It’s been a while since we’ve judged a food truck. A couple of weeks ago I saw Sang on Wheels (which I hadn’t heard of):

“Sang on Wheels is a Laos / Asian Fusion style food truck, servicing the Washington DC area and beyond.”

You can see their menu here.

Any fans?

Back in March ’11 we learned that Annie and Teddy’s was no longer coming to the corner of Potomac and Pennsylvania Ave, SE (by the Potomac Ave metro.) I’m happy to finally be able to share news that space has been leased. It is going to become a Gelato shop. I don’t have many details yet but I know the plans are ambitious and will likely include more options that just Gelato eventually. But in the meantime – Gelato is on the way.

I have an email into the owners and hope to share more details soon. For those that live nearby – do you like the addition of a Gelato spot here? I believe if all goes well they hope to open in September.

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“Dear PoPville,

OP here, from What Do You Use to Remove Paint?

Some initial results to report. See photos.

Turns out the doors are veneered. Who knew? Heat gun very useful for paint goop stuck in crevices. And for all the areas that the stripper missed. Little wood carving tool, steel brush, and chisel worked well. Clean up with Denatured Alcohol and rags at the end works well. Overall effort way more than $100 to use local dipper shop downtown. Wondering though if the lye dip would have screwed up the veneer. Ah well, on to the next one.”

If anyone else has some home improvement/renovation projects you’d be willing to share – please send some photos (before and after if possible) with a brief description including cost if possible to princeofpetworth(at)gmail

From an Eatwell DC press release:

“Eatwell DC;s David Winer announced the lease for a new restaurant was signed yesterday.

The Pig—located at 1320 14t St NW

The pig will be a pork centric, “Nose to Tail” and “Farm to Table” restaurant, showcasing Eatwell DC’s own farm in La Plata MD, EatWell Natural Farm, and local pork producers, Dorsey Meats in Woodsboro, MD. We will also feature craft cocktails, American Beers and Wines from eco-conscious producers as well as small batch bourbons.

The Pig will be a cozy Logan Circle neighborhood place (2800 s/f), 72 seats and 15 barstools, chef driven operation, that will evoke the feel of old abattoir. “The Pig will be a neighborhood priced, neighborhood driven restaurant,” Eatwell’s president David Winer says. “Our want, goal and desire is serving our neighborhood and surrounding areas with ethically treated and natural products—all local and farm fresh.”

The operators will be David Winer, Josh Hahn, Antonio Oquendo, Andrew Howells and Billy McCormick, Exec Chef, the partners in EatWell DC, owners of Logan Tavern, Grillfish, Commissary and The Heights.

The Pig will initially serve Sat & Sun Brunch as well as Dinner 7 nights a week with lunch to be added eventually.

The Pig is expected to open in early spring of 2012.”

Sweet!!! This is the former Rollin Cycles space that started getting renovated in Sept. ’10.

Photo by PoPville flickr user AWard Tour

You can talk about whatever is on your mind – quality of life issues, a beautiful tree you spotted, scuttlebutt, or any random questions/thoughts you may have. I’ll open this thread every morning at 10am.

Ed. Note: As I mentioned earlier I’m not going to tolerate people insulting each other in the comments. Debate obviously includes many different perspectives and opinions. Certainly, at times, some topics will get rather heated. But you can make your point without calling somebody an asshole, idiot, moron, jerk, douche and worse. So just to be very clear – whenever I catch it – those comments will be deleted immediately. It’s nothing personal. I’m going to attempt to return the comment space into a bit more of a civil place. This is the first step.

Since we had a brief update on the taqueria coming to 11th and Lamont St, NW earlier in the week I’ve gotten a number of emails asking for updates on the new Tryst/Diner spot coming to 11th and Monroe St, NW. Last we heard there were fears that up to 1/4 of a thousand patrons would ruin the quality of life on 11th Street. Those fears were not shared with the ABC board – they have been awarded their liquor license and while they obviously won’t be serving 24/7 the plans are still to remain open 24/7.

They are waiting on full building permits which they expect to get any day now after which full construction will start. If they are able to start construction in September then we should see an opening in mid-January.

While permit’s were filed under the name Margot’s Chair a final name has not yet been selected.

As soon as more info becomes available I’ll be sure to share it.

Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC

“Dear PoPville,

I live in VA and am currently doing a project for graduate school on bike share kiosk station usability. It looks like you have some readers who are avid cyclists and users of the DC bike share program.

I’m trying to get feedback on what they like and don’t like about the system in general, and the kiosk design in particular, and suggestions for improving it.

