A look at what's going on in Trinidad, on H Street, and in the larger area north of Capitol Hill.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Langston Bar and Grille Now Open
The Langston Bar and Grille, which is located at 1831 Benning Road opens its doors tonight. The restaurant will be open seven days a week from 5pm-11:30pm.
18 comments:
Anonymous
said...
We stopped in tonight and had a great meal. The salmon cakes are flawless-perfect blend of fish and chunky seasonings. A steal at $11 (or was it $10?). We also sampled the roast chicken-a generous half chicken, nicely seasoned and very tasty. Roast yams, "fat fries," cabbage and string beans rounded out the meal-all very light but delicious.
The interior is small, but nicely decorated. The cozy, intimate atmosphere has a relaxed vibe and will be a great place to unwind in the evenings.
The owner, Antonio was warm and welcoming and Chef Terrell Dantley stopped by to chat about his cooking and food philosophy.
My only challenge--what can Chef T do with desserts?
I tried to find Langston Bar and Grille place last night, after being disgusted with XII, but was unable to find it. We kept getting lost and because of the rain, were not able to see what building it was in. I kept looking for 1831 on Benning NE, but never found anything but ugly looking places and I knew that these places were not it.
Went to XII after work last night to try to partake of the entertainment and fine meals boasted via advertising and ended up walking out when we sat there for 15 minutes and then had to beg the bartender for menus. There were some hard core looking female bar patrons and 2 other serious looking guys at a table in there before us and they looked shocked when we were given menus because I felt these guys were sitting there alot longer than us waiting for a server to casually stroll by.
My boyfriend went upstairs and was NASTILY told that there was a private party up there, so that right there was another turn-off, especially since the flyer on this site stated that there was some kind of comedy and karaoke and other entertainment last night.
Overall, we thought the bar staff to be unattentive and uncaring, while the other staff was either rude as hell or non-existent. I seriously was trying to give XII a chance, but will never go back, based upon the foul time I had there last night and I only spent 15 minutes in the place. It was tacky.
Langston Bar and Grille is on the south side of Benning between 18th and 19th. (That's the right side if you're coming from the Atlas) It's got a shoe-shaped sign (place used to be a cobbler) and is next to a parking lot - I don't know if that belongs to them or not.
NE Diva - it's next to some not so nice looking places, so you were probably nearby.
Complain about service at a particular place if you like, but "trash begets trash"? That's really more of a personal attack. Please try to avoid such attacks.
i understand the cluck u guy screwed up big time by trying to shove a fast food square peg into a restaurant round hole and many in the hood still resent him for it, but i think it's time for everyone to forgive, forget and move on already. let's give this new venture a chance. hopefully he will remove the cheesy "open" sign, change the lighting and train his staff a lot better, which will give us yet another great product for h street. let's wish him well in that endeavor instead of trying to poison the well, especially with the personal attacks and not so thinly-veiled racist critiques.
I agree that the owner should not be attacked personally here because there is no need to. I attempted to patronize the business so that I could see what the buzz was about and to really enjoy some good food and entertainment on Monday night, when it was raining and gloomy out.
I respect the owner of XII for changing the restaurant and believe that XII would flourish as what the owner intends it to be, but there has got to be some training for his staff and perhaps him in hiring/staffing the place.
I think that the owner has to think about a different kind of customer service staff for this new place and perhaps he can get more business. I was personally impressed with the menu and really wanted to give it a chance and was very disappointed by the rude behavior of the staff. I can let it go though, and just wait and see what happens.
Perhaps the owner will read this site to see the criticism and do his best to change things. I was thinking about even sending him a letter about what I experienced and maybe that would persuade him to try harder to train his staff. I know I was not the only one who felt mistreated and ignored Monday night because 2 other guys also walked out.
As for Langston Bar and Grille, perhaps the signage should be improved. Again with this one, I was seriously trying to patronize yet another business on H NE the same night, but missed out because I could not find it.
The desire to go into business flourishes in most people, but there has to be some understanding via education and marketing, that will make these businesses shine. I believe both have potential and it's not a racial thing as to why they experience any upset. I want to see these businesses thrive and not close shop because I love the themes of both places and believe that their existence can preserve some of the older culture of the neighborhood while welcoming newer culture. I believe they can both work. I will give them both another chance, with the understanding that XII will have to improve customer service before I am willing to go back. Right is right and fair is fair.
