Thursday, January 03, 2013

What Sort of Restaurant Should Open on H Street?

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A frequent topic of conversation among my friends is desired restaurant types nearby. H Street already boasts diverse options. To start, we have: Vietnamese, Moroccan, pizza, Taiwanese, pan-Asian, French, Ethiopian, Cajun, Indian, cheesesteaks, Belgian, Mexican, fried chicken, Pakistani, German, British, and Lebanese options. But that list is just the beginning of the existing spots. In addition, we have Mexican places coming, an upscale steak house is headed our way, a new sushi bar is about to open, and we're on the verge of enjoying a European style bakery. There's a rumor going around that an Italian spot might replace Red Palace, and Prince of Petworth recently repeated a rumor (which I hope is true) about Honey Pig Korean B-B-Q shopping locations in the 400 block of H Street.

What sort of restaurant (and let's do stay on the topic of restaurants, we can talk retail/services in a separate post) would you most like to see on H Street? What would draw crowds?

75 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'd love a place that knows how to do wings. I really loved Georgetown Wing Co for their variety of sauces and think H Street would really benefit from a great sports bar that does more than just buffalo wings and bleu cheese.

Anonymous said...

retro 50s diner, malts, poodle skirts, burgers and fries, a counter to order at

Anonymous said...

I want a version of Boxcar in Eastern Market. I.e. - somewhere to get a simple meal and a beer without paying an arm and a leg, and without a gimmick. (Alternately, a slightly less expensive version of Boundary Road. If it were a little less expensive I'd eat there a lot more often.)

Anonymous said...

THAI, and a good chinese place

Anonymous said...

A coffee shop with cozy space and wifi and good sandwich/lunch options. A la Blind Dog Cafe or Northside Social. H St needs more restaurants that are open throughout the day, and needs another coffee shop.

Anonymous said...

We need much better Asian offerings. Chinese and Thai preferably.

LoLo said...

Vegetarian soul food.

Anonymous said...

A true diner for laster-night eats. A (real) pizzeria that serves chicago-style and new yawk style pizza would also be wonderful! No offence, but I'm so over all the fru-fru pizza spots. Can I get cheese and pepperoni, please!?

Anonymous said...

Definitely agree with the Chinese and Thai requests. Would love to be able to walk to get great pad thai or drunken noodles...

Anonymous said...

Justin's Cafe in Navy Yard is the best everyday restaurant I have ever been too. Good food, great happy hours, and a friendly staff. If you read this Justin or Joey Bobby, please consider H street as a second location spot.

I second the wing idea. Couple it with a good sports bar. Were not all hipsters in the atlas district after all.

inked said...

It's interesting to note that a sports bar called The Olympic was originally planned as one of the first wave Joe Englert associated places.

Anonymous said...

I also agree on the Thai and Chinese requests. Nothing gimmicky or fancy, just places with basic fresh food that also deliver.

Anonymous said...

Another vote for Chinese, hopefully with delivery.

I'd also second (or third or fourth) a vote for Thai.

A good Vietnamese place would also be welcome.

Anonymous said...

Italian. Italian. Italian. Please :)

Anonymous said...

A *real* vietnamese place.

Anonymous said...

Another vote for THAI especially one that delivers.

lolo said...

Anon 11:58 -- Try Marvelous Pizza in the strip at 8th street. It may not look like much, but it is my favorite pizza in town.

Anonymous said...

I'd prefer a larger variety of shops. Having said that, I'd love a place that does good veggie burgers. In general, there's a shortage of vegetarian food on H Street.

Anonymous said...

How about just a good market to buy produce, fish, or meat?

Anonymous said...

I definitely support the suggestion for a good thai place, as well as another daytime coffeeshop/deli option.

Anonymous said...

Why does everybody hate on Pho Bar? I like it. It isn't as good or cheap as some of the places in Eden, but then what is?

I'd kill for a decent Chinese or Thai restaurant.

Also, please let the rumor about honey pig be true. I like Korean barbecue.

Anonymous said...

