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.
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
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.
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
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
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:
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”:
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).
Chimi Chimi Pow Pow: Deep Fried Banana and Nutella Eggroll
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
Capitol Fine Wine and Spirit
Capitol Fine Wine and Spirit (415 H Street) has a new exterior featuring glass windows (minus the bars that had previously been on them). The store had begun construction on a new exterior that had been shut down due to a lack of permits. The new exterior is a welcome improvement compared to the previous one.
The Now Closed Danny Todd’s Right Off of H Street
Our friends at Frozen Tropics have the scoop that a new restaurant called DC Diner will be opening soon in the spot that previously was Danny Todd’s (802 13th Street). More details here.
District Cuisine 