RSS FeedThe New Fireside Chat
I know we’re late to the party on this one, but we were finally able to secure seats outside on the lower patio at Poste Brasserie (555 8th ST NW) around one of the fire pits, and it was just as nice as we thought it would be. The upper-patio at Poste with normal dining tables and space heaters is a great option this time of year. But each time we sat on that patio we were jealous of those on the lower portion of the patio, sitting around the fire pits, drinking sparkling wine and eating truffled popcorn, often with their pets in tow.
The fire pit produces heat enough to keep the chill away on a cold night, and the happy hour prices for sparkling wine and finger food might be the best deal in the city. Sitting around the fire pit does mean smelling like you’ve spent the evening at Shelly’s Back Room, but that’s a small price to pay for the experience. While it may have taken us a long time to finally take in the experience, you can expect to see us back often.
70s Reference From Red Apron Butchery: Never Mind The Veggies
Nothing beats a good marketing play and we were amused to see the upcoming Red Apron Butchery location in Penn Quarter riff the art of an iconic 1970’s album by The Sex Pistols (Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols) with its window paper. “Never Mind the Veggies, Here’s Red Apron” reads the postering…and we love it.
The venue at 709 D St NW (old Union Hardware building – [PDF]) will not only be a butcher but also a restaurant serving American cuisine with a total occupancy load of 160 with seating for 110. We wonder if Johnny Rotten would be amused too. TGIF.
PQ Holiday Shopping List
I know this is a little later than usual, but I couldn’t resist the synchronicity of posting on 12-12-12 at 12!
Here are a few ideas I’ve spotted in the neighborhood for friends and family gifts this holiday season. Happy shopping!
Part 1:
For the World Traveler
Hand-woven bags from Peru, Inca, PQ Holiday Market (F St., NW, b/w 7th and 9th)
Handmade pillows of favorite cities and graphic maps from Cartoloji, PQ Holiday Market
For the Animal Lover
Cute Dog Oven Mits at Anthropologie (950 F St., NW)
Hedgehog Measuring Cups (Love these!) at Anthropologie (950 F St., NW)
For the Foodie
Kennedy Center Honors Gift Basket from Cowgirl Creamery (919 F St., NW)
Fork and Spoon Serving Plate at Anthropologie (950 F St., NW)
Penn Quarter Link Roundup: Heard In The ‘Hood
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Here’s what we were reading recently about neighborhood news in DC. Have something to add? Leave it in the comments!
Tips? Send them in confidentiality to: pqliving [at] gmail.com
Chinatown – Last Monday we asked the question “Is PS7’s Restaurant closed?” It turns out that the answer is yes as a new restaurant called Del Campo from Chef Victor Albisu will take over the 777 I St NW space in the Spring of 2013. [WaPo]
Penn Quarter – In other restaurant news, 701’s chef, Ed Witt, is moving on amid other shuffles in the Ashok Bajaj restaurant empire (Knightsbridge Restaurant Group). 701 is at 701 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Market Square. [WaPo – Ask Tom chat]
Penn Quarter – Lots, and we mean lots, of press was generated by GSA’s stated intent to consolidate the FBI which presently has its headquarters at 935 Pennsylvania Ave NW. Penn Quarter Living weighed in on a lighter note and Jack Evans, Ward 2 Councilmember, got in the mix too. [Huffington Post] & [PQ Living] & [WaPo]
Penn Quarter – The Shakespeare Theatre sued to not have its rent raised after having the 7th St location in the Lansburgh Building (450 7th St NW) subsidized for the last 14 years. The sweetheart deal hearkens back to the Pennsylvania Avenue Development Corporation days of this neighborhood’s development. [WaPo]
Penn Quarter – Tom Seitsema reviews the newly moved Minibar (855 E St NW) and gives it a very pedestrian two stars out of four. Jose Andres chimes back on Twitter with his outlook. Andres also recently tweeted out the availability of a seat one night which we thought interesting. We’ll try Minibar at some point but think Seitsema does have valid points given the upwardly revised pricing to $225 plus prix fixe drinks for a seating. [WaPo] & [Seitsema-Andres tweets via Eater DC] & [Andres Minibar free seat tweet]
Southwest – CityZen (1330 Maryland Ave SW) will be creatively selecting its menu for New Year’s by crowdsourcing it. Clever and undoubtedly yummy. [Washingtonian]
National Mall – The National Gallery of Art will host four weekend holiday caroling sessions in the West Rotunda building. Sounds like good fun! [NGA website]
Penn Quarter – We are designating this 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom condo with patio for sale in Market Square (701 Pennsylvania Ave NW – Apt 1219) as our cool crib of the week – MLS DC7948146. The view is to die for. [Redfin listing]