DC Metrocentric

The folks behind popular Restaurant Birch&Barley/Church Key are poised to bring their Rustico Restaurant concept to Arlington, and just like their location Alexandria, there will also be a Buzz Bakery nearby. This is great news for lovers of beer and baked goods, but they may have to wait just a little longer. We got a peek inside and though some work has been done, as you can see below they aren’t quite ready for customers yet.

Expected opening date is set for the end of next month. Beer drinkers engage!

[Photos: DCMetrocentric]

The beautiful abandoned nuevo-Spanish style building at 1626 North Capitol St NW was once the DC Engine Company #12 Firehouse but has unfortunately been empty and boarded up since the 1980s. The building has had its fair share of failed plans over the years and so with that in mind we were excited to hear that the project was back before the ANC board this week.

The plan is for a three level restaurant with late night dinning. Now the idea should sound like a familiar one, since this was the exact same plan back in 2007 before the financing fell through and the building was put back on the market. Hopefully with the right community support and solid financing the amazing building will get the love and attention it so rightly deserves!

[Photo: Parkview DC]

With all the construction going on outside along H Street lately, it’s easy to miss all of the developments going on inside the buildings which line the historic street. One of the projects nearing completion is the work on the old Hubert Newsom building (pictured below).

The buildings origins date back to 1890 as a residential structure. In the 1920s it was converted into a classically inspired office building when real estate developer and lawyer Hubert Newsom forever put his mark on the building. The building is now being converted into a restaurant space called Tao. The Asian inspired restaurant is going through the ANC process now and already applied for a liquor license back in November.

[Photo: Dan_DC]

Do you like to write? Are you interested in writing about the issues and have an extreme addiction to everything architecture and new developments around town? We are looking for a weekly feature writer with a sense of humor who wants to join the DCMetrocentric team. Sound interesting? Details and requirements after the jump…

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Looks like the prime corner space of the newly finished west side of Courthouse plaza finally has secured a restaurant. During the early phases of this project the space was going to be a second location of the Southern standby Georgia Browns, but that didn’t work out. Now it looks like a restaurant called Fire Works will be selling brick oven Pizza.

We’re not sure they will be able to compete with some of the other pizza joints on the block including Faccia Luna and Liberty Tavern (which apparently was ranked one of the best pizzas in the country, who knew?).

[Photo: DCMetrocentric]

Ever since the Real World left town this summer we have been wondering when their decked out house on S Street NW was going to be back on the market, and how it would be used. Prior to being invaded by MTV, the building was used by Architecture Firm Sorg and Associates.

Now after being a home, an office, and the set for a reality show the WBJ is reporting that the building might serve yet another use as a restaurant. John Gogos of Papadopoulos Properties has said the most likely result will be the property becoming a restaurant. Maybe a place with outdoor seating that can give Lauriol Plaza (just up the street) a little competition?

[Photo: Alifayre]

In a space that we have talked about extensively in the past as everything from a potential bar to a performance venue, the owners have finally settled on a West African restaurant. The Ghana Cafe has opened at 1336 14th Street… But don’t worry, all that performance space in the back won’t go to waste, they plan to have DJ nights!

What do you think… is this a good use of the space?

Exciting news this week on the redevelopment of the 3800 block of Georgia Avenue, NW. Ground has officially been broken on the project to convert two empty District owned properties into a first class restaurant on the historic site of what was once Billy Simpson’s House of Seafood and Steaks.

Mosaic Urban, in partnership with Donatelli Development, is developing the vacant lot and two dilapidated storefronts into a $5M mixed-use, mixed-income project including 12 condos (4 of which will be low income set asides) and 8000 sq ft of restaurant and retail space.

Not only is this project helping to revitalize the block, which is right around the corner from the Petworth metro station, but it is also helping to preserve history. Billy Simpson’s restaurant originally occupied the space on Georgia Avenue in the 1960s-70s and was the site of many historic events in the Districts history. In March of 2009 the site was named to the National Register of Historic Places, so it will be nice to see the finished product.

[Renderings: Mosaic]

Being obsessed with what new development is going on around town we have spent our share of time peeking into covered over windows to see what activity is going on inside. As a result we can really appreciate the effort these developers have taken to make sneaking a peak a little easier with a dedicated cut out in the widow just to watch construction.

The project is a new casual restaurant at the corner 14th St & Church St (which also as you can see happens to open today).

[Photo: M.V. Jantzen]

The new design for the Peruvian Chicken restaurant in Alexandria has got some major curb appeal going for it. That combined with the green design of the new restaurant is going to make this a nice looking addition to an already eclectic Mt Vernon Ave.

The design is contemporary urban, fitting in nicely with the primarily art-deco feel of the Del Ray neighborhood. According to the Arlandrian, the plans apparently got a great reception from the neighborhood at a recent community meeting. The one story building will also have a rooftop patio for dinning.

In addition to the building, the developers are enhancing the street scape by lining the property with planters that will be filled with “herbs and flowers” and they also plan to provide “green screening” by landscaping. Something interesting that was brought up that you don’t hear about often as a concern is following “dark sky” practices to minimize wasted light sent upwards that adds to light pollution. In such a residential area this makes a lot of sense.

The developers plan to have the building finished up hopefully this time next year and by that time they will also have picked a name for the restaurant. We say go with the name on the drawing, it has a nice ring to it!

[Credit: Concept 0 Eco-Designs, LLC via The Arlandrian]

There is a lot of new development along H Street, but what really catches our eye is the work going on at the toy solder building. The great looking facade with the twin solders will be home to the new spot Vendetta, the highly anticipated new Italian restaurant from Chef Morou of Farrah Olivia and Iron Chef fame is planned to open next year. We’re excited.

[Photo Credit: PoP]

Look what’s going on in the space formerly occupied by the Dakota Cowgirl at 14th and N Street. The folks that brought us local favorite Rustico, are opening another beer centric restaurant called Birch & Barley in Northwest.

The development covers two floors, will have 50 taps, and over 500 bottled beers, slated to open this fall… what’s not to love? [Photo: Chizauskas]

H Street - Second floor above the Pug (pictured below) will soon become a dumpling/ramen bar. [Frozen Tropics] 

Penn Quarter - Italian restaurant chain from NYC known for supersized portions is coming soon to 7th street.  [PQ Living] 

U Street - The folks behind new restaurant/lounge Policy will be bringing upscale burgers to the corner of 14th and U Street. [14th and You]

Columbia Heights - Petes Apizza’s got new bags! [The Heights Life]

[Photo: inked78]

Bitter sweet news from the Housing Complex about the final chapter of seminal restaurant Nathans in Georgetown. Though as of this week the restaurant is permanently closed, the $22,000 tax debt of owner Carol Joynt won’t be an issue because loyal patrons from the last 40 years have pulled together and raised the funds. Now that’s community!

Interestingly the prime property is still on the market.

[Photo: Dr. Cubes Minion]

Nathan’s Closing, Building For Sale - The stretched out saga at the corner of Wisconsin and M Street is slowly coming to an end, unfortunately the restaurant will be closing and the building is on the market, any takers? [Housing Complex]