I’d also be interested in knowing if they have any opinions or suggestions on improving the mobile application (Spotcycle) or any of the social media sites.”

Personally, I love the system and the kiosk. I just get very frustrated when I go to a kiosk and there are no bikes left. This used to be a very common experience but lately there has been an improvement with at least 1 or 2 bikes available. Also, I’m very glad to hear of the expansion plans.

What do you guys think of the kiosk design itself? What are your thoughts on the system in general now that a bit more time has passed?

“Dear PoP,

A couple of weeks ago I walked by as they were painting a new mural on 8th St SE, i.e. Barracks Row. It is on lower Barracks Row towards the highway. I’m not sure what the building is, something to do with a band I think, there is not really good signage. The finished mural is pretty cool. I attached a pic. Thought you might like it.”

Awesome! Looking forward to checking it out. (Thanks to all who sent emails about this.)

“I posted an article the first of the year asking advice about whether to build a roof deck or a green roof. I posted a second article after I decided to build the roof deck with information about roof decks. Now I am sending you some pics of my roof top garden in Bloomingdale. I have several ornamental plants that hang over the edge of the roof. A large herb collection with Basil, Chives, Rosemary, Mint, Sage, Dill. Vegetables I have Peppers, Grape Tomatoes, and Climbing Spinach. Fruits I have Strawberries, Blueberries, Figs and Kiwi.”

Def. not the most traditional house of the day, but I was stopped in my tracks by the front window (from Shaw):

Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC

From an email:

“Hi Folks-

The 5th Annual Columbia Heights Day Festival is now less than two weeks away, and we need your help! Community volunteers at the festival are critical in order make it a success. Join us in serving your neighborhood and having fun at the same time. Sign up today and learn more at our pre-festival volunteer meeting and party at the Wonderland on August 25 at 7:00 pm.

We are looking for volunteers in the following areas on Saturday, August 27:

Set Up: Responsible for setting up tents, tables, chairs, signs prior to the event. (Recommended for those early risers.) You must be able to lift 50 pounds.

Info Booth: Responsible for checking in volunteers and providing information to attendees. You will be the welcome committee for the festival.

Water and First Aid: Responsible for providing water and first aid to the volunteers and performers.

Performance Stages: Responsible for assisting performers, sound producer and managers with equipment and coordination.

Kids’ Zone: Responsible for supervising children’s games, activities, inflatable equipment etc.

Volunteer Floater: Responsible for various tasks, as assigned.

Vendor Relations: Responsible for assisting vendors with questions and coordination of their assigned booths.

Break Down/Clean up: Responsible for leaving the festival grounds and surrounding area cleaner than when the festival began. Responsible for removing tents, tables, chairs, signs, and supplies. You must be able to lift 50 pounds.

After Party: Responsible for checking attendees into the pub crawl or overseeing the concluding raffle

If you are interested in any of these positions contact me at Aniabaca@gmail.com. We are looking for people to cover 2-hour shifts on Saturday, August 27. We really need your help, and we would appreciate the extra hands to make this festival a success!

Thanks,
Ania”

Schedule for Columbia Heights Day after the jump. (more…)

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@dcfireems tweeted at 4:40pm: “Stabbing – 7th St & H St NW”

Thanks to a few readers for sending word and photos. One sends an update from the American University newsletter:

“A new Italian trattoria, Al Forno, will open this fall at 3201 New Mexico Avenue in the former Balducci’s location. The restaurant will feature pasta, a wood-burning oven for Neapolitan pizza, and other Italian fare. You also can enjoy meals outside on the terrace. Work on the restaurant is under way and we’ll keep you posted as they move closer to the opening date. The new owner, who also plans to live in the neighborhood, is excited about Al Forno being located in the community.”

Unfortunately one notes, they’ve already got a stop work order. But we’ll def. revisit to judge the pizza when they open.

Thanks to a reader for sending photos and the word:

“Across the street from Town. It is for rent for commercial use.”

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If you have any fun or interesting animal/pet photos please shoot me an email to princeofpetworth(at)gmail(dot)com with ‘Animal Fix’ in the title and say what neighborhood you’re from or upload to the PoPville flickr pool with your pets name and neighborhood. I can’t guarantee I’ll get them all posted but I’ll do my best.

“I live in Adams Morgan, and friends and I went out for a hike and brunch – with all our dogs. We have every shape and size, just about. The hardest part was finding an empty patio that could hold the pack.”

“Our American Bulldog ‘s dog, Sky, aka Piggie”

“Little Dexter saying good morning from Columbia Heights.”