Hi to all. The current signage for my bar & grille is the metal boot the adores the storefront (former cobblers shop) and the boot logo on the window and door. We are between 18th and 19th streets on Benning Road, NE (odd numbers/addresses on the south side). Traveling east on Benning there's a large 40 foot brick wall painted bright yellow next to the parking lot.
I am feeling a little cheated because we are spending so much time discussing Twelve on a forum that's for LBG. What's up with that...?
Lastly, I do know the owner of Twelve and respect the hard work and effort that goes into developing a concept and bring it to the marketplace. Believe it or not we are all in this together (Black and White neighbors). We should try to be supportive, honest and encouraging.
I didn't mean to cheat you by discussing my experience with XII. I was just frustrated about it and was coming over to you but wasn't able to find it. Now, with clarified directions and something to orient myself, I pray not to get lost on my way to you from Alexandria. I'm looking forward to getting my beans and especially my greens on! Get ready!
My husband & I ate there last night and were pleasantly surprised by the well seasoned food and nice portions. Being from Louisiana, I've come to be very critical of "southern food" in this area. We've eaten at a few "soul food/southern food" restaurants in the city and from our experience believe that LBG is tops on the list with taste and price and with support can only get better and expand the menu. We had the salmon cakes, BBQ ribs and roasted chicken w/ mac n cheese, candied sweet potatoes & fries. Antonio and Brent were attentive and welcomed any constructive feedback to improve their service to the community. BTW, 2 thumbs ups to Chef T. the Executive Chef!
18 comments:
We stopped in tonight and had a great meal. The salmon cakes are flawless-perfect blend of fish and chunky seasonings. A steal at $11 (or was it $10?). We also sampled the roast chicken-a generous half chicken, nicely seasoned and very tasty. Roast yams, "fat fries," cabbage and string beans rounded out the meal-all very light but delicious.
The interior is small, but nicely decorated. The cozy, intimate atmosphere has a relaxed vibe and will be a great place to unwind in the evenings.
The owner, Antonio was warm and welcoming and Chef Terrell Dantley stopped by to chat about his cooking and food philosophy.
My only challenge--what can Chef T do with desserts?
I stopped in on the way home from work and picked up a carry-out menu. Seemed like nice people.
Do you eat at the bar, or is the restaurant part upstairs?
I tried to find Langston Bar and Grille place last night, after being disgusted with XII, but was unable to find it. We kept getting lost and because of the rain, were not able to see what building it was in. I kept looking for 1831 on Benning NE, but never found anything but ugly looking places and I knew that these places were not it.
Went to XII after work last night to try to partake of the entertainment and fine meals boasted via advertising and ended up walking out when we sat there for 15 minutes and then had to beg the bartender for menus. There were some hard core looking female bar patrons and 2 other serious looking guys at a table in there before us and they looked shocked when we were given menus because I felt these guys were sitting there alot longer than us waiting for a server to casually stroll by.
My boyfriend went upstairs and was NASTILY told that there was a private party up there, so that right there was another turn-off, especially since the flyer on this site stated that there was some kind of comedy and karaoke and other entertainment last night.
Overall, we thought the bar staff to be unattentive and uncaring, while the other staff was either rude as hell or non-existent. I seriously was trying to give XII a chance, but will never go back, based upon the foul time I had there last night and I only spent 15 minutes in the place. It was tacky.
On another note: BRING ON STICKY RICE!!!
Langston Bar and Grille is on the south side of Benning between 18th and 19th. (That's the right side if you're coming from the Atlas) It's got a shoe-shaped sign (place used to be a cobbler) and is next to a parking lot - I don't know if that belongs to them or not.
NE Diva - it's next to some not so nice looking places, so you were probably nearby.
XII is a missed opportunity and a real setback for the neighborhood. Hopefully it will go out of business soon or move to Ivy City where it belongs.
I've been to XII twice with my partner and we've had attentive service and good food both times. Sorry to hear that you did not have the same.
I assume there is parking at Langston's...?
