Thursday, March 31, 2011

Liz Taylor Filmfest this weekend at the Atlas Performing Arts Center

The Atlas Performing Arts Center to Screen Liz Taylor Films This Weekend


The Atlas Performing Arts Center will remember actress Elizabeth Taylor by showing some of her more memorable screen performances Saturday April 2nd and Sunday April 3rd 2011.  The actress died last week at the age of 75.

The Film Schedule is:

A Place in The Sun Saturday, April 2, 2011 at 7:00 PM

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof Saturday, April 2, 2011 at 9:30 PM

National Velvet Sunday, April 3, 2011 at 3:00 PM

Father of the Bride Sunday, April 3, 2011 at 5:30 PM


All tickets are $5. Purchase tickets to two or more screenings and get $1 off each ticket.

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Whitman Walker Clinic.

Tickets are available on the Atlas website www.atlasarts.org or at the box office 202.399.7993 ext 125.

Go Fivo buried $2500 on H Street for you to find tomorrow

$2,500 is buried somewhere along H St. NE in Washington, DC.

The cash has been buried at a bar or restaurant that is using our new website Gofivo.com to post and distribute exclusive real-time promotions to customers via email and text. On Friday, April 1, 2011 the location of the buried prize money will be posted on Gofivo.com, and ten Gofivo users will have the chance to win a grand prize of $1,000 and $500 donated in their name to the National Capital Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, a first prize of $500 and $250 donated in their name to DC Central Kitchen, tickets to an NHL game, and more.

Gofivo currently has over 60 local bars and restaurants on the platform, and has distributed over 50 promotions posted through the system.  Local businesses on the platform include The Argonaut, The Liberty Tree, Red Palace, Iron Horse, Tonic Foggy Bottom, Comet Ping Pong, Red Derby, Atomic Billiards, The Black Squirrel, Touchdown and many more. Many of the promotions have highlighted craft beer, including local breweries Heavy Seas and Flying Dog. 

Gofivo is free for users and allows them to create customized email and text alerts for promotions based on the specific businesses, neighborhood, and type of offer.  

Hill Rag: Shawafel coming to 1322 H Street

According to the Hill Rag, Alberto Sissi will open a shawarma and falafel restaurant with seating for 25 at 1322 H Street later this year.  He plans to offer a simple middle eastern menu with sandwiches and low prices.  Shawafel will be open for lunch and dinner, and still say open late on weekends.  Check out the March Hill Rag for the full story.  This is one of a few new spots expected to fill vacant spaces on the north side of the 1300 block of H Street that we've heard about recently and sounds like a good addition to that block

Smith Commons hosts HH for a good cause: Previve Saturday, 5-7 pm


Drink specials: $5 red/white wine, $5 drafts, and $5 rail drinks


Donations may be in cash, check or by credit/debit card at the event (via PayPal).

People are also able to make tax deductible donations to the cause.

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Toki Underground Cocktail List

As if you needed another reason to be eager to check out Toki Underground when it opens tomorrow, Chris Martino prepared the Toki Underground's cocktail list and H Street favorite Erin Edwards, formerly of Toyland, is in house preparing drinks.  The cuisine is based from Taiwanese family recipes with Asian influences which was intended to carry over to the cocktail list. 

Blackened Gold
Macchu Pisco Pisco
Bruleed Pineapple
Cinnamon Cayenne Syrup
Lemon Juice
Chocolate Bitters

Pizzacato Five
Shochu
Grapefruit Juice
Ginger
Neri Goma
Soda

Super Duper Car
Armagnac V.S.O.P.
Domaine De Canton Ginger Liqueur
Lemon Juice
Shiso Lemongrass Syrup

Jaded
Bombay Sapphire Gin
Lemon Juice
Soda
Cucumber Sea Foam

Toki Monster
Bulleit Bourbon
Pepper Honey Liqueur
Peat Monster Scotch
Orange Bitters
Pork Belly Skewer

Satsuma Yum!
Beefeater 24 Tea Infused Gin
Mount Gay Eclipse
Cointreau
Aperol
Dubonnet Rouge

Oolong Hai
Kettle One
Oolong Tea
Shiso Syrup

Studio H presents Mannequin by Pablo Cavides opening April 2

Studio H presents a solo show by Pablo Caviedes: Mannequin
April 2, 2011 through May 29, 2011
Opening Show: Saturday April 2, 2011 from 6PM to 9PM

Studio H (408 H St) is proud to present Pablo Cavides’ first solo show in Washington, DC which will open Saturday April 2, 2011 from 6pm to 9pm to the general public. The show runs through May 29, 2011.

Weekday Lunch options on H Street Argonaut & Khans join the growing crowd

 H Street has become the new hot spot for weekend brunch over the past year with the brunch options expanding from basically just the Argonaut to a whole lot more.  With the Argonaut's recent decision to open for lunch Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, there may be a movement in the works for H Street to become a weekday lunch scene as well.  Here's our list of the current lunch options available. 

Ethiopic (Fridays) (401 H St)
Sidamo (417 H St)
Inspire BBQ (650 H St)
Liberty Tree (except Mondays) (1014 H St)
Taylor Gourmet (1116 H St)
Khan's (1125 H St)
Horace & Dickies (12th & H St)
Tacos Impala (only a couple days left) (1206 H St)
Sticky Rice (1224 H St)
Dangerously Delicious Pies (1339 H St)
Star and Shamrock (1341 H St)
SOVA (1359 H St)
Argonaut (Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays) (1433 H St)

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

STREET TALK - open discussions about future of H St; Weds @SOVA via CHAMPS & Joe Englert


STREET TALK
Wednesdays 11am to 1pm
Starting March 30, 2011
SOVA Espresso & Wine
1359 H Street, NE



