FOOD: New French Bistro in Petworth (H/T Zagat Blog)

Photo courtesy of Zagat.com

by Alycia Williams

Petworth has welcomed a new restaurant to the neighborhood, and according to Zagat.com, it is a must dine if French food is your fancy.  Chez Billy is from the masterminds of such neighborhood staples as Marvin, Blackbyrd, and American Ice Co.

According to Zagat:

The Look: Flickering candles and ornate chandeliers cast a warm glow over the exposed brick, dark wood and intriguingly accented interior. The roomy environs provide mingling areas, while those feeling less social can retreat to private nooks or to the upstairs lounge and balcony, which offers a birds-eye view of the action below. Keeping its integrity as a historically significant spot, the dining room recasts its wood-backed booths, vintage lighting and tiled floor with verve and class.

The Menu: Expect moderately priced bistro classics like mussels, steak frites and skate, as well as desserts like a pineapple tart tatin and a chocolate hazelnut torte.

The Drinks: Look for classic cocktails like the Sazerac, French wines and international beers that pair with the Gallic comfort fare.

The Scene: Rapidly developing Petworth hasn’t had a destination dining spot for many years, but the Hilton brothers have considerable cred and a huge following. Look for the location to cater to a diverse, lively mix.

This place is definitely on our list to try out in the near future!  You can find it at 3815 Georgia Avenue NW or call 202-506-2080.

BLOGROLL PICKS: 14th Street Then and Now

Photo courtesy of The New York Times

DC’s 14th Street NW is a lively area that connects the U Street and Logan Circle neighborhoods. The New York Times just published a piece on the revitalization of the street, pointing to the new developments cropping up at every block of the strip, including the ginormous JBG Louis project at 14th and U. Although it used to be a hub for “prostitutes and drug dealers,” a few key factors helped change the character of the neighborhood, including the Whole Foods that opened in 2000.

NEWS ROUNDUP: What we’re talking about in DC this week

by Alycia Williams

Here’s what we were talking about this week. Tell us what was on your mind!

The 19-year-old baseball phenom, Bryce Harper, made his home major league debut this week for the Nats. He claims he doesn’t feel he has anything to prove, but with the spotlight on him, fans may beg to differ.

The Occupy movement returned to DC this week in “celebration” of May Day. Activists called it “A Day Without the 99 Percent,” according to The Washington Post and they turned out in droves in locations around the country.

One of DC’s trendiest neighborhoods was featured in the New York Times this week. The 14^th Street corridor’s revitalization from vacant lots to posh stores and restaurants is something residents have been talking about for years, we appreciated the national spin.

Former DC Councilman, Harry Thomas, received a 38-month sentence for stealing government funds and filing false tax returns.  We guess crime doesn’t pay.

How much is the White House really worth?  Although the famed mansion isn’t for sale, experts are estimating that the 55,000 square foot luxury home would sell for $100 to $115 million.

NEIGHBORHOOD: H Street NE

Courtesy of HStreet.org

This week DC Hood Hopper is featuring the H Street NE neighborhood, also called the Atlas District (named for the historic theater at its heart). The street itself runs East-West beginning at Benning Rd. NE until North Capitol St., near Union Station.

Dubbed an “Arts and Entertainment District,” H Street is home to a lively assortment of bars, restaurants, and arts and music venues including the Atlas Performing Arts Center, the H Street Playhouse, and HR-57 jazz club. The neighborhood also hosts an annual street festival, which is coming up in September.

NEWS ROUNDUP: What we’re talking about in DC this week

Photo courtesy of The Washington Post.

by Alycia Williams

Here’s what we were talking about this week.  Tell us what was on your mind!

It’s official…football season in the District just got a lot more interesting! Check out Time’s Q&A with the newest member of the Redskins, RG3. 

The Caps made it to the second round of the playoffs with a nail-biting win over the Bruins in Game 7 on Wednesday. Too bad the Twitterverse exploded with a wave of racist tweets about Joel Ward after he scored the winning goal.

Police haven’t conclusively linked three attacks in Northwest DC, according to The Washington Post, but residents should remain on alert when walking alone.