XII sucks, bigtime. but what do you expect from the guy who did
CLUCK-U-CHICKEN ?
trash begets trash.
Complain about service at a particular place if you like, but "trash begets trash"? That's really more of a personal attack. Please try to avoid such attacks.
i understand the cluck u guy screwed up big time by trying to shove a fast food square peg into a restaurant round hole and many in the hood still resent him for it, but i think it's time for everyone to forgive, forget and move on already. let's give this new venture a chance. hopefully he will remove the cheesy "open" sign, change the lighting and train his staff a lot better, which will give us yet another great product for h street. let's wish him well in that endeavor instead of trying to poison the well, especially with the personal attacks and not so thinly-veiled racist critiques.
I agree with Sheriff. Let the market forces work...it will either evolve or not.
I agree that the owner should not be attacked personally here because there is no need to. I attempted to patronize the business so that I could see what the buzz was about and to really enjoy some good food and entertainment on Monday night, when it was raining and gloomy out.
I respect the owner of XII for changing the restaurant and believe that XII would flourish as what the owner intends it to be, but there has got to be some training for his staff and perhaps him in hiring/staffing the place.
I think that the owner has to think about a different kind of customer service staff for this new place and perhaps he can get more business. I was personally impressed with the menu and really wanted to give it a chance and was very disappointed by the rude behavior of the staff. I can let it go though, and just wait and see what happens.
Perhaps the owner will read this site to see the criticism and do his best to change things. I was thinking about even sending him a letter about what I experienced and maybe that would persuade him to try harder to train his staff. I know I was not the only one who felt mistreated and ignored Monday night because 2 other guys also walked out.
As for Langston Bar and Grille, perhaps the signage should be improved. Again with this one, I was seriously trying to patronize yet another business on H NE the same night, but missed out because I could not find it.
The desire to go into business flourishes in most people, but there has to be some understanding via education and marketing, that will make these businesses shine. I believe both have potential and it's not a racial thing as to why they experience any upset. I want to see these businesses thrive and not close shop because I love the themes of both places and believe that their existence can preserve some of the older culture of the neighborhood while welcoming newer culture. I believe they can both work. I will give them both another chance, with the understanding that XII will have to improve customer service before I am willing to go back. Right is right and fair is fair.
Inked,
You have to also like the "move to Ivy City where it belongs." NIMBY jerk. Move back to Middle America, yuppie.
Hi to all. The current signage for my bar & grille is the metal boot the adores the storefront (former cobblers shop) and the boot logo on the window and door. We are between 18th and 19th streets on Benning Road, NE (odd numbers/addresses on the south side). Traveling east on Benning there's a large 40 foot brick wall painted bright yellow next to the parking lot.
I am feeling a little cheated because we are spending so much time discussing Twelve on a forum that's for LBG. What's up with that...?
Lastly, I do know the owner of Twelve and respect the hard work and effort that goes into developing a concept and bring it to the marketplace. Believe it or not we are all in this together (Black and White neighbors). We should try to be supportive, honest and encouraging.
-Antonio
Thanks Antonio, and congrats on the opening. I look forward to checking your place out.
Antonio,
I didn't mean to cheat you by discussing my experience with XII. I was just frustrated about it and was coming over to you but wasn't able to find it. Now, with clarified directions and something to orient myself, I pray not to get lost on my way to you from Alexandria. I'm looking forward to getting my beans and especially my greens on! Get ready!
Sincerely,
The NE Diva
The NE Diva,
Pls. stop by sometime soon. I look forward to serving you and the rest of the community/metro area.
As for Moxie, we do have deep dish sweet potatoe pie and its great. Other desserts coming soon.
-Antonio
My husband & I ate there last night and were pleasantly surprised by the well seasoned food and nice portions. Being from Louisiana, I've come to be very critical of "southern food" in this area. We've eaten at a few "soul food/southern food" restaurants in the city and from our experience believe that LBG is tops on the list with taste and price and with support can only get better and expand the menu. We had the salmon cakes, BBQ ribs and roasted chicken w/ mac n cheese, candied sweet potatoes & fries. Antonio and Brent were attentive and welcomed any constructive feedback to improve their service to the community. BTW, 2 thumbs ups to Chef T. the Executive Chef!
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