What do YOU want to see on H Street? Do you dream of craft markets and artisan stalls? Really got a craving for a hot dog stand? Wish there was a place to buy a bike? What's YOUR vision?
Each Wednesday, stop by SOVA anytime between 11am and 1pm for Street Talk - informal salon discussions of how we, as H Street business owners, stakeholders and neighborhood residents envision the future of H Street, NE economic development. The possibilities are endless, but are more easily achieved when we come together as a business community to support a shared vision. Be a part of the discussion and have your voice heard. Street Talk is completely open to the public and is meant to be casual in nature. There is no set program; simply stop in anytime between 11am and 1pm to participate. Street Talk is being initiated by H Street entrepreneur Joe Englert with support from CHAMPS – Capitol Hill’s Chamber of Commerce.
-------------------------------------------------

Julia E. Christian, Executive Director
CHAMPS - Capitol Hill's Chamber of Commerce
Office Address: 222 7th Street, SE - 2nd Floor - Washington, DC 20003
Mailing Address: PO Box 15486 - Washington, DC 20003
Phone: 202.547.7788 / Fax: 202.904.2898

http://www.capitolhill.org/
http://www.whatthehill.org/
http://www.twitter.com/@capitolhilldc
http://capitolhilldc.wordpress.com/
http://facebook.com/dc.capitolhill
http://www.facebook.com/champs.capitolhill

Link roundup

Brunch and the City touts the brunch at the Pug (1234 H St).  Noting that H Street's brunch scene is quickly catching up with its nightlife activity, she recommends the All American -- sausage, cheesy eggs, hash, and a biscuit and says while she doesn't usually go for hash browns, the Pug's are "awesome."

Thrillist had a nice preview on Queen Vic (1204 H St).  Frozen Tropics has some great photos of the quality job Queen Vic did fixing up the building.

Budget Travel says H Street's Biergarten Haus, H Street Country Club, Dangerously Delicious Pies, and the entire Atlas District are among the 20 best-kept secrets of Washington, DC.

The Sherwood Neighborhood Volunteers partnered with Casey Trees and over 60 neighborhood volunteers to plant 16 new trees and another 80 new bulbs at the Sherwood Recreation Center.

ANC6A Commissioner Adam Healy announced his next Single Member District meeting would be held on Monday, April 4 at 700 I St NE.  Commssioner Healy represents the area north of H Street, and east of 7th Street.

Monday, March 28, 2011

Khans opens today, Queen Vic is soft open w/ drinks, limited menu begins Thurs



The grill will run until 9 p.m. tonight. 

Queen Vic (1204 H St) remains soft open with drinks only for the next few days, with limited kitchen offerings expected to begin on Thursday.  They've created a very attractive two level space with a nice back deck off the second level and we're looking forward to trying their menu offerings soon.  This may be a British Pub, but we expect the quality of the food is going to surprise some people.

Friday, March 25, 2011

Le Grenier - french bistro from Le Chat Noir coming to 502 H Street

The owners of Glover Park french bistro plan to open Le Grenier a "modern french" bistro to 502 H Street and have now filed an application for a restaurant class liquor license.  Details on the 60 seat restaurant with a 4 seat outdoor cafe from the application follow after the jump. 
(h/t to ANC6A listserve moderator Sharon Cochran for quickly spotting the application)

Thursday, March 24, 2011

H Street cleans up in City Paper Best of 2011: Best Neighborhood & much more

Best Up and Coming Neighborhood

Best Neighborhood Phoenix: The Argonaut ("Since the latest iteration of the Argonaut opened in January, some loyalists have lamented the new place isn’t as “divey” as the Argonaut of yesteryear. That may be so. But it would be silly for the bar to not evolve and improve as the rest of the H Street corridor reshapes itself. The Argonaut is the face of a changing neighborhood. And the fish tacos are still fantastic.")

Best Outdoor Patio: Biergarten Haus

Best Pie: Dangerously Delicious Pies

Best Mussels: Granville Moore's

Best Karoke: Kostume Karoke at Little Miss Whiskey's Golden Dollar (runner up Sticky Rice)

Best Pet Services: Spot On Training (now open beneath Metro Mutts)

Best Tweeting Politician: Tommy Wells

Runnerup for Best Ethiopian: Ethiopic

Runnerup for Best Late Night Eats: Taylor Gourmet

Runnerup for Best Dance Company: Joy of Motion & also Best Dance Class

Runnerup for Best Jazz/Blues Venue: HR-57

Runnerup for Best Pet Shop: Metro Mutts

Runnerup for Best Property Management: Evolve

Runnerup for Best Neighborhood for Nightlife: H Street

Runnerup for Best New Venue: Red Palace

And lots of other terrific Capitol Hill spots, from Eastern Market to Schneiders to Seventh Hill and more were winners as well.  THIH has the full roundup of the greater Hill area winners here.

Evolve Property Management's new H Street HQs is starting to look good!

Casey Trees planting w/ Sherwood Neighborhood Volunteers, Argonaut & Liberty Tree Sat 9 am at Sherwood Recreaction Center

The Sherwood Neighborhood Volunteers have partnered with Casey Trees to plant 19 new trees in the park at the Sherwood Recreation Center (640 10th St NE) this Saturday, March 26, at 9 a.mCasey Trees is generosly donating the trees in return for the community providing the volunteers necessary to dig the holes for the new trees.  All tools will be provided and children of all ages are welcome. 

Nearby neighbors Liberty Tree and the Argonaut are providing a light lunch for volunteers and coffee and bagels will also be available. 

This should be a terrific event and we hope to see you there. 



Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Steuart Development's 360º H Street moving ahead this spring

Guy Steuart attended the February ANC6C meeting to discuss moving ahead with his mixed used development at 360º H Street, which will house a Giant grocery store and a few hundred apartments.  Steuart reported that he was very close to his plans to break ground this Spring and asked the ANC to support curb cuts on 3rd Street to accesss parking for the grocery store. 
This will be the first of several larger mixed use developments expected to break ground in the coming years.  Another project along the corridor, the Flats at Atlas District broke ground just east of H Street last year and is progressing steadily at  1600 Maryland Ave NE.  Redevelopement projects are also slated for the south side of the 200 block, the 600 block, the 800-900 blocks, and the 1100 block, and are anticipated on the south side of the 1200 block (Autozone lot) and the north side of the 1300 block (former library lot).

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Khans opens Monday, Queen Vic soon, and Toki Underground April 1

It's going to be an excting Spring on H Street.  Barring something unforeseen, Khan's (1125 H St) will open Monday, Toki Underground (1234 H St) will open April 1, and Queen Vic (1206 H St) should open by then as well. 

1125 H St -- Khan's Bar & Grill Mongolian BBQ is set to open on Monday, March 28.  Khan's will have select your own stir fry, a bar menu, a dozen draught beers, as well as craft beers and cocktails.  We were inside a couple week ago and the place looks great. 

1206 H St -- Queen Vic is getting very close and has passed at least three of their final inspections.  They posted an opening menu online recently.  Queen Vic will offer British Pub food -- yes, British, not American pub food, and 24 draft beers, ales, bitters.  Chef Adam Stein can cook.  The final inspections were scheduled recently, so hopefully they will announced the date soon.  UrbanDaddy had the first interior photo we've seen.     

1236 H St -- Toki Underground is ready to open above the Pug as well and is expected to open to the public on Friday, April 1.  Ramen, dumplings, and great cocktails.  In addition to an awesome menu of ramen and dumplings, look for an impressive and creative cocktail list designed to pair with the cuisine.  Sadly, their opening is likely to coincide with the end of the run of Tacos Impala, the popup taco stand that operated out of 1204 H St, while Philadelphia Water Ice was closed for the winter.  We'll keep our fingers crossed that they'll find another spot to provide their quality, authentic mexican food again before long.

Link roundup

EastCityArt has this piece about a world-class show coming to Studio H (408 H St) April 2.  Sounds awesome!

WBJ's Mike Neibauer has this piece about Westmill Development's plans to support new small businesses on corridors, including H Street.  Westmill recently purchased 1207 H St, which is the parcel that currently houses Autozone and plan to redevelop the property at the end of Autozone's lease. 

The Examiner says the Atlas Performing Arts Center (1333 H St) is one of the metro area's top 10 peforming arts venues.

The Hill is Home talks up the X2 bus.  We're regular riders, though we prefer the X9 during the limited hours it is available.   

We Love DC has a nice interview with Granville Moore's (1238 H St) Chef Teddy Folkman.

WeLoveDC also checked out Church & State (1236 H St) bartender Josh Berner's entry in the Artini contest.

EatingaroundDC had a pleasurable visit to Dangerously Delicious Pies (133 H St) on Pi Day and concluded that it was part of the evolution of food scene on H Street "from what was once a row of hipster watering holes to now include some vibrant and eclectic dining destinations."  We concur, though Granville Moore's has been turning out some pretty terrific food -- and not just moules frites -- for more than a few years now (hard to believe, but it was three years ago that Chef Teddy Folkman bested Iron Chef Bobby Flay on the Food Network in a throwdown to see who made the best mussles).

Monday, March 21, 2011

Sierra Club transit happy hour Monday, March 28 @UniontownBar & Grill

On Monday, March 28 at 6:00 p.m., the Sierra Club’s Washington, D.C. Chapter will hold a transit happy hour at Anacostia's new Uniontown Bar and Grill (2200 MLK Ave. SE), located only a short walk away from the Anacostia Metrorail station and several Metrobus routes.

Please join fellow sustainable transit advocates to have a drink and informally discuss ways to improve transportation in the District.  The happy hour will take place on Uniontown's ground floor.

The Sierra Club plans to hold periodic happy hours in different neighborhoods across D.C.  If you would like to suggest a location for a future happy hour, please contact Jason Broehm, chair of the Chapter’s transportation committee, at jason.broehmdc.sierraclub.org.

To learn more about D.C.’s streetcar initiative, visit streetcars4dc.org.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Happy Spring: Free Water Ice Ritas Water Ice (1014 H St) today

Rita's Water Ice is reopen for the season and has free regular water ice all day today starting at noon.

Friday, March 18, 2011

East City Art roundup: Conner Contempory event & Open Studio opens Sat evening

couirtesy of Phil Hutinet at East City Art


Weekend East City Event Round Up: Women’s History Month Edition


Three concurrent exhibitions, all by female artists, open at Conner Contemporary and a new art space dedicated to silk screening will host an open house Saturday evening.

Saturday, March 19

Conner Contemporary Art will show three concurrent exhibitions- “Paladins and Tourists,” featuring new drawings and video by Zoë Charlton; “Stress Cone,” a new sculptural installation by Mia Feuer; and the premier of “Ascension/Immersion,” a collaborative video project by Mary Coble and Blithe Riley.  The opening begins at 6pm and ends at 8pm.  Conner is located at 1358 Florida Avenue, NE.
Open Studio DC, a new art space at 1348 Florida Ave NE located right next door to Conner Contemporary and G Fine Art, will host an open house from 6pm to 10pm.  Open Studio DC  will serve primarily as a silk screening studio for artists.   The open house will be an opportunity to view silk screening demonstrations.  Light refreshments will be served.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Ludlow-Taylor Spring Gala Friday night @ Atlas Performing Arts Center

Want to support your local schools?  Ludlow Taylor is the inbounds elementary school for the area immediately south of H Street and has a Spring Gala at the Atlas Performing Arts Center on Friday. 

