This penthouse is located at 2230 California St, NW:

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The flier says:

“PLATINUM STAR PROPERTY! Rare 3BR/3BA/2DEN St. Nicholas PENTHOUSE completely redone by reknowned architect Steven Glassman. Oversized proportions, top of the line finishes in chef’s KIT & baths, designer lighting, skylight, harwoods, custom built-ins, 2 gas fireplaces, HUGE private rooftop terrace with sweeping views, garage pkg for 2 cars. Truly exceptional in every way!”

You can find more info here and a virtual tour here.

Wow, I’m digging that kitchen. What’s your favorite room? It’s yours for $1,599,000.

And for those not looking to pay that type of coin, another 3 bed/3bath, Unit 3B-E is going for $1,095,000.

“Dear PoP,

A friend of mine has gone to the newly opened We the Pizza on Capitol Hill (305 Pennsylvania Ave SE) where a specialty slice of pizza is $4. When paying he was charged $4.44 instead of the $4.40 which is what is expected given the 10 per cent restaurant tax. The manager, when asked, said that the extra 1 per cent was “environmental” and that he didn’t have to pay it.

What gives here?”

Has anyone else heard of this tax? Is it really optional?

Update: Thanks to @Capital Spice for sending a link to Chowhound which explains:

“Far from it. Good Stuff Eatery, which promotes recycling and whose kitchen staff uses “bio-smart” towels, prides itself on “trying to be as green as we can,” says Catherine Mendelsohn, the restaurant’s director of operations and mother of chef Spike Mendelsohn, formerly of TV’s “Top Chef.”

The enviro charge is “around 1 percent” of the bill, she explains, and “if anyone disagrees with it, we’ll remove the charge.” (So far, she has had no takers.) Why not just add the cost to the price of a meal? “I like people to know what they’re paying for,” says Mendelsohn. — Tom Sietsema”

And since we’re talking about it, how’s the pizza here?

Eat Wonky is of course the new food truck serving poutine among other things. They can be followed on twitter here. Anyone have a chance to try them out yet?

On a side note, another reader writes in to remind us about the possibility that legislation will hurt or kill food trucks in DC. You can show your support for food trucks here.

Photo by Flickr user thisisbossi

“Dear PoP,

As I discovered by accident this morning, the G2 has closed down the stops on 17th & P and 18th & P, NW. Instead of the normal run along P St, the bus turns onto 17th, then Massachusetts. There is no make up stop for 17th St, but the 18th St. stop is now at Mass and Dupont Circle. WMATA is relying on the drivers to inform passengers — no signage whatsoever on the buses. Anyway, wanted to pass along to save other folks the hassle.”

Thanks to the reader for giving the heads up!

And for those who are looking for something fun to read – if you missed Eric Nuzum’s guest post, The likelihood of unusual things happening on a bus is far greater than it is on a subway, well it is awesome.

“DC-Inspired Recipes” are by Laura from Lauralicious in DC.

As fresh corn goes, we’re pretty spoiled in DC with Maryland corn. They’re practically giving the stuff away at farmers market. I come home each week with about six ears. Luckily, fresh sweet corn is too delicious to get tired of. This week, I’d like to share some ideas of how to cook up some fresh DC-area corn. What are some other ways you like to enjoy local sweet corn?

1. Fry up some Corn, Cheddar, and Herb Fritters.
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cup flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
salt to taste (not more than 1.5 tsp)
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk
3-4 ears of corn
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
handful of herbs

First, you’ll want to cook the corn. Peel and boil the ears for 5-8 minutes. Then slice the kernels off the ear into a bowl. Start heating up some oil in a deep fryer or deep skillet at the same time. Then, make the batter. Sift the flour in a bowl, together with the salt and baking powder. Beat the eggs and mix them into the batter along with the milk. Then stir in the corn, cheese, and herbs. When the oil is heated, measure out the fritters with a spoon and fry five at a time. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the fritters are golden and crispy.

