901 7th St, NW

From a Douglas Development press release:

“Dangerously Delicious Pies will occupy 500 square feet at 901 7th Street, NW. This will be the Baltimore-based pie shop’s second DC location, and is expected to open in April 2012.”

Dangerously Delicious Pies also is located at 1339 H St, NE. You can see their menu here.

9th and I St, NW

We talk about a lot of places that I hear are coming to retail spaces. Sometimes they open up right away, often times they open up after significant delays, and sometimes they don’t open up at all. Danger Watch is a new series that will check back on spaces where there has been little visible progress. If you have a nomination for Danger Watch please send in an email to princeofpetworth(at)gmail

Back in September 2011 we learned that Daikaya a new ramen shop was coming to the vacant lot at 705 6th St, NW next to Graffiato. At the time the liquor license said:

“This is a tavern that has a ramen shop on the ground level. Diners will be able to order bowls with a variety of fresh toppings. The second level will serve as a bar & restaurant with a Japanese menu.”

I’ve now noticed that the liquor license has been cut out (see photo above) and there has been little progress on construction. Perhaps it’s just because it’s winter but I’m putting Daikaya on Danger Watch. I hope I’m wrong.

UPDATE: Just in from a Douglas Development Press Release:

“Daikaya will occupy 5,400 square feet next to Graffiato (another Douglas Development tenant), made up of three levels: main (4,200 square feet), top (400 square feet), and lower (800 square feet) at 705 6th Street, NW. The restaurant, under Sushiko co-owner Daisuke Utagawa, will serve authentic ramen bowls amongst other Asian-influenced dishes and will tentatively open in late spring/early summer 2012.”

Freshii has opened up in the former Gifford’s ice cream store space at 555 11th St, NW next to E Street Cinema. This is their third location in DC and you can see their menu here. Any fans?

This rental is located at 631 D St, NW:

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The listing says:

“Immediately available! This large, 2-level condo in the luxurious Lafayette is close to everything & lives like a row-home! Featuring an updated kitchen, Main level half bath, 2 generous brs, 2 full ba’ s, master suite with large walk-in closets and same level W/D, this unit a renter’s dream! Building amenities include 24 hr desk attendant, gym, rooftop pool, media room & more! Welcome home!”

Well that’s one hell of a lobby… This 2 bed/2.5 bath is going for $3,500/Mo.

From DC Record Fair:

“DC’s best (only) record show returns to a new (great) venue in Penn Quarter [Riot Act Comedy Theater 801 E St, NW]. Free street parking (Sunday) and easy Metro access (Gallery Place). Add over 40 record dealers from all over the East Coast, great lighting, DJs, bloody marys, and food, and you have a great place to spend a (most likely) cold February afternoon!
11-12 Noon – $5 Early Bird Admission
12-4:30PM – $2 Admission”

Photo by PoPville flickr user pablo.raw

From Chinese Parade DC:

On January 29, 2012, the Chinese community of the greater Washington metropolitan area is going to celebrate the “Chinese Lunar New Year 4710″ in Washington, DC Chinatown.

The Chinese consolidated Benevolent Association, an umbrella organization representing thirty Chinese-American organizations throughout the Greater Washington area will host the event. Over 40,000 are expected in attendance. The parade will also be televised to 40 million nationwide*.

DATE
January 29, 2012

START TIME
2:00 p.m.

ROUTE START
6th & I st. NW

ROUTE END
6th & H st. NW

From the Downtown BID:

Here is a schedule of special events in the DowntownDC BID area:

12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Chinatown Lunar New Year Festival
Chinatown Community Cultural Center
616 H Street, NW

Programs and activities will include: live music and dance performances, traditional Chinese calligraphy, children’s crafts, face painting, tai chi and kung fu demonstrations, lion dancing, poetry readings, film screenings, art and photo exhibits, raffle prizes, New Year souvenirs, free giveaways, and much more. Special guest performances by: Wong People and students of Yu Ying Public Charter School.

