The Express has a good article about the new restaurants coming to Columbia Heights as a part of the DC USA development. Honestly, I’m a bit envious that they (i.e., Columbia Heights) have a Potbelly Sandwich Works. Don’t ever let me hear they get a Chipotle! That would be like rubbing salt in the wounds. I know U Street is full of “unique” spots and all, but a Chipotle somewhere in the corridor couldn’t hurt…
U Street’s Ben’s Chili Bowl will celebrate its 50th anniversary on August 22. It will also expand into the Shanghai building next door with a 2,700 square foot restaurant that will seat 70 patrons and serve beer and other newer fare, such as salads. A lot is planned for the big anniversary!
The grand opening will coincide with the 50th anniversary celebration of Ben’s this Aug. 22. Ben’s 50th anniversary gala will be held at the historic Lincoln Theatre Aug. 21. Comedian-activist Bill Cosby will serve as Master of Ceremony. “It will just be a celebratory night to celebrate mom and dad and the legacy of Ben’s Chili Bowl,” Nizam Ali said. On Aug. 22, U Street will be closed and there will be musical performances and dancing in the street. On Aug. 24, there also will be a concert at the 9:30 Club. More can be learned about the history and legacy of Ben’s from their book, “Ben’s Chili Bowl: 50 Years of a Washington, D.C. Landmark,” which will be on sale Aug. 18 at area bookstores. The book is on pre-sale now at Barnes and Noble and Amazon.com.
From ANC1B Commissioner Phil Spalding:
ANC1B will be reviewing the following applications for new or changed liquor licenses at our June 5th meeting. Please note that due to renovations in our usual space at 12th & U we’ll be holding the June meeting at Housing Finance Agency, 815 Florida Avenue. Details on each of the applications can be found on the ABRA site, in the DC Register, or by contacting appropriate ANC Commissioner
78882, Eatonville, 2125 14th St., New CR02(restaurant), new restaurant featuring live band music, dj’s and poetry readings, no dancing or designated dance floor. Sunday through Thursday 7AM to 2AM, Friday and Saturday 7AM to 3AM. Entertainment Sunday through Thursday 6PM to 2AM, Friday and Saturday 6PM to 3AM. (Hunter)
79023, Yes Organic Market, 2123 14th St., new B (grocer). Beverage sales hours Sunday 10AM to 7PM, Monday through Saturday 9AM to 9PM.(Hunter)
77546, Almaz, 1212 U St., amending entertainment endorsement to add hours, additional days. Proposed days and hours are: Sunday through Thursday 6PM to 2AM, Friday and Saturday 6PM to 3AM. (Spalding)
78943, Patty Boom Boom, 1359 U St., new CT01 (tavern), new tavern serving Jamaican patties with live entertainment, dj, live reggae bands, cover charge and dancing. Hours: Sunday through Thursday 11:30AM to 2AM, Friday & Saturday 11:30AM to 3AM. Hours of entertainment Sunday through Thursday 6PM to 2AM, Friday & Saturday 6PM to 3AM. (Spalding)
XXXXX, Mocha Hut, 1301 U St., details not yet available. (Spalding)
23734, Jin, 2017 14th St., add Entertainment Endorsement to CT license. Hours of entertainment Sunday to Thursday 6PM to 2AM, Friday & Saturday 6PM to 3AM. (Spalding)
21967, Cafe Nema/Momo’s, 1334 U St., substantials changes to hours of operation and addition of entertainment endorsement (live band, jazz and dj). Proposed hours of operations: Sunday 10AM to 1:30AM, Monday through Saturday 10AM to 2:30AM. Hours of entertainment: Sunday 7PM to 12:30AM, Wednesday and Thursday 8:30PM to 1AM, Friday 9PM to 2AM, Saturday 10PM to 2:30AM. (Spalding)
Prospective agenda is updated through the month leading to the meeting, and is updated and posted on the www.anc1b.org web site.
Washingtonian.com has named the U Street Corridor’s Ethiopian restaurant Etete, 1942 9th St NW, one of its 100 best restaurants for 2008. It ranks number 77 and is one of the best “Cheap Eats” in the DC area, with entrees ranging from $10 to $14.99 (can’t beat that). Etete means “mama” in Amharic, which was named in honor of the restaurant’s “mama” Tiwaltengus Shenegelgn.
Best dishes: Sambusas, crispy, three-cornered pockets stuffed with lentils; lega tibs (lamb) and doro wat (chicken and egg), swimming in a complex red sauce that derives its heat from the Ethiopian compound spice berbere; the cool, mustard-spiked green-lentil dish called azifa, a necessary cooling agent; dark-roasted coffee.
Did you know that the U Street Corridor’s Duffy’s Irish Restaurant and Pub has a $1 beer menu every Monday? If not, now you know. For all of you who like to know back a brew or three, there are 10 different beers offered for $1 each and every Monday from 4-11:30 pm. The select beers aren’t any frou-frou brews, but at $1, I’m certain you didn’t expect them to be. Here are a few you can get for you buck: Schlitz, Natty Boh, Natty Light, Schaefer, Busch, Milwaukee’s Best, and Genesee. Drink responsibly!