As if WMATA didn’t have enough issues, folks who rode the Route 52 or 54 buses along 14th Street NW last week should be aware that a bus driver on that route was diagnosed with viral meningitis, according to CBS News.

A Washington institution got a new name this week. The Legg Mason Tennis Classic will now be known as the Citi Open after getting a new title sponsor, according to ESPN.

NEIGHBORHOOD: Columbia Heights – a history lesson!

This week DC Hood Hopper is featuring the Columbia Heights neighborhood, located just north of Adams Morgan (which we also featured recently), and the subject of some fascinating DC history.

In the 1800’s the area was largely farmland. Home to the original campus of George Washington University, then called Columbian College and located on the land where Meridian Hill Park now sits, the neighborhood got its name from the college.

Entrance to Meridian Hill Park (Photo courtesy of the National Park Service)

BLOGROLL PICKS: Is H Street the new U Street? (H/T DCist)

Photo courtesy of DCist.com.

We recently featured DC’s U Street neighborhood here on Hood Hopper, where you saw a big nod to the famous U Street restaurant Ben’s Chili Bowl. It looks like the U landmark is opening a new location on H Street NE, which is big news because of the historical significance of the restaurant in its original location.

DCist has a “heretical” take on the news, saying the lofty position granted to Ben’s has more to do with its history than the quality of its food.

 

NEWS ROUNDUP: What we’re talking about in DC this week

Photo courtesy of WashingtonTimes.com

by Alycia Williams

Here’s what we were talking about this week.  Tell us what was on your mind!

Everyone took a break from work on Tuesday to see the Space Shuttle Discovery fly by on its way to its final resting place at the National Air and Space Museum outpost in Chantilly, VA. And while U.S. News and World Report questioned the cost of the public relations stunt, we enjoyed the pictures that flooded Facebook and the Twitterverse.

With Metro’s service issues and repeated fare hikes, residents want other options for getting around. Enter Car2Go, a new car-sharing service that just launched in the District, according to Forbes. Only time will tell how it will fare with ZipCar’s monopoly in the area.

Alec Baldwin was in Washington on Monday to campaign for arts funding, according to The Washington Post. Too bad most of the discussion about his visit had to do with his future on 30 Rock.

The second trial began this week to determine if Roger Clemens lied about using performance-enhancing drugs. According to ESPN, there’s a new issue about what the jury will hear from the last trial.

We’re always looking for ways to reduce our carbon footprint. Be sure to check out the world’s largest Earth Day celebration on the National Mall this Sunday, according to Yahoo! News. And The Washington Post and the National Science Foundation put together a great resource for learning more about the Earth from the comfort of your own backyard.

NEIGHBORHOOD: Southwest Waterfront

Welcome to DC’s smallest quadrant: Southwest!

This week at DC Hood Hopper we’re featuring the Southwest Waterfront neighborhood. Our featured post is brought to you by a guest blogger, Evan Milberg. You can follow Evan @EvanMilberg and @WhatsGood_DC, and check out his blog at http://gooddc.wordpress.com/.

Photo by Alycia Williams

All Hands on Deck in Southwest

By Evan Milberg 

The Southwest Waterfront is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Washington, D.C. By 2020, it will be one of the newest. Over the course of centuries, the Waterfront, a maritime community highlighted by the Maine Avenue fish market, The Capitol Yacht Club and The Washington Marina, has become what many think is an underutilized area with literally boatloads of potential.

BLOGROLL PICKS: Anacostia’s “Abandominiums” (H/T: Greater Greater Washington)

Photo courtesy of GreaterGreaterWashington.org

Greater Greater Washington has a fascinating post on the phenomenon of “abandominiums” in DC’s Anacostia neighborhood. These abandoned buildings are attracting squatters and a range of illegal activities from drug use to prostitution.According to residents, the vacant units are another example of the greater community – specifically the DC government – neglecting the neighborhoods east of the river.

The writer, John Muller, quotes one resident:

“Gray and all them, they could fix these places up. But see the thing of it is, is that you got money they sending across the water instead of taking care of your folks at home.”