Comments on: It’s Official 11th Street Deli Becoming a Wine Bar

By: JDC

JDC — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 16:37:33 +0000

I am a DC resident of 36 years, and although I have seen some pretty bad examples of people trying to fit exclusive boutique bars and eateries into newly-gentrified neighborhoods, I don’t get the sense that is what these guys are trying to do. They have all worked within the local music scene for years, approaching things from a very organic, independent, community-minded place. Nick Pimentel with Planaria and Gypsy Eyes Records, Ben Gilligan with French Toast, and Dan Seering with countless different bands, clubs and bars for many years.
I think what people might be able to count on, instead of something obtrusive, is a place more akin to Arbor, the sadly departed intimate wine bar that used to be tucked away near the corner of 18th street and Belmont. Great wine, nice bartenders, wonderful deserts…all in all the most perfect place to end a date I have ever been. At least I hope thats what they’re going for!!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 20:08:05 +0000

Hey it’s not official until they open the door with an alcohol license and they have a very long hard fight in front before that may happen. Don’t think the people who live around the proposed place are going to sit on the sidelines and let yet another noise maker open on the street. There are many issues that need to be addressed. It would be nice if the owners had a Q and A session, and informed the immediate neighbor hood. But then that’s how they’ll try to win it – stealth like (like wonderland changed their license). Gonna be a big fight on this one for sure.

By: alaaro

alaaro — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 21:42:10 +0000

I don’t see them having a problem with business at all – people asked the same thing about The Heights and their dinner entrees in the upper teens, but they are constantly crowded. Glasses of wine from $8-$14 is standard for any restaurant that has wine by the glass.

By: DCer

DCer — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 03:13:39 +0000

LPW- presumably they will utilize “Just In Time” delivery of wine to avoid storage aka daily deliveries from wholesalers. if they aren’t familiar with JIT then heaven help them. But a well-run operation could literally send a barback to a storage facility and bring in half an evening’s red wine at 10pm, replacing the empties from the early evening shift.

But I think there are many reasons to fear they won’t be able to recoup their costs, you focus on size and I focus on “who wants to go to a wine bar?”

And I wonder if the Paul Ruppert listed above is the Paul Ruppert I met who is a sort of cell phone business theorist / venture capitalist?

By: Lady Petty Worth

Lady Petty Worth — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 19:05:04 +0000

I think people are getting the wrong impression about this place. I went to one of their Q and A sessions that a friend brought me to and they didn’t want to compare themselves to other DC Wine Bars such as Cork, Veritas, Urbana, etc. They seemed more like a neighborhood bar that focuses on wine and desserts (they will also have beer and liquor they said). DCist article focuses on $14 glasses of wine… sure I think its pricey for the neighborhood, but that $14 glass of wine is for people who can afford it and really appreciate a glass. If you don’t or can’t afford it, then order a cheaper glass or a special for $6-8! Do you think they will have tons of $14 glasses? No, probably only 1 or 2. My only concern is how are they going to make any money in a space that small? And what about Storage? That place is tiny! Thats my 2 cents from what I know. If they changed their plan, and turn into a fancy wine bar, then ignore everything i wrote.

By: DCer

DCer — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 13:58:11 +0000

Curmudgeon, do you think for a second I can afford a $2 million dollar+ house in the once-middle class neighborhood I grew up in? You make it sound like it’s a DC thing, it’s a US thing and it’s not hipsters doing it, it’s because real estate is an auction.

that said, I cannot see any attraction to a wine bar and while I wish the people the best, it really sounds to me like groupthink where people talk amongst themselves about what their small clique would like and they all decide on a wine bar. I don’t know anyone struggling with mortgages and childcare who would drop $14 on a glass of wine. It seems far out of place with Washington, DC unless they were going to have some celebrity pastry chef, etc. In the end they are bringing in desserts from a company, Paisley Fig, that I am perfectly capable of buying desserts from. If I look at a NICE $25 bottle of wine from costco and the same paisely fig cake at $55 I have a group of friends back at my place for $80 instead of $100+ at their restaurant. Do people realize that a party of 4 is going to come close to $100 for wine and dessert? This doesn’t see well thought-out.

By: EchoWhiskey

EchoWhiskey — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 05:11:04 +0000

I would have preferred the deli reopen. I got all the booze I can handle between Wonderland and Red Rocks, but where do I go for a decent lunch?

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:37:24 +0000

may the gods be with them and the entire process be as speedy and as stress free as possible

By: JNo

JNo — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 12:37:23 +0000

Thanks for the obligitory anti gentrification post. Carry on.

By: Curmudgeon

Curmudgeon — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 11:14:42 +0000

Just what the neighborhood needs–another upscale establishment that will be utilized by a small fragment of the population save for the gentrifying hipsters who pride themselves on their “green” lifestyles while helping to force out longtime residents who can no longer afford to live in the neighborhood of their youth. All hail retail!! Down with locally owned AND relevant businesses!!