Tag Archives: tru orleans h street

H Street’s Horizon: What’s Coming Soon (Winter 2014)

22 Jan

Back in the spring, we looked at the new restaurants and bars that were coming to H Street.  Now that several months have gone by, we wanted to take a look at what restaurants have opened, what ones have made construction progress, and what new restaurant concepts have been announced recently.  For each of these categories we list the establishments in order of going west-east down H Street.  If we’ve missed a place, please let us know in the comment section.

Opened this Summer and Fall

  • Heaven & H (701 H Street)–new deli in former Grace Deli location that honors the memory of the owner of Grace Deli (June Lim) who was murdered in 2012, deli underwent some renovations and is now open but appears that renovations may be ongoing, more details from Washington City Paper
  • Chupacabra (822 H Street)–taco restaurant that previously was a food truck, operates right off of H Street but has added a covered patio that links it to H Street in the last several months that should be quite popular when it is warmer
  • Vendetta (1210 H Street)–Italian restaurant and bocce bar by Joe Englert, you can read our early review here
  • Da Luft (1242 H Street)–initially billed as a “seafood restaurant,” now appears to be more of a club with three levels and a rooftop patio
  • Sol Mexican Grill (1251 H Street)–two level Mexican restaurant with fast casual service downstairs and full service restaurant, bar, and patio upstairs, you can read our early review here
  • RedRocks (1348 H Street)–full service pizza and Italian restaurant with extensive bar and retractable roof patio, three other DC area locations
  • Manny and Olga’s (1409 H Street)–D.C. pizza chain offers delivery
  • The Elroy (1423 H Street)–a bar concept on the eastern end of H Street, more from Washington City Paper Continue reading
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Tru Orleans: What Happened?

23 May

When Tru Orleans (400 H Street, NE) first opened in the neighborhood, we thought that it had great potential.  In fact, based upon our experience on opening weekend, we gave it a glowing initial review.  It had a great atmosphere, attentive service, and quality food.

Patio at Tru Orleans

Patio at Tru Orleans

Since it opened almost two years ago, something has happened.  The restaurant still has a very cool set up with its large patio and open second floor that has a New Orleans-esque railing and balcony.  However, it doesn’t have much else going for it anymore.  Over the past two years, our experiences have ranged from mediocre to just bizarre.  One time during brunch, we watched in horror as a server argued with a table full of customers for several minutes when one of them mentioned that he had messed up their order.  Another time during brunch our eggs benedict came out with an alleged “special” sauce on the side: it turned out to be caesar salad dressing.  Cajun food that was initially promising (if somewhat expensive) has turned into overpriced dishes that lack freshness and taste (based upon their website it appears the initial chef has departed). Continue reading