Back in Oct. 2011 we spoke about El Sol Mexican restaurant closing at 1930 9th St, NW (just south of U St.) I had noticed construction for the last few months but they’ve recently applied for a liquor license which says it’ll become a:

“New Tavern with an occupancy load of 122. Requesting an Entertainment Endorsement to include dancing and cover charge.”

More info as it becomes available.

Great news for Standard fans (14th and S St, NW.) I can’t believe it’s almost Spring already.

I recently begged Bar Pilar to hurry up with their construction at 1833 14th St, NW. Sorta good news:

Thank you!

Back in June 2010 we learned of plans for a new tavern and bistro called 6th Engine coming to 438 Massachusetts Ave, NW. Thanks to a reader for sending this awesome update with very promising photos. Can’t wait to see it in person!

Thanks to a reader for sending a tweet from ANC5C03 commissioner Hugh Youngblood:

“Engine Company 12 team withdraws #ABRA application; seeking new operator. Anyone interested in a #BloomingdaleDC restaurant opportunity?”

Engine Co 12 Firehouse is located at 1626 North Capitol Street, NW. We last spoke about it in May 2011 when we learned of the delayed opening. We also spoke about it briefly when we learned Shaw’s Tavern was denied a liquor license.

So, think a new restaurant operator will jump at the chance?

633 Pennsylvania Ave, SE

@DiningBisnow tweeted some very interesting news last night:

“The very talented @mixtressdc is leaving @PS7sdc, but she tells us she’s got a new “cocktail deli” in the works at 6th and Penn SE”

I’m wondering if 6th and Penn Ave, SE is referring to the former location of Ba Bay which closed in Nov. ’11 at 633 Pennsylvania Ave, SE? Whether it’s that location or another nearby – I can’t wait to learn more about at “cocktail deli”.

Back in Dec. ’11 we took an early look at Boundary Road coming to 414 H St, NE. I stopped back earlier this week to see how they were progressing:

Awesome! While we already got a sneak peek of their food menu I’m psyched to now be able to give a sneak peek of their beverage menu:

Boundary Road Beverage Menu

Like the dining menu, the beverage menu will also be changing with the seasons. How does this one sound?

If all goes well they should be opening very soon. I’ll update with an exact date when it’s announced. In the meantime, after the jump, you can see a few more photos of how the space is looking. (more…)

Thanks to a reader for sending an update from the Ledroit Park Listserv. We learned initial details about the plans for All Souls after speaking with owner David Batista on Jan. 12th. All Souls hopes to come to the vacant space at 725 T St, NW.

Details in the Voluntary Agreement from All Souls’ lawyer via Commissioner Moss:

-to allay concerns about the exposure of schoolchildren to the business, the application would be amended such that the establishment would not open until 5 p.m., at the earliest

-the patio will be relocated such that it is at least 10 feet from the property line of the closest neighbor north of the property

-to ameliorate potential noise from the patio, applicant shall erect a wall perpendicular to the street, on the north side of the patio seating area. The wall will incorporate materials that are sound absorbent, subject to approval of the public space committee

-Patio service shall cease, and all patrons off the patio at 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and midnight Friday and Saturday

-No recyclables shall be emptied after midnight

In response to a question on the listserv Commissioner Moss answers:

The commission supports the compromise however we are suggesting additional provisions no music on the patio no recyclables after 10 pm patio seating in front of business not on the side signage inside establishment informing residents they are in a residential neighborhood, patio hours 10pm Sun – Thurs 11pm Fri Sat I did not state our position because provisions needed to be discussed with residents and the commission.

Mediation hearing just completed. Residents and Commission (not Myla) provided a counter offer to applicants provisions. Applicant will review provisions proposed by residents and the Commission. Applicant will respond by Monday Feb. 6, 2012.

More info as it becomes available.

Update 1pm from Commisioner Moss:

the applicant has agreed to open @5pm, which is after schoolhours. The applicant is considering the ANC’s counter offer. The following is being considered by the applicant:

Opening @ 5pm

Patio seatng in front and not on the side of establishment

Close of patio seating 10 pm Sun -Thurs and 11pm Fri -Sat

No music on the patio

No recyclables shall be emptied after 10 pm

There will be a status hearing on Feb. 8 @ 9:30 pm the purpose of the status hearing will be to report the result of the 1/31/12 mediation hearing.

