There have been a lot of comments over the last few weeks about Tynan Coffee & Tea at 1400 Irving Street, NW. There have been positive and negative comments. But I figured I’d make a new post after receiving a letter from a reader sent to the owners. It is very negative and I’m wondering what the overall sentiment is. I know that the owners will read this post so if you have suggestions def. make them. What’s your overall feel of the place so far? Following is a lengthy letter written from a reader to the owners of Tynan:

“I have visited your store for a total of 4 times, hoping the next trip will be better than the previous, but sad to say I was deeply disappointed.

I am a very active member of the Columbia Heights community since 2002. I love the neighborhood and am very excited about all business that opens up. I specially enjoy coffee shops and was very happy for Tynan Coffee & Tea opening. I send tons of emails to my friends and family (lots of them) about your business and was at the store the 2nd day it opened with my partner. Our initial reaction was that it was a beautiful space, a bit bright, a kind of space we would like to come frequently. We were not able to get seating that day so we got our lattés (skim with No foam) and left the store.

2nd trip was with my sister and her boyfriend. There were some seating by the fireplace. My sister loves fireplaces so they sat there as I proceed to order for everyone. 1 Coffee drink, 1 pumpkin spice latté, and 1 chi latté. The barrister women proceed to make the specialty drinks. I noticed that she was scooping powder out of the cups as she was trying to (I guess) get the right amount. I thought that was weird since drinks should have a pre determined measuring to get the right flavor/taste. I then saw her use the same spoon to mix both drinks without rinsing it in between. She then proceeds to cover both drinks with tops, but she realized she did not know which drink was which so I heard her say to herself “I don’t know which one is which…” followed by.. “I don’t care.” I was amazed by what I heard so I said to her, Excuse me? She did not even bother to look up to explain herself or anything, she just asked the male barrister guy to come and help her. She explained to him that she could not tell which drink was which. He opened the top from one of the cups, brought a small cup, poured some into the small cup, proceed to taste it, and decided which one was which drink, put the top back on (without refilling the cup with more milk) and handed it to me. During the whole time, neither of them seems concerned with what just happened, didn’t care less, and didn’t say I am sorry or anything like that. At this point, I am not happy, but did not want to spoil the experience to my sister and her boyfriend so I kept my cool. I went to get napkin and by then I have no clue which drink is which. I used the small strew to test both drinks, both tasted the same to me. I went back to the barrister guy and requested they do both drinks again, he did it correctly, and that was the end of that.

3rd visit, my partner and I went for latté. I ordered latté and it was a disaster. The latté smelled and tested so bad I only had one sip and that was it. The latté took on an Oder of some “skin condition cream” I never know what it is, but I know I do not like the smell whenever someone who had it on is near me. I really did not want to go back to the barrister lady to ask her to remake my drink since this would have been our 2nd interaction about a bad/incorrect drink. I really did not need the latté that much so my partner and I just decided to leave. Continues after the jump. (more…)

IMG_0815, originally uploaded by Prince of Petworth.

This tree on Macomb Street in Cleveland Park blew me away. I don’t know if it was the light or what but the scene was truly breathtaking. Notice the color of the red and how amazing even the fallen leaves look on the steps up to the house.

IMG_0692, originally uploaded by Prince of Petworth.

We looked at this sculpture outside the City Visa Busboys & Poets last week. But as promised I wanted to show some daytime photos of it. When I stopped by there was still a bit of work going on. But I gotta agree with some original comments, I’m not sure I’m feeling this one. I’ll be very curious to check it out when it’s completely finished.

I just saw for the first time the new(ish) mural at U Street Cafe located at 1301 U Street, NW. It was painted one of my favorite muralists in DC, Joel Bergner. It was so big I couldn’t get it all in one photo. But here’s the rest:

IMG_0774, originally uploaded by Prince of Petworth.

Eh, this wasn’t doesn’t really speak to me too much but I did like how the red brings out the red of the door.

IMG_0843, originally uploaded by Prince of Petworth.

This is the first house with Christmas lights I’ve seen so far (from Petworth on New Hampshire Ave). But what I really liked about this one was the bug zapper on the porch glowing along with the Christmas lights.

