Wagamama Rumors

We have it on pretty good authority that Wagamama corporate says they plan to open the 7th Street store in January.  Of course, they haven't started construction, so that means they will probably open in June or so in reality.

However, the real news here is that they do still plan to come.  The delay apparently happened when the (international) company went through some management changes.  They are still paying rent on the 7th Street space though and do intend to open a store there.

We'll believe it when we see it, but this is encouraging.   2010 seemed so far away when the Wagamama 2010 signs went up, it would be nice to have something (anything!) in that space.

More hotels coming to Convention Center area

The Marriott Marquis being build beside the convention center is set to be the second-largest hotel in the District.   But it's still not enough.  The city wants 1,600 hotel rooms surrounding the convention center.

Therefore, Marriott has plans to build two more hotels next to the Marriott Marquis, reports DC Mud.  They will build a Marriott Residence Inn and a Courtyard by Marriott, which cater to different customers and generally are priced at a different level.

The Marriott Marquis will have 1,175 rooms, and the other two hotels are expected to be smaller.

That adds to a number of other Marriott properties in the area, including the Courtyard by Marriott at 9th and F, the Renaissance by Marriott at 9th and Eye, the Marriott Metro Center, and the J.W. Marriott.

The Marriott Marquis is expected to open in 2014, and the other hotels will open later.

Jaleo cooking demonstration at the farmer's market today

It's Thursday - both opening day for Graffiato and Farmer's Market day.

The Washington Post has the farmer's market specials for today and, as always, we pass them along to you:

• Red Apron Butcher will have salami

• Clear Spring Creamery will have skim milk, cream, and butter.

As a special treat at the Farmer's Market today, chef Ramon Martinez of Jaleo will perform a cooking demonstration at 4:00 p.m.

Pictures of the inside of Graffiato

If you just can't wait until the opening tomorrow, revamp.com has pictures of the inside of Graffiato.  You can check them out here.

The Ellipse to get a redesign

The Washington Business Journal reports that the Ellipse, as well as the surrounding parks that make up President's Park South, is getting a redesign.

The new design is supposed to ease the eye-sore of post 9/11 security enhancements and improve the visitor experience.

The National Capital Planning Commission unveiled five proposals for the renovation, and plans to announce the winner of the competition on June 30th. 

You can see all five proposals online here, and they are also viewable at the White House Visitor Center (1450 Pennsylvania Ave N.W.).

Metro announced expanded service for July 4

July 4th is quickly approaching, and our neighborhood will undoubtedly be inundated with visitors. 

To facilitate moving about on this busy day, Metro has announced that they will operate from 7:00 a.m. until midnight, with "near rush-hour service levels" from 6:00 p.m. until midnight.  The fireworks show on the mall is at 9:10 p.m.

The Smithsonian Station will be closed most of the day on July 4th.  That means the crowds are more likely to be pushed to our neighborhood stations, particularly for the fireworks on the mall.  However, Smithsonian will re-open at the conclusion of the fireworks show.

Metro expect to provide more than 500,000 rail trips on July 4th. 

The Bar Method coming to D.C.

The Bar Method is a workout routine that "integrates the fat burning format of interval training, the muscle shaping technique of isometrics, the elongating principles of dance conditions, and the science of physical therapy" according to barmethod.com.

Bar studios are sweeping the nation and D.C. is the next stop.  Bar Method D.C. will be opening in Penn Quarter at 750 9th Street N.W. "within the next two weeks," we are told.  An opening date has not been finalized yet, but we will let you know as soon as we do.

The studio at Bar Method D.C.

Henry King's place

If you have ever wondered why RFD has such an ornate building on 7th Street, once again Streets of Washington has our answer.

The building was once the pride and joy of Henry King, Jr., one of Washington's most prominent retailers in the late 1800's.   King didn't come to America until 1850, and became a citizen in 1855 at the age of 21.  King opened a clothing store that became quite a success, even selling hats to Mary Todd Lincoln and Julia Grant while they were in the White House.

His store changed locations a number of times before settling at 814 7th Street N.W. in 1878.

More about King's Place and the church across the street is available here from Streets of Washington.

Graffiato on OpenTable, late night hours confirmed

Graffiato is now on OpenTable, so you can make your reservations to try Penn Quarter's newest restaurant online.  However, they are not accepting reservations by OpenTable until Monday, June 27th.   And many of the earlier reservations are already gone!

Their OpenTable page also confirms what we have reported before, while the restaurant will close at 10:30 p.m., 11:00 p.m., or midnight (depending on the night), the pizza oven and bar will be open until midnight, 1:00 a.m., or 2:00 a.m., making Graffiato a late-night eatery and a late-night bar.

The hours of operation are as follows:

• Sunday to Tuesday: 11:30 a.m. until 10:30 p.m., pizza oven and bar until 12:00 a.m.
• Wednesday and Thursday: 11:30 a.m. until 11:00 p.m., pizza oven and bar until 1:00 a.m.
• Friday and Saturday: 11:30 a.m. until 12:00 a.m., pizza oven and bar until 2:00 a.m.

Central Liquors delivers to your door

We have previously posted about the new management at Central Liquors, which is now on E Street.  We have heard the store has greatly improved under the new management, as well.

Now we have found out that Central Liquors will deliver to your door.   That's right - your wine and spirits can come to you.

The minimum purchase for delivery is $50 and they charge $10 for delivery.  However, if you are only ordering a few bottles and you live within a block or two (and many of you do), they typically discount the delivery to $5.

New Restaurant coming to 4th and Mass Ave

A new wine bar is coming to 4th and Mass, as was first reported by Prince of Petworth (h/t The Triangle Blog).

The description on their liquor license application says the space will be a "European cafe with wine bar.  Breakfast and lunch with bakery.  Small plates during dinner and wine bar, no dancing."

The restaurant is expected to hold 75 people and will have a "summer garden" that holds 40.

Graffiato to open June 23rd

The much-anticipated Graffiato restaurant from celebrity chef Mike Isabella finally has an opening date.  The restaurant will be opening this Thursday, June 23rd.  Dinner service will begin at 5:00 p.m.  The restaurant will be open seven days a week, and will open for lunch a few weeks down the road.

The menu of the two-story restaurant will include artisanal pizzas, chicken thighs with pepperoni sauce, and king crab legs with sea urchin.  Appetizers include warm, fresh-stretched mozzarella, locally cured hams, and spiced red beets with pork fried almonds.

And a secret for readers of Penn Quarter Insider: when you go, you won't find zeppoles on the menu.  Order them anyway.  For those in the know, Isabella will be preparing 15 to 20 orders of sweet fluffy dough balls each evening which will be dusted with strawberry powdered sugar and served with balsamic chocolate dipping sauce.   The item won't be on the menu, but is reserved for neighborhood guests who know about it.

The second floor also has a ham bar.   The wooden counter will feature cured meats and fresh-stretched mozzarella.

Graffiato is not yet on Open Table, but the menu is available here.


Previous Posts about Graffiato:

• Graffiato to have prosecco on tap
• Graffiato is very close to opening
• More details on Graffiato
• A look inside Graffiato
• Graffiato is hiring
• Preview of Graffiato's menu
• Graffiato finds a location

Red line delays at Gallery Place

There was an "earlier problem" at the Gallery Place-Chinatown metro stop today causing red line delays, according to WMATA.

Apparently that problem has been resolved, but there is now another "disruption" at Gallery Place.  This disruption is causing delays to Glenmont.

Allow extra time or avoid the red line today if you can.