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Del Frisco’s Grille…Now Early Summer 2012 On Penn Ave *pic*
Back in December 2011 we reported on Del Frisco’s Grille, a a self-described “tempting mix of prime steaks, fresh seafood and twists on American comfort cuisine,” and their plan to take up residence in the old Les Halles space on Pennsylvania Ave between 12th and 13th Streets NW. There’s no doubt now about this notion as the wall hiding construction is up in front of the 8,500 square foot space and Summer 2012 is shown in clear lettering (middle of wall). Their website indicates “early summer” as an opening timeframe so we’re hoping we will get in an al fresco brunch during the front end of this year.
Are We Maxxinistas? Yes, We Are! *pics*
With Filene’s closing and T.J. Maxx opening this week on F St between 12th and 13th St, we couldn’t help but indulge the discount shopper in us by stopping by to check out the new store on the way home from work. Luckily, it’s just across the street from one of the Metro Center subway exits making it a short diversion from our normal trip.
You enter the store on ground level into an area where all you see are purses and handbags and just purses and handbags. The real loot is down the escalators. Head down the escalators on the left and a long hall opens to the right. Jewelry and watches are in counters along the right hand side of the hall. At the end of the hall, hook a right, walk past the checkout counters to get to the main store area that opens up to the right; the store is shaped like a big U. The men’s section is not as large as Filene’s downtown men’s section was but we found casual pants worth purchasing. There are lots of women’s clothes, accessories, and underthings on the floor along with the usual T.J. Maxx mix of housewares, toys/kid’s clothing, luggage, and bedding. Dressing rooms, plain and well lit, are centered on one side of the store in the main area.
All in all, it’s perfectly fine execution for a discount shopping experience and it’s within walking distance of our Penn Quarter. Our inner Don Johnson will be back for the Miami Vice suit later.
601 13th St, NW
Washington, DC 20005
202-637-1261
Monday to Saturday: 8:00a – 9:30p
Sunday: 11a – 8p
Do Something
A smattering of events in our neighborhood this weekend that might give you that much-needed change of pace.
PLAY
April 28
As part of Theatre Week, April 23-29, there are several kid-focused events aimed at introducing young minds to the art and wonder of the stage. Playtime Events:
National Theatre (1321 Pennsylvania Ave., NW)
Shakespeare Theatre Company (610 F St., NW)
April 28 and April 29
Check out some of the free events and exhibits for the USA Science & Engineering Festival
Washington Convention Center (801 Mount Vernon Place)
April 27
PetalFest: Closing Day of the Cherry Blossom Festival
Woodrow Wilson Plaza (Pennsylvania Ave. and 13th St., NW)
April 27
Nicholas Hammond, Friedrich Von Trapp in The Sound of Music movie, discusses and signs The Sound of Music Family Scrapbook.
Barnes & Noble Downtown (555 12th St., NW)
LEARN
April 27
Discussion and book signing with Madea Benjamin, author of Drone Warfare: Killing by Remote Control.
Busboys & Poets (1025 5th St., NW)
April 26
Past, Present, and Future of Congressional and Presidential Campaigns
National Archives
William G. McGowan Theater
Moderated by Leonard Steinhorn, panelists include former Senator Fred Thompson (R-TN), former Congressman Jim Slattery (D-KS), former Congressman Bob Livingston (R-LA), former Congressman Richard Gephardt (D-MO), and John Ashford, Chairman and CEO of the Hawthorn Group. Presented in partnership with the U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress.
April 28
Public Symposium : Celebrating the Reopening of the Nineteenth-Century French Galleries
National Gallery of Art, West Building Lecture Hall (4th and Constitution Ave., NW)
EAT
April 26
Dining Out for Life at neighborhood restaurants like Poste, Ella’s Pizza, Mehak Indian and Ristorante Tosca
April 26
Common Threads Benefit Dinner
The Liaison and Art and Soul (415 New Jersey Ave, NW).
Participating chefs include:
Mike Isabella, Graffiato
Dennis Marron, Poste Moderne Brasserie
Scott Drewno, The Source
Downtown TJ Maxx Opens Tomorrow (601 13th St NW)
A number of online ads have popped up in at least one major online property in DC indicating T.J. Maxx’s Grand Opening is tomorrow at 8 am at 601 13th St NW (entrance on F St NW between 12th and 13th St NW). We bandied new store news about in February when the signs appeared in the windows at buildout start. Sure enough, the TJ Maxx website has the downtown store page all set to go and opening hours indicating an 8 am start. We do love our existing local clothing retailers but it will also be nice to have a store back up and running where we can get those discount shirts, slacks, and whatnots!