2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Chinese New Year Parade and Festival
H Street, NW, between 6th and 8th Streets

Each year a parade is held in Chinatown to celebrate the Chinese New Year. The event features the traditional Chinese Dragon Dance, Kung Fu demonstrations and live musical entertainment with a giant firecracker set off at 3:45 pm

Photo by PoPville flickr user julia.m

Asia Nine is located at 915 E Street NW. From an email:

Asia Nine Presents
The Kiss of the Dragon
Chinese New Year Celebration
Four-Course Prix-Fixe Dragon Menu

Begins January 23, 2012, $35 per person

First Course:

Egg Drop Soup with Crispy Noodles

Choice of Second Course:

Crispy Taro
with Seasoned Crispy Fried Shrimp and Sweet Sesame Sauce

Steamed Chicken Tofu
with Sesame-Ginger Glaze, Seaweed, Baby Corn & Marinated Shiitake Mushrooms

Chinese Salmon Sashimi
with Sesame Ginger Soy Sauce

Choice of Third Course:

Wok-Fired Seafood “Dragon”
Seafood, Vegetables & Chinese Herbs Stir-Fry with Crispy Chinese Egg Noodles

Asia Nine’s Lemon Chicken
Lightly Battered, Fried Lemon Garlic Chicken with Baby Bok Choy and Jasmine Rice

The Red Lantern
Four Fresh Fish Nigiri, Red Ika Créme Cup, and Red Lantern Special Sushi Roll

Choice of Dessert:

Chinese Custard
Light Flaky Pastry with Sweet Custard Filling

Ginko Sesame Balls
Puff Rice Balls with Sweet Ginko Sesame Filling

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From an email by the Penn Quarter Neighborhood Association:

The DC Department of Transportation distributed information from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) about the road closures for the March for Life Rally on Monday, January 23.

Only street closures in or near Penn Quarter follow.

11:30am – 12:30pm
The following streets will be closed so that participants at the Verizon Center Prayer Session can join the March for Life Rally on the National Mall

Cross streets will also be temporarily closed

F Street, NW beginning at 7th Street and ending at 12th Street

12th Street, NW beginning at F Street and ending at Constitution Avenue, NW

12:30pm
The march heads toward the Supreme Court then circles back to Pennsylvania Avenue at 6th Street, NW

Cross streets will be temporarily closed

Constitution Avenue, NW from 3rd Street to 9th Street, NW

Constitution Avenue from 3rd Street to First Street, NE

3rd Street, NW from C Street to Constitution Avenue, NW

6th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

This is precisely what I received; I have no idea if any portion of 6th Street north of Pennsylvania Avenue will be closed

Eastbound traffic on Pennsylvania and Constitution avenues will be diverted at 7th Street, NW

It’s a good week for cycling studio news. The Art of SpYn is coming to 950 F St, NW. From an email:

The Art of SpYn features two studios, a patron’s lounge, high-end men’s and women’s locker facilities and a lifestyle retail boutique in over 4,000 square feet of space. The state of the art cycling studio and tranquil yoga studio create the perfect combination for the latest in fitness in a beautiful, modern setting.

The team at The Art of SpYn is committed to innovation and creation of forward-thinking classes that combine the best practices from different disciplines to give you the most effective workout.

Photo by PoPville flickr user Joe in DC

Thanks to everyone who forwarded emails from Vida Fitness:

Dear VIDA Members,
DC City Council will soon consider Bill 19-0517, which would allow enormous full-motion Jumbotron billboards to be placed anywhere on the exterior of the Verizon Center. The bill will exempt these billboards from most of the regulations that apply to all other billboards in the city.

As a VIDA Member, you need to be aware that one of Verizon Center’s planned Jumbotrons would literally cover the vast majority of VIDA’s leased space. One of the important amenities that we offer is floor-to-ceiling glass windows and the natural light is very much a part of what makes VIDA so enjoyable. Many of you value the scenic views of downtown DC you enjoy while utilizing our cardio equipment or simply walking the 3rd Floor during your weight lifting routine. This visual reinforces that this is truly a neighborhood where people work, live and work out.

The proposed bill allows for LED billboards of unlimited size, including signs that could wrap around the Verizon Center and cast light 7 or 8 blocks down G Street, meaning they would be visible from the Treasury Building, which sits right next to the White House. The authorizing legislation allows up to 9 Jumbotrons of any size in any location. The Verizon Center plan does not respect the local community of residences, offices, businesses, museums, theatres, and restaurants.

The billboards may hamper the residential development that the city is actively trying to encourage in the area. A recent study showed that billboards negatively impact the value of neighboring residences and drive down property values. This, combined with a decline in tenants interested in having their bedrooms bathed in glowing LED lights, would ultimately discourage residential development and result in a loss of property taxes collected by the city.
The legislation will be heard before the City Council on Jan. 23 at 2:00 PM. Your input is very important. Please join us by filling out the petition form at www.scenic.org/verizon. You may also call or email the DC City Council directly.

If you want to speak at the hearing, you must sign up before Friday, January 20th.
Contact Melanie Williamson at (202) 741-2112 or email her at mwilliamson@dccouncil.us.

