Thursday's Christmas Tree Lighting Gridlock

The White House Christmas tree lighting is tomorrow - great if you've got tickets, but miserable if you're trying to get in or out of Penn Quarter.  (Special heads up to the Caps fans headed to see the Penguins v Caps game tomorrow at 7p)

The following roads will be closed from 4:15p to the ceremony's completion - about 7:00p:

• 15th Street NW between E Street/Pennsylvania Ave and Constitution Ave
• 17th Street NW between Constitution and New York Avenue.

Metrobus routes 32, 36, 37, 39, L1 and H1 will detour as well.

DDOT notes that street closings and their related parking restrictions are subject to change without notice based upon prevailing conditions.  

Washington Post Reviews Meatballs

Tom Sietsema, food critic at the Washington Post penned his review of Meatballs today.  We'll let you read the full article here, but suffice it to say, Sietsema was not impressed.  At least Penn Quarter got some love:

"For such a new business, Meatballs felt unsupervised and less than fresh.  Still hungry, my partner in crime and I made a beeline for the finest Indian food I know, just around the corner."

 "'The best thing about lunch at Meatballs,' he said an hour later, 'is going to lunch afterward at Rasika.'"

You can check out PQInsider's review of Meatballs here.

National Archives Does an Online PQ Tour

We've pointed out some tours in the past, but here's one you can do from your computer (or your smart phone, as you actually tour the neighborhood).  Curated by the National Archives and run through Historypin, a website that allows users to "share small glimpses of the past and to build up the huge story of human history," the tour invites you to "witness the past in modern-day Washington, DC."

The map route you'll be following along with starts up north at 7th and K and works its way through Penn Quarter down to the National Archives.

Stops include the Carnegie Library, now the DC Historical Society; the Statue commemorating Louis Daguerre, on the grounds of the Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery; the home and office of Belva Lockwood, first woman admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court bar; the United States' first telegraph office, operated by Samuel Morse; the Old Patent Office, now the Smithsonian American Art Museum; Ford's Theater in Lincoln's Time; Clara Barton's Missing Soldiers Office; Photographer Matthew Brady's Studio; Center Market in the present-day location of the National Archives; the National Gallery of Art, before it was built; and the National Archives and Records Administration.  


The tour superimposes the old pictures on top of how the sites look now, while giving you a wealth of information about its history.  For example, check out this image of the commemoration of the Daguerre statue placed right on top of how the National Gallery looks today:

You can start the tour right now, here.

BooksPlus closing; selling all books for one dollar

BooksPlus, the bookstore within the Martin Luther King Library is closing. 

December 30th will be its last day in business, but they are going out with a bang.  For the entire month of December, all books will only be one dollar.

The store is open on Tuesday from 12:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. and on Wednesday through Fridays from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

Celebrity Sighting

We've reported on the First Lady's penchant for dining in Penn Quarter, and last night proved to be no exception: she was spotted at F Street's Co Co Sala.  No word on who she was with or what she ate, though we're sure executive chef & pastry chef Santosh Tiptur whipped her up something delectable.

Their chocolate infused drinks may not be "Let's Move!" approved, but we hope she indulged anyway...

UPDATE:  The Washington Examiner's Yeas and Nays reports that Mrs. Obama dined with seven others, and that her favorite dish was the Moroccan Swordfish Sliders with chermoula marinade, fennel salad, aged pecorino and hazelnut coffee dressing.  Of course, dinner included an edible chocolate sculpture and Co Co's house-made artisanal chocolates.

Craft Show at the Convention Center

It's a tiny bit of a walk, and the Downtown Holiday Market will already be open (it opens December 2nd!), but we wanted to point out another local shopping opportunity this weekend: the 24th Annual Washington Craft Show at the Convention Center.

190 craft artists will be in attendance, some of whom have work in the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, the Renwick Gallery, and the Corning Museum of Glass.  In addition, there will be fashion shows at 1PM on Friday and Saturday from three dozen separate designers.

The show will be there from December 2-4, and hours are as follows:
      Friday: 10AM-8PM
      Saturday: 10AM-6PM
      Sunday: 11AM-5PM

Admission is $15 for adults, $14 for senior citizens and free for children under 12, but you can get $1 off admission with this coupon.

