 we have made every effort, in good faith, to remain in favorable standing with our landlord, our customers and our neighbors.

Having that said, Cusbah has every intention to be open at its current address on May 1, 2016. Cusbah ownership, management and staff thank you for all your support. We look forward to having the privilege to serve you today, tomorrow and well into the future.

–Cusbah Ownership

Based upon inquiries, yesterday District Cuisine reconfirmed our story from earlier in the week.  We can confirm that the first floor of 1128 H Street is currently being solicited to potential new tenants and that ownership expects Cusbah to vacate the space by the end of April.

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Cusbah Closing by May 1

11 Apr
Exterior of Cusbah (1128 H Street)

Exterior of Cusbah (1128 H Street)

Cusbah (1128 H Street) must vacate its location by May 1st, and the property is already being actively marketed by Blake Dickson real estate.  District Cuisine first noticed a sign outside the building on Saturday and has since confirmed the news.  The building owner is looking to replace Cusbah with a new restaurant/bar as soon as they can find the right new concept for the space.  Cusbah opened on H Street back in 2012 (see our post here) after a renovation of the restaurant and later expanded with a covered patio.  We have reached out to the restaurant to find out if they are looking to open in a new location.

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Todd Gray No Longer Affiliated with Watershed in NoMa

4 Apr
Patio Area at Watershed by Todd Gray

Patio Area at Watershed by Todd Gray

Chef Todd Gray (Equinox) is no longer affiliated with the NoMa restaurant that was previously called Todd Gray’s Watershed, representatives for Gray and the NoMa Hilton Garden Inn confirm.  According to a representatives who answered the phone at the Hilton Garden Inn, the menu remains the same for now, but the restaurant is transitioning to a new management team and new concept (there is a liquor license for a different, unnamed restaurant in the window).  The restaurant remains operational for the hotel and the general public.

Watershed opened in mid-2011 in the Hilton Garden Inn as part of NoMa’s Constitution Square development that also includes Harris Teeter and Flats 130.  When the restaurant opened up, NoMa was first becoming a residential neighborhood, and it was the only real sit down restaurant in the area.  Gray brought star power to the restaurant, but overtime Gray had less and less involvement with the restaurant.  A management company had taken over the operations of Watershed, but it maintained Gray’s name and influence.  Most recently, Joseph Paire had taken over the kitchen at Watershed and introduced several new items to the menu.  However, Paire is now the chef at Mulebone on 14th Street.

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