Sicilian Pizza at 1004 Florida is surprisingly good if you live near there. Take out or delivery only, but very worth checking out. Lived a few blocks away here years before I even knew it was there. Doesn't look like much from outside, so I am sure a lot of folks don't know about it/haven't tried it.

Jesse said...

A restaurant that catered to parents of young children. We are slowly taking back the neighborhood and need places to take our loud and obnoxious kids.

Lisa said...

Thai food, definitely. H Street needs a good place to grab some takeout on the way home from work. And maybe a wine bar.

fatty said...

MGM Roast Beef would be great on H Street.

Good soul food that can also do breakfast. And not the $20 a plate soul food places, keep it reasonable around $10 per meal.

Anonymous said...

Not a single person mentioned anything about a restaurant offering healthy entrees and not just cheese steak, pizzas, and soul food. People should definitely visit Big Bear Cafe for their farmer's market brunch on Sundays to taste a variety of healthy dishes made with local produce and lots of greens, veggies and lentils and such. And it's only $9 for small plate and $12 for big plate.

Anonymous said...

Hey Anon 12:46, I'm a vegetarian and often eat the veggie burgers at both Granville Moore's and Big Board. Neither are the greatest I've had in the world, but both are a major step up from the standard Garden/Boca burger that many restaurants throw in a bun.

Anonymous said...

Please no wings or sports bars with a million TVs. Already too many of those in DC.

How about more actually local-ish food done well. Like the Rapahannock Oyster co at Union Market.

NE said...

So can anyone shed light on that bakery mentioned in the post?

dt said...

anon @ 11:50am

You do realize you just described the Queen Vic, right?

inked said...

NE,
I was talking about Batter Bowl Bakery.

Michael said...

I've been waiting for Impala to open since the summer. It's been way too long.

Count me in for Thai as well. Good Thai.

Anonymous said...

oHow about a good sit down seafood restaurant.

Anonymous said...

perhaps a yummy authentic / old school mexican or el salvadorian place. preferably with cheap pitchers of margaritas. and delish salsa.

Trinidader said...

What happened to the Newsom? Did the sushi place actually open? A butcher shop like Meat on the Avenue would be great although the places at Union Market and Eastern Market kind of fill that need. Compared to five years ago we are spoiled for options but still plenty of room to grow.

inked said...

Trinidader,
I asked the same question recently about Newsom and was told that the owner's wife just opened a new restaurant, so I think they are just busy with that project right now. Too bad, bk I was looking forward to a fall opening (the food I had during the H Street Festival was pretty awesome).

Hikari Sushi apparently didn't get all their inspections done in time, so slight delay.

Jesse said...

Can we bring back Phish Tea? I think the neighborhood is ready for it now. :)

— The Editor said...

What upscale steakhouse is coming our way?

Anonymous said...

I've always thought Sticky Fingers in Columbia Heights would do great on H. Most people know them from winning Cupcake Wars, but in addition to being a bakery, it's a great place to get a quick vegan sandwich or snack.

Sunny Florida Avenue said...

POLLO SABROSA

inked said...

The Editor,
Mythology is coming to the former Willpower space at 1105 H Street.

inked said...

Sunny Florida Avenue,
we are getting a Peruvian chicken place.

ssaadian said...

Pok Pok (via Portland Or) needs to open a place here, just like they did recently in NYC. Best Thai food of MY LIFE!!

Anonymous said...

Hamburger Marys

Anonymous said...

It's not what we need, it where we need it! I'm tired of walking down towards 4th or over towards 12th. Please fill 6th-10th street. Maybe once Ben's opens this will kick in?

Anonymous said...

I'm totally with all the people who said that H needs a coffee place. Sova has gotten downright unpleasant, and becomes a wine bar at night. It would be nifty to have a place that just served coffee all the damn time.

I also liked the suggestions for healthy stuff, maybe vegetarian and / or vegan, but just a place with a whole lot of whole grains and veggies would be great.

The two could be a single thing - it could be a coffee and juice bar that served sandwiches, but I have my doubts that such a venture would bother to make coffee as good as I demand.

