Archive | May, 2016

Wunder Garten Reopening in New NoMa Location in Coming Weeks

31 May
Parking Lot at 1st and L Streets That Will Be Transformed into Wunder Garten

Parking Lot at 1st and L Streets That Will Be Transformed into Wunder Garten

In the coming weeks, the current outdoor daily parking lot at the corner of 1st and L Street will be transformed into the new location of Wunder Garten.  The location is the southwest corner of the parking lot, across the street from where the NoMa summer movie series is held at the future site of Storey Park.  The NoMa biergarten opened last summer in the vacant lot next to Flats 130 and the NoMa Metro station (150 M Street, NE) but could not stay in that location as it is slated to become an office building in the near future.  The popular biergarten spent the fall and winter looking to secure a new and longer term location in the neighborhood.  They were successful last week when they signed a lease for the 13,000 square foot location at 1st and L Street that has a multi-year option attached to it.

Side View of Future Wunder Garten Location

Side View of Future Wunder Garten Location

Wunder Garten will hopefully open at the end of June or the beginning part of July.  As Wunder Garten plans on being in this location for multiple years, the owners will be able to invest even more in the space.  The owners will have to obtain a new liquor license as their location has moved.  Prior to opening, they will be adding plants and a large tent (that will hopefully allow them to stay open later into the fall) to the lot.  The set up will be similar to last year: several German and local beers on draft, rotating food trucks, lots of seating room, and nice portable bathrooms.  REI–opening soon in NoMa–held various events at Wunder Garten last year and is looking to have an even bigger presence this year.  While Wunder Garten was ultimately unable to allow dogs last year, they will explore the possibility in the new space.

More details on the official opening date as Wunder Garten gets closer to opening!

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Signage Up for Mythology and Lore Lounge on H Street

11 May
Exterior at Mythology on H Street

Exterior at Mythology on H Street

Serious renovations have taken place at the future space of Mythology and Lore Lounge at 816 H Street.  The spot, previously occupied by Fever Nightclub and HR 57, has undergone a complete transformation over the past several months, including a major deck build out on the roof.  While we are told that the restaurant is several months away from opening, signage went up earlier this week.  You can get more details on the restaurant from H Street Great Street and Washington Business Journal.  More details on the projected opening as we get them.

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*Top two photos courtesy of Mythology team

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Signage Posted for Craft Beer Cellar on H Street

10 May
Signage for Craft Beer Cellar at 301 H Street

Signage for Craft Beer Cellar at 301 H Street

Signage is now up for the coming Craft Beer Cellar at 301 H Street on the first floor of the new 301 H Street Condos.  It looks like they are a few weeks away from opening; however, they already have their liquor license from several months ago.  You can check out the website for Craft Beer Cellar here.

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Citi Pizza Undergoing Renovations on H Street

9 May
Sign Posted at New Citi Pizza on H Street

Sign Posted at Citi Pizza on H Street

Citi Pizza (504 H Street), which has undergone multiple iterations over the past several years (it was originally just Citi Pizza and then became New Citi Pizza), is undergoing renovations and will be closed for several weeks.  Citi Pizza is the only place to get pizza on the western side of H Street and also has sold pizza by the slice in the past.

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Taqueria and Rosticeria Fresca Adding Patio

6 May
Fresca Taqueria Prior to Its Opening on H Street

Taqueria and Rosticeria Fresca Prior to Its Opening on H Street

Taqueria and Rosticeria Fresca (701 H Street) is planning on adding a patio according to a permit that was filed in April (see below).  The restaurant opened earlier this year and has been packed most days during lunchtime.  As summer approaches, the addition of the patio should be quite nice.

Sidewalk Cafe Notice for Taqueria and Rosticeria Fresca

Sidewalk Cafe Notice for Taqueria and Rosticeria Fresca

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Turning Natural Juice Bar Coming to H Street

4 May
For Lease Signs Outside 1380 H Street

For Lease Signs Outside 1380 H Street

Turning Natural–a local juice bar concept with a location in Maryland and a newly opened location in Anacostia–will be opening at 1380 H Street.  They offer a variety of juices, smoothies, cleanses, and in store healthy food.  You can read more about Turning Natural here.  A real estate flyer (see below) recently announced the move.  This location was previously The Ohio Restaurant and more recently was supposed to become OhZone Lounge.  However, back in January the property was put back on the leasing market.  More details as we get them.

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Sneak Peak Inside Pow Pow, Opening This Saturday on H Street

2 May
Sign Inside of Pow Pow (1253 H Street)

Sign Inside of Pow Pow (1253 H Street)

Pow Pow–a new fast casual Asian fusion concept coming to 1253 H Street–will have its grand opening this Saturday, May 7th.  The restaurant, a collaboration of Shaun Sharkey (involved with multiple existing restaurants on H Street), Stephen Cheung (Lavagna in Eastern Market), and John Yamashita (Sticky Rice), will serve a variety of creative bowls, salads, and rolls.  District Cuisine got an opportunity to tour the space over the weekend and was very impressed with the buildout and design.  The space features a gigantic mural on one wall (see pictures below) and clever references to the H Street community throughout (such as a streetcar sign with the Pow Pow tiger logo on the front).  The wood on the main wall is reclaimed from an old barn in Virginia and is used in several of the signs throughout the restaurant as well.  The restaurant owns the building and will lease out the top floor.

Large Mural Inside of Pow Pow

Large Mural Inside of Pow Pow

Pow Pow will initially start out only serving dinner before expanding to lunch once they get going.  While the setup is fast casual and customization will be welcomed, the majority of the menu is crafted in a way where the customer will order a set menu item as opposed to creating their own.

Counter at Pow Pow

Counter at Pow Pow

At this time, there are no plans for a liquor license as the restaurant plans on being a food driven concept.  Some of the exciting menu items we learned about:

  • Pork Sword–giant pork and pineapple egg roll (the egg rolls will be large enough to be entree size)
  • Midnight Marauder–giant steak and cheese egg roll
  • Wu-Banger–Pow Pow’s spin on an orange chicken bowl
  • Superfly Snuka–Asian pork BBQ bowl
  • Fugazi Osbourne–hoisin beef bowl
  • Mock chicken bowls for vegetarians
  • Taiwanese fried chicken (gluten free)
  • Trolly Chips–Kimchi fries

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In addition to these main items, they will have a series of finishers to go on top of the salads and bowls, called “Pow Pow’s”:

  • Sriracha roasted cashews (District Cuisine got a chance to sample these and loved them)
  • Fried capers
  • Togorashi croutons
  • Fried shallots
  • Broken fortune cookies

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In addition to the savory items previewed above, Pow Pow will have one dessert: the Chimi Chimi Pow Pow–a deep fried banana and Nutella eggroll (District Cuisine also got a chance to sample this and enjoyed it as well).

Dessert at Pow Pow: Deep Fried Banana and Nutella Eggroll

Chimi Chimi Pow Pow: Deep Fried Banana and Nutella Eggroll

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Look for Pow Pow to have streetcar specials in the coming weeks as well.  For the opening next weekend, they will likely have a DJ for the opening celebration.  We can’t wait to check them out this weekend once they officially open.

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