Yesterday I requested folks send some nominees for Danger Watch to princeofpetworth(at)gmail. I got lots of good nominations but one that jumped out at me was Parc Deux because I had been emailing ANC2F02 Commissioner Nick Barron for an update on the old Shirt Laundry space at 14th and Q St, NW in Logan Circle. I first shared scuttlebutt that a Stephen Starr restaurant was interested in this space back in May 2011. In Nov. 2011 a liquor license application was listed for Parc Deux to become

“a French restaurant, bistro, and café serving classic French cuisine for breakfast, lunch dinner and brunch.”

To make a long story short, Commissioner Baron answers that a Voluntary Agreement has been signed. This paves the way for construction to begin soon. Stay tuned.

And in completely unrelated news – these pigeons on the church behind the space were freaking me out:

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

From a NoMa press release:

West Wing Café has leased the retail space in 1100 First Street, NE and plans a spring opening; the restaurant will have weekend and evening hours, and create an evening lounge serving wine, beer and sake.

West Wing Café will offer sushi, panini and high-end deli fare during the day, then transition into an evening lounge. “They want to create the sort of ambiance that will attract residents to come and linger,” Boehm said. West Wing Café will be open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.; they leased the entire retail space of 4,400 SF.

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.

More restaurant news for Logan Circle. A retail space has been revealed for The District apartment building coming to 1401 S St, NW (was originally condos now rentals.) A liquor license application says it will be a:

“New restaurant with upscale Southeast Asian cuisine in a contemporary setting. Seating capacity is 185. Total occupancy load is 215. A Sidewalk Café with seating for 40 patrons.”

@toddkliman tweeted a few details:

Mark Kuller is opening a new restaurant at 14th and S NW “inspired by the cuisines of SE Asia.” Late fall, early winter.

Chef Haidar Karoum of Proof, Estadio “will bring modern techniques & execution to these traditional dishes,” says Kuller.

It will have an open kitchen & a curated cocktail bar, headed by Adam Bernbach, that will seat another 40. A patio will seat 40, as well.

We’ll revisit as construction progresses and when they get closer to opening.

Back in Nov. 2010, we learned that HR-57 was moving from 1610 14th St, NW to H Street, NE. The Logan Circle space, located next to Pearl Dive, remained vacant ever since. It was only a matter of time before someone scooped up this prime location. A recent liquor license application says it will be a:

“New full service Italian gastro-pub and wine bar with DJ or live music, no more than five piece bands. Dancing with no designated dance floor, and occasional cover change.”

Like the idea of an Italian gastro-pub and wine bar here? Stay tuned for more info when it becomes available.

Roti domination of DC continues at Union Station. Thanks to a reader for sending word that Roti will be coming to the west side of Union Station in the same area as Chopt, Potbelly and Chipotle. Union Station continues its roll of new restaurants opening.

Back in Oct. 2011 I first spotted a sign that a new Charcuterie & Salumi called Three Little Pigs was coming to 5111 Georgia Ave, NW next to the Petworth Fire Station. At the time I said, ‘Holy lord – this could be very very awesome.’ After peeking in the shop and talking with owners Jason and Carolina, allow me to amend my take – holy lord this is gonna be absolutely freaking amazing. I honestly and truly believe this may be the best thing, forget about Petworth, this may be the best thing to hit DC in years. It’s something everyone’s been craving – local, independent, and (from the sound of it) delicious.

So at the outset let me say they have an unbelievably good Website. You will find absolutely everything you can possibly want to know there, including some menu options, lots of background info on the store and owners Jason and Carolina, you can learn about the the farms where the food comes from and lots more.

What you won’t be able to learn from the website is the fact that Jason and Carolina are two of the most passionate, knowledgeable and kind proprietors you will ever meet. And you’re gonna be able to find that out for yourself if you’d like – this Sat. they are having a pre-preview open house at the shop (5111 Georgia Ave, NW) where you can learn all about their plans and see an artist put up a mural:

So when will they open for real? If all goes well they will be open in about a month. Like I said, the Website explains the vision and plans much better than I can but some things that I’ll emphasize – these people are not amateurs. The sophistication of the whole set up is truly impressive. Check out the 600 pound smoker:

It is equally as sophisticated as NORAD:

Other things we can look forward to in the future – classes, family style dinners, pickled treats including kimchi, homemade sodas, homemade mustards, homemade dried pastas, and obviously most importantly hand sliced everything.