Friday, March 18, 2011 at 7:00 PM
Ludlow-Taylor Spring Gala
Ludlow-Taylor PTA

Join us March 18 for a wonderful evening to mix and mingle with other Ludlow-Taylor Elementary School parents, teachers and community members while supporting a great cause!  The Spring Gala, sponsored by the Ludlow-Taylor PTA, is a celebration of our school and our community. The event will include a silent and live auction to benefit extracurricular activities for all students, featuring donations from area businesses and original artwork from Ludlow-Taylor students. There will also be live entertainment, light hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar.
Purchase tickets to Ludlow-Taylor Spring Gala

Tommy Wells H Street Office Hours Thursday at SOVA at 8 am

Need help with issues in your neighborhood or working with the DC government?  Stop by Councilmember Wells' H Street office hours at SOVA (1359 H St) on  Thursday morning between 8:00 and 9:30 a.m. 


Hello All!!

Please be reminded that the
monthly H Street Northeast Community Office Hours is this Thursday, March 17th 2011, from 8:00 - 9:30 A.M., at the SOVA Espresso and Coffee, 1359 H Street NE.

If you have any questions, please contact our office at
202-724-8072. Also please visit our website at www.TommyWells.org for updates.
Patricia Joseph
Constituent Services Specialist
Ward 6 Councilmember Tommy Wells
1350 Pennsylvania Ave. NW - Suite 408
Washington, DC 20002
Click here to follow Tommy on Twitter:
Click here to join Tommy on Facebook:   

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Paving beginning on south side of H Street starting at western end

It will be fantastic to see the street fully open and parking restored at the western end of H Street soon.  Removal of jersey barriers and striping of the sidestreet intersections is ongoing, and paving is slated to run up to 8th Street by Saturday.  Note that there will be no parking on the northern portions of the 700 blocks of 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th Streets as part of the paving between now and Saturday.   

Final Roadway Paving & Lane Striping Due For Completion This Week On H Street N.E. From 3rd Street To 8th Street

After Lane Striping, South Curb Lane To Be Re-Opened For Parking
The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) plans to restore public parking availability on the south side of H Street N.E. from 3rd Street to 8th Street after completion of roadway paving and lane striping in these blocks on Saturday, March 19, weather permitting.
DDOT’s H Street Reconstruction Project contactor, Capital Paving of DC (CPDC) today began removing jersey barriers that have been in place on the south side of these H Street blocks during streetcar track installation and other construction activities. Also today, the asphalt paving subcontractor, Senate Asphalt, began the roadway milling work that precedes the asphalt paving.
The milling and paving work is also being done on the portions of 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th Street that intersect with H Street on the south side. The work on the side streets covers approximately 75 feet of each side street south of H Street.
To assure that the side-street space is open for the milling and paving work, Emergency No Parking signs have been posted, prohibiting parking in these side-street areas from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm today through Saturday, March 19. Vehicles parked in the no-parking area during these hours are subject to ticketing and towing.
As the jersey barriers are removed from these blocks of H Street, they will be replaced with orange plastic traffic barrels during the remainder of the milling and paving work in the south curb lane and the eastbound middle lane. After completion of the milling and paving, the contractor will paint the permanent lane striping on the new asphalt roadway surface.
After the lane striping is complete, the orange traffic barrels and other temporary traffic control devices will be removed, and the south curb lane will be re-opened for parking. Though the lane striping is scheduled for Saturday, any rain delays this week could cause a postponement until early next week.
On the north side of the H Street reconstruction area, paving was completed and parking in the north curb lane was restored from 3rd Street to 13th Street last year

Link roundup

Tonight is Ethiopic's (401 H St) first anniversary and they're celebrating by donating all of tonight's proceeds to a new charity they've started, which will receive 2% of proceeds going forward.  Show your support and wish them well. 

The City Paper's Best of Poll closes tonight.  Have you voted for all your local favorites yet?

City's Best has a nice piece on how Taylor Gourmet (1116 H St) came to be and has grown to other locations over time.

Capitol Bop reported that they're hearing HR-57 (816 H St) is getting very close to opening, but precisely when remains unclear.

Metro Mutts (504 H St) put out another informative monthly newsletter with deals, doggie advice, and training opportunities with Spot On Training.

DC United released their Bar & Restaurant partners guide with 15 spots across town that will show ever game.  4 of the 15, the Pug, Queen Vic, Biergarten Haus, and Khan's are on H Street, which will also be a fun place to visit before or after games while the team continues to play just a bit east of H Street at RFK.  DC United's Kyle Sheldon and Margaret Holwill have been working to pull together a shuttle to and from H Street on game days.   

WBJ reported that Chef Nick Stefanelli of Bibiania has moved to the H Street neighborhood.

EastCityArt reported that a new art gallery is coming to the H Street corridor and will be located just north of H Street on Florida Ave.  Follow the East City Art blog or on twitter for more details soon.

Monday, March 14, 2011

Church & State bartender Josh Berner competes in Artini Competition; Featured Thurs, March 17, 6:30-8:30 pm

Church & State's (1236 H St) Josh Berner is one of 12 talented mixologists from across the city competing in this year's Artini Contest in support of the Corcoran Gallery of Art.  

