Thanks to a reader for sending. The new Oriental Rug store is located at 2625 Connecticut Ave, NW, former home to the souvenir shop that closed in May 2011.

May 2011

A reader writes in:

“A big line on 14th Street, NW between Harvard and Columbia — they’re waiting for Section 8 housing. In a very long line, in 30 degree weather.”

This rental is located at 1025 Cecil Pl, NW:

The listing says:

“Immaculate historic 2BR/1.5BA row house in the heart of G’town where nightlife and culture abounds. Centrally located with all of a young professional’s desires. Walk to Georgetown Waterfront Park,C&O Canal,Georgetown University, shopping restaurants and public transport. A few blocks to Metro-access to all of DC, NVA and MD. High end details,2 fireplaces. Short or longterm rental.”

This 2 bed/1.5 bath is going for $2,900/Mo.

Dear PoP,

You think you could Post something on the little corner store at the southwest corner of 13th and Otis? It has been closed for two days or so and I’m getting concerned. I love the store and the charming Ethiopian woman who owns it. One time she gave me a free meal when I complemented the wonderful smell of whatever was cooking. I hope the place will be open again soon.

I think it may have been involved in the recent bust by the major narcotics unit of MPD. Anyone else know/hear anything?

UPDATE: A commenter writes:

“The owner went home to Ethiopia until Feb 22/23. No drug bust! It will reopen before the end of the month.”

This home is located at 4935 Linnean Ave, NW:

The listing says:

“IMPECCABLE 1940 CENTER HALL COLONIAL IN CONVENIENTLY LOCATED FOREST HILLS. FOUR FINISHED LEVELS W NO DETAIL OVERLOOKED. GRACIOUS LR AND DR, TBLESPACE KIT, 1ST FL SUN ROOM , LIBRARY AND PWDR RM. 4BR AND 3BA’S ON SECOND LEVEL. THIRD FL WITH 2 MORE BR’S AND BA. LL REC RM, EXERCISE RM OR 7TH BR. 2 GAR GARAGE AND EXTENSIVE LANDSCAPING.”

You can find more info here and a virtual tour here.

This 7 bed/5.5 bath is going for $2,395,000.

Photo by PoPville flickr user r_bowley

Dear PoPville,

I have been looking everywhere for the number of the so called “best kept Mexican food in DC” and I have had no luck. It’s called Rosa’s, its in Columbia Heights and the only access is by finding her phone number. I thought maybe you might know more about it or how I can find the number. Anyway below is a article talking about it.

“What’s the best kept food secret in Washington?

It’s Rosa’s, said chef Spike Mendelsohn, owner of the Good Stuff Eatery and We, The Pizza restaurants on Capitol Hill, during a panel Wednesday. He explained that to eat at Rosa’s, you must find and call a secret phone number. The mysterious Rosa, a resident of Columbia Heights, answers and makes sure you’re downstairs before throwing a set of keys out her window. Once you let yourself into her apartment on the second floor of a residential building, you can feast on what Mendelsohn says are the best tacos he’s had.”

12th and Pennsylvania Ave, NW

Back in Aug. 2011 I I asked if you liked the idea of the Old Post Office Pavilion becoming a Luxury Trump Hotel. Yesterday GSA announced it’s gonna happen:

The Old Post Office is located at the corner of 12th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue in the Federal Triangle neighborhood. Recognizing that the building had outlived its usefulness as Federal office space, Congress directed GSA in 2008 to enter into a long term lease for the Old Post Office under Section 111 of the National Historic Preservation Act, thereby guaranteeing the restoration and retention of all of its historic features while allowing the private sector to determine how to develop it to its fullest potential.

“The Trump Organization plan will preserve the historic nature of the building and improve the vitality of Pennsylvania Avenue,” continued Peck. “This redevelopment represents good business sense on behalf of the American taxpayer, the Federal Government and the District of Columbia.”

After closely evaluating the submissions, GSA determined the Trump Organization proposal represented the strongest development team, best long term potential for the local community, and most consistent stream of revenue for the Federal Government. GSA is committed to effectively and efficiently managing the Federal real estate footprint to achieve the best value for America’s taxpayers and communities, consistent with the President’s Campaign to Cut Waste.