Back in Oct. 2011 we noted that a serious roof deck was coming to the Brixton at 9th and U St, NW. A reader writes:

“I have been glad to see the building directly across U St from Nellie’s being fixed up with what looks like a new roof deck. I noticed this morning that sometime this past weekend their faux-stone façade was painted white. I don’t know why they didn’t just take that ugly stuff off, but it is what it is.”

I always get tons of emails asking about the retail space at 2013 14th St, NW (just north of U St.) This used to be the Red Lounge Bar and Grill but the first floor space has been closed for ages. I just noticed that the paper has finally come off the windows:

Anyone stop by or know if they’ve officially reopened?

A couple of weeks ago we learned that SnitchEye Wine Bar was negotiating a lease at 3rd and Florida Ave, NW. Thanks to a twitter follower BlasianSays for alerting me to their new facebook update:

“The not so good news… negotiations are not looking so great for the property we had in mind and we have started looking at other properties in the case that this one does not work out. We need your input. Where would you like SnitchEye Wine Bar to be located? Do you know of any properties for lease or sale for retail use?”

Tim Prendergast is a Certified Cicerone® and the Assistant Beer Director and Cellarman at Meridian Pint. Read Tim’s previous column on B.W. Rye #2 here.

It’s often a little difficult to explain to people exactly what it is that I do for a living. My title is Assistant Beer Director/Cellarman and when I tell people that, it is usually and understandably met with blank stares and statements like “Wait I had no idea there was such thing as a Beer Director, let alone Assistant Beer Director.” I often think that the first thought that many people have is to equate me with Dwight Schrute, “Wait is that like Assistant TO the Regional Manager?” Without delving into the details that are sure to bore most people, I usually find it most accurate to say that my job is to help ensure that beer gets to your glass exactly how the brewer intended.

This may seem like a relatively easy task, but there are many many details that need to be tended to and monitored on a consistent basis in order to serve beer exactly as it was intended to be served. This is especially true of draft beer. I’ll be the first to admit it’s not rocket science, but it’s also not easy as pie. Draft beer is a finicky thing. If a keg is as little as 1 degree too warm it can start to pour foamy. If the beer is served at a pressure that is one PSI too high or too low it can become overcarbonated or undercarbonated and start to pour foamy. That means the brewer of that beer is annoyed that their beer isn’t being served as it they intended it to be, the customer is annoyed because they have to wait longer for that beer to pour, the bartenders are DEFINITELY annoyed at you for slowing them up and the bar owner is angry because they never like seeing foam (read: money) being poured down the drain. I like my job and if I want to keep it and if I don’t want to irritate bartenders (never a good idea) it’s in my best interest to make sure the beer is pouring properly.

Continues after the jump. (more…)

From Pound The Hill (621 Pennsylvania Ave, SE):

Pound The Hill is finally launching our new bistro & wine bar concept in the evenings starting Thursday, at 5pm. It’s the same space but we’ve reworked it for the evenings, altered the atmosphere for an upscale casual bistro, hired a fantastic chef (Jonathan Taub) who was previously the sous chef at Art & Soul and Station 4 and hails from Philly, and have worked with several local boutique wine distributors and beverage directors to develop a really strong and unique craft beer and wine program.

Our food concept takes what we’ve always done for breakfast and lunch and applies it to dinner while taking it up several notches – food inspired by our favorite cuisines around the world. Our menu is meant to be kept compact and will feature changing specials from various regions of the globe frequently.

While we using the same space and will be maintaining the same neighborhood vibe, this new concept is significantly different from our current daytime concept and requires us to close for 1 hour for transition. Pound The Hill’s cafe closes at 4pm each day and the bistro opens at 5pm.

Our new bistro hours are Sunday through Thursday 5pm to 10pm and Friday & Saturday 5pm to 11pm (bar open until 12am).

You can see their new dinner and drink menus below:

Pound The Hill Menu

621 Pennsylvania Ave, SE

Photo by PoPville flickr user Vileinist

From Rock and Roll Hotel’s (1353 H Street NE) Website

“Sticky Rice and Rock & Roll Present:
4th Annual H St Karaoke Championship

21 and over only

Doors | 730pm
Show | 830pm”

Could be cool. CB Twelve-Twelve recently opened in the former Almaz Ethiopian restaurant space at 1212 U St, NW.