IMG_0776, originally uploaded by Prince of Petworth.

I didn’t think I’d post another GotD until the Spring but I loved this double level pond.

IMG_0697, originally uploaded by Prince of Petworth.

Please accept this sweet stained glass.

IMG_0775, originally uploaded by Prince of Petworth.

I really liked the difference in the three styles from floor to floor. A pretty cool stand-alone from Georgetown.

“Dear PoP,

I was over in Wesley Heights recently and noticed some construction going on in front of the New Mexico Ave Chef Geoffs. In the same complex there used to be a market. I can’t recall the name now but it was a chain and a few area locations closed. I’ve heard a couple rumors that space will become a Trader Joes but can’t find any mention of it anywhere. Wondering if its true a trader joes is going in there, and what the construction going on is, and if it’s related. It looks like the outdoor seating in front of chef geoffs is getting dug out.”

I stopped by Chef Geoff’s at 3201 New Mexico Ave., NW on Sunday, by the by they had some great live music going on, to ask if they had heard anything. They told me they had heard a number of rumors that a bookstore was coming or possibly American University administrative offices. They never heard anything about a Trader Joes going in. I’ll inquire with Trade Joes but I’ve found grocery stores never confirm rumors even if they are true. Seeing it in person though, I doubt there’d be enough parking for a Trader Joes. If I were a betting man, I’d think AU admin offices would be a much more likely tenant. I’ll be sure to update as more info becomes available. Chef Geoff’s did however say that they will continue to have outdoor seating, which is seasonal, out front. They expect all the construction to be completed by the spring.

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From an email:

“Please join us to experience the award winning Chairman’s Reserve Rum from St. Lucia and great new fall cocktails tonight at Room 11 from 5-8. You will get to meet the importer of this rum and learn how it’s produced and how well it works in cocktails.
Cheers,
Dan Searing
Partner/Bar Manager
Room 11
3234 11th St NW”

“Dear PoP,

This is my first year in DC and I was wondering if you could post info on where to purchase live Christmas trees in the area.”

Brightwood Living gave some great suggestions last year. You can also find some suggestions here and here. But if any good spots have been left out please leave your suggestions in the comments. So when do Christmas trees generally go up anyway?

From an email:

“Mayor Adrian Fenty will join Councilmember Muriel Bowser and various, city agency department heads for a walk-through tomorrow, Thursday, starting at 9:30 am from 14th Street NW at Spring Road NW.

Agencies to be represented by agency directors and other top tier, professional staff include the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, the Department of Health, the Department of Public Works, the Department of Transportation, the Office of Latino Affairs and the Metropolitan Police.

The purpose of the walk-through is to focus on community issues that need to be addressed – including streetscape issues along 14th Street NW in Ward 4.

Community members are welcome to join us.

The walk will start at 9:30 am at 14th Street NW at Spring Road NW and head north along 14th Street NW. Councilmember Bowser’s staff has said the group will proceed into the 16th Street Heights section of the 14th Street commercial corridor.”

Thanks to a reader for sending the photo. The reader writes:

“Happened this morning. The store is hardly ever open. It was a matter of time.”

We spoke about Hadiyah Cafe back in April and I have to agree it was truly bizarre the place never seemed to be open (even on weekends). Still, always sad to see destruction like this.

Thanks to all who wrote in about this meeting. From the email:

“The Columbia Heights Community Marketplace, a volunteer organization, is working on bringing back the farmers market to Columbia Heights! The idea is the market would include a farmers market with produce, etc, fun and entertainment as well as booths for community service organizations! We’re having a community meeting this Saturday to solicit community feedback, ideas and hopefully participation in this exciting effort!

Please join us for a PLANNING MEETING about the Columbia Heights Community Marketplace!

When: Saturday, November 21 10am-12pm

Where: SCORE Educational Center, 3233 14th Street (On the Civic Plaza – by Juila’s Empanadas)

Why: To learn what our vision is, to have your say in what the market should be like and to get involved”.

I think we’ve briefly discussed this before but do you think a Farmers Market would be successful on the new Columbia Heights Plaza?