Protein Bar Opens Today

The newest Penn Quarter resident, Protein Bar, will open their doors today at 11:30a.  We love their DC-themed drink list, particularly Federal A'peel and Politics Acai'd, and are looking forward to giving them a try.  

Normal hours begin tomorrow and are: M-F 7:30a-9p; Sat 10a-8p and Sunday 10a-6p.

Thursday Roundup

A few bits and pieces from the neighborhood:

• Kushi is launching a food truck this fall.  Tweet them with your vote - would you rather it be called "Moto Kushi" or "Kushi Moto"?  We like the latter.

• Stop by the Kogod Courtyard in the American Art Museum for some live jazz tonight from 5-8p.  Junior Mance, International Jazz Hall of Fame inductee will send up Thelonius Monk tonight in conjunction with the exhibition of African American Artists: Harlem Renaissance, Civil Rights Era, and Beyond.

• It's National Rum Day - and Cuba Libre is having a Caippy Hour - rum and rum cocktails will be half-off between 4:30 and   6:30p.  

G Street Still Closed

From this morning's shooting, G Street is still blocked off with police and FBI. Pedestrians are getting by on the south side of the street.

Protein Bar Sets Opening

Through their Twitter feed, Protein Bar has indicated they'll open in exactly one week: on August 22nd.  We'll see you there!

Shooting in Chinatown

A shooting has been reported at 801 G Street - home of the Family Research Council (and potentially other outfits, though we're not sure at this juncture).

A security guard was shot in the arm, according to WNEW, and there are some reports that the suspect has also been shot, though is now in custody.

The Washington Post reports that the guard was conscious and breathing as he was transported to a local hospital.

Authorities have closed the 800 block of G Street NW in both directions.

More as we get it.

11:50a UPDATE:
The incident indeed happened at Family Research Council.  FRC President Tony Perkins took to the FRC blog to say:

"The police are investigating this incident.  Our first concern is with our colleague who was shot today.  Our concern is for him and his family."

Penn Social Deal

Haven't checked out Penn Social yet?  Here's a good reason to get down there:  ScoutMob is offering 50% off your bill (max discount $15), good for both food and drinks.

PQ Bodega Happy Hour

The Penn Quarter Bodega is still plugging away at its funding goals, which we've reported on here.  Want to know more about the donation process or the market's progress?  Head over to Poste on Wednesday between 5 and 7 for the Friends of the Bodega happy hour.

In the meantime, check out the Bodega video:

"Smart" Parking Coming to Penn Quarter

Even if you have an assigned parking spot in a garage in your condo or office, it should come as no surprise that parking comes at a premium in our neighborhood - and a new system is set to be put in place to better capture that premium.

The map above shows the proposed area in which 1,000 sensors will be installed, each able to monitor whether a parking space is occupied.  The city (backed by a million dollar grant from the Federal Highway Administration) will be able to adjust the price of each spot as supply and demand waxes and wanes - and the stated goal is to have at least one spot open per block.  Doing so may require a hefty price tag, but we can't imagine it would be much worse than garage costs in our neighborhood.

Washington, DC is the number one most congested area in the United States, and DDOT cites 1/4 of downtown traffic as caused by those circling looking for parking.  

Commercial parkers will get access to real-time parking availability before the general public, but a small graphic from the DDOT proposal reveals an app will be released showing parking congestion on a space by space basis. 

The plan may go into effect as early as the end of this year.

Protein Bar to Open in About Two Weeks

Protein Bar has begun training its employees, which in our experience has meant that opening day is about a week or two away.  Sure enough, their PR firm confirms they'll be open in two weeks.

Looking forward to having them!

Ashok Bajaj Taking Over the Zola Space

We got a number of conflicting reports yesterday about where Shake Shack was going to make it's move.  We seem to have some finality that it will be the Spy Museum Cafe, however, with this news:

Ashok Bajaj, the proprietor of Rasika, Bibiana and the Oval Room, will be taking over all 8,300 square feet of the old Zola space.
According to Bajaj, "We know Penn Quarter extremely well - our 701 was one of the first restaurants in this neighborhood.  We're delighted to be in this historic building and work with Norman Jemal and the rest of the Douglas Development team."

Bajaj briefly chatted with Tom Sietsema, saying that the deal happened so quickly he hasn't had time to iron out the concept yet - but we do know it won't be: "super fine dining" or Indian.  "I'd like to do something new and fun and exciting," he told Eater.   It will open in Spring 2013.

Shake Shack Confirmed for Spy Museum Cafe

Back in July, we reported that Shake Shack was eyeing the Spy Museum Cafe space.

We now have confirmation from Washington Post reporter Jonathan O'Connell that the burger joint will be open in "mid-2013," but in the space previously occupied by Zola in the Spy Museum Cafe Space.  Considering Spy Museum featured bites from Zola, which is now closed, we knew it was only a matter of time.

The restaurant is known for its long lines (so much so that they've set up a webcam at the New York location so you can "check the line to plan your time.")

We also foresee that Shake Shack will be a big hit with BASIS students (the new charter school opening its doors to students on August 27th on 8th between D and E).  Compounded with tourists, it could certainly get crazy.  But welcome to the neighborhood!

UPDATED 8/8 4:30p to reflect that Shake Shack will be in the Spy Museum Cafe and not Zola.

Unattended Briefcase Causes Closures

Did you happen to leave a black briefcase at 14th and Penn?  If so, you're causing quite the commotion...

Here's what's closed:

Car Accident At (In) Central Liquors

Last night a car careened off of E Street between 6th and 7th and into Central Liquors.  You can check out a picture taken by Penn Quarterite Katherine Kennedy here.   Thankfully, the liquor store was closed at the time.  We believe the store is closed today; our calls have gone unanswered this morning, but we'll be trying to follow up later today.