Each of ARTINI’s participating venues will host one feature night, during which they will donate 20% of its bar sales to support upcoming exhibitions at the Corcoran and Church & State is the featured spot this Thursday, March 17, from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

The Pug celebrates St. Paddy's on Thursday, St. Joseph's on Saturday; Biergarten Haus & Star and Shamrock events too

The Pug sent along their plans for St. Patrick's Day and apparently there is another Italian-American event called St. Joseph's Day they plan to celebrate on Saturday, March 19, as well.  We know that the Star & Shamrock also has big plans for St. Paddy's Day, which they celebrate on the 17th of every month, and that Biergarten has something fun planned with happy hour pricing in the evening to support the Washington Humane Society as well, but the Pug's plans for both days sound like much more fun than working all day.
Here are the details of what we're doing for St. Patrick's Day and other events next week.
We open at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday. Our bartenders until 5 p.m. will be the only Irish bartender on H Street, Noel Quinn, and the only Alabaman bartender on H Street, Jackson Turner. After that, Tony and Chaz will come on for the rest of the night.
We'll be serving bangers and hash or eggs, $10 bottomless mimosas, and $4 Irish Coffees until 3 p.m. All day and night we'll have $5 homemade corned beef and cabbage sandwiches and $5 Guinness cans. We'll have all NCAA tourney games on the TVs as well.
We're also open Friday at 10:30 a.m. for the basketball games and for people to nurse hangovers. We're offering $10 bottomless mimosas, happy hour specials, and hot dogs, half smokes and grilled pimento cheese sandwiches. We'll be donating 10% of Friday's sales to Bob Willis, who is a member of the U.S. Olympic Sailing Team and who hopes to make it to the 2012 London Games.
Saturday March 19 is St. Joseph's Day, which is essentially the Italian-American answer to St. Patrick's Day. We'll have $3 Peronis and $2 shots of Sambuca all day, as well as peppers and eggs subs at brunch and meatball and sausage subs at night. There will be a small shrine to St. Joseph in the back where those interested can leave non-perishable food items. Plus it's DC United's first game!!!
Should be a busy, but fun, end of the next week at the Pug.
And here's what Star & Shamrock has going on for celebrating on Thursday and Saturday:
Thursday 3/17: Starting @ 11am $1 off Irish drafts & $5 Clontarf Irish Whiskey
5pm party with Klezcentricity, a Jewish klezmer band with Irish folk influences
9pm we crank it up a notch with the Sligo Creek Stompers, a local Irish folk act
Saturday 3/19: Celebrate Purim with the He'Brew Beer & Shmaltz Brewing gang, enjoy food & drink specials, giveaways and party like it's 5771 (2011) with the DJ Sterling Silverman
And the full details from Biergarten's event to support the Humane Society:

Put on your favorite green attire and come show your support for the programs and services of the Washington Humane Society.

Guests who make a $5 donation at the door will receive extended happy hour prices on select food and beverages from 4-8pm (typical happy hour prices are only valid from 5-7pm).

WHS is partnering with Best Friends Animal Society and their Shelter Partners for Pit Bulls program on this event.

*Unfortunately no canine guests are allowed at this event.....but they will be for future events!

Friday, March 11, 2011

Watershed Restaurant from Chef Todd Gray on 1st Street NE this Spring

Watershed Restaurant from Chef Todd Gray of Equinox downtown went before the ANC6C ABL Committee March 1 and was before the full Commission earlier this week.  The restaurant from Chef Gray is slated to open this spring in the Hilton Gardens hotel coming to NoMa in the area north of the wester end of H Street.  The restaurant will feature Eastern seaboard fare, a lively raw bar and lounge, and an airy patio complete with views down First Street, NE, from Constitution Square, and will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner.  The full breakfast menu, raw bar offerings, and extensive and reasonably priced seafood dinners looks incredible.  The full liquor license application follows.

Intersections Festival last weekend is today through Sunday @ the Atlas Performing Arts Center

Be sure to stop by the Atlas to be part of it.  There's something for everyone and every schedule with events running all weekend.

Ritas Water Ice returns today at 1014 H St

Rita's Water Ice (1014 H St) reopens today at noon.  They're open daily from noon til 8 p.m.

8th Street closed at intersection with H Street this weekend

DDOT has the following announcement that 8th Street will be closed at the south side of its interesection with H Street this Saturday through Sunday morning while concrete base is laid across the intersection.  Buses will be rerouted along 6th & 10th Streets during that period.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Happy Anniversary Celebration @Ethiopic Tuesday, March 15 w/ charitable work & more news

Ethiopic (401 H St) turns one on Tuesday, March 15 and plans to celebrate with a special event. 

Ethiopic is more than happy to announce that we will be celebrating our first year anniversary on March 15.  All the proceeds from the anniversary celebration will go to the World of Tomorrow (WOT) initiative, which will benefit local schools with school projects and children in Ethiopia through existing schools and programs.  And thereafter, Ethiopic will continue to donate 2% of all proceeds to the project.  As Sam & Meseret explained their effort as follows "As a couple of immigrants with big dreams we hope to create the same opportunity for today's children in tomorrow's world."  Please visit their website for more information under the WOT initiative tab for additional information and plan to join them to celebrate on Tuesday or to stop by to congratulate them on a great first year and to support their noble efforts going ahead.  No reservations are required, but they may be made at 202-675-2066 or via opentable.

In other exciting news, Ethiopic shared that they will be moving ahead with a grant they received to improve the facade of the building that houses their restaurant.  They expect the facelift to begin in a few weeks.  It should go nicely with the new tree that was planted in front of the restaurant earlier this week and with the ongoing construction at Tru Orleans (400 H St) across the street. 


Congratulations to a terrific restaurant and two great H Street neighborhood residents!  We look forward to celebrating with you next week!

Khan's Mongolian BBQ opening at 1125 H Street later this month




Khan's Bar & Grill (1125 H St) brings Mongolian BBQ (create your own stir-fry) to H Street later this month.  Khan's is very close to opening on the SW corner of 12th & H with construction complete, signs up, staff being hired, and only the very last of their adminstrative hurdles left to clear prior to opening. 

Khan's will be open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner and will stay open late on weekends for Mongolian BBQ  / choose your own stir-fry and drinks.

