RSS FeedPotato Valley Cafe Opening Today? (614 E St NW)
Big thanks go to Cathy for the following info:
Looks like the opening of Potato Valley Café on [614] E Street [NW] is imminent. I saw a food delivery truck there this morning [Friday], and although the brown paper is still on the windows, you can see the décor – and condiments on the tables – through one section of the window. I decided to call over there to find out when they were opening. The man I spoke with said “Monday.” But then added the dreaded: “hopefully…”
Cheryl has some additional info:
They are going to open at 11 AM tomorrow (Monday) and close around 6 PM. If there is foot traffic, people keep coming in around 6, they will close as late as 9 PM. They are probably going to be open on Saturday’s and will continue to do so if busy. At the start they will not be open on sunday.
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Comments
If anyone goes today please provide a report! This is a block away from my office, so a welcome addition to the neighborhood. I would check it out for lunch but I’ll be in a lunch meeting.
Yay for the Potato Valley. I wish them the best, and I look forward to trying one.
As for the CVS, yes it will be closing. There was an announcement at the DCDNA meeting. I’m not sure what the final agreement was, but they were working on where how they would reopen once the new building on that corner is done. I think the developers wanted it underground (like BB&B) but CVS wanted to take all or most of the 1st floor retail space.
CVS may be closing the end of the month. It will take about 2 years for the new development to open. CVS will have first floor space and the basement. All prescriptions not picked up will go to the CVS on Mass and 4th.
Cheryl — are you saying that CVS will not be following the BB&B model of underground retail? I thought the developer wanted to keep the first floor for other retail.
What is with the comment policy on this blog? I don’t have the time to read this every day, and too often show up for discussions that are “closed for comments” because the bloggers here feel that the conversation is done. I realize this is your blog and all, but isn’t it also supposed to be a community resource? Is there any reason to close comments other than the fact that readers aren’t concentrating as much as you would like on your latest posts? Sometimes conversations take new and interesting turns; that doesn’t seem like a reason to stop talking altogether.
Some of the issues here (homelessness and retail development come to mind) are a lot more worthy than others (missing Potbelly tree, opera on the Mall), at least to people who like use this blog to have a discussion with neighbors it would be impossible to meet otherwise. Why allow comments at all if only one side gets to decide when the conversation stops?
Went to Potato Valley Cafe for lunch. I played it safe and ordered their Chili & Cheese potato. Everything tasted great, and I have no qualms over the freshness of their ingredients (their onions came from Denmark), but for $9 I don’t know if it was worth it.
Dine-in room is severely limited, as the few tables only seat 2. Friendly staff though.
I have been to this Annapolis PVC. While the potatoes are good, they are expensive for what you get. If they lowered the prices to be a bit more reasonable, I would frequent much more often.
Jason-
I have wondered the same thing as of late. I have toyed with the idea of starting a PQ bbs (message board) that would be uncensored and only lightly moderated (to filter out blatently racist or inciting posts). The goal of course would be to allow comments regarding any topic that PQ residents thinks is relevent to themselves and the neighborhood.
As for Potato Valley, it smelled really good when I walked be there today.
As for the Potbelly tree: (1) It probably was dug up; and (2) Who cares.
I just finished my Potato Valley meal. I had a potato with garlic butter and seasoning for $3.10 and it was great. Really tasty. I’m quite happy with the new addition to the neighborhood and plan to frequent them on a regular basis.
Aon 6. My contact at CVS said they will be on the first floor and the basement.
Regarding prices at Potato Valley Cafe. The Annapolis store prices are $1.50 – $1.75 less on each item. The Cuban Chicken one, my fave is $8.25!! Maybe rents are higher here.
Regarding the prices at Potato Valley: If we want independent retail and unique stores, then we will have to support these places by paying the price. Perhaps it is a little pricey for a potato, but I can only imagine the grumbling that would have been heard here had a Bennigan’s planned to open there instead. Like it or not, we live in a high rent district and, often, the chain stores that people in this neighborhood seem to dislike so much are the only stores that can afford to pay the price. So, if we are lucky enough to have a unique retailer open in the neighborhood, then we need to support the “higher prices.” Just a thought.
Jason,
Welcome the People’s Republic of PQ Living blog! They’ll not only cut off comments on very lively conversations, but they’ll shield themselves from serious criticism, such as when they foster racism.
Keep in mind that this is not journalism, but a blog. The writers have demonstrated a shocking lack of sensitivity to the diversity of people and a sore lack of involvement in their own community.
How many of the correspondents bothered to participate in the Fun Fair protest, just a few short blocks from their laptops? Our neighbors in that location have been threatened, and prostitution and drug dealing are rampant in the area.
Oh yeah, they posted something about this, but where were they? As the expression goes, at their “arm chairs.”
Recognize this insular blog for what it is. A more activist blog will come along later and this one will fade away.
It’s about relevancy.
