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

Thank you!

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf has opened up at 1919 Connecticut Ave, NW in the Hilton.

Their Website says:

Born and brewed in Southern California since 1963, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® is the oldest and largest privately-held specialty coffee and tea retailer in the United States. Beginning with our first café in Brentwood, California, we have always been passionate about connecting loyal customers to one another with carefully handcrafted products.

Known for sourcing and providing the finest ingredients and flavors, we have built relationships with the best private coffee farms and tea estates around the world, selecting only the top 1% Arabica beans and finest hand plucked, whole leaf teas. Our coffee is freshly roasted daily in small batches in a manual European roast style in our private roasting facility. All of our teas are hand blended under the direction of our tea master. Today we proudly offer over 30 varieties of coffee and 20 varieties of tea. And for nearly 50 years, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® has demonstrated a passion for product innovation epitomized by The Original Ice Blended® beverage.

Any fans? I was digging the lounge area:

Thanks again to DC realtor Kevin Wood for compiling this list of home/condo sales for PoPville. Click below on “Jan 2012 Sales” for the full list of sales in PDF and excel formats.

January 2012 Sales (EXCEL)

January 2012 Sales (PDF)

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.

Photo by PoPville flickr user random lady

ou can talk about whatever is on your mind – quality of life issues, a beautiful tree you spotted, scuttlebutt, or any random questions/thoughts you may have. But please no personal attacks. I’ll open this thread every morning at 10am.

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.

At least they were caught. From MPD:

Shortly after 3 AM on February 5, 2012, three complainants were driving in the 1400 block of Park Road, NW, when they were cut off by three vehicles. Four people exited one of the vehicles and approached the complainants. Two of the suspects produced handguns and pulled one of the complainants out of the driver’s seat. The suspect attempted to take the complainant’s car, but the other two occupants fought the suspect off. The suspect took the complainant’s property, exited the complainant’s vehicle, and fled in the suspect vehicle.

The complainants chased the suspect vehicle onto Georgia Avenue, NW, when they observed a Fourth District patrol unit and reported the robbery/attempted carjacking. The Fourth District unit located the suspect vehicle and conducted a traffic stop in the 7000 block of 9th Street, NW. Two of the suspects were apprehended, but two additional suspects fled from the vehicle on foot. The two suspects who fled were apprehended a short time later in the 400 block of Butternut Street, NW. An identification procedure was conducted, at which time the complainants identified all four suspects as the ones who had robbed and attempted to carjack them. The suspects were placed under arrest.

Congratulations go out to Fourth District for apprehending these dangerous criminals and bringing a swift closure to this robbery!

On Sunday afternoon, @MrTinDC noticed some folks at Coffy Cafe coming to 3310 14th St, NW, and was wondering when they’d be opening. I stopped in to get a quick update and indeed they had just finished a staff meeting and are now aiming for a grand opening on Feb. 18th. While the furniture is still getting set up, I did see some awesome mod furniture. Gonna be a great addition to Columbia Heights.

70s?

A touch of New Mexico up in Tenleytown.

From MPD:

Date of Death: February 5, 1997
Rank: Officer
Age: 28
Years of Service: Seven
Marital Status: Married
Children: Two
Location of Death: Georgia and Missouri Avenue, NW

On Feb. 5, 1997, at 3 am, Officer Brian T. Gibson, 27 was ambushed and shot to death while in full uniform sitting in his marked patrol car at a traffic light outside the IBEX Nightclub at Georgia and Missouri Avenues, NW. Within three minutes after the shots were fired, members of the Fourth District apprehended Marthell Nathaniel Dean, who had been escorted from the IBEX club by an off-duty officer just prior to the shooting. Dean was found guilty of First Degree Murder and is currently serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole.

And from the 4D Listserv:

We have spoken to the family of Master Patrol Officer Brian T. Gibson. They would love to have as many of you as possible join Sunday morning’s Candlelight Vigil to remember the life of their loved one and our law enforcement brother, former Fourth District officer, MPO Brian Gibson, who was tragically killed in the line of duty 15 years ago, just blocks from the station.

You are also welcomed to visit the station over the next few days to send uplifting messages to his family by signing the memorial book.

Here are the details:
Memorial: 15th Anniversary Candlelight Vigil (In Memory of MPO Gibson)
Time: 3am (gathering 20 mins early)
Date: (Sunday Morning- Feb 5th)

Location: Family, friends & colleagues will meet at 2:40am at the Fourth District Station and will walk a couple of blocks to the spot to share memories. Light reception to follow at the station, sponsored by the Fraternal Order of Police.

Those who are able, please set your clocks for 2am, Sunday morning for this special event.

My friend’s dog ran away yesterday afternoon around 1:30 PM in LeDroit Park/Bloomingdale near W & 2nd Street NW. We’ve contacted the Humane Society and everything, but I figured I would reach out to you and your readership, if possible.

Her name is Sasha and we’re not sure of her exact breed, but she looks like a Shiba Inu mix — reddish blonde-colored and about 30 lbs. I’ve attached the best two photos I have. She is very sweet but rather shy/skittish, and likely will not seek out other people or come if called. She is wearing a collar and tags that as far as I know list her veterinarian in Bowie as the contact #. The vet is aware she is missing.

Feel free to use wpindc(at)gmail.com or the contact # (202) 256-2991 if anyone has any information.

From an email:

“If you want to get your taxes done for free and made $50,000 or less in 2011 see the attached PDF.”

VITA_Free Tax

We first heard about Crepes on the Corner coming to Capitol Hill/Hill East at 257 15th St, SE back in May 2010. Just got an email from owner Marc Ross:

“Just wanted to shoot you a note to let you all know that we are now open!”

If anyone stops by let us know what you think.

Thanks to a reader for sending an email from the folks at Dirty Martini inviting you to watch the Super Bowl:

Don’t miss the opportunity to experience Super Bowl Sunday the Dirty way! Watch the Eagles v. the Patriots on 9 HDTV’s with supreme surround sound! Amazing drink and food specials too! We’ll look forward to seeing you Sunday night!
Wear your team colors for special incentives all throughout the game!
Reservations recommended but not required.