At Khan's, you'll pick your own veggies, sauce, spices, and meat for Mongolian BBQ style cooking.  They'll also have a bar menu available in the evening, which will offer another 12 items each for under $10. 


photo courtesy of Khan's

The space is attrative and features a large bar as well as several flat screen televisions for soccer games and other events.  The bar will have 12 taps with mostly craft beers, including Japanese offerings Kirin and Asahi Super Dry, popular microbrews like Ommegang's Ommegeddon and Hook and Ladder's Golden Ale, as well as PBR, and a variety of bottled craft beers, sustainable wines, and cocktails designed to match the menu. 



They hope to have a patio space along 12th St, but have not yet applied to use that space.  The opening date remains unset, but is expected to be before the end of the month. 
Khan's Bar & Grill
(Mongolian BBQ/Make your own stir-fry)
1125 H Street

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Great Lakes Brewery event at Red Palace to benefit river clean up March 16, 6 pm

Get Your Green On, Before You Get Your Green On
At The Red Palace (1210 H St)
March 16, 6-9 p.m.

Next Wednesday evening from 6-9, the Anacostia Watershed Society, a local non-profit that works to clean and restore the Anacostia River, is teaming up with Great Lakes Brewing to host a happy hour at the Red Palace. People who come out can enjoy $4 pints of Conway’s Irish Ale and Burning River and sign up to volunteer at AWS’s Earth Day clean-up event on April 9th. If they participate in the clean-up, they will receive VIP status at another event at the Red Palace on April 22nd, which will include live music, a raffle, and the elusive Great Lakes Christmas Ale. You can read more about the event here.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Link roundup

DC Modern Luxury has a really nice piece that captures the allure of Church & State (1238 H St) very well.  Warning, you will want to go straight there for a classic cocktail after reading, so you might want to wait until close of business to do so.

The Examiner touts Sticky Rice (1224 H St), explaining that their "specialties really shine.
Atypical?  Unconventional?  “Not real sushi?”  Maybe... but delicious, inventive and enough to make this true foodie drool."

The Argonaut (1433 H St) announced that they are adding lunch Wednesday through Friday to their already strong brunch business on the weekends.  The Argonaut has been a pioneer on H Street and was the first good brunch option, so hopefully they are going to be leading the way to an expansion of weekday lunch offerings as well.

The Washington Post was one of a few stories about how great Argonaut 2.0 is with their steamed shrimp and other seafood baskets.  It will be great fun to enjoy one of those on the patio as the weather improves. 

The Hill is Home has a nice interview with ANC6A Commissioner Sharee Lawler and enjoyed some dance classes at Joy of Motion Dance at the Atlas Performing Arts Center.

The Washington Business Journal (Tierney Plumb) reports that Sticky Rice received a facade improvement grant, which will hopefully help them with their expansion into the building next door to them.  WBJs Mike Neibauer reported that DDOT has taken the next step for streetcars with a Feb. 23 request for information from transit operators interested in operating and maintaining the citywide streetcar system, which he reports will be used to shape the RFP.

Wonkette says Smith Commons (1245 H St) is a sign of great progress on H Street and our version of Birth & Barley.

Zagat Buzz is eager to see Toki Underground (1234 H St) open soon and thinks they are very close


The Post's Going Out Gurus also gave a great bit of advice about fun nights out on H Street, recommending Biergarten--> Little Miss Whiskeys to one person, Smith Commons or The Pug --> H Street Country Club to another, and offering the Atlas Room as a great spot to celebrate a birthday to a guy who couldn't get a reservation at Proof.  We approve all around. 

The Post also had this fun piece on a couple who held their wedding at Dangerously Delicious Pies (1339 H St) on H Street.  We love the photo gallery and the idea.

DC Urban Turf has a brief summary piece on the progress at Flats at the Atlas (1600 Maryland Ave) development now in progress, noting that it should be done in a couple years and that their are other signs of development progress


Rebuilding Place in the Urban Space expects the pace of progress to quicken greatly when streetcars start running down H Street in another year or so and anticipates a significant increase in retail and residential construction.

Monday, March 7, 2011

What's going on with...Tru Orleans, HR-57, Bikeshare & the streetcar/streetscape

400 H Street -- Tru Orleans construction is now well-underway with an open second level being installed above the preexising single story building.  Last we'd heard a voluntary agreement to address noise and other community impacts had not been finalized with ANC6C and the ANC had authorized a protest of the liquor license pending an agreement. 
Open air second floor being installed at 400 H St

816 H Street -- HR-57 Facade work occured and a sign went up about a week ago.  We're told this has been slowed by the usual construction and permitting issues, but the recent facade improvement and signage gives us hope that we are close.  The sign says Jazz and Blues.  We believe you'll see both here and eventually two separate HR-57 outposts on H Street with one for Jazz and another for Blues.


New green paint and temporary sign for HR-57 Jazz & Blues at 816 H St

Street Construction  DDOT began doing sidewalks up the south side of the street, starting with the 500 and 600 blocks and plans to work their way east.  Tracks have crossed up to 12th Street on the south side.  The 1300 block had been on hold for the H Street Festival, but demolition has begun on the north side.  And trees were planted along the north side in the treeboxes last week starting at 13th Street and working steadily to the western end, expected to finish the north side of the street today.  When the planting is complete, over 200 new trees will have been planted on H Street.  Another 19 are going in via neighborhood volunteer labor at the Sherwood Recreation Center (640 10th St) in a few weeks thanks to Casey Trees.   

Bikeshare and racks?  Bikeshare keeps promising more stations in the area, but the long-promised spot near 10th & H has yet to materialize.  We're told it is still in the works in the coming months.  In the meantime, bicycle parking is being installed.  CHAMPS and WABA came together to install them at Cap City Diner and the Argonaut in recent days.  Check out Julia Christian's photo of the new ones at the Argonaut, installed last week.

PSA 102 meeting w/ CM Tommy Wells tomorrow 7 pm at Sherwood Recreation Center

Councilmember Wells plan to attend tomorrow's PSA 102 meeting.  The February meeting was poorly attended, but this is a good opportunity to raise concerns and ask questions.  

REMINDER - PSA 102 MEETING - March 8th- SHERWOOD RECREATION CENTER

PSA 102 Public Safety Meeting
Sherwood Recreation Center - 10th and G Streets NE
Tuesday: 7:00 p.m.

This month's PSA 102 meeting will feature guest speaker Ward 6 Councilman Tommy Wells. Come join us for a discussion on crime issues within PSA 102. We intend to have an open Q&A session with members of MPD as well as with Councilman Wells. Please come with your concerns on both specific and general public safety issues for PSA 102.

-------------------
**** PSA 102 meetings enable residents and police to discuss, identify and take action against crime and other quality of life issues in the community. The meetings are the second Tuesday of each month at the Sherwood Recreation Center, 10th and G Streets NE. Normal times are 7-8:30 p.m.

The PSA 102 boundaries are (clockwise) the railroad tracks at Union Station, Florida Ave NE, Maryland Ave NE, 9th St, East Capitol St, 2nd St, Massachusetts Ave, and Columbus Circle. ****

FOR INFORMATION ABOUT PSA 102, photos, crime maps and more go to
http://mpd1dpsa102.blogspot.com/

QUESTIONS? Contact:

Brandon Bies
Volunteer PSA 102 Citizen Co-Coordinator
communitysafetywalk@gmail.com

Bobby Pittman
PSA 102 Citizen Co-Coordinator
psa102coordinatormpd@gmail.com

Lt. Vendette Parker
PSA 102 Lieutenant
vendette.parker@mpd.com

Friday, March 4, 2011

The Pug starts celebrating Mardi Gras tonight

The Pug's (1234 H St) Mardi Gras party starts today through Tuesday with $3 Abitas.
On Mardi Gras Tuesday itself, they will have $3 Abitas, $5 Bud Light 24 oz Bad Boy cans, homemade red beans and rice, and Louisiana music all night.


Details to come on St. Patrick's Day plans, but they include being open early (10:30 a.m.).

Thursday, March 3, 2011

City Paper on Argonaut's rebirth and growth

Today's City Paper has this great piece on the Argonaut's rebirth with an interesting piece on some culinary additions to their menu, including the steamed seafood, some local sustainable upgrades, and a variety of dishes that are cooked in beer, including chocolate stout wings, which they say "taste a lot better than they look."  We think the piece very nicely catures the good job the Argonaut has done improving over time and through the fire and construction, while maintaining their casual neighborhood charm.  Happy neighborhood night to a great neighbor!

H Street Rita's Water Ice reopens Friday, March 11

H Street Rita's Water Ice reopens at 1014 H Street on Friday, March 11.  They'll celebrate their grand reopening with free water ice on the first day of spring, Sunday, March 20.  They've reported that there will be some new flavors via their twitter account, including Mango-Orange, Strawberry-Banana, Mint Oreo, and Pear.  Rita's Water Ice is open daily from noon until 8 p.m. and located next door to Liberty Tree.

Adam Healy hosts ANC6A01 SMD meeting Mon, March 7, 7 p.m.

Greetings neighbors.

I'm excited to announce the details of my first Single Member District (SMD) meeting as the new ANC6A01 Commissioner.  After a few problems finding a location, the kind folks at Pilgrim Baptist Church at 700 I Street NE have graciously agreed to allow me to hold my SMD meetings at the church.  

The first meeting will be Monday, March 7 from 7-8 p.m.  If you live in 6A01 (H Street NE to Florida Ave NE and from 7th to 13th Sts NE) I welcome you to come and meet with your neighbors to talk about community concerns.  If you can't make it, you're always welcome to call or email me with questions, concerns, or suggestions.

Thank you.

Adam
______________________________________
Adam C. Healy
Commissioner, ANC 6A01
Chair, ANC6A ABL Committee
202.556.0215
Twitter: AdamCHealy

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Casey Trees Planting at Sherwood Recreation Center March 26 w/ the Argonaut & Liberty Tree

The Sherwood Neighborhood Volunteers have partnered with Casey Trees to plant 19 new trees in the park at the Sherwood Recreation Center (640 10th St NE) on Saturday, March 26, at 9 a.m.  Casey Trees is generosly donating the trees in return for the community providing the volunteers necessary to dig the holes for the new trees.  All tools will be provided and children of all ages are welcome. 

Nearby neighbors Liberty Tree and the Argonaut have graciously agreed to provide a light lunch for volunteers and coffee and bagels will also be available.  If you are able to attend, please register with Casey Trees here and sign up on the facebook event page.

Evolve Urban Arts “Like Nowhere I’ve Been: by Mark Parascandola & John M. Adams Sat, March 5, 5pm


Evolve Urban Arts Project
presents
Like Nowhere I've Been: Landscapes de un Sueño
John M. Adams and Mark Parascandola
March 5 - April 23, 2011
Opening Reception:  Saturday, March 5, 5-8pm
The Evolve Urban Arts Project (1375 Maryland Ave NE) is pleased to announce  Like Nowhere I've Been: Landscapes de un Sueno featuring photographer Mark Parascandola and visual artist John M. Adams.  The exhibition examines how these two DC-based artists create and document artifical, man-made landscapes concerived form elements of modern day visual and cultural reality. 

Parascandola bases his landscapes in specific architectural detritus found in the arid Almeria province of Spain.  The deserts of Spain played host to dozens of Spaghetti-Western film sets in the 1960s and 1970s.  The genre, usually produced by Italians with Spanish technical support, mixed actors from a multitude of ethnicities (including the rising Clint Eastwood) in portrayals fo life along the Texas-Mexico border.  Abandoned for decades, these "wild-West" sets remain in the desert, some restored as tourist sites and others left to decay.  In the photo series presented here, Parascandola adroitly captures a Texas border town, as conceived by Italians, located in the Spanish hinterland.  Like the Spanglish in the exhibition's title, the landscape is neither truly Spanish or American, but an amalgamation of cultural waypoints.

