Photo courtesy of Serendipity3

From a press release:

“Serendipity3 sold their first $1000 Golden Opulence Sundae today to celebrate a boy’s 12th birthday. The Golden Opulence was presented to the boy this afternoon during his birthday party with his parents and 9 other friends. Interestingly enough, the boy’s mother also celebrated her 12th birthday at Serendipity3 in New York.

The Golden Opulence Sundae is recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the most expensive Sundae priced at $1,000. The famous sundae was created in 2004 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the New York landmark location of Serendipity3.

The Golden Opulence Sundae is a big, luxurious and unique desert that is served in a Baccarat Harcourt Crystal goblet (which you get to keep after). The sundae is made with Tahitian vanilla bean ice cream infused with Madagascar vanilla that is covered in 23 carat edible gold leaf. The sundae has the most expensive chocolate in the world (Amedei Porceleana) drizzled over it and is covered with chunks of Chuao chocolate. It is topped with a small glass bowl of golden colored caviar and sweetened and infused with fresh orange, passion fruit and Armagnac. Other elements of the sundae include truffles, gold dipped French dragées, and marzipan fruits.

Serendipity3 opened their DC location in May 2011 in Georgetown. Serendipity3 is patronized by many famous people today and was regularly frequented by icons such as Marilyn Monroe, Andy Warhol and First Lady Jackie O.
Serendipity3 is located at 3150 M ST. NW”

801 Pennsylvania Ave, NW

Paul Bakery is located at 801 Pennsylvania Ave, NW in Penn Quarter and their Georgetown location at 1078 Wisconsin Ave, NW opens this week. Anyone try the Penn Quarter location yet? You can see their menu items here.

1078 Wisconsin Ave, NW

Ed. Note: The transformation at 1078 Wisconsin Ave, NW is pretty amazing. Below is what it looked like in Aug. ’10

1078 Wisconsin Ave, NW, Aug. 2010

Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC

From MPD-2D Watch Commander’s Crime Update:

“Between Friday, November 18, 2011, 10:00 p.m. and Saturday, November 19, 2011, 2:50 a.m. a Burglary/Two and Destruction of Property/Felony offense occurred in the 2100 block of F St., N.W. (PSA 207) and was subsequently reported to the MPD.

The victim reported that an unknown suspect(s) entered their room and stole a laptop computer. They also flooded the bathtub, which then cause extensive damage to the structure.”

Ed. Note: I’m now taking entries for short stories using this scenario as a premise…

“Dear PoPville,

I’ve had a strange morning over here in Shaw. I went out for my run and the neighbor next door told me he saw some “big raccoon” try to get into my front door and then it felt down into a window well where the basement windows are (I have no idea what that’s called). Thinking it couldn’t get out from there (it was a four foot climb – stupid me, I forgot opossums are pretty tactile little things), I called animal control. Well, within 20 minutes this thing is back on the street. My neighbor managed to lasso this thing with a little bit of clothesline. I called animal control back and they told me I should just let it go. I told them we weren’t really near Rock Creek Park or anywhere where a opossum should actually be, but she told me that raccoons and opossum have learned to adapt to an urban environment and I should let it go and that’s what they would do if they came there.

So my neighbor walked this thing down a nearby alley and let it go near an abandoned lot with some grass. What does PoPville think? Should animal control have taken this thing and set it free in a more appropriate environment? Or were my neighbors and I foolish to interfere with this majestic creature’s Monday to begin with? It mostly just amazed me that animal control said to let it go and offered no more advice than that. I’m also sorry in advance for whoever walks down that alley next and loses their shit when this thing scampers around.”

“Dear PoPville,

What is going in on 11th St in the space next door to Columbia Heights Coffee? I’ve seen someone working on the space but cannot determine from the work orders posted who is developing the space or for what purpose.”

This has been an enduring mystery for 11th Street in Columbia Heights. First Columbia Heights Coffee was going to expand, then it was going to become a furniture store, then it was going to become a tapas restaurant then…

Well, lots of folks have noticed renewed construction in the space at 3418 11th St, NW. A new building permit was issued at the end of October and I was finally able to briefly catch one of the managers at the space. By the by, the space is starting to look pretty sweet with exposed brick walls. I hope to grab some photos when the buildout gets a bit closer to finish. Anyway, not a lot of details but I was told it is going to be an Italian restaurant called Maple. They hope to open in about a month. Stay tuned for more updates.

