Here are the basic weekday hours (so I'm assuming these are also the hours for tonight): 5:00 PM – 2:00 AM (Kitchen until 11:00 PM)
The Country Club is located at 1335 H Street. Over the past several days the Country Club has held a series of soft openings with limited food samples available. Based on what I tried I can strongly suggest ordering the guac and the tamales.
Here is some of the buzz from around town about the place:
Prince of Petworth
Brunch and the City
Daily Candy
47 comments:
Me gusta tamales y guacamole!Thanks for the call last night. I'm gonna head over there after work if I'm not too tired. Will stop by and say hi if I'm not too tired. EXCITED to see the place!
DCist and Hill Rat also covered the Country Club opening.
Meh, I was annoyed that they had a "soft" openning, and then called it a private party, and denied entrance to many interested neighbours. I'm sure I'll make it there at some point (let's be realistic, the neighbourhood needs new place to eat), but I'm in no hurry, and full on repeat biz from me is shakey. Joe E. and company kinda blew it this time for me. I'd rather spend my dough at Sticky/Napa/GM/Argonauts.
Wylie
Oh the outrage of wanting to drum up some (more) publicity while opening door to family and friends and not having it be a zoo during a dress rehearsal. I will Never EVER go there again.
I can't wait for the next two weeks, I hit a good putt and it didn't go in, terrible bar. I had to wait in line to get a drink and the food didn't come quickly enough, terrible bar. The skee ball ate my quarters, go to hell englert.
Get a life dude(s).
and no, the HstCC is not racist, homophobic, anti-white, anti-golf, anti-you.
Hey as far as I'm concerned, the more people that bitch and whine and decide that this place isn't for them, the easier it will be for me to get my golf/drink/mexican on...hate away!
No anti insider hipster stuff allowed on this board. The geeeters will get ya.
No one said anything about free drinks you dumbo. My money is as green as yours. Upon reading about the free shit they were doing for "press" promo, more power to them. It just seems so un-neighbourly. How many of those from NW will come on a regular basis, especially during the week day? Hipsters unite. I'm sure there are lot more of Joe's lovers out there. I like his stuff too, but find that soft opening/private party silly.
Just got back from HSCC.
Wow.
Food: excellent. Staff: friendly and solicitous. Will remain to be seen if they get paved over by the tidal wave of customers in the next few weeks and months, but they've done a great job getting to this point.
Meh, I was annoyed that they had a "soft" openning, and then called it a private party, and denied entrance to many interested neighbours.A heady mixture of entitlement and persecution complex! Can't tell if you're one of FT's supreme ironists, or if you're serious.
Bravo!
Oh no IBC he is serious. Apparently in his little world if you live within 1 mile of any new establishment they should offer you free food and drinks during the first week. He can't grasp that these places open to make money so therefore instead of giving free drinks to a nobody like him, they dare have the soft opening for press, and PR people. Wow, how dare they.
Like the second poster said. Hopefully Anon 1 stays away and never goes there, so that the rest of us can enjoy HSCC with less of a wait.
Not to fan the flames here, but Englert and Company actually did both:
They had a soft opening for friends and family on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with limited numbers of attendees and set seating times. At those events, guests were invited to order off the menu and all food and drinks were half price, so servers could get used to working with a real crowd while guests got a little deal.
THEN, they had a media reception last night for bloggers, reporters and media-types with a limited sampling of appetizers, margaritas, etc. Considering how many blogs, news sites and even local media outlets wrote about the opening today, it definitely worked.
Sorry if you didn't get invited to any of them...but from our experience (at one of the soft service evenings this weekend) it's worth checking out anyway.
I went there with a friend early just as they opened. We were the second group to play miniature golf. I have to say that it was fun and quick. The obstacles were not at all easy. My only complaint is that the spacing between them is a little jumbled, but for a tight space and to get 9 holes in, big deal. It was a good time. It will be very interesting to see how it all goes with lots of people drinking and playing and stepping all over themselves. I will be back again.
As for the food; I was not all that impressed. I hope they change the menu from time to time. The upstairs is a completely different feel then downstairs. I thought there was only one kitchen, but there is two. Hummmm..two menus? Two kitchens? Great looking pool tables and I enjoyed the downstairs as much as the upstairs.
I will b e back, but not as much as I would like. The economy has a tight grip on my wallet.
Prince of Petworth is reporting an Irish tavern called The Star and the Shamrock opening at 1341 H Street NE. Anybody have any information about this?
HELLO -- ALL restaurants perform a mock service before opening to the public -- it let's them get the service hiccups resolved ....
I was at one of the mock services this past weekend -- tried the food and drinks ...
Must say I was VERY impressed with the whole vibe of the place -- there is not one place like it in D.C. that has the same young and hip feel ... I sat for dinner and tried appetizers, main and dessert and gotta say it was all very good, particularly the duck (Most expensive on the menu at $22) -- but there are other less expensive options that are very good as well...
They will sell a truck load of appetizers and may need to clear out a table or two for space upstairs so people can get to the bar while waiting for mini-golf but overall -- the place rocks and I wish them all the best.