Obviously we’re gonna have to taste stuff but if it’s as good as it sounds, well, I think it is safe to say this place will contribute significantly to the beautiful life. Stop by Sat. to say hi and see the potential for yourself.

Back in mid-Dec. 2011 we learned that the New Orleans PoBoy Shop was coming to Dupont Circle. Lots more details have become available from their new Website:

“We are conveniently located at 1205 19th St. NW, near DuPont Circle, in the business district area of Washington, D.C. and are with-in walking distance from 3 major D.C. Metro Stations. We will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, with the possiblity of private events on nights and weekends.”

Lots more background info here (including an Emeril LaGasse connection) and you can see their menu here (though the font is pretty small.) Stay tuned for an April opening.

Back in Nov. 2010 Cafe Eagle took over the old Vegetate space at 1414 9th St, NW. In Aug. 2011 Taqueria Mexicana took over the Cafe Eagle space. In Dec. 2011 Taqueria Mexicana closed despite positive reviews.

I spoke with the owners yesterday who said the space will become a Ethiopian/Eritrean restaurant called The Eagle. It should open in the next few days.

I fear this space is going to rival 2450 18th St, NW in Adams Morgan.

Future home of “TakEatEasy” at 1990 M St, NW

Back in March 2011, I shared the news that the folks behind Fast Gourmet were looking to open more one or two more locations in Dupont and Georgetown. WUSA9 shares the news that a Dupont location has been selected:

The restaurant, which will be called “TakEatEasy”, will be located at 1990 M Street in Dupont and should open by the end of March, Fast Gourmet General Manager and Co-owner Manuel Olivera confirmed in an interview.

“I’m not going to say (TakEatEasy) is going to be upscale, but it’s going to be more ambitious in terms of the quality of food,” Olivera explained. People can look for great homemade pasta. We’re going to make different kinds of pasta over there from scratch. We’ll have some select sandwiches from Fast Gourmet that we will try to do something different with. We’ll have a dinner menu with fish, steaks, and salads.“

To orient folks, 1990 M St, NW is also the building that houses Vidalia though China Cafe (pictured above) is the only vacant space.

Back in Dec. 2010 a reader declared Fast Gourmet to have the best sandwiches in town. You can see their menu here. We’ll revisit “TakEatEasy” when they open.

Fast Gourmet, 14th and W, St NW

2441 18th St, NW was home to Jumbo Slices and Kabob, you remember the questionable marketing campaign? Well they didn’t last long, closing back in Sept. ’11.

I’ve been keeping my eyes on the space and I finally got to talk with one of the new owners. I think folks are gonna be very happy. While our communication was a bit limited due to his lack of English and my lack of Japanese, there was one element of our conversation that was crystal clear: there will be no jumbo slice in the new space. He was adamant about that. While his plans are not finalized, I pressed him to find out what options they were considering and he said a Ramen/Japanese style restaurant. Nice! This def. seems like it could be legit. Stay tuned for more details as their plans are finalized.

Thanks to a reader for sending an update on Al Forno Pizza coming to 3201 New Mexico Avenue, NW by Chef Geoff’s. It will now be called La Forchetta. The reader writes:

“Apparently someone claimed they were already using Il Forno as a name.

The ANC struck a deal on liquor permit, and they’re supposed to open in March.”

Back in Aug. ’11 I heard some scuttlebutt that a Cava Mezze Grill was looking at a location by U St, NW. Turned out it was not that location but Cava did confirm that they were looking for more locations around DC. I have it from a very good source that they have found a location in Columbia Heights. They will be moving into the radiance medspa space at 3105 14th St, NW (I believe radiance will be opening in a new location.)  I’m not exactly sure of the timing of when this will all go down but I give this scuttlebutt a 92% accuracy rating.

Cava Grill is run by the same folks who own Cava Wine Bar located on Barracks Row at 527 8th St SE.

Think Cava will be a good addition to Columbia Heights? You can see their menu here.

Last weekend, I noticed the sign that the Starbucks at 3430 Wisconsin Ave, NW was closing Jan. 29th. And WTOP (via DCist) shares a very interesting fact – it is the first Starbucks to open on the east coast:

The first Starbucks store on the East Coast, which opened in 1993 on Wisconsin Avenue near the National Cathedral, will serve its last drink Sunday.

Starbucks says it will reopen upon completion of the new Cathedral Commons Center, which will be anchored by a new Giant supermarket.