Blog News!

We've launched a new website at lock7development.com, and our blog will be moving to that site.  For the next few weeks, posts will continue to appear both here on Blogger and on the new site.  However, at the end of the March, we'll switch full-time to the new address.  To continue receiving new posts, please update your bookmarks to:

http://lock7development.com/blog/

Thanks!

Dave

Neighborhoods- Columbia Heights

Us DC natives already all knew it, but Columbia Heights is hot. It's an exciting neighborhood with several unique restaurants, bars and shops. The New York Times just ran a feature on 11th St, calling it "Columbia Heights' Hip Strip." The link is here:

http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2011/02/20/travel/20110220-SURFACING.html

It's a great read and worth checking out. Our new project at 1449 Harvard is right in the center of all the action.

Neighborhoods- Adams Morgan News

As our work at The Charles gets closer to completion, so does the progress at several new restaurants in the neighborhood.  Here are a few of the places that are set to open in the next few months.


1.  The Jack Rose (2007 18th St NW)

The Jack Rose is a new bar from the owner of Bourbon, which has locations in Adams Morgan and Glover Park.  The concept of the bar is basically a mix between a high end restaurant with small plates and a cocktail bar.  The restaurant should be opening in the next few weeks.

The building used to house a boxing gym.

The huge new rooftop bar looks to be one of the biggest in the city. (photos courtesy Princeofpetworth.com)

2.  Mellow Mushroom (2436 18th St NW)

Mellow Mushroom is a highly-popular pizza chain in the Southeastern US that is set to open their first franchise in DC this summer.  I went to school in Atlanta and I can promise you that Mellow Mushroom has some of the best pizza I've ever eaten.  The new DC location takes over the spot where 18th and Red, a bar, operated for the last three years.

The crust has a butter and parmesan cheese topping, which is incredible. (photo courtesy metromix.com)

3.  Mintwood Place (1813 Columbia Road NW)

This is a new restaurant from the people behind Perry's, which is located right above this new space.  The restaurant will be upscale American and will be a welcome addition to a block of stores that already has two other great places to eat in Perry's and Cashion's. 

Here is the new location.  Perry's, upstairs, has one of the best happy hour specials in the city- two appetizers and a cocktail for $20.  (photo courtesy princeofpetworth.com)

Neighborhoods- U St Corridor

Our new condo development at 2108 10th St NW is in the U St Corridor neighborhood, which is one of the most vibrant areas in DC. The area was devastated in the riots in the late 1960's, but has seen a huge amount of new development in the last decade. Although the area has lot of shopping, the food in the neighborhood is incredible! Here are some of the best bets for eating on and around U St NW.

1. Chix (2019 11th St NW)

Chicken with two sides at Chix. Photo curtsey of Washingtonian.com.

Chix is a small rotisserie chicken restaurant with organic, healthy chicken and sides. I especially enjoy the roasted sweet potatoes, which you can see in the picture above. They have a few tables upstairs but they primarily do a lot of carry-out.

2. The Greek Spot (2017 11th St NW)

The Greek Spot has some of the best take-out in the city. Photo curtesy of metromix.com.

The Greek spot is a tiny carry-out restaurant directly next to Chix. It only has two tables outside, so you're probably going to want to take the food home with you and eat it there. They have highly authentic greek food that is very reasonably priced. Our HVAC installer- Gus- is Greek and swears by this place.

3. Marvin (2007 14th St NW)

Roof deck at Marvin courtesy Washingtonian

The roof deck at Marvin is the one of the best places in DC to get a drink in the summer. Downstairs, I'd recommend getting the chicken and waffles or the steak frites.

4. Vinoteca (1940 11th St NW)

The bocce court at Vinoteca is a hidden gem. Photo curtesy Washington City Paper.

Vinoteca is a solid wine bar that serves a large menu of tasty tapas dishes. It's a great place to go before a big dinner or for happy hour. However, the reason I like coming here is the for the rear patio with it's own bocce court. There are only 3-4 courts in the entire city, and this is the only one next to an amazing outdoor bar.

Neighborhoods- Adams Morgan

The Charles Condos are located at 2431 Ontario Rd NW in Adams Morgan.  I lived for several years right around the corner on Mintwood Place, so this area is near and dear to my heart.  It's an exciting place to live not only because it has so many bars and restaurants, but also because it's so close to everything.  From Ontario Rd., you're a 10 minute walk from people-watching in Dupont Circle, the Zoo in Woodley Park and shopping in Columbia Heights.  Here are some favorite neighborhood spots:

1.  The Diner (2453 18th St NW)

 

 

The Diner has a massive menu with large portions, and it's open 24 hrs.  What more could you possibly want?  Photo curtesy of stationstart.com

The Diner is a restaurant on 18th St that has excellent food and a fun atmosphere.  It serves everything you'd expect at a diner- like breakfast all day and hamburgers- but they also surprise you with dishes like salmon with mango salsa.  Another good bet here is a pressed sandwich, like a cuban or a croque madam. 