Anonymous said...

Something quick and healthy, like Sweet Green.

Anonymous said...

Dougnut place that only serves bourbon and plays the rolling stones.

Anonymous said...

Thai Thai Thai Thai Thai Thai. A *solid* Thai place though, not some middling effort that will require us to continually head to Logan's Thaitanic, Ledroit's Thai X-Ing or even Wheaton's Nava. A strong Thai spot would clean house on H, as indicated by this thread.

AnniseKM said...

Yes yes yes to healthy and veg options! So many decadent but calorie heavy options around H St. For awesome Thai Sanphan on Penn Ave SE delivers to H St area (for free!) and Toscana Cafe across from Ebenezer's is great for fresh Italian. (Though the donuts and bourbon suggestion was the only one that made me lol- well done you!)

Anonymous said...

Yes to Thai. I would also eat at a Korean place at least once a week.
-AV

4th and G said...

I'd love a Starbucks, Chipotle, and a Potbelly!

Ha ha... just kidding. In all seriousness, a red sauce italian place would be great.

Andrew said...

(If we're going to compare Thai places, Beau Thai on NJ Ave is one of the city's most underrated spots, and not a terrible schlep to get to from our neighborhood. If it was nearby, I'd eat there a lot.)

Anonymous said...

I'd love a noodle place. I'm tired of ordering from nasty chinese places in this neighborhood.

IMGoph said...

For the first commenter - your request has been answered!

http://www.titanoftrinidad.com/2013/01/new-local-dining-americas-best-wings/

Capital X said...

If we got a thai place, would we be able to get one without a punny name? Thaitanic, Thaiphoon, Beau Thai, Thairanysarrus Rex, Win Lose or Thai, Thaidal Wave, Thainy Dancer, Thaiger Moms, Thaip 2 Diabetes, I've Had The Thaime Of My Life...

It's too easy and pretty hackneyed already.

Anonymous said...

Inked, do you know if the Peruvian chicken place will have fried yuca? Cause that's stuff is awesome, but is a giant pain in the but to make at home.

Kate said...

Do we have a good Chinese delivery/take out place, yet? I haven't found it if we do.

inked said...

10:57,
It appears that they will.

Kate,
Major's is surprisingly decent.

Anonymous said...

Love to see an Sherrill's type place like used to be on Penn Ave, or a Tryst type place, or on the healthy side "First Watch".

Amanda said...

As a beautiful single white woman I would like to see a gym.

Unknown said...

Spanish food, Spanish Tapas, Greek, Seafood, Vegetarian/Vegan (I know there are options talking about a whole joint), sit down BBO (American BBQ) with a real smokehouse, retro cocktail restaurant (think Continental Mid-Town in Philly), a family restaurant to keep babies out of bars.

Anonymous said...

@Robby Mann-Thompson - A vegetarian/vegan would be great!!

Anonymous said...

What about a good Cuban restaurant.with authentic cuisine and to go real pork Cuban sandwichs.

Anonymous said...

As an overweight drunk male I support a donut bar with bourbon

Anonymous said...

THAI.

H Street LL said...

Good suggestions @ Robby.

I think "as an overweight drunk male..." could be a great meme. Lol!

Anonymous said...

Thai. Tired of driving to NW to get it.

Sunny Florida Avenue said...

Where is the Peruvian chicken going to go? Please let it be delicious and inexpensive ala Sardi's. Super news!

inked said...

Sunny Florida Avenue,
Here's info on the Peruvian chicken place.

dave said...

I like District Taco. Successful, local, delicious.

Sunny Florida Avenue said...

Inked, thank you! I'd missed that wonderful tidbit. This is indeed super news, as I am already a big fan of their pupusas!

Anonymous said...

What Indian restaurant?

inked said...

6:49,
We have two Indian restaurants. Cusbah (1128 H Street) serves Indian & Pakistani food. Chicken & Rice (813 H Street, H Street Connection) is a more casual place, that also does carryout.

Anonymous said...

I love the Thai & Chinese suggestions but I really crave a Chipotle.