Like others, I love Italian so I’m psyched for this and I’m psyched this long vacant storefront is finally coming back to life.

Photo by PoPville flickr user pablo.raw

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. But please no personal attacks. I’ll open this thread every morning at 10am.

One reader needs some help finding a lost bag:

“One of my bike panniers (black, canvas, two hooks, yellow bungee) dropped off my bike between Union Station (on Mass) and 6&H this morning. It contained my lunch, gloves, and a scarf. dbs410381@gmail.com”

Café Sorriso is coming to 2311 Calvert St, NW in the former House of Philly pizza spot in Woodley Park. According to a recent liquor license application it will be a:

“New restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner specializing in homemade gelato, deserts, and coffees. Recorded music. Occupancy load is 49. Sidewalk Cafe has 20 seats.”

No we just have to see who moves into the former Cafe de Paris space on the 2nd floor which has been closed since March ’09.

“Dear PoPville,

I live nearby and this just keeps running through my head every morning: why has no one cleaned up the rubble from the spire that partially crumbled during the earthquake on 8/24? Heck, if there was a dumpster bin nearby I would toss it in myself. Just seems odd.”

Checking it out on Saturday, it actually looks pretty unsafe:

I’ll alert DCRA Monday morning. But I do agree, it would be nice if the rubble was cleaned up as well.

I’ve been in love with these lights for nearly 15 years. But every time I walk past them I still gotta stop and admire them. I’m fairly certain these are the coolest bridge lights in the city. They’re on Connecticut Avenue just south of Macomb Street.

It’s been a while since we’ve checked out some transoms. Here’s a couple of my favorites from the Logan/U St area.

A nice “pop up” from Capitol Hill. Think it’s a newer pop up or original to the house? Either way, looks awesome:

View Larger Map

“Dear PoPville,

There were 4-6 shots fired sometime around 3:18 am this morning on the 1400 block of R St and Johnson Ave.

I am a resident of the block and heard the gunfire. I called it in and it looked as if there were some eyewitnesses outside, but since I only heard and did not see anything I stayed put inside. Anyway, units arrived around 3:22 and stayed for a while, but considering the shooting on 11/17, this seems like a new pattern of violence and crime on the block (one that already has a bad rap). Any additional information?”

I have put in an inquiry with MPD to see if they can share any info. Did anyone else hear/see anything?

Ed. Note: I believe MPD is close to making an arrest re: Thursday’s shooting at 14th and R St, NW and
MPD says they have “no record of any shooting at Petworth Metro” Saturday night.

Photo by PoPville flickr user yostinator

From an email:

“The National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden ice rink will be open through mid-March, weather permitting. View sculpture and listen to music from a state-of-the-art sound system while skating around the rink

Two Hour Sessions Begin on the Hour
Admission per Session
$8.00 adults
$7.00 seniors age 50 and over, students with valid ID,
and children age 12 and under
$195.00 season pass

Skate and Locker Rentals
Skate rental: $3.00; ID required
Locker rental: $0.50; $5.00 deposit required

Ice Rink Hours and Evening Access
Monday – Thursday, 10:00am – 9:00pm
Friday – Saturday, 10:00am – 11:00pm
Sunday, 11:00am – 9:00pm

Evenings, after the National Gallery of Art closes, access to the ice rink and Pavilion Café is limited to the Constitution Avenue and Madison Drive entrances at 9th Street

Pavilion Café Hours
Monday – Thursday, 10:00am – 7:00pm
Friday – Saturday, 10:00am – 9:00pm
Sunday, 11:00am – 7:00pm

Pavilion Café Menu

Freshly made wraps, sandwiches, gourmet pizzas, salads
Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, wine, and beer

Reservations, General Information, Opening Announcements
202.289.3360

National Gallery of Art
Constitution Avenue between Third and Seventh Streets
202.737.4215
www.nga.gov

Metro: Archives-Navy Mem’l-Penn Quarter”

Back in mid-Sept. ’11 we heard that Greek Spot located at 2017 11th Street, NW would be adding some indoor seating next door. They are still gonna do a few finishing touches like adding more art on the walls but you can now eat inside. Ed. Note: It is still “take out” style as there are no servers.

Thanks to a reader for sending word that this long vacant building at 10th and V St, NW (between the old church and American Ice Co.) finally has a for lease sign up:

Unfortunately doesn’t look like there’s been lots of progress at the great old church next door: