A When's-It-Opening Update

Two months ago, we did a round-up of Penn Quarter establishments that were en route.  We figured it was time for some updates.

We'll start with the most prominent offender to timely-openings: Wagamama.  Absolutely no progress has been made.  Last we heard, they were waiting on "confirmation from landlords and property development," and were to expect a press release in a few weeks.  No dice.  No development:

Just down the block, however, at 7th and D, Protein Bar is making strides towards opening this summer.  We love their mission: to "provide active, on-the-go people with healthy, flavorful choices while having a positive impact on everyone [they] meet and in everything [they] do."  This is Chicago's menu, but we expect much the same here in DC.

Grand Trunk still has its main space blockaded from public view, and though we've occasionally seen workers in and out, it doesn't look much closer to opening.  The signs have been updated to say "coming soon," as opposed to "Winter 2012."

The old Hot Potato Cafe space has, at the very least, been marked for lease by Douglas Development.  A commenter let us know that a pizza joint slated for the building was nixed by Douglas because Carmine's lease prevents anything similar on the block.  It's too small (we think, anyway) for the Penn Quarter Bodega - what else would you like to see in that space?

District Taco is undergoing final inspections this week!  Orale!  Last night, work was underway, and they told us they'd be "opening in a couple of weeks."  Watch this space:

Daikaya: still a giant hole in the ground.  No soup for you.

Del Frisco's Grille got signage - and has classified opening as "early summer."  We're (happily) thinking June.

The Art of Spyn has bumped their opening back a season to Summer 2012.  We wonder if they'll open at the same time as their neighbors, J. Crew - in August.

Dangerously Delicious Pies has officially missed its April prediction.  Frankly, we're confused by the location - Douglas Development says it will be at 901 7th Street, but as of last night, the TD Bank there was still very operational.  If it's the space down the block, as Prince of Petworth indicated, that space still has the "for lease" signs up, and nothing has been built out inside.  Moreover, the "for lease" signs are by Brookfield, not Douglas Development.  We've reached out to management but haven't heard anything. Thoughts, our (smarter-than-us) readers?  

And finally, Local Vine Cellar will be opening this week!