2.  Tryst (2459 18th St NW)

Tryst is a unique establishment that is hard to define.  Photo courtesy of about.com

Tryst is a little bit of everything- restaurant, coffeeshop, bar and meeting space.  Whatever it is, it works.  This place is packed at almost every hour of the day with people meeting friends, meeting for work or just relaxing with a book.  There have a variety of comfortable couches, large tables and normal tables for whatever it is you've come here to accomplish.  I enjoy coming here for a large cup of tea- which comes in a french press- and a homemade muffin.

3.So's Your Mom (1831 Columbia Road NW)

This is how a real pastrami sandwich should look and taste.  Photo courtesy of iflipforfood,com

So's Your Mom is the best authentic Jewish deli in DC.  They serve only top quality Boar's Head meats, H and H bagels and make all of their own tuna, chicken and liver salads.  My favorite sandwich here is the "half and half"- half pastrami and half corned beef on toasted rye with mustard and muenster cheese. 

4.  Pasta Mia (1790 Columbia Rd NW)

Pasta Mia is for serious pasta fans.  Photo courtesy examiner.com

It's small and easy to miss, but Pasta Mia is worth the search.  It's a tiny restaurant that almost always has a wait and opens and closes pretty much whenever they feel like it.  However, people still line up here every night and often wait over an hour to try the homemade gnocchi, rigatoni and spaghetti.  I'd recommend coming hungry because the portions are enormous.

5.  Bourbon (2321 18th St NW)

Even if you don't drink bourbon, Bourbon the bar is a great place to grab a drink with a friend.  Photo courtesy dc.metblogs.com

Adams Morgan is famous for the nightlife, so this list wouldn't be complete without at least one bar.  Bourbon is a great bet because it has an incredible selection of bourbon, great food, and a down-to-earth vibe.  On a crowded night, it doesn't feel cramped because they have a second level for private parties and a hidden outdoor patio (shh...keep it a secret).  If you eat here, don't pass up the peanut butter pie for dessert- it's homemade and incredible.

6.  Harris Teeter (1631 Kalorama Rd NW)

The Harris Teeter is large, well-stocked and clean.  Photo courtesy of dcist.com

The Harris Teeter is only a block away from The Charles, which will be a huge benefit for the new residents.  This grocery store opened just three years ago in a building that used to be an ice rink.  Even though I now live on the other side of town, I still drive out of my way to do my shopping here.  The prices are good, the produce is fresh and the store has a great layout.  If for some reason you have loyalty to another store, you're in luck because there is a Safeway a block away and a Giant about four blocks away in Columbia Heights.

Neighborhoods- Columbia Heights

The Gracie Condominiums are located in the southwest corner of Columbia Heights. This area is very popular for several reasons. First, it's right on top of the red line of the metro, so it's it's easy to get anywhere else in the city very quickly. Also, it has a gorgeous housing stock, with lots of old grand Victorians as well as several new condo buildings. Finally, the DC USA development a few years ago brought 30+ new stores, the largest of which include Target, Best Buy, Giant and Bed, Bath and Beyond. However, the real benefit of these huge shops was the smaller, more local places that followed that really give the neighborhood some unique flavor.  Here are some of the best:

1. Red Rocks Firebrick Pizzeria (1036 Park Road NW)

The basic Margherita pizza is a great bet.  Photo courtesy of seriouseats.com

Red Rocks Pizza opened in 2007 and has been packed every day since. It's in a small converted rowhome that features exposed brick and a very comfortable feel. They have an outdoor patio with picnic tables in the warm months. The pizza here is incredibly fresh and flavorful, and very reasonably priced.

2.  The Meridian Pint (3400 11th St NW)

The coolest part of this bar is the beer taps at each table.  Photo courtesy of dcbeer.com

Meridian Pint opened last year and provided the neighborhood with its' first real upscale bar.  The beer menu here is also huge and they have several microbrews on tap.  

3.  Taqueria Distrito Federal (3463 14th St NW)

The tacos are simple and tasty.  Photo courtesy of cuisinivity.com

TDF is a small taco stand just north of the metro station.  They serve some of the most authentic tacos in DC, and specialize in meats that are difficult to find elsewhere.  I've heard the tripe and tounge tacos are good, but I've never tried either.

4.  Tynan Coffee (1400 Irving St NW)

Lots of space to do work and free Wifi.  Photo courtesy of GTM Architects.

Tynan is a large coffee shop that is a popular meeting place.  The space is large and the couches are perfect for spreading out with your laptop and getting work done.



5.  The Wonderland Ballroom (1101 Kenyon St NW)

Wonderland is the neighborhood bar that most neighborhoods wish they had.  It's very casual and attracts a booming crowd on weeknights.  However, it's even more fun to go for brunch on the weekends and sit outside on one of the picnic tables.

6.  The Heights (3115 14th St NW)

The Heights has one of the best brunches in the city.  Photo courtesy of theheightsdc.com

The Heights is a large restaurant with a huge patio that serves some of the best casual food in the city.  The menu is nearly identical to Logan Taverns' because they have the same owners.  However, there might be an hour wait at Logan Tavern on a Sunday morning, but you can usually get a table in 15-20 minutes at The Heights.  It's a little-known secret.