The hearing is Monday, January 23, 2012 at 2:00 PM.
Room 123, John A. Wilson Building
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20004

David von Storch
President & Founder
VIDA Fitness

Do you think the Verizon Center should be able to have LED billboards?

Photo by PoPville flickr user yostinator

From an email:

Whether it’s a game of 42 or Chickenfoot, Dominoes has long been a favorite past time in Texas (Willie Nelson & Woody Harrelson were just playing on CBS Sunday Morning this past weekend). Game-lovers are invited to come spend a quiet winter afternoon with us in the Boot Bar playing with the bones.

All skill levels are welcomed – we’ll have a few people there to teach beginners and more advanced players are welcomed to strike up a game, as well. We’ll have a few sets of dominoes for people to use, but please bring your own if you have a set.

There is no cover to participate, but there is a 2 item purchase requirement (either food or drink) per person. Open to everyone 18+.

What: Dominoes Day at Hill Country
When: Sunday, January 22nd – 1 to 4 PM
Where: Hill Country Barbecue Market – Downstairs in the Boot Bar; 410 7th Street, NW

The Washington Post’s Jonathan O’Connell continues to share tons of great scoops. Yesterday he told us about the Nike Store taking over the Barnes & Nobles space in Georgetown. And I forgot to share his big retail news for Chinatown:

“One of the most visible strips of vacant storefronts in the District — beside the Chinese Friendship arch in Chinatown — will become a YO! Sushi restaurant, Walgreens pharmacy and Panera Bread bakery and restaurant.”

You think YO! Sushi, Panera and a Walgreens will do well at 7th and H St, NW?

From an email:

EXPERIENCE THE NEW
LATIN LOUNGE AT ZENGO

DJ SERIES
Fri-Sat Nights | 7:30PM til late
Latin and Global Lounge Rhythms
Guest DJs

HAPPY HOUR
Daily | 5-8PM
$5 Cocktails | $5 Small Plates

HAND SELECTED LATIN SPIRITS
Personal Bottle Storage
Bottle-Shaker Service
Weekly Tastings

ZENGO DC is located at 781 7th St, NW. Their Facebook page says:

Zengo is an artful blend of Latin-Asian styles and flavors. Chef-owner Richard Sandoval, whose accolades include Bon Appétit Restaurateur of the Year and Mexico’s Toque d’Oro, spins regional ingredients into beautifully balanced dishes designed for sharing.

The beverage menu features innovative, hand-muddled cocktails as well as Latin wines, Japanese sakes and over 400 Tequilas. The vibrant décor fuses traditional and contemporary tastes, the perfect setting to savor Zengo’s acclaimed cuisine.

We previously judged Zengo back in July ’09.

From a press release:

Jonathan Waxman has joined acclaimed Rosa Mexicano as Chef-in-Residence, where the accomplished chef will curate its 2012 Flavors of Mexico series, seasonal celebrations that highlight the diversity of Mexican cuisine today, as well as lend inspiration to new menu items and invigorate some traditional favorites. As chef and owner of Barbuto in New York City, author of cookbooks “A Great American Cook” and “Italian My Way,” and a former contestant on Bravo’s Top Chef Masters, Waxman brings his expertise and inspired, market-fresh approach to the restaurant group with 12 locations nationwide.

Each season, Rosa Mexicano will offer a thematic menu created by Chef-in-Residence Waxman. The following previews Rosa Mexicano’s Flavors of Mexico 2012 series, available at its restaurants nationwide.

Winter: Eclectic Cuts (Feb-March)
Combat cold weather with hearty, lesser known cuts of slow-cooked meat such as Pork Cheek Casserole and Lamb Neck Enchiladas.

Spring: Mexican Passover (April)
Inspired by Mexico’s rich Jewish history dating back to the Spanish Inquisition, Waxman will celebrate the fusion of cultures and current culinary trends in Mexico City with dishes such as Matzo Chilaquiles, Red Snapper Gefilte Fish and Tecate Braised Brisket.

Summer: Foods of Baja (June)
With the Pacific Ocean and Gulf of California on either side, this summer celebration of Baja will prominently feature seafood and refreshing coastal drinks to keep palates cool from coast to coast.

Fall: Day of the Dead (Oct-Nov)
Get in the spirit of All Saints Day and All Souls Day (November 1-2) with Waxman’s personal take on traditional dishes, which will combine ancient mole and chile-laced recipes with the season’s best produce.

Rosa Mexicano is located at 575 7th St, NW in Penn Quarter and one is coming soon to Friendship Heights.

Meatballs from Chef Michel Richard is located at 624 E St, NW in Penn Quarter. Anyone try them out yet?