The Trump Organization proposal calls for converting the Old Post Office to a luxury hotel with more than 250 rooms, along with world renowned restaurants, a spa, and conference facilities, while preserving and enhancing all of its historic features.

In accordance with the request for proposal, GSA and the Trump Organization will spend the next year negotiating a detailed agreement for the building’s redevelopment – specifying building usage, historic preservation requirements and details of the Federal Government’s revenue stream. GSA will only move forward if an agreement is reached that provides a positive return for the taxpayer.

While negotiations proceed, GSA will relocate the existing Federal tenants in the Old Post Office, including the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

If negotiations proceed as anticipated, redevelopment of the Old Post Office is expected to commence in 2014 with occupancy in 2016. At the end of the lease, control of the building will revert to the Federal Government.

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:

944 Florida Ave, NW, (at W Street by 9:30 Club) home to Darnell’s Bar in the evenings, is getting a pop up coffee house called The Blind Dog Cafe. They have soft opened this week but officially open Feb. 12th at 2pm.

Co-Owner Noah Karesh (other partners are Jonas Singer and Cullen Gilchrist) tells me:

The Blind Dog is a pop-up cafe located in the heart of Washington DC. We love espresso, good conversations, and building a community. We will be serving great coffee, delicious sandwiches and salads, and an assortment of other homemade goodies.

Our standard hours are from 7AM-4PM 7 days a week. In the evening the place turns back to Darnell’s Bar

In general our menu is focused on simple ingredients prepared in a delicious and authentic manner. Most of our food is either local and or home made. Some highlight from the food side are the fresh baked Croissant and other assorted backed goods which come from Black Strap Bakery (@BlackStrapCo) (a local startup bakery, who bake out of our kitchen). We are making our own roast beef and turkey for the sandwiches as well as all of our finishing salts, aiolis , pickles, granola. The list can go on. On the drink side beside one of a small few places in DC serving PTs Coffee, we are doing a pour over bar ( i think the only one in DC). We are serving the amazing Rishi teas and finally we are making our own home-sodas (flavors include Vanilla, Lemon, Lime, Blood Orange, Passion Fruit).

Check out the menu after the jump. (more…)

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 recently spoke about how good the trolley park renovations were looking at 11th and Monroe St, NW but I just noticed this fantastic old photo at the park. And now we know why it’s called Trolley Park:

A reader sends in the photo above and writes:

“the church at 5th and N NW is on fire. You can see flames coming out of the roof. There are several trucks on scene, and firemen all over the building. I talked to a few firemen and the guy who called it in, but no one had any details.”

@IAFF36 tweeted:

“501 N St. – 50 firefighters control fire in a church in less than 12 minutes.”

Thanks to a reader for sending word and the photo above at 5:30pm.

I wonder if the straw caught fire:

Bistro 18 (briefly Jamaican Joe’s Jerk Chicken) is located at 2420 18th St, NW in Adams Morgan.

From an email:

Mark your calendar: On the evening of February 8, 2012, six notable Shaw galleries are staying open late and the Walter E. Washington Convention is opening its doors for a rare evening tour of its extensive art collection.

The Convention Center tour will start from the Mount Vernon Square entrance to the Convention Center and will last approximately one hour. The tour will start promptly at 6:30 p.m., and participants are encouraged to arrive at the Convention Center at 6:15 p.m.

Participating galleries include Civilian Art Projects (1019 7th St., NW), Contemporary Wing (1250 9th St., NW), Lamont Bishop Gallery (1314 9th St., NW), Long View Gallery (1234 9th St., NW), Maruka Gallery and Boutique (1300 9th St., NW), and Touchstone Gallery (901 New York Ave., NW). Galleries will remain open until 9 p.m. for the Shaw Art Walk. Maps and descriptions of the galleries’ shows will be available at each gallery and at the conclusion of the Convention Center tour.

Following the art walk at 9 p.m., participants are encouraged to enjoy the art of the cocktail at The Passenger which is located at 1021 7th St., NW.

For more information and to view the press release, visit the Shaw Main Streets website:http://www.shawmainstreets.org/events/shaw_art_walk

To RSVP to the Facebook event: http://www.facebook.com/events/176021592502645/

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.