Local Strip Club Closed for Renovations

You may not have even known it exists - but Louis' Rogue Club, just across the street from CityVista and Safeway at 5th and K, has closed for renovations according to the MV Triangle Blog.

As the picture indicates, a lot of work is needed for the building to keep pace with the neighborhood.  It's estimated that the club will reopen in March.  Additionally, the owners are seeking a new tenant for the ground level - potentially a restaurant.

MV Triangle points out that the renewed investment indicates that the plans to sell the property to the luxury hotel, cafe and art gallery venture have likely fallen through.  You can check out the plans for The Arts at 5th and I, which will spring up just across the way from the Meridian, and next to Louis' Rogue.

More Details on Elisir

We had heard that Elisir was opening on December 1st (and OpenTable availability backs us up on that), but the website indicates they will be opening on Wednesday, November 30th:

Chef Fargione announced that the Wednesday opening has been booked:

Reservations are plentiful Thursday onward.  Until then, check out some of the press surrounding the opening:

• Washingtonian's Early Look slideshow (we particularly love the cannoli cigar)
• DCist reports a glass of water will cost you 29 cents - Elisir will be serving stilled bottled water, not "Chateau Potomac." 

Moultrie Courthouse Evacuated

As a follow up, we've learned that the DC Superior Court was evacuated this morning following reports of a suspicious unattended vehicle.

Everyone was evacuated from the building, including prisoners in holding cells, which probably accounts for why pedestrian traffic has been closed around the Courthouse (at 5th and Indiana).

UPDATE:  Thanks to a reader tip, we learned that 50-100 US Marshals were surrounding the building this morning, keeping our neighborhood safe despite the suspicious vehicle.  DCPD declared the area safe at 10:56AM this morning, and all streets are now re-open.

Police Activity in Penn Quarter

Coming in or out of Penn Quarter this morning, you may have noticed closures on Indiana or E Streets.  The DC Police Department reports that there is police activity at 500 Indiana Ave. - the Moultrie Courthouse.

Still no word on the cause, but there are continuing problems in the neighborhood:

Found in Penn Quarter

A friendly PQ Insider reader pointed this Craiglist post out to us this morning:

I found a wedding ring in the gutter on a street in Penn Quarter yesterday. Please describe it and where you think you lost it and I will gladly return it to you.

If this sounds like you (or a family member visiting for Thanksgiving?), check out the posting here.

Black Friday in Penn Quarter

We've already told you how to eat your way through Thanksgiving here in Penn Quarter.  We'd be remiss if we didn't also let you know how to spend your way through Black Friday here.

• Ann Taylor Loft - 40% off everything
• Anthropologie - 50% off sale items from 6AM to 11AM
• Banana Republic - 40% off until 1PM, 25% after 1PM.
• City Sports - $10 off UnderArmor, $20 off ski pants, and 15%-20% off select running shoes and socks
• Coup de Foudre - (VALID SATURDAY ONLY) - save 20% on gift certificates 
• Filene's Basement - (not so much a Black Friday sale as it is a going-out-of-business sale) - everything is up to 30% off
• Guess - 30% off 
• H&M - scratch-offs for the first 100 people (stores open at 5AM)
• Jos. A. Bank - door buster sales - doors open at 6AM
• Lou Lou - free earrings with any purchase
• Macy's - tons of specials, doors open at 4AM
• Mia Gemma - (VALID WEDNESDAY ONLY): 40% off ZIIO
• Urban Outfitters - Extra 50% off sale items from 5AM to 10AM
• Zara - 20% off select items

Filene's Closing Sale

As you know, Filene's Basement is on borrowed time.  Their final sale has begun with the entire store up to 30% off the lowest ticketed price.

When will it close for good?  Filene's has said each store will close on its own schedule, "when all the merchandise is sold."  You'd be wise to get up there now while the getting is still good.  Readers have told us it's been packed!

How the Supercommittee Spent Their Time in Penn Quarter

The supercommittee's failure didn't come as a surprise to many, but it does seem our neighborhood played a tiny part in its demise.