Shuttle Flyover Extravaganza *pics*
The space shuttle Discovery flew a few laps around downtown DC last week on its way to retirement at the Smithsonian Udvar-Hazy center. One of our PQ Living readers caught the action from the top of a Pennsylvania Ave condo and we thought we’d share! Click on any of the photos to get a larger view.
J. Crew Windows Show Up On F St (950 F St NW)
As with many store openings, a little pre-announcement advertising can help. Such is the case for J. Crew, a mostly clothing retailer, which now demonstrably is letting everyone know that they plan to open at 950 F St NW in August 2012. They will join Anthropologie, Peruvian Connection, and Lou Lou Boutique as clothing retailers on the 900 block of F Street NW.
Foodie Feasts
A few foodie events around the ‘hood this weekend:
Friday, April 20
America Eats Tavern (405 8th St. NW) New Belgium Beer Event – John Gartner from New Belgium Brewing Company, creators of one of my favorites, Fat Tire, will be on hand for an extended happy hour featuring the usual $1 oysters plus special prices on New Belgium brews. 4pm-7pm
Sunday, April 22
Earth Day Oysterstock on the patio at Poste Brasserie (555 8th St. NW) – oysters and other yummies, plus local wine and beer and love music, all to benefit the Oyster Recovery Program
2pm-Sunset
Foodie and the Beast at Carmine’s (425 7th St. NW) – David and Nycci Nellis’ of Foodie and the Beast will be broadcasting live from Carmine’s while guests enjoy the talents and personalities of local favorites Mike Isabella and Spike Mendelsohn, amongst others.
10:30am-12:30pm
Cochon 555 at The Liaison (415 New Jersey Ave., NW) – Neighborhood chefs Scott Drewno of The Source by Wolfgang Puck, Mike Isabella of Graffiato, Nicholas Stefanelli of Bibiana, and Ed Witt of 701 Restaurant will be competing in this annual challenge to prepare a menu created from heritage breed pigs, nose-to-tail. The winner will compete at the finale Grand Cochon event at the FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen, June 17, 2012.
4pm
Happy eating!
PQ Neighborhood Association Meeting This Thursday With Mayor Gray
The Penn Quarter Neighborhood Association is hosting its monthly breakfast on Thursday, April 19 from 8:30 am to 10 am at Living Social’s newest location at 918 F St NW. Per the usual, the continental breakfast runs from 8:30 am to 8:55 am, announcements begin at 9 am, and the speaker de jour starts at 9:15 am.
This month’s speaker is DC’s own mayor, Mayor Vincent Gray, making this an opportunity to hear and interact with our city’s CEO.
Please RSVP (required) via e-mail by 2:00pm Tuesday, April 17 including the first and last names and affiliations of all people attending to: joann [at] pennquarter.org
We’ll see you there!
733 10th St NW Office Building Success
733 10th St NW, taken in March 2011
Globe St has a nice article detailing the success of Skanska’s speculation office building at 733 10th St NW. With rents as high at $818/sq ft, which analysts report as very respectable, Skanska had been able to bring occupancy to 91% before the building was completed. It does seems that 733 10th St NW will remain an outlier in the world of downtown office building development. There are still very few investors in this market that are interested in funding speculation development.
Festival Fun
This Saturday, there will be two opportunities to enjoy the Cherry Blossom Festival in our neighborhood.
Cherry Blossom Festival Parade
10am-12pm
Constitution Ave., between 7th and 17th Sts. NW
Japanese Street Festival
11am-6pm
12th St. and Pennsylvania Ave., NW
If you’re more in the mood for some indoor fun, then the DC FilmFest starts Friday with showings at these local theaters
Busboys and Poets (1025 5th St. & K St., NW)
Goethe-Institut Washington (812 7th St., NW)
Landmark’s E Street Cinema (555 11th St., NW)
National Gallery of Art East Building Auditorium (4th St. & Constitution Ave., NW)
Naval Heritage Center (701 Pennsylvania Ave, NW)
Regal Cinemas Gallery Place (701 7th St., NW)
Visit their web site for more information about films and tickets