Small but nice touch: the super air blasting hand dryers in the bathrooms which must be used and seen to be appreciated.
There will be some growing pains as in any business and they have Joe Englert's experiences to fall back on when they need to change and adapt. The comment about the Rock N Roll hotel being next door was right on, there is a group of people there most nights looking for places to go ... This place will be absolutely packed by the H St. crowd and local students looking for a great time ...
Another awesome spot in the hood. The duck quesadillas were delish and the golf course was like an art exhibit. There were tourists there being photgraphed with the MB Awakening. H Street is the new AM, complete with lack of direct metro access. Perfect for a rockin bar scene!
I don't think the person(s) who were denied entrance on one of those soft opennings was expecting any freebees. I assumed the following quote belong to the same individual(s).
"No one said anything about free drinks you dumbo. My money is as green as yours. "
And judging from my quick stop there last night I think the establishment will do very well. There are tons of people and lots of interests in the place, but I think he/she/they has a point about the neighbors who will drive a lot of foot traffic, especially during the week. I know in my case, I love Wonderland, but I never make it up there during the week unless my kickball team plays across the street.
Rebecca
Went there last night with my roommates and loved the drinks. I hope they continue to make fresh ingredients like that. Many places start to cut corners and use off-the-shelves stuff a few months into operations (or when they have too many bargoers). For now, I'm so happy that it opens. Feels like Adams Morgan.
The girls on Maryland.
How many ways can you spice up a quesadillas, I hope they change it up. Putting a few pieces of shreded duck instead of dry chicken does not make cuisine.
On the other hand, 6 bucks for fresh guac is awesome.
Do they take reservations? I don't want to wait 2 hours like going to Granville.
Oh le scandale de vouloir susciter quelques-uns (plus) la publicité pendant qu'ouvrir la porte à la famille et aux amis et n'ayant pas c'est un zoo pendant une répétition de robe. Je JAMAIS y n'irai jamais encore.
Je ne peux pas attendre le prochain deux semaines, je frappe un bon putt et il n'a pas entré, la barre terrible. J'ai dû l'attente dans la ligne pour obtenir une boisson et la nourriture n'est pas venue rapidement assez, la barre terrible. La balle de skee a mangé mes quarts, aller à englert d'enfer.
Obtenir un mec de vie (les mecs).
Et non, le HstCC n'est pas raciste, homophobe, anti-blanc, anti- golf, anti-vous.
I've been meaning to learn french.
Now I know how to say skee ball in french whilst simultaneously checking the neighborhood news.
Thanks FrozenTropics!!
Yours Truly,
La Balle de Skee.
Does anybody know how much it will cost to play 9 holes of mini golf?
Charles -
It cost $7 for a round of 9 holes. I think it is well worth it.
For those who might not be fluent in French:
Oh skandalin në përpjekje për të krijuar disa (shumica) reklamave gjatë se për të hapur derën e familjes dhe miqve dhe nuk është që ka një kopsht zoologjik vishen gjatë një përsëritje. Unë kurrë nuk do të përsëri.
Unë nuk mund të prisni për dy javët e ardhshme, unë mirë goditi një gjuajtje e lehtë dhe se nuk hyjnë në shiritin e tmerrshme. I kishte të presin në rradhë për të marrë një pije dhe ushqime nuk vjen mjaft shpejt, e tmerrshme bar. Të skee topin tim ate katërtat, Englert të marrtë dreqi.
Merr një jetë guys (guys).
Dhe jo, nuk është e HstCC raciste, homophobic, anti-bardhë, anti-golfit, anti-ju.
I think I prefer H St. to be compared to U St. than Adams Morgan. Can't wait to check out the CC. Will people quit complaining about the GM wait. Go get a drink and deal. The fact that they are so popular is a good thing.
I went yesterday - overall I would rate my experience a B+
I'm not going to ding them for the long wait for my food and drinks because that's always expected during the first week or so.
I was very impressed with the design and the quality of drinks. Well worth the $6 per beer.
The food was very good too although it was a bit cold. Once they get the hang of serving all those people I'm sure I'll get my food warmer eventually.
The 9 hole course was a lot of fun. Well worth the $7. I see myself going there at least once or twice a month for drinks and a round or two of putt-putt.
As a 10 year home owner in the H street corridor,There was a time when I would not be caught dead walking on H street ,let alone dinning there.HSCC,is long over due.Thanks Joe, your place ROCKS with a capital R.If you read this thread, are the anymore venues that you plan on opening on H street ? If yes,when,where,and what type.
Thanks,
5th Street
Joe Englert said:
We plan on opening three or four things in the next 18 months or so..........
1) Vendetta, an Italian restaurant, southern italian style. It will feature boccee ball courts.
2) Dolce---an Italian dessert and cuppucino/geleteria.
3) Joe's Coal and Ice House---steak and ribs with swing blues bands and gospel music.
4) Uneeda Market.....weekend clothes, flea and farmer's market with live music (American musical duos and trios featuring fiddles, guitars and roots music).
On the drawing board.......but not for certain........