In contrast to Parascandola, Adams' landscapes conjure more ethereal, personal locales divorced from any discrete point on a map or specific moment in time.  In these drawings Adams builds layers of graphite in a "process of repetitive mark making" that creates something delicately akin to atmospheric disturbances.

According to Adams, "color, scheme and composition remain ambiguously familiar, as if from an incomplete memory that is nonetheless vivid."  In these works, the cultural elements referenced are those that lay within our own minds; each viewer will experience something different depending on their own personal experiences, social and cultural backgrounds.  Ironically, the resulting "landscape" is created by the viewer - and only begun by the artist.

Mr. Parascandola is a member of the Mid-City Artists based in Washington, DC.  His full portfolio is available at www.parascandola.com. Mr. Adams holds an MFA degree from James Madison University as well as a BFA from VCU Arts. He works as a local arts educator and maintains a studio in Arlington, VA.  His full portfolio is available at www.thefullempty.com.

Like Nowhere I've Been: Landscapes de un Sueño runs through April 23, 2011. The Project space is located in the Pierce School Lofts at 1375 Maryland Avenue, NE, in the H Street Arts and Entertainment District.  Hours for the Project are:

Mondays through Thursdays:  1-5pm
Fridays: 10in
Saturdays:  11am -2pm
And by appointment

Half off at Biergarten Haus via Groupon

Today's Groupon Deal of the Day offers $50 gift certificates to Biergarten Haus (1355 H St) for only $25.  As spring rolls in, these will be good to have on hand for nice days when you want to be outside.

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

TastingTable: The Argonaut's steamed seafood specials rock

Tasting Table has this delectable piece on the Argonaut's new steamer specials, steamed peeler shrimp, and Virginia Littleneck clams.  We've only tried the shrimp so far, but Tasting Table's piece has us salivating to get back for more soon.  This is a great addition to H Street and to the Argonaut's offerings.  Kudos to the Argonaut -- a long-time neighborhood favorite -- on continuing to get better in a variety of ways, including this and more recently a carryout menu, which makes most of their dinner menu available to take home Sunday-Thursday nights.  The Argonaut's "steamer pots" menu follows. 

Upcoming Cocktail classes at Church & State

Church & State (1236 H St) has a great sold-out event tonight with Catoctin Creek, but a host of other classes coming up at $30 a piece.  Classes are limited to 5 people each, so as to ensure a good experience and a couple of the upcoming Martini and Manhattan classes have already sold out. 

Church & State Classes

(All classes start at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays. Limited to to 5 people per class)

Martini Class – March 8, 2011

Martini Class - March 15, 2011

Martini Class – March 22, 2011

Martini Class - March 29, 2011

Manhattan Class - April 5, 2011
SOLD OUT

Manhattan Class - April 12, 2011

Manhattan Class - April 19, 2011

Manhattan Class - April 26, 2011
SOLD OUT

Happy Anniversary Liberty Tree & 25% off for 20002 zip residents through Sunday!

It's hard to believe it's only been a year that we've been enjoying New England seafood, pizzas, and more at Liberty Tree (1016 H St).  Liberty Tree has been a very welcome addition to the neighborhood.  Congratulations to Scott, Graig, and the whole Liberty Tree team on a great first year of business.

Bring your ID showing you live in zip code 20002 with you to Liberty Tree tonight through this weekend and wish them happy birthday and they'll say thanks to you and the neighborhood with 25% off your tab. 

Happy Anniversary Liberty Tree!

Link roundup

ARTvenutres on H was a rousing success on Thursday.  Kudos to event organizer Julia Christian of CHAMPS.  We enjoyed a lot of it, including the neat live hand mural that Gaia painted on the back wall at Smith Commons (1234 H St).

The Intersections Festival at the Atlas Performing Arts Center (1333 H St) began on Friday and runs through the next two weekends.  DC Theatre Scene is excited about the Intersections Festival and The Washington Post offers some suggested shows to check out.

The Washingtonian posted a First Bite review of the Atlas Room (1015 H St) ("the kitchen is serious and cocktails are classic...  the whole package makes for the type of place that every neighborhood could use more of—casual, romantic, affordable, and focused." and their Food Critic Todd Kliman showed some more love for the restaurant in his online chat ("seafood stew came with perfectly cooked shellfish... flatbread with butternut squash, pulled pork and goat cheese sounded dull but was exceptional.... roast chicken perfectly cooked... short rib ravioli... couldn't have been more carefully executed.... [a] restaurant on H St. that merits serious attention.")

The Washington Post's Tom Sietsema's full review was published Sunday and is very favorable as well.

Girl Meets Food talked to Miles Gray at Smith Commons (1245 H St) about his favorite dishes on the menu.  Miles likes the lamb chops, beef carpaccio, duck breast & mango salad, and the sea bass.

DC Mud follows up on the news that Avalon Bay purchased the property at the NW corner of 4th & I Streets to develop a new building with 140 apartments. 

Councilmember Tommy Wells issued a report on misuse of official vehicles by employees of the District government, including Council Chair Brown, and held an oversight hearing for the District Department of Transportation.  One H Street business owner called for a DC Circulator route down H Street while we await operation of streetcar next year, which seems like a great idea.

DC Urban Turf profiles zip code 20002 which starts with the north side of Capitol Hill, cover H Street, and the areas to its north.

We Love DC has pictures of the progress at Khan's (1125 H St), Queen Vic (1206 H St), and Toki Underground (1234 H St).
PoP has a peek at the menu for Queen Vic (1206 H St), which we hear should open within weeks.

WTOP says Mayor Gray is enthusiastic about streetcars noting that they are an effective economic development tool.