A look at what's going on in Trinidad, on H Street, and in the larger area north of Capitol Hill.
Thursday, October 09, 2008
Metrocurean: the Impending Opening of Taylor
The local blog gets excited about the Italian deli [both a grocery, and a 27 seat counter service sandwich place] expected to open in late October, or early November, at 1116 H Street.
I got a chance to sample their sandwiches at the barrack's row octoberfest a couple weeks ago and it was very tasty. If the sandwich I had was any indicator, this place is going to be one of the most popular shops on H st. I can't wait for it to open. Also the co-owner told me the shop would open Oct. 21 with a special event on the 20th. Don't know if that still stands but that's what he said just a couple weeks ago
Can I buy good quality guanciale, culatello and speck there? Will they have bucatini or maybe perciatelli, or other less common pastas? It would be fabulous if so -- I can get almost all these things around here, but not in the same place, and definitely not nearby.
Well, I will have to try it out. 2 years ago I would have been excited but I only eat meat 1-2 times a month now. It will have to be pretty damn good to beat litteri's.
this is great news! i like litteri's, but c'mon....
this is akin to darwin's law. the strong survive. litteri's may have been great back in the days when global competition was less than it is now, and there was no internet.
but their odd hours, and the veritable cornucopia of internet alternatives just doesn't make them a viable option for common folk with jobs, and money problems, and "normal" hours.
poo poo, I agree with you, but some people have some ridiculous ideas about "normal" hours. Litteri's is a good example, but so is any person who complains that they can't get liquor after 10.
PS, real Italians from Northern Delaware or Georgia doesn't have the same appeal as real Italians from Philly, or even Italy.
DCJaded, I'm certain that they will have veggie options. I also don't think they will compete all that much with Litteri's. Different hours, and from what I've heard, different offerings. I can't yet comment on price points.
The differences in opinion between Litteri and Taylor Gourmet (which I might mention has not yet opened) seem largely experiential.
Those of us raised in Italian households recognize 50% of the excursion to the deli is the ambiance. The squeaky old door, crammed wooden shelves, tight aisles, plastic olive jugs, little old Italian ladies, pictures of the Pope, and old guys doing wax paper arithemtic (who know why you never slice import provolone and always slice salami on the bias) are what we grew up knowing. When forced to buy cold cuts at Giant while camping West Virginia, we feel awkward. We cringe at people who pick up presliced coldcuts at Whole Foods. The other 50% is product offering. Not fancy meats espoused by gourmet chefs but things like canestrato, cime di cicoria, baccala, torrone, almond paste, or pinoli from Italy.
I've been going to Litteri's from the time I was little with my grandfather growing up in the burbs to the last 15 years that I've lived on the hill. And I have to agree with Anon 11:34 it's still all in the destination, the ambiance of the place with an incredible inventory thrown in. All of my relatives still relish the weekly trip to Litteris on Friday and Saturday. The chatter, the smells, talking old school DC GPO and football with Rick. Litteri's has a whole massive customer base that is not going to abandon it to go to some place named Taylor. Personally, I'll try their sandwiches, tho I am loathe to patronize an italian place that is named "Taylor" couldn't they have come up with something just a tad more on point? Anyway, Litteri's has everything I need for making my grandmother's italian american sauce and even my husband's Jersey italian gravy, and the prices are right and the selection incredible, so that's where I'll continue to shop for my kitchen staples.
This new Taylor place will blow Litteri's away! Finally a good delivery option on H Street. You can't go wrong with that. I can't wait for them to open.
21 comments:
Wowsa. This sounds great.
I got a chance to sample their sandwiches at the barrack's row octoberfest a couple weeks ago and it was very tasty. If the sandwich I had was any indicator, this place is going to be one of the most popular shops on H st. I can't wait for it to open. Also the co-owner told me the shop would open Oct. 21 with a special event on the 20th. Don't know if that still stands but that's what he said just a couple weeks ago
That Sarcones bread comment is true philly and right on the money.
