Wednesday, February 09, 2011
Boundary Road Comes to H Street
News recently came (via Sidamo) of a new restaurant/tavern opening in the 400 block of H Street. H Street Great Street has further details on what has been described to me as a restaurant serving "regional cuisine" (Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Delaware). The restaurant, which recently applied for a tavern liquor license, plans to hold a accomodate of 80 customers, with seating for 65 patrons (occasional dj possible). This is at 414 H Street.
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53 comments:
Again. A liquor license, entertainment and hours until 2AM during the week and 3AM on weekends. For a 'neighborhood restaurant'? Most establishments that are primarily restaurants do not stay open that late...a tavern yes. I'm tired of places billing themselves first and foremost as a restaurant when they are really a bar or tavern. The Argonaut has those kind of hours and I love the Argonaut and would welcome anything like it on the west end of H. However, The Argonaut is a tavern/bar, right? It was voted one of Washingtonian’s top 75 bars in 2009. So, why can't these new establishments just be up front about their intentions? Is Boundary Road Restaurant really a bar/tavern?
Can't it be both?
414 is applying for a tavern license, not a restaurant license. And they want to have live music. I agree - be upfront about the business.
Thank goodness, some real food on that block.
AMEN Anon. 8:00. I'm tired of all these restaurants getting "tavern" liscenses - and all the benefits of being a tavern (staying up late, etc). I realize there is a loop hole that requires a restaurant to have a certain percentage in food sales vs. liquor sales, but lets be real and up front here - if Boundary Road is a restaurant they they should get a restauant liscense. If we had a moritorium on bars/taverns these places would have to get a restaurant liscense. I'd like to know where our silent ANC members stand on this issue of tavern vs. restaurant liscense?
YAAAAYYYY, a business owner interested in taking a risk and opening up something on the west end in a downed economy. Have you checked out the span between 2nd and 6th? Have you counted the empty lots, vacant buildings and "For Lease" signs? I live a block from H on the west end and am looking forward to new businesses coming in.
Another smoke and mirror show coming to the western end of H. If it walks like a duck and talks like a...
I'm not interested in some former NFL player's strip club nor slumlord's wet dream just because it is a kind of development.
All good things come to those who wait.
Yes, it can be both. The Arognaut is the finest example of an amalgam of bar/tavern/restaurant/family dining/neighborhood hangout. However, this balance is rare, isn’t it? That’s why The Argo is unique and great. I live on the West end and like I said, I would love a fine amalgam of bar/tavern/’neighborhood restaurant' over here. I can hope that Boundary would be all those things.
But, I thought that H St. had a plan for the kind of establishments that would be in each 1/3 of the street. Is this correct? Does the west end call for entertainment/bar type establishments? I guess I’m a bit tired of the mystery and necessary negotiations that seem to continue to surround projects slated for the west end. Stuff like Studio 400, etc. In light of the fact that Boundary is applying for a tavern license, it should be billed as Boundary Road-→ a neighborhood tavern.
And yes, YAY for new business! But, a neighborhood has to weigh the opportunity cost--—empty buildings vs. any business vs. quality business. I would say that if the liquor store at 3rd and H was an empty building, it would be a better option for the neighborhood. Seriously. Quality sets a precedent.
Well said Kiki!!
+100
This sounds like a great addition to the neighborhood. The overlay definitely does NOT disallow bars on the West end, nor should it.
Plus, it's certainly not unusual at all for a place to have a good dinner earlier in the evening, and then have more of a bar atmosphere later at night. The Argo is not the only one... think Sticky Rice, Granville Moore's, Star & Shamrock, etc.
Why do all the NIMBYs seem to be living on the West end?
No one said anything about the H st. overlay disallowing taverns/bars on the West end. But, what kind of establishments does the H St. overlay desire for the west end? Can someone describe the overlay?
I agree with Kiki and anon 10:28.
The western end housing is worth more and we can't be bothered by the new riff-raff that these establishments attract.
I live on I street on the west end and agree completely with kiki and others who welcome this new business regardless of what type of license they pursue.
jeffb, kiki, h st slumlord,
-you smell of riff-raff
Actually, western end housing cost less in many places north of H because there has been less development in those places. And the overlay is kind of stupid. If you stuck to it, H Street would be lopsided and cause a need for a great number of people to walk 10-12 blocks just to eat or drink something.
I am a "westender" and I welcome any responsible establishment to open up shop down on this side. I would much prefer to walk to 400 H steet than 1400 H steet for dinner. Granted, we don't need as many bars as the eastend, but some tavern type restaurants are great. People like to live close to these establishments. That's why housing on the east end is turning over faster than houses on the west side.
why is it assumed this place is going to be full of riff raff just because it has a tavern license?
"all good things come to those who wait"
i counter that with
"early bird gets the worm"
can we come up with more old time sayings that are apparently established truths yet contradict each other?
I dont know what world you all are living in, thinking that H St gets anywhere near the foot traffic required for businesses that dont serve a dual purpose / extended hours. I'm fairly sure by the name itself the place isnt going to be a Strip Club Liquor Store.. especially one that also sells crab cakes. You all need to calm down about the tavern liscences .. Most restaurants people love in DC have a bar inside of them.. even outside our neighborhood. We shouldnt even be talking about Bar Liscences until the bars outnumber vacant buildings. God forbid if this place actually does sell food, we'll have the posts claiming that it will be too expensive.