It’s Cinco de Mayo everybody! You may or may not know the history behind it,. Regardless, I’m not going to get into it here. But, if you’re feeling in the mood to be authentic, head to Alero, U Street’s Mexican restaurant (1301 U St NW). or, you may want to check this relatively new Mexican restaurant called El Sol de America (1930 9th St NW) in the 9th Street Corridor, off of U Street. There is always the Taco Bell on 14th St…
The U Street Corridor came up big, of course, in the Washington City Paper’s Best of DC 2008.
Best Neighborhood for Nightlife: U Street Corridor
Best Neighborhood for Boutique Shopping: U Street Corridor
Best Half-smoke: Ben’s Chili Bowl,
Best Late-Night Bite: Oohhs & Aahhs,
Best Lemonade: Cork Wine Bar,
Best Mac ‘N’ Cheese:
Best New Restaurant: Cork Wine Bar
Best Cocktail Menu: Bar Pilar,
Best Art Walk:
Best Family Friendly Mural:
Best Dance Night: Nouveau Riche, DC9,
Best Place to See DC’s Diversity in Action: Malcolm X Park drum circle (
Best Music Venue: Velvet Lounge,
Best Jazz Club (Downstairs): Bohemian Caverns,
Best Jazz Club (Upstairs): Twins Jazz,
Best Reason to Leave the House on a Monday Night: Thad Wilson Jazz Orchestra, Bohemian Caverns
Best Boutique to Spend Your Paycheck: Nana,
Best
Best Hair Salon: Bang Salon & Spa,
Best Place to Buy Home Goods: Home Rule,
Best Free Workout: The steps at
Best Enforcer: Kamal “Commy” Jahanbein of the Saloon,
Best Place to Pick Up a Zipcar: 14th and Corcoran Streets NW
Best Burger (Runner up): Café Saint-Ex,
Best Dessert (Runner up): CakeLove,
Best Ethiopian: Dukem,
Best Ethiopian (Runner up):
Best Greasy Spoon: Ben’s Chili Bowl
Best Happy Hour (Runner up): Duffy’s Irish Pub.
Best Soul Food: Oohhs & Aahhs
Best Wings: Duffy’s Irish Pub
Best Wine Bar: Cork Wine Bar
Best Bakery (Runner up): Cake Love
Best Dance Club: Town,
Best Dance Club (Runner up): Black Cat,
Best Music Venue:
Best Place to See Local Music: Black Cat
Best Place to See Local Music (Runner up):
Best Boutique: Caramel Fashion,
Best Boutique (Runner up): Nana
Best Boutique (Runner up):
Best Shoe Store (Runner up): Shoe Fly,
Best Eco-Friendly Store: Greater Goods,
Best Designed Residential Development (Runner up): The Ellington,
Best Designed Residential Development (Runner up): Union Row, 14th and
Best Place to Watch a Game (Runner up): Nellie’s Sports Bar,
Best Outdoor Patio: Local 16,
Best View of the City: Top of 13th
Attention Starbucks lovers:
Before you toss your Washington Post from yesterday (Tuesday, April 15) into your DC recycling bin, please find remove the green insert that contains a little card that will allow you to receive one tall (12 fl oz) cup of Pike Place Roast every Wednesday through May 28 from Starbucks. Pretty cool, huh? It was a pleasant surprise during my usual evening newspaper reading time. I understand that Starbucks gave this very same coffee out for free on a recent Wednesday, but I was unaware of it (until that Thursday, of course). I’m not really a coffee drinker, I prefer tea, but I will try out the Pike Place Roast today with my little “Brewed Coffee Card.” Starbucks must really want to promote this new coffee. I hope it tastes good (yes, I still have lofty standards for free things).
Tom Sietsema, the Washington Post’s food critic, has given U Street’s relatively new wine bar Vinoteca his stamp of approval in his review. He visited Vinoteca, located at 1940 11th St NW, and was impressed by its “sheer volume of enticements” and that the food is “easy to like.” Vinoteca is owned by childhood friends, Paul Carlson and Diego Cerezo. The menu focuses on charcuterie (e.g., prosciutto) and has about 60 labels of wine; entrees range from $16-$24. There is a happy hour, from 5 to 7 pm, Sunday and Tuesday, where 20 wines are $5 a glass. Vinoteca features a 40-seat bar, dining room, and an upstairs lounge. Patrons will find a flat screen television, live music on occasions (jazz, flamenco), and wine classes.
Andy Shallal is planning on opening a new 6,000 square foot restaurant at Union Row, named after “Their Eyes Were Watching God” author Zora Neale Hurston’s childhood town, Eatonville. He anticipates a late summer or early fall opening. Read below:
Dear Friends:
I am pleased to announce that the owner of Bus Boys and Poets will open a second restaurant at the Flats of Union Row. The new restaurant is across the street from the first, Bus Boys and Poets, at 14th and V St, NW.
The new restaurant will be called Eatonville. It is named in tribute of one of the first all-black towns to be formed after the Emancipation Proclamation. The restaurant will occupy 6,000 sq. ft. with seating for about 250 guests. There will be an outdoor patio.
I am pleased to welcome Eatonville to the historic U Street Corridor. Bus Boys and Poets has been a great success. Eatonville will provide another great dining experience for the residents of Ward One.
Bests, Councilmember Jim Graham