Per Politico:

"It became obvious in the final week that a deal would be impossible.  On Thursday night, wearing a baseball cap and jeans, [Rep. Dave] Camp retreated to Penn Quarter Sports Tavern with Rep. Ander Crenshaw (R-Fla.), where they watched the New York Jets play the Denver Broncos on TV.  His tax expertise wasn't needed because no compromise was close."

Deal or no deal, republican or democrat, Jets or Broncos... you have to admit the guy has good taste in sports bars.

Lady Gaga and Art Smith

The Washingtonian has a piece today hinting that Art & Soul's Art Smith has offered to let Lady Gaga take over his ever-popular restaurant for a night to introduce Washington mainstays to her Born This Way Foundation.  The foundation, started by Lady Gaga and her mother to combat bullying, will launch in early 2012.  It's imagined that the event will happen around the same time as the launch.

Art Smith and Lady Gaga already have plans to appear in "A Very Gaga Thanksgiving," a special that will air on ABC Thursday at 9:30p.  The pair will be making fried turkey and waffles infused with pecorino, crispy pepperoni, and herbs.

Hamilton Open on December 15th

We've reported on Penn Quarter's forthcoming 24-hour music/sushi/craft beer/regional fare establishment The Hamilton in the past, most recently that they had pegged December 2011 for their opening.  They appear to be right on schedule, since we heard today that Thursday, December 15th will be their big day.

You can see more about The Hamilton's operation here.  In just a few weeks you can find it in the old Borders space at 14th and F.

Chinatown Chop't Temporarily Closing

Chinatown's Chop't will be closed starting tomorrow (Tuesday November 22nd) for one week (until November 28th) for renovations.  If you get sick of turkey leftovers and need your Chop't fix, we recommend the Metro Center location (12th between F & G).

Winter's on the Way

Today marks the opening of the National Gallery of Art's skating rink and just two weeks until the Downtown Holiday Market opens.  The market will return to F St (between 7th and 9th) for its seventh straight year - and this year it will be open for a bit longer than usual.  You'll have 22 days (December 2nd to December 23rd, from noon to 8PM) to get all of your holiday shopping in.  

You can check out all of the exhibitors here - 175 regional artisans in total.  Some exhibitors will be there all four weeks (we've heard from local photographer Joe Shymanski that he'll be one), where others will just pop in for a few days, so it's worth heading back multiple times in December to see what's new.  

The Market also provides nearly continuing entertainment for its shoppers - at least two performers will be on stage per day, including Grammy-nominated Christylez Bacon, who recently gave a performance at TEDx Penn Quarter. 

FBI to Relocate to the 'Burbs?

WTOP is reporting this morning that the FBI (currently housed in the deteroriating square block behemoth at 9th between Pennsylvania and E) is considering relocating its headquarters to Loudoun or Prince George's County instead of funneling the estimated 80.5 million dollars back into the J. Edgar Hoover building for repairs.  The new silver metro line out to Loudoun County, due to be completed in a few years, makes it a particularly attractive option, WTOP reported.

The Government Accountability Office completed a report a few days ago that the Hoover building does not meet security requirements, and an earlier 2008 report called the building's design "inefficient and functionally obsolete."  We might add "ugly" to that list.

The building houses 17,300 employees and 2.4 million square feet of space.  Think that's big enough for Eataly?

At the Market

Only one week until Thanksgiving, so if you're cooking you'd be wise to head on down to the Penn Quarter market today (the market's closed next week for the holiday.  (And if you're not cooking, see our list of local restaurants serving here).

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, the FreshFarm Market is hosting a Thanksgiving food drive to benefit Thrive DC.  Bring non-perishables, purchase food from the market, or make a cash donation (which will be used to purchase goods directly from market farmers), and Chef Jose Andres will reward you with some free spinach chickpea soup if you participate from 4-6PM.

Today you can find baby spinach from Anchor Nursery, mizuna greens from Mountain View Farm and quince from Toigo Orchards.

Reservations at Graffiato

It's hard enough getting a reservation at Graffiato as it is - Mike Isabella's Italian restaurant has become our neighborhood's newest hotspot (how could you not love prosecco on tap!).

Now, to get a reservation, you'll have to eschew your old friend OpenTable and head on over to City Eats.  (But hurry - only 7p and 10p reservations are left for tonight!)

Hear from Mike Isabella himself why he made the switch:

City Eats won't be your one stop shop for reservations yet (it's Penn Quarter and Chinatown restaurants only include Asia Nine, Asian Spice, Buddha Bar, Cuba Libre, Graffiato, Hill Country, J&G Steakhouse, La Tasca, Oya, Sax and Sei), but it's obviously making big moves in the market by being Graffiato's exclusive reservation agent.

Old Post Office Still in Limbo

The General Services Administration has been collecting proposals for the Old Post Office space for nearly a year - and though today was the day they were to have made their final determination, we instead were told they'd need until "early 2012" to decide.

As we reported, heavy-hitters like the Waldorf Astoria, Trump Hotel, the National Museum of Jewish People, and Carpenter & Company had all put in proposals for the space.  The GSA has not released the full list of proposals, but we are aware of nearly ten - most of which turn the space into a luxury hotel with some mixed use commercial space.

The space is the largest commercial building and the third tallest in DC - only shorter than the Basilica and the Washington Monument (it edges out the Capitol by a whopping 26 feet).

Elisir Opens December 1

You can't yet make a reservation on OpenTable, but the Washington Post is reporting that Elisir will be open for lunch in exactly two weeks on December 1st.

Here you can see the staff hard at work at dining room training:

Win Some Neighborhood Fun

There's always something new to try in Penn Quarter, which is one of the reasons we love living here.  Some giveaways make trying those new things even easier:

• Register here to get 2 tickets to Saturday evening's performance of Cirque du Soleil's Quidam.  
• Enter this contest to win complimentary brunch for 2 at Asia Nine.
• Tweet at Living Social in this contest to win Kushi Room Service:

Protest in Penn Quarter

As a quick heads up, Occupy DC is currently marching through Chinatown.  According to Tim Craig at the Washington Post, the protesters overtook security at 750 9th St - the Brookfield Properties headquarters - but have voluntarily left.  You can see Craig's picture here.

This is the latest from DCPD (6:02 PM)

DCPD estimates there are 200 protesters out tonight.

Elisir Hopes to Open Next Week

Well, we were skeptical of Elisir's plans to open in early November, but if you scroll to the end of their construction footage montage below, it does look like Elisir might be on target for their opening "as soon as next week," per Dining Bisnow.

Enzo Fargione will open the restaurant (11th between Pennsylvania and E) with two tasting menus at dinner, seven courses for $75 and ten courses for $95.  An entree, dessert, and soft drink at lunch will run you only $19.

The entire outfit is extremely high-tech: 5 flat screens will show Fargione at work; your wine list lives on an Android tablet; and waiters are outfitted with hand-held credit card processors.

The restaurant will also be hosting cooking classes for $129, which includes lunch, wine, recipe books and an apron to take home.  You'll be able to try classes like "colorful pastas and their sauces," "fish and shellfish," "veal lamb and beef" and "Italian mouthful tapas."

Meatballs in Review

Meatballs got off to a rocky start but since its opening last week we've seen a pretty consistent crowd inside, and we've been dying to give it a try. We here at PQ Insider finally got the chance on Sunday night, and we headed over at the stroke of 8:30 PM. Much to our dismay, the staff was already cleaning up - closed for the night - which didn't match up with the fact that their posted hours are 11A-9P.

So, we chalked that one up to growing pains and made a point to go back last night.

Around 7PM last night the tables were mostly full but we had the counter to ourselves.

The staff was patient while we chose our meal (the classic grinder on garlic bread with marinara, mozzarella, hot peppers and fritos (why not! toppings are free)).  You can see the menu here.

Preparation doesn't take long, but while we waited we eyed some of the merchandise they're selling: hats and t-shirts with "got balls?" "goof ball" and "odd ball" written all over them.  Decor stays along the "balls" theme: books and games about meatballs, containers filled with golf balls, gum balls, wiffle balls etc.

