Tweaked Posted January 3, 2006 Share Posted January 3, 2006 The stretch of Connecticut Avenue between Dupont Circle and M Street (South of the circle) is in transition. A property owner along Connecticut Avenue, the first block south of the circle to N street, is forcing out Fascination Street Deli (already closed), a Hallmark store, and a photocopy/printer store. No word on what will be going in. Also Luna Grill is closed for a face lift. Finally, the space that use to be The Chocolate Mousse (corner of 18th and Mst) will now be a Caribou Coffee shop. No word if they are taking over the whole section or just the Chocolate Mousse section (but the construction makes it look like just the Chocolate Mousse section, since the rest is still boarded up). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barbara Posted January 3, 2006 Share Posted January 3, 2006 Tweaked said: The stretch of Connecticut Avenue between Dupont Circle and M Street (South of the circle) is in transition. A property owner along Connecticut Avenue, the first block south of the circle to N street, is forcing out Fascination Street Deli (already closed), a Hallmark store, and a photocopy/printer store. Oh, NOOOOHHH!!! I've been going to that card store for longer than I can remember. I'm beginning to believe we need some tenants' rights for small businesses. The Chocolate Mousse was forced to move after 18 years, so that a COFFEE place could go in there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweaked Posted January 3, 2006 Author Share Posted January 3, 2006 (edited) Oh, NOOOOHHH!!! I've been going to that card store for longer than I can remember. I'm beginning to believe we need some tenants' rights for small businesses. The Chocolate Mousse was forced to move after 18 years, so that a COFFEE place could go in there? Actually, the Mousse, a dress shop and a pizza joint along that row were all forced to close probably 2 years ago and the space was going to be taking over by what was coined as a "high end national chain." That deal must have gone sour because the space has sat empty for a long time. Guess Caribou snapped it up recently...it is a prime spot. Edited January 3, 2006 by Tweaked Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bookluvingbabe Posted January 3, 2006 Share Posted January 3, 2006 Oh, NOOOOHHH!!! I've been going to that card store for longer than I can remember. I'm beginning to believe we need some tenants' rights for small businesses. The Chocolate Mousse was forced to move after 18 years, so that a COFFEE place could go in there? At least the owner ate the Chocolate Mousse space for a year before finding a tenent. I take a secret joy when I see small business's forced out and the owners unable to rent the space for the much higher rent they think the deserve. (My personal favorite was the spot at CT and T where the Newstand used to be. How long was it empty before we got yet another Bank???)Jennifer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barbara Posted January 3, 2006 Share Posted January 3, 2006 (My personal favorite was the spot at CT and T where the Newstand used to be. How long was it empty before we got yet another Bank???) It was SUPPOSED to be a restaurant. HAH! The developer wanted more "upscale" vendors in his building. I really miss the little antique store whose proprietress was a genius at window decoration. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLK Posted January 3, 2006 Share Posted January 3, 2006 (edited) Such as the empty former McDonald's in Cleveland Park. On the other hand, Passport (no great loss) and Riedel's (never ate there) in Van Ness are also sitting vacant and were, as far as I know, owner-operated. At least the owner ate the Chocolate Mousse space for a year before finding a tenent. I take a secret joy when I see small business's forced out and the owners unable to rent the space for the much higher rent they think the deserve. (My personal favorite was the spot at CT and T where the Newstand used to be. How long was it empty before we got yet another Bank???)Jennifer Edited January 3, 2006 by JLK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tenunda Posted January 3, 2006 Share Posted January 3, 2006 Such as the empty former McDonald's in Cleveland Park. On the other hand, Passport (no great loss) and Riedel's (never ate there) in Van Ness are also sitting vacant and were, as far as I know, owner-operated. Chocolate Moose just moved to Connecticut and L, which is a better space anyway. Has anyone ever eaten at the Cuban place tucked back in the office building by there? Yuca, I think it's called. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bookluvingbabe Posted January 3, 2006 Share Posted January 3, 2006 Chocolate Moose just moved to Connecticut and L, which is a better space anyway. Has anyone ever eaten at the Cuban place tucked back in the office building by there? Yuca, I think it's called. I went to a party there and they had light apps. Nothing special and they were having "plumbing problems" and were orginally refusing to let guests use the "staff" restrooms. Turned out that some young women had locked the doors to the bathroom to primp. For an hour! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deangold Posted January 3, 2006 Share Posted January 3, 2006 (edited) Such as the empty former McDonald's in Cleveland Park. This space is destined to be a non food use. There is a restriction in Cleveland Park called the business Overlay District which limits the space on Connecticut allowed to be restaurant (or food use in general). The district is already way over that limit so no new spaces may be converted to restaurant space. Apparently the citizen's association in CP has a proposal in front of the planning commision to change the overlay but I am not familiar with the provisions of the proposed changes. Right now the McDonald's space is proposed to be used as a BB&T bank. Even that use will need a variance under the CP business overlay. The old Potomic Video space was supposed to become a sushi bar, but the building owners and/or proposed tennnts ran into business overlay issues and dropped the idea. It is now the cosignment shop. Edited January 3, 2006 by deangold Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bookluvingbabe Posted January 3, 2006 Share Posted January 3, 2006 This space is destined to be a non food use. There is a restriction in Cleveland Park called the business Overlay District which limits the space on Connecticut allowed to be restaurant (or food use in general). The district is already way over that limit so no new spaces may be converted to restaurant space. Apparently the citizen's association in CP has a proposal in front of the planning commision to change the overlay but I am not familiar with the provisions of the proposed changes.Right now the McDonald's space is proposed to be used as a BB&T bank. Even that use will need a variance under the CP business overlay. The old Potomic Video space was supposed to become a sushi bar, but the building owners and/or proposed tennnts ran into business overlay issues and dropped the idea. It is now the cosignment shop. Great. Another bank! The consignment shop has nothing interesting in it and we still have no decent cupcakes. This is more general whining about Van Ness but is Sips ever going to open??? Is Michael around? After he masters the Montgomery County laws, perhaps he can take a crack at the Riedel's space and know the craziness that is doing business in three seperate municipalities! Jennifer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLK Posted January 3, 2006 Share Posted January 3, 2006 I suggested to Chef Gillian Clark of Colorado Kitchen that she open second establishment in the Van Ness vicinity. For my figure's sake, I probably shouldn't have mentioned the vacancies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jm chen Posted January 11, 2006 Share Posted January 11, 2006 Finally, the space that use to be The Chocolate Mousse (corner of 18th and Mst) will now be a Caribou Coffee shop. They have announced the opening of the Caribou as Monday, January 16. For once, I actually have some inside information about something: there will be free coffee available there both January 16 and 17 to celebrate the grand opening (and presumably to sucker in all the folks who are now getting their fix at the Starbucks one block away.) Not sure if "free coffee" means "free supermochahellalatte" or just "free drip," but stop by and find out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacques Gastreaux Posted January 11, 2006 Share Posted January 11, 2006 They have announced the opening of the Caribou as Monday, January 16. For once, I actually have some inside information about something: there will be free coffee available there both January 16 and 17 to celebrate the grand opening (and presumably to sucker in all the folks who are now getting their fix at the Starbucks one block away.)Not sure if "free coffee" means "free supermochahellalatte" or just "free drip," but stop by and find out. I'm right between the new Cariboutti and the one on 17th and L, with 17th and L just a little bit closer. The closest Starbucks service is inside the Mayflower. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meaghan Posted January 12, 2006 Share Posted January 12, 2006 Chocolate Moose just moved to Connecticut and L, which is a better space anyway. Has anyone ever eaten at the Cuban place tucked back in the office building by there? Yuca, I think it's called. I love The Chocolate Moose. It's like Urban Outfitter's meets Hallmark with better candy (though there are some nice gummy boobs and penises at UO). So.... What's going on at 16th and K across from the Hilton (opp side of street as St. Regis)?? Retail/Resturant space below office space. I heard some silly rumors. There's a lot of crap on that strip, anyway. A Vitamin store for all the homeless people. A shitty tailor and a 'duty free' wholesale shop. Crap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrage Posted January 12, 2006 Share Posted January 12, 2006 How long was it empty before we got yet another Bank??? Great. Another bank! Apparently, Banks are the ideal tenants. We've looked a lots of really great spaces only to have the broker tell us, that the owners were going to hold out for a bank deal... I find it tragic, but then I tend to lament any empty space that doesn't get a new restaurant in it. We can never have too many right?... right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squidsdc Posted January 12, 2006 Share Posted January 12, 2006 Not quite Connecticut and M, but two new restaurants have opened on 19th between M and L... Science Club, replaced whatever had taken the place of Star of Siam, and Mezza Luna just opened, taking the place of...oh I can't remember. I don't know anything about these places, but what kind of name for a retaurant is Science Club? Maybe it really is a club/hangout for scientists? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldenticket Posted January 16, 2006 Share Posted January 16, 2006 They have announced the opening of the Caribou as Monday, January 16. For once, I actually have some inside information about something: there will be free coffee available there both January 16 and 17 to celebrate the grand opening (and presumably to sucker in all the folks who are now getting their fix at the Starbucks one block away.)Not sure if "free coffee" means "free supermochahellalatte" or just "free drip," but stop by and find out. My loss is your gain! I just learned that the (very nice) manager of the Caribou out here in the Skyline wasteland has been whisked away from us to open the new 18th and M location. His name is Josh and he always made a trip for coffee more pleasant. Stop in and show him some love on this holiday opening day. And tell him his friends at Skyline will miss him Personally, I like Caribou's coffee and the ambience better than Starbuck's. And I'm a native Minnesotan, so I like to support a Minnesota-based company when I'm not hitting the locally-owned coffee shop (of which there are none in the Skyline area). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kventura Posted March 14, 2007 Share Posted March 14, 2007 Looking for a place for 15 girls to go before an evening at the Improv. Somewhere close by, and relatively casual. Any recommendations? I can't seem to think of anywhere appropriate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweaked Posted March 14, 2007 Author Share Posted March 14, 2007 The food isn't the greatest but maybe Sesto Senso? Only a couple blocks up the road from the Improv...they have an upstairs area that you guys could take over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nadya Posted March 14, 2007 Share Posted March 14, 2007 Kopitiam, a Malaysian joint on M St. between Camelot and other titty clubs. Very casual, inexpensive, food is serviceable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpschust Posted March 14, 2007 Share Posted March 14, 2007 Looking for a place for 15 girls to go before an evening at the Improv. Somewhere close by, and relatively casual. Any recommendations? I can't seem to think of anywhere appropriate.Penang isn't too far and if you reserve they will let you have a group that big- not too expensive either. I really like that place and it's only a 2-3 block walk to the Improv. Bar wise there's a lot in that area, though I'm not sure I'd eat there (Big Hunt, Lucky Bar). Daily Grille is pretty close to there too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treznor Posted March 14, 2007 Share Posted March 14, 2007 Last time (okay, only time) that I went to the DC Improv we ate at Famous Luigi's, on 19th St between L and M. I'm not saying it's great, but it's not bad. Didn't seem to have too much of a problem with our reservation for 10 so I'm guessing they can handle 15. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dag556 Posted March 14, 2007 Share Posted March 14, 2007 Heritage India, Malaysia Kopitiam, and Daily Grill are all close by. Panache is close too, but the food there is sort of "eh." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimRice Posted March 15, 2007 Share Posted March 15, 2007 For casual, there's also Nooshi (FKA Oodles Noodles) over on 19th between L and M, as long as you don't mind noodle drips on your blouses. Another place might be Singapore Bistro, but there haven't been any posts on here about it since last year and I haven't been there in years. Personally, I've found it hard to order well at Malaysia Kopitiam, though I hold out hope. I used to work next to the Improv. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjsadler Posted September 4, 2007 Share Posted September 4, 2007 Anyone know the story with "Veritas", the wine bar moving in next to the Russia House? Signs are up, construction still going on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stacylyn Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 (edited) Looking for a restaurant that is within walking distance to the DC Improv. Ideally, a fun, upbeat atmosphere, as it's a group of girls out for a bachelorette party. Suggestions??? [Merged with above posts - DR] Edited February 6, 2008 by DonRocks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bookluvingbabe Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 Where is it? CT between L and M? How much do you want to spend? Define walking distance, please One block? Five? That will make it easier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stacylyn Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 The address is: 1140 Connecticut Ave., N.W., in Washington, DC. (between L & M Street) By "walking distance," I mean we just want to park once! So, a couple blocks is fine, closer the better (in case it's cold!). For how much we want to spend, I'd say less than $20 per entree. Atmosphere is important.....a lively vibe. Thanks! Where is it? CT between L and M?How much do you want to spend? Define walking distance, please One block? Five? That will make it easier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meaghan Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 The last time I went to the DC Improv, I went to Vidalia first... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam23 Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 The last time I went to the DC Improv, I went to Vidalia first... Agreed - for the budget though, maybe Mai Tai or Firefly or Hudson - they aren't too far away - maybe 10 min walk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hmmboy Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 Looking for a restaurant that is within walking distance to the DC Improv. Ideally, a fun, upbeat atmosphere, as it's a group of girls out for a bachelorette party. Suggestions???[Merged with above posts - DR] Focusing on that "fun, upbeat, atmosphere" for a 15 girl bachelorette party I'd endorse Hudson and Firefly as well, but would also add Bistrot Du Coin, Sette and the West End Bistro to the mix. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonRocks Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 The following posts have been split into separate threads: Penang (jpschust) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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