Continues after the jump. (more…)

“Dear PoP,

I live off 16th and Spring NW, and this morning there were two cars (at least that I saw) on the east side of 16th between Oak and Spring that looked like their engines had been set on fire, then almost directly across the street on the west side of 16th, there were two scooters that were burned down completely to the frame. Needless to say, it slowed the commute down 16th Street significantly.

Any word on what might have happened?”

Another reader snapped a couple of photos and writes:

“I came across this scene this morning while running on 16th St just south of the Piney Branch Bridge (~6:30am).
Total destruction = 2 cars and 2 mopeds.”

According to DCAlerts, this section of 16th St between Arkansas Ave and Oak street NW were shut to traffic for a few hours but has reopened.”

What do you guys think – random arson? Insurance fraud? Targeted vandalism?

Photo by PoPville flickr user icubaji

Back in July I posted some photos of H Mart to a photos from PoPville post. I had no idea there were so many fans. H Mart is a specialty Asian Market with locations nationwide including a few locations in MD and VA.  So I couldn’t believe it when a tipster sent word that H Mart was negotiating for the old Secret Safeway space at 1800 20th St, NW in Dupont. I believe there are a few folks negotiating for this space but thought the fans of H Mart would be psyched to learn about this possibility. Of course this is only scuttlebutt so I’ll be sure to update as more info becomes available on the new tenant.

If an H Mart does sign a deal on this space, do you think it’ll be a good fit with the neighborhood?

This great photo was taken by Tony when he went to the filming of the antiques roadshow last weekend. Your captions in the comments and winner picked Friday.

Thanks to a reader for sending in a shot of these new bike racks at 21st and L Streets, NW. Thumbs up or down?

Here’s another one of my perennial favorites from the Cleveland Terrace apartments (where I imagine folks are always sipping martinis). I think this is their best year yet. While the banana plants are always in full effect this year they’ve added a huge number of flowers. Nicely done.

This wild one is from north Cleveland Park. It’s got some great details:

If you have an event, fundraiser or happy hour you’d like featured on the 5pm Post, please send an email to princeofpetworth(at)gmail(dot)com

From a press release:

“Washington Capitals defenseman Mike Green and more than 125 Capitals fans volunteered their time at Powell Elementary School in Washington, D.C., as part of the D.C. Public Schools Beautification Day. Green and the other volunteers took on gardening, painting, cleaning and decorating projects and worked with school teachers and staff to help prepare for the first day of classes on Monday.”

Powell Elementary School is located at 1350 Upshur St, NW. Very cool, nice work!

Looks like this new restaurant is going to take over half of the Bartleby’s Books space at 1132 29th Street, NW. The alcohol application license says:

“Mediterranean style restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner specialties to include homemade pastas, sauces, wood-grilled seafood and meats. No entertainment. Seating capacity is 120. Summer Garden seating capacity is 60. Total occupancy load is 180.”

Well definitely judge them when they open. Any fans of the bookstore?

While this Church has been for sale for years and though it was damaged by the big Deauville fire, I still think it is an amazing building. I’m hesitant to nominate it for a horse’s ass award because, well, it was a church and I don’t want to go to hell but…

Well, what do you guys think of the building itself? Do you think it warrants a horse’s ass award nomination?

I do love the old school sign…

We’ve got two finalists already – Rocky and Goblin. Many thanks to Heather Goss for helping select the semifinalists. Heather is the Managing and Arts Editor for DCist.com and runs Ten Miles Square, whose next photo exhibit you can see at the DC State Fair on August 28. She’s still bitter about her space cadet losing the Coolest Cat contest last year, but promises she didn’t take it out on this year’s contestants.

The poll will stay open until Friday at 5pm. The finalists will face each other next week, with the winner getting on a t-shirt as the ‘Coolest Pet in PoPville 2010′. Good luck!

Photos after the jump. (more…)