We opted to take our meal to go and got home to this:

Lesson learned: the grinders don't travel very well (keeping in mind it couldn't have been more than 3 minutes from door to door).  Might we suggest that Meatballs take a cue from their neighbors Luke's Lobster - which delicately packages their lobster rolls and are perfect to go?

Eating it was another challenge.  The grinder is incredibly large and nearly impossible to eat.  Even cutting it in half, we were glad we were in the privacy of our own home (and had changed out of work clothes).

The grinder itself was very good, but not great. The bread tasted stale and was somehow simultaneously too chewy and too crispy to really enjoy the insides.  The fritos were also stale - almost rubbery.  That said, the meatballs were incredibly moist and tasty and really made up for a myriad of sins.  We tried the classic meatballs, and maybe next time we'll try the chicken or crab - but maybe as "minis" or over pasta.  Yes - we'll be back - but we hope some of the growing pains will have subsided by then.

UPDATE:  As an aside, we thought it was worth mentioning that Meatballs shows up on your credit card statement as "We've Got Balls."  In case your wife asks.

Verizon Center without the Wizards

The NBA season is on hold, and the lockout may last the entire season.  That's going to leave the Verizon Center in our neighborhood empty a lot of nights, which will hurt local businesses, restaurants, and bars.

What to do with the space during the lockout?

We have an idea (ok a stupid one, but still).  Penn Quarter is rapidly turning into a nightlife hotspot, we say accelerate the process by making the ULTIMATE club at the Verizon Center.

You've got lights, and you have an amazing sound system.  And basketball court = massive dance floor.  Let's party.

Deal Roundup

A few local deals to get your Tuesday started:

• Save 55% at the Newseum - just $10 for adult entry at Groupon.
• Get $20 worth of drinks for just $10 at Iron Horse - and $1 from your purchase will go to DC Central Kitchen - at KGB Deals.
• Save 50% at PS7's, totally free (you'll just have to download the app) - at ScoutMob. (And yes, it looks like you can use the discount on cuptails)

Room Service

We're already big fans of Seamless Web, which is an online food delivery and takeout service.  Today, LivingSocial entered as a competitor with a similar service called Instant Ordering.  According to All Things D, the service launches today with seventy different merchants.

More importantly, LivingSocial has kicked up the delivery idea a notch with another new program, "Room Service."  You'll get a high-end meal, real dishes, cloth napkins, and even candles - delivered directly to your door.  LivingSocial honchos the delivery (we're sure you'll be seeing the vans around town soon), and they'll drop off your food at the time you've reserved.  You'll enjoy your food set to candlelight, and leave the plates outside, just like real room service, and LivingSocial will pick up the accouterments the next day.  We're not entirely sure how it works for condos - maybe you'll be charged with leaving everything at your front desk.

Room Service will start Thursday of this week with two set menus from Kushi.  Each will run you $66, which the restaurant says is about comparable to a meal for two people including tip. Menu one is for meat lovers - shrimp and pork skewers, and a plate of sushi.  The second is vegetarian with mushrooms, soba noodles, and sushi.  LivingSocial plans to roll out more vendors and menus later this month.  No word on the delivery zone yet, but our proximity to Kushi (and LivingSocial's multiple headquarters) should act in our favor.

UPDATE:  The promo code "INSTANT" will get you $5 off your Instant Order.

Urban Forestry to Plant New Trees

We're busy losing the last of fall's leaves now, but come spring the neighborhood will have a bit more foliage: the DDOT as part of its Urban Forestry campaign is planting 3,540 new trees between now and May.   You can check out the map yourself:

View Larger Map

The map lets you zoom in to see what type of tree will be planted, (like this ginkgo tree that will be planted at 9th and G Pl, which will inevitably have to be sprayed for its stink come spring.)

Global Trade Center Proposal

Image courtesy U.S.-China Capital Cities Friendship Council

The designer of the Chinatown Arch, Alfred Liu, has even bigger plans for the area he knows so well (Liu also designed the Wah Luck House at 6th and H).  Liu's proposed a ten-story global trade center for the stretch above 395 between K and NY Avenue.