#7 (Jason) – thanks for making interesting points. we’ll review your thoughts during our next revision of the comment policy. comments are turned off when the vast majority of comments rolling in start violating the policy as it is posted on the front page of PQ Living. it’s really that simple. it isn’t about a desire to move people along to more recent or less interesting topics or to squash a conversation. for example, there are controversial but recent stories still open for comment such as the Sept. 13 Fun Fair rally story. if you have further suggestions on the comment policy, we encourage you (and others) to send them to our inbox at: pqliving[at]gmail.com. we read every e-mail.
#11/#13 (Anon) – what you have in mind is indeed less moderated than PQ Living. PQ Living isn’t intended to be a BBS or forum server. some neighborhoods in DC such as AU Park and Spring Valley have listserves based on Yahoo! Groups which you may want to check out as examples.
Mmmmm. Bennigans. I could really go for a Monte Cristo and a beer withing walking distance on a weekly occasion. The closest Monte Cristo I have found is at the Irish Pub on the hill–and it is always soggy over there 
Bring on Bennigans any day, then I can get a full meal with a baked potato for the price of just a baked potato at Potato Valley. My guess is that Potato Valley will see a similar fate as did Juan Valdez.
Leave Big Brothers and their comment policy alone, it is what it is. While I don’t agree with the extreme sensitivities applied to the comments, I will keep reading until a blog that is more balanced as far as its acceptance of comments comes along. The topics on PQLiving are usually timely and interesting and the writers are obviously expending a good deal of effort on this project. Hopefully those of you saying you will create something to be less censored will make it happen with the same quality of postings and readership.
I also support the Penn Quarter bloggers and their commenting policy is fine by me. If you want to see the end result of a completely un-moderated free-for-all, just look at the Columbia Heights Yahoo Listserv – it’s complete anarchy.
personally i appreciate the moderation..
it keeps most of the ranting and raving on craigs list…
xoxo
“They’ll not only cut off comments on very lively conversations, but they’ll shield themselves from serious criticism”
And yet your comment has been posted and allowed to remain. Interesting.
re: Potato Valley, I’m a sucker for a good baked potato, and can’t wait to try one. And to follow up on an earlier point, I don’t mind paying a little bit extra to support a local business. I comment all the time on the need for diversity in the commercial districts of the city, so it’s only fair that I support the local establishments as much as I can, even if it means a little more out of the wallet.
I’m hoping for more little indie places like this to add to the interesting mix making DC’s downtown a real downtown. Yay for retail diversity.
Let me clarify my last post. I too will support Potato Valley, and am very happy to have it in the neighborhood. I agree with others here that if we want less chain and more diversity, we need to be willing to financially support the establishment. Nobody is going to metro, drive, hitchhike or whatever across town just for a potato. Thus, they are going to be relying on the office crowd at lunchtime and all of us on evenings and weekends to keep them afloat.
However, I would still like a Bennigans in one of the many empty storefronts around the neighborhood–unless it was to turn into what Ruby Tuesdays used to be before it closed for renovation. Incidentally, has anyone been by it since it reopened? Has it reopened? If so, is it any better than it used to be (read: cleaner and less chaotic)?
Potato Valley is a chain with 3 locations.
Like Ruby’s, Bennigans and potentially also Potato Valley will have to succumb to the same quality of wait staff DC has to offer…unless they import servers from more “customer friendly” areas of the country.
Stopped by tonight at 5:30 for dinner with a friend and was bummed to see they were already closed. Lunch only might be a good start-up strategy, but I think that will bit them in the rear in the end.
#27-
The good thing about a small place like Potato Valley is that it is often run by someone who has a vested interest in the financial success of the business (e.g. owner of the particular franchise), rather than an employee making $XX.00 per hour.
However, you are right about Ruby Tuesdays and Bennigans.
Ben,
But you aren’t aware of what they haven’t posted before, such as when a few of us vigorously objected to a racist posting they allowed through in their “moderation.” The moderators know exactly what I’m talking about.
This time they simply allowed a criticism to be posted without the specifics. Not so bold or brave. The moderators here have shown no accountability and hide behind their moderation.
It’s their blog and they can hide if they want to…
The Ruby Tuesdays on 7th is open for dinner. The posted hours start at 4PM. Haven’t been in yet, but it looks like they’re trying to be more upscale. Probably a move to avoid the rowdiness.
hi all – potato valley rules. i’ve been going there in annapolis for ages, and just because they now have 3 locations, i don’t think they qualify as a chain… the owner is there, running the register, and serving the same awesome patoots they sell in downtown annapolis. and, actually, i think they’re worth the money – the ingredients are fresh and inventive, and you can spend $8 at chipotle or elsewhere easily. for folks who haven’t been there before, one potato is a full meal – they split the potatoes and then fill them to overflow with toppings and veggies. and like the above commenter said, if you want a basic one, $3-4 is all you’ll spend. (ps. no i don’t work for them or anything!)
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Well, I am excited because I love potatoes. I hope they are able to stay open until 9 pm bc it would be nice to have that as an option for a bite to eat after work.