Once this place opens you'll see the difference between how philly does deli sandwiches and what currently passes for deli sandwiches in this town.
Get ready have your mind blown DC.
:-P
Will be interesting to have a hoagie within walking distance.
Go Phils!
Can I buy good quality guanciale, culatello and speck there? Will they have bucatini or maybe perciatelli, or other less common pastas? It would be fabulous if so -- I can get almost all these things around here, but not in the same place, and definitely not nearby.
This is going to be great. Best of all, the owners are true Italians from Philly.
As opposed to fake Italians from Philly?
Casey Taylor Patten doesn't sound Italian to me...the other guy 4sure.
Well, I will have to try it out. 2 years ago I would have been excited but I only eat meat 1-2 times a month now. It will have to be pretty damn good to beat litteri's.
If they are selling the sample they were giving away at Barracks Row they will take all Litteri's business. I am so excited and they deliver too!
Uh, they won't take all of Litteri's business. That place is an institution.
If I recall, isn't it (Leterri's) going out of buisiness anyway with the development of the FL Market?
I'm looking forward to Taylor's opening. It's way easier to get to than Laterri's.
this is great news! i like litteri's, but c'mon....
this is akin to darwin's law. the strong survive. litteri's may have been great back in the days when global competition was less than it is now, and there was no internet.
but their odd hours, and the veritable cornucopia of internet alternatives just doesn't make them a viable option for common folk with jobs, and money problems, and "normal" hours.
can't.wait.for.taylor!
poo poo, I agree with you, but some people have some ridiculous ideas about "normal" hours. Litteri's is a good example, but so is any person who complains that they can't get liquor after 10.
PS, real Italians from Northern Delaware or Georgia doesn't have the same appeal as real Italians from Philly, or even Italy.
They should stay in Philadelphia. There's enough people here from Philly already.
DCJaded,
I'm certain that they will have veggie options. I also don't think they will compete all that much with Litteri's. Different hours, and from what I've heard, different offerings. I can't yet comment on price points.
With this place and Philadelphia Water Ice Company, all H Street needs is a decent broccoli rabe and roast pork sandwich.
The differences in opinion between Litteri and Taylor Gourmet (which I might mention has not yet opened) seem largely experiential.
Those of us raised in Italian households recognize 50% of the excursion to the deli is the ambiance. The squeaky old door, crammed wooden shelves, tight aisles, plastic olive jugs, little old Italian ladies, pictures of the Pope, and old guys doing wax paper arithemtic (who know why you never slice import provolone and always slice salami on the bias) are what we grew up knowing. When forced to buy cold cuts at Giant while camping West Virginia, we feel awkward. We cringe at people who pick up presliced coldcuts at Whole Foods. The other 50% is product offering. Not fancy meats espoused by gourmet chefs but things like canestrato, cime di cicoria, baccala, torrone, almond paste, or pinoli from Italy.
Plus Litteri's has cheap wine and more anchovie paste than you can shake a stick at.
I've been going to Litteri's from the time I was little with my grandfather growing up in the burbs to the last 15 years that I've lived on the hill. And I have to agree with Anon 11:34 it's still all in the destination, the ambiance of the place with an incredible inventory thrown in. All of my relatives still relish the weekly trip to Litteris on Friday and Saturday. The chatter, the smells, talking old school DC GPO and football with Rick. Litteri's has a whole massive customer base that is not going to abandon it to go to some place named Taylor. Personally, I'll try their sandwiches, tho I am loathe to patronize an italian place that is named "Taylor" couldn't they have come up with something just a tad more on point? Anyway, Litteri's has everything I need for making my grandmother's italian american sauce and even my husband's Jersey italian gravy, and the prices are right and the selection incredible, so that's where I'll continue to shop for my kitchen staples.
Gina Anzelone Arlotto
This new Taylor place will blow Litteri's away! Finally a good delivery option on H Street. You can't go wrong with that. I can't wait for them to open.
Post a Comment