We've reported on the proposal to fill the airspace of 395 a bit further south, but this 1.7 million square foot structure would be built above this stretch of 395, close to CityVista:

The building is incredibly interesting and would add a lot to an otherwise pretty desolate area.  Still, we note that the airspace project further south was approved in 1990 and it's still listed as "in development."  This 1998 story from the Washington City Paper reveals that Liu has been calling the trade center his "dream project" for almost 15 years - so perhaps he'll be able to pull it off in a more timely fashion...

Versace Coming to Penn Quarter

H&M is known for selling designer duds at a more accessible price point.  For example, last year's holiday season brought Lanvin to H&M, and we reported about the crowds amassing the night before.

This Saturday, H&M will again open its doors early (8 AM) to welcome their new Versace collection.  H&M anticipates quite the gathering.  Want in?  H&M advises you to get there early.  The first 280 people will be given a bracelet (14 different colors in all).  Each color will correspond to a 15 minute shopping period (applicable for the women's collection only - men's shoppers will not require a bracelet).  If you're too late for a bracelet, you will have to wait for the first 280 shoppers to be done.  Shoppers are limited to two pieces per product.

Pre-shop the collection here, and if anything catches your eye, start planning your Friday night camp out at 1025 F St. now...

Living Social Seeks New Space

Living Social makes a lot of headlines around these parts - it was only last week that we reported that their future headquarters at 918 F Street had been cited for improper permits. We've now learned they are already looking for new digs.

The Washington Post reports that Living Social is looking for 350,000 square feet (that's over ten times the size of Filene's, which will be vacant soon) to fill with ball pits, skeeball, (and of course some work space too).  Right now the outfit is split over three separate buildings here in Penn Quarter.

There have been reports that suburban counties have tried to lure Living Social's massively expanding footprint beyond the beltway, but CEO Tim O'Shaughnessy has confirmed they'll be staying within the District.  We are liking Penn Quarter's new designation as "Silicon Hill," and we hope Living Social won't go far.  Maybe City Center can make space for them?  

Penn Quarter on TV Tonight

Paul Bakery gets its primetime debut tonight at 9PM on NBC's Nonstop Foodies.  Host Jim Handly can be found testing the Parisian goodies on digital channel 4.2, Comcast 208, Fios 460, Cox 803, or RCN 28.  We hope they get some good shots of the neighborhood (and maybe the neighbors!)

Market Roundup

We agree!  Join Jose and Ming at the market on 8th between D and E to grab some organic carrots and vitamin greens from the Farm at Sunnyside, and from Harvest Market DC: Brussels sprouts, butternut squash and pomegranate salad, and some broccoli soup with aged goat cheese.

What's to Become of the MLK Library

The DC Public Library is in a state of transition, as well as a budget crunch, and now the Library's continuing presence in Penn Quarter is in question.

The District of Columbia has isolated the building that houses the MLK Library right now - designed by renowned architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and dedicated in September of 1972 - as a potential source of income.  Now, the library, along with the Downtown Business Improvement District and the Urban Land Institute, will be reviewing and assessing the value of that land next week.

According to the Library's release:

"On November 13 - November 18, ULI will convene an advisory services panel of national experts to review demographic and trend data; interview area stakeholders including civic and community leaders, elected officials, advisory neighborhood commissioners, commercial and residential developers, architects, business organizations, financial institutions and religious institutions; discuss potential uses of the current building; and discuss the ideal location for a downtown central library."

From the sound of things, it is all but decided that the central library will be leaving its current location.  This is of course disheartening, but chief librarian Ginnie Cooper confirmed that "the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library will continue to exist and be located downtown."

A loyal PQ Insider reader has confirmed to us that community members are more than welcome to join the panel at the library on Friday, November 18 from 9-11AM, when findings and recommendations will be presented.

As we've mentioned, we find the library to be a great resource in Penn Quarter, and hope the numbers can be crunched to keep it around.  We can't immediately think of a downtown space expansive enough to house it, particularly when even Eataly can't find enough space around here.  We look forward to hearing what the panel recommends.

Funxion Temporarily Closed - Phase II Coming Soon

Penn Quarter's "first FIT restaurant and bar," Funxion, has closed temporarily to prepare for "Phase II," though we're not quite sure exactly what that means...

Their Facebook page announced last week:

Phase I of the FunXion launch has come to an end & Management has decided to cease operations of the Metro Center Location until the launch of FunXion Phase II.

...Funxion Phase II will include a fully revamped menu with catering, delivery and grab-n-go functional products unlike any other restaurant around.  From FunXion to DysFunXion to MalFunXion, Phase II will include the most advanced functional food & beverage on the planet.

One reader suggested that Phase II sounds like bankruptcy court... but we're hoping for the best for the restaurant.  After all, we could be privy to the most advanced food and beverage on the planet!  


Prince of Petworth has pictures of their closing signs here.

No word on when they will reopen.

JANUARY 10th update: Funxion has permanently closed.

A Very Penn Quarter Thanksgiving

Today marks two weeks until turkey day, if you can believe it.  If you're staying local and would rather someone else do the cooking (and the cleaning), we've compiled all of the options you have within walking distance here.  As of posting, all of these restaurants still had reservations, but get on over to OpenTable to secure your turkey!  (Perennial favorite Rasika is already booked for the day!)

Many of these restaurants allow for takeout too (we know that Carmine's will - Hill Country and Zola are only doing takeout).  Destress and let someone else cook, at least:

• 701.  Three course meal with live jazz.  $48.  
• Art & Soul.  Serving 11AM-9PM.  Carving stations and all the sides.  Includes a turkey sandwich for Friday lunch!  Adults $55, children $27.  
• Buddha Bar.  Thanksgiving with an Asian flare.  $55.
• Carmine's.  Served family style.  $195 serves 6-8.  
• Chef Geoff's.  Serving 2PM-8PM.  Three course meal.  Adults $39, children $11.95.  
• Clyde's.  Serving 11AM-1:30AM (so if you're still craving turkey after your family dinner you can head over late night!).  Turkey entree meal is $25.95.  Kids $15.95.
• Finn & Porter.  Serving all day.
• Fiola. Serving 11:30AM - 7PM.  Three course meal.  Adults $55, kids $20. 
• Hill Country.  Pick up from 9A-noon.  Feast for 9-12 is $265, feast for 5-8 is $185.  A la carte options also available.
• J+G Steakhouse.  $68 price fix, a la carte also available.
• La Tasca.  Open all day.  $21.70.
• Legal Seafood.  Serving 12-9PM.  "Everything from stuffed turkey to stuffed lobster."
• McCormick & Schmick's.  Serving 11AM-9PM.  Adults $23.95, kids $7.95.
• M&S Grill.  Serving 11AM-9PM.  Adults $23.95, kids $7.95.
• Old Ebbitt Grill.  Serving 11AM-1:30AM (another good late night option).  Turkey entree meal is $25.95.  Kids $15.95.
• Rosa Mexicano.  A price fix menu will be available, but is not online yet.  
• Zola Wine Kitchen.  Take out only.  Orders done a la carte and serve 6 people.  Plus you get 15% off wine!  

CityCenter Update

At the District of Columbia Business Industry Association "Spotlight on Development" meeting this morning, representatives from CityCenter announced that the project was 6-8 weeks ahead of schedule.

And, get a load of this:

Half a million yards of dirt!  Clark Construction Group also reported that 6 of the 7 cranes are now in place.  Completion of the project is expected in late 2013, though that may be bumped up if they continue working ahead of schedule.

Check out what it will look like here.

Meatballs Has Opened

Really, this time.  Photographic evidence: 

Reviews of Meatballs are Up

Participants of last night's Dishcrawl were privy to a pre-soft-opening (if such a thing exists) taste of Meatballs. (Lucky!!)

Yelp user Kristin M. posted these pictures that have our mouths watering:

Check out the menu here:

The restaurant already has pretty solid reviews on Yelp - check it out.

One thing you can't see on the menu: Meatballs also will be offering a giant crockpot of meatballs, 2 loaves of bread, 2 lbs of pasta and a salad for $79.99 - it serves 6-8 and sounds like the PERFECT tailgate food to us...

You can check our PQ Insider's review here.