Some very tasty scuttlebutt has come my way from a reliable source. I hear that Taylor’s (nee Taylor Gourmet Deli) is looking to open more new locations in the former Mixt Greens spaces. Mixt Greens closed their remaining two DC locations in Dec. 2011 at 1200 19th Street, NW and 1700 K Street, NW. Taylor’s recently opened a Logan Circle location at 1908 14th St, NW. You can find their other locations here. I’ll update as more info becomes available.

One reader asks:

“What happened to Annie & Teddie’s turned gelato shop?! They were supposed to come in September, though still nothing & soon it’ll be warm enough for gelato again.”

Sadly the retail space at the corner of Potomac and Pennsylvania Ave, SE is no longer going to become a gelato spot. I was told that the gelato folks had trouble navigating the permitting process. I’ve recently found out that the retail space has been sold. I’m not aware of a new tenant but will update as soon as one is found.

If you have a nomination for Danger Watch, send an email to princeofpetworth(at)gmail

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.

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.”

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: