Bar Elena (414 H Street, NE) appears close to opening on H Street. The new restaurant and bar is replacing Boundary Road and will feature creative drinks, food by chef Adam Stein, and games (more details from Eater here). The restaurant recently painted its logo on the outside of the building and a help wanted ad on Craigslist notes that they will be holding open interviews this week to begin training next week “before opening.” The restaurant is also planning on adding a second floor in the future.
Peet’s Coffee Replacing Taste of Jamaica on H Street
25 JulAfter several months of renovations, it appears that Peet’s Coffee will be replacing Taste of Jamaica at 528 H Street, NE. As reported by Eater last week, Peet’s will be opening this location in H Street and a second location in NoMa in the old Tynan Coffee spot.
H Street Chick-fil-A Opening June 1, Holding Special Event May 31
24 MayH Street’s Chick-fil-A will be opening up on June 1st (it is actually slightly off H Street at 1401 Maryland Avenue, NE). For most Chick-fil-A grand openings, customers camp outside leading up to the door opening in hopes of being one of the first 100 customers who win free Chick-fil-A for a year. Peter Choi, owner operator of the H Street Chick-fil-A, is instead holding a special event for the first 100 customers the day before the grand opening on May 31st. The first 100 customers will still receive free Chick-fil-A for a year but will also take a bus tour around the District and will help make 10,000 meals for D.C. Central Kitchen before coming back to the restaurant for dinner that evening (more details in press release below).
The H Street Chick-fil-A, previously a Checker’s, is primarily a drive thru restaurant but also has a walk up window for customers on foot. There is also a small patio for dining at the restaurant. Owner Peter Choi’s father in law has been a Chick-fil-A operator for the past 20 years in Reston.
From the press release:
D.C.’s First Chick-fil-A Grand Opening Road Trip Celebrates the June 1 Restaurant Opening;
Up to 100 Participants in the May 31 Event will be Awarded with a Free Year’s Supply of Chick-fil-A Meals
Restaurant Creates 60 New Jobs and Features Drive-Thru, Pedestrian Walk-Up Window and Outdoor Seating
WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 1, 2017) – Local franchise owner Peter Choi will celebrate the June 1 opening of D.C.’s newest Chick-fil-A restaurant with the area’s first Chick-fil-A Road Trip on May 31. Upwards of 100 adults will be transported on an interactive field trip around the area where their efforts not only will impact thousands, but also will earn each of them a year supply of Chick-fil-A meals.
The new restaurant at 1401 Maryland Ave., NE., is creating 60 new jobs in the area and providing the opportunity for the community to donate children’s books to benefit Miner Elementary School.
Chick-fil-A Road Trip Celebration
Chick-fil-A’s First 100 campouts have given away more than $31 million in free food through 2016 and continue to be the chain’s signature event to celebrate the opening of a new location. However, this Chick-fil-A grand opening celebration will not involve any overnight activities but a Road Trip where up to 100 eligible participants, 18 years and older, can start gathering at 5:45 a.m. on May 31 to register and immediately participate in the grand opening celebration. Continue reading
Khan’s Becoming Choong Man Chicken on H Street
27 MarThere appears to be a South Korean fried chicken chain called Choongman Chicken that has similar branding and the same slogan as the signage that has been put up on the building (based upon pictures on the company’s website), so it is possible that the H Street location is going to be the first American location of the chain. More details as we get them.
Quara Ethiopian Hopes to Open Soon on H Street
24 MarIt appears that Quara Ethiopian could be opening fairly soon at 818 H Street, NE. Earlier this week, the owner of Quara stopped by the ANC 6A Alcoholic Beverage Licensing Committee to discuss the upcoming restaurant. The construction is mostly done, and the hope is for Quara to open relatively soon. The restaurant will be very similar to his existing location on 18th Street, and he described the H Street location as the second location of the existing concept. The restaurant will be open for most of the day including breakfast, lunch, and dinner. While the restaurant will serve alcohol, the focus is on the food. They hope to have an entertainment license to be able to have soft Ethiopian music for diners.
Blue Bottle Coffee Coming to 1250 4th Street in Union Market
22 MarThe Washington Business Journal had previously broken that Blue Bottle Coffee out of California would be opening a store and training facility in Union Market at the intersection of 4th and Morse Streets, NE. Based upon building permits and construction progress, District Cuisine can now confirm that the location will be 1250 4th Street, NE, which is directly north of the new Edison building (a future Trader Joe’s) in Union Market. Construction and renovation on the site is well underway; once completed, it will be two stories.
Quara Ethiopian Coming to H Street
16 MarAccording to a revised version of ANC 6A Alcoholic Beverage Licensing Committee’s agenda for next week, the Committee will be hearing from representatives of Quara Ethiopian Fusion that will be coming soon to 818 H Street, NE (next door to Mythology). District Cuisine had heard for some time that an Ethiopian restaurant had leased the space but had been unable to confirm details until now. Quara currently operates an Ethiopian restaurant on 18th Street (website and menu here), and this location is from the same owners (ownership of the 18th Street location matches a contact person for building permits at 818 H Street). The building is currently undergoing a major renovation but still has a long way to go. Quara will be joining two current Ethiopian restaurants on the H Street Corridor (Ethiopic and Addis). More details as we get them.