Bowling Alley
German Beer and sausage Hall
A Chess Academy
A Charter School for middle school and high school
I'll be headed down tonight for my first visit of many, I'm sure.
Hey Joe - wanna start a grocery store on H? Do that and I think we'll build you your own monument in the starburst.
Joe,
How about a Food Co-Op?
Loved HSCC, got the chicken and friend got the steak fajitas, both fantastic. Great music, great drinks, great service. Great job.
Wish they had WiFi. Hopefully it is coming soon.
derek,
there's already a group planning on opening a food co-op on h street. please check out and join http://www.hstcommunitymarket.org/
of the original founders, i think i only know emily? they seemed determined to make it happen and i believe they were slated to open in the endlessly delayed condo project at 300 h st that has sadly not broken ground to date (after being planned since near the time the children's museum was purchased by adbo (?) to be converted into senate square)
joe,
if you do the chess academy, i know a local arts nonprofit with an annual chess tournament (words beats and life). you should reach out to them at www.wblinc.org/ or by contacting mazi (at) wblinc.org
i second the call for joe to join some other entrepreneurs in bringing some type of new grocery store to the h street corridor. can people who have lived in other cities recommend a visionary grocery store model elsewhere that would fit the neighborhood and provide quality food goods?
I love the bowling alley idea. Its a crime to pay the prices they charge over at Gallery Place for bowloing.
Hey Joe,
Thanks for the feed back,as it relates to future developments on the H street corridor.This question is not directed to you, Joe.Does anybody know the status of the H street Food Co-Op,at one time there were donations collected for start up.For some reason ,The H street food Co-Op has flown off the radar.....
Everyone go to the Country Club! And remind the owner that he needs more tennis lessons.
As far as the coop, I also want to know what happened as I contributed $100 membership fee to them. In Austin we had a place called Wheatsville Food Coop and it was great..There was also this "little" store that opened on Lamar that used to flood, it had creaky wood floors and hippies working there..could have purchased stock but naaa..can you say Whole Foods..
Joe, the steak/rib joint with blues and gospel music sounds like some places in Austin also. Look at Artz Rib House for the BBQ and several different places for the gospel music. Will that be a gospel music brunch???
Yea for H St NE..knew there was a reason why we bought in the neighborhood back in 00
Is the charter school part true? Or are you just getting our hopes up?
MJ on 12th
As far as the coop, I also want to know what happened as I contributed $100 membership fee to them.Clearly those shysters have squandered any credibility!
Now, having said that, my partners and I are *just* about to start a coop of our own, and for a fee of only $100 dollars...
Had a chance to go last night. We loved the space and we'll definitely do some drinking there, but the food was extremely disappointing, especially after all the hype about Ann Cashion's consultation. The chili con queso was really watery and had no flavor. The tortillas for the tacos were really dry, as if they just took them out of a bag and put some steak on them. And even the chips weren't that great. Hopefully it was just a part of them just opening, but for now I will stick to drinking and golf.
Note to Ann Cashion:
Somehow replicate the quality tacos of taqueria nacional at this place and you'll have a serious winner!
Anonymous:
Ann Cashion lover said:
Lobster tostada was creamy and delicious. Ribs were outstanding. Duck chili quilies were unforgettable. If this is how good this place is on day 3, I am very excited for it as a restaurant!
Why do people say H Street needs a grocery store? There's a Safeway in the Hechinger Plaza mall and they are building a Harris Teeter in NOMA. If you drive, there's a Safeway and Harris Teeter off Pennsylvania Ave in Capital Hill, and we aren't that far away from Eastern Market. I don't think we desperately need a grocery store.
I think people on H street want a WholePaycheck or a Trader Joes. Personally, I vote for Trader Joes. One can dream, ja?
I went this weekend and found the food lacking. I think without real talent to watch the cooking every day, the designer-menu is just that, looks good on paper. Same case with Granville. All the best of luck to Teddy F, but the frites there lately makes me want to give my money to Spike the MadHatter down on the Hill. So Sad since I want to support the biz in the hood so much.
Geoff
So first real whole week of business. I wonder what the traffic during the week will be like...
Speculating...
Soul Searcher, check out PCC in Seattle; www.pccnaturalmarkets.com/
I am pretty sure they are a co-op, but run really well and very approachable for folks turned off by the idea of a co-op. Note their heavy community involvement, which would be perfect for the area.
As a recent transplant to the area I am loving the new places opening up. Looking forward to trying CC once the crowds lessen a tad. Did I hear rumor of a rooftop 9 holes?
Kyle
PS, To everyone on here, let's not forget about the established places that need our love too like Pap and Pete's or the other restaurants on H to enjoy.
I few of us went last night, and had a GREAT time. I hope they'll decided to put some sandwiches and/or something similar on the downstairs menu, as we had some appetizers downstairs and then had to go upstairs for something more substantial- which was fine since there was no wait. But if there had been a wait- we may have gone elsewhere.
The menu prices were a bit more upscale than the environment indicates. Putt Putt golf and $20+ entrees was a bit surprising. For those prices, I'd probably prefer Napa 1015's "date night" ambiance.
I'll be back for sure though!
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