Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Link roundup

The Washington Post says H Street is a leading area in DC's growth with flocks of well-education, young adults rapidly coming to DC to live, work, and play, noting that DC's population of 20-34 year-olds grew 23 percent over the past decade and now constitutes a third of the city's overall population.  The piece highlights a lobbyist who says he likes hanging out on H Street and a Howard Law student who identifies Smith Commons as one of the reasons he loves living in DC.

A Nesting Experience has this nice piece with great photos of a fun dinner at Smith Commons (1245 H St).

Smith Commons (1245 H St) launched their Sunday brunch service over the weekend.  Smith Commons is now open for brunch on Saturday and Sunday starting at 11 am.  They've also opened the upstairs "Public House" for all night "Smith Hour" (happy hour pricing) on Monday evenings from 5-10 p.m. and have been offering $1 oysters during this time as well (note that only the bar menu is available for dining in the upstairs Public House space). 

Eat More Drink More touts Inspire BBQ (650 H St) as a "hidden gem" with "some of the best BBQ in DC right now."

The Hill is Home has advice from Frager's Garden Center on what to plant in the tree box in front of your house

Capital Spice checks out Watershed (1225 1st St NE).

TastingTable has the details on a cool new cocktail menu featuring beer and cider cocktails at the Queen Vic (1206 H St).  We had a terrific meal at the Vic last week -- our list of early favorites here includes the burger and fish n chips, and whatever is on special -- most recently Nettle Soup and a bone in pork chop. 

Richard Layman takes on a WAMU article that he says overstates the role the Rock n Roll Hotel played in H Street's revitalization and offers a more detailed history of the early work that led to H Street's ongoing renaissance.

WBJ says Tru Orleans (400 H St) is still hoping to open soon and identifies Andre Miller, formerly of Rush's Chris, as executive chef, and Brad Howard and Hans Christensen as investors in the Cajun/Creole restaurant.  The construction seems to be humming right along with permanent signs already installed and attractive iron work going up around the second level over the past few days. 

4 comments:

  1. It's interesting that the articles on Smith Commons all have some mention of how it's an "out of the way" place. I realize that the majority of people writing and reading these things are coming from the Northwest quadrant of the city, but the underlying assertion that our part of the city is some sort of "other" is a little annoying.

    I'd like to start writing about things in Columbia Heights as being "out of the way" and "tough to get to," since, for me, living in Trinidad, they are.

    Of course, I'd be skewered for saying something so "stupid"....

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  2. Hi IMGoph,

    Thanks so much for reading my piece on Smith Commons! And thanks to H Street Great Street for picking it up.

    I don't think you saying Columbia Heights is out of the way is "stupid" if for you it is. DC is huge, lots of parts of the city are out of the way. Especially when relying on public transportation.

    I loved Smith Commons and will definitely be back, it was well worth the metro and cab rides to get there. I'm dreaming about those biscuits right now.

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  3. Erin: Thanks for noticing this! I agree that lots of places in DC are out of the way for others. Tenleytown for people in Hillcrest, Capitol Hill for people in Shepherd Park, etc.

    It's just the assumption that everyone else comes from a NW-centric point of view that irks me. I'm not accusing you of that, but the bias is clearly out there for many. I'd like to see less emphasis placed on location vis-a-vis other locations, and more of just noting where a place is, and hoping that'll lead to people just thinking "wow, I need to explore more!" :)

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  4. I think that's a great point of view. I agree. I'll definitely keep that in mind when I write reviews or talk about our travels. I'm new to DC so even wandering around my own neighborhood is an adventure. Thanks so much!

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