I hear they are going to compost their chicken bones in the tree boxes along H St
I'm sure dave b, jeff b and kiki are willing to tell the naysayers what property they occupy, so everyone knows that they aren't just posers.
This is awesome news I concur with 11:27.
While we all love our neighborhood its best to keep in mind the risk that these biz owners are taking on, especially so on the west end. If this place sucks (either as a restaurant, or a bar) it will be gone in a hurry. Until it proves itself to suck though I'm on the wagon until whenever their hours of operation will allow.
"...a restaurant serving "regional cuisine" (Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Delaware)."
I hear Delaware-ian food is da Bomb!
I live in Virginia, I just come on this blog to promote businesses that I think will ultimately lead to the demise of H St
@daveb
Thanks for being honest. What p.r. firm are you with?
Inked-
Care to disclose any financial arrangements associated with this site?
I live on the 700 block of F, so I guess I'm right in between the west end and the east end. (Just to get that out of the way, lest I be accused of being a poser. And no, I'm not giving my exact address.)
Anyway, I think this place sounds great. As others have said, a lot of places in our area and throughout the city are more geared toward being restaurants during earlier hours and bars during later hours.
Additionally, I think west end development will ultimately help the entire strip. A lot of people don't want to walk from Union Station to 12th Street, but would readily walk from Union Station to 4th and then walk to 12th after spending some time at a place near 4th. I know it's kind of illogical, but it's just how people are. (And I take the bus all of the time, but I know a lot of people don't like to. Again, I know it's illogical, but it's just how people are.)
Also, inked has confirmed at least once that she doesn't have financial agreements with the establishments she covers. I don't know her, so I don't remember exactly where she used to work, but I believe she said the Argo and maybe one of the stands at the Florida Ave. Market. I'm not sure why all of these questions/accusations regarding financial agreements with the places she covers keep coming up.
@ks said..
Spoken like a true poser.
Inked answered a question about compensation from just H st biz owners. This question is all encompassing.
1:07 & 1:37,
A financial arrangment w/H Street Great Street? That's a joke, right?
Did the question specify who?
Tell your readers know that you have no financial arrangement associated with this site.
And if you mean with FT:
1. I pay all related expenses;
2. When I'm organized and not to busy I might run an ad or two. That would be stuff appearing under the header that reads "advertisements."
Again, do you have any financial arrangements associated with this site. I think a simple yes or no would clear this up.
1:58,
Exactly how do you think FT would exist if I didn't pay the costs? That is a financial interest (even if it mostly flows in the opposite direction than you seem to imply).
So no on the inflows and yes on the outflows is what you are saying, correct?
2:03,
I think you reading my answers should clear up for anyone just fine. Unless, of course, that person is a troll.
@ Anonymous. What that I said was, "spoken like a true poser?" And how so? And posing as what, someone who lives in/is interested in the development of the neighborhood. Your assertions baffle me.
Inked, thank you for taking your time to create, update and maintain Frozen Tropics. My wife and I love it and are both regular readers. Keep up the great work.
Thank you small business owner at Boundary Street for taking a chance in our community. As an "Eastie" -- doesn't sound as good as "Westie" -- I'll walk down and sample your fare. Hopefully, the tendency of some to bloviate and attempt to over regulate will not impact your business plan.
Thanks Capitol,
And just reminder to everyone to not feed the troll. He's especially testy today!
Inked -- maybe it's worth reconsidering the idea you tried a few years ago of requiring registration to post.
The anonymous trolls are really ruining this place.
Um, its a private blog. It is not held to some journalistic standard of open disclosure as you seem to think. Even if it was, even storied journalistic institutions have advertisers. She posts information, we read information. Take it or leave it.
But, as a resident of 6th and K NE (and soon to be labeled a "poser" by the troll), I say give the westend some soul and food and drink options. We need more good restaraunts down our way. Ethiopic is frequently packed already.
D
@Chris
Gosh. You got to wonder why that idea has never been implemented here?
@ Chris
I agree; I think that's a great idea! (At the very least, it would prevent confusion when multiple people post as Anonymous. I know sometimes people who aren't trolls and don't mean to cause confusion post under Anonymous, but I feel like it always causes confusion anyway!)
The guy who runs Jimmy's Grille at the fish market told me a while back that he was planning to open a restaurant on H. I have no idea if this is it, but the Eastern Shore regional aspect would fit with what he described. If this is his place, I think everybody will be happy.
So as a resident of the 600 block a few blocks from H, I am hoping, not hating ...
I'm a mid-Westie (7th & G) who bought over 10 years ago, and I'm thrilled about this. Not that I don't love - and spend money at - east end businesses, but I'd love more places a little closer to home, too.
But a longer-term perspective on the neighborhood says occupied business is always better than vacant/boarded up business.
And inked, if I were you, I'd probably disable anonymous commenting.
Anon 2:59pm -- actually, it *was* implemented here briefly, three years or so ago. Inked tried it out for a few days. She'd have to comment on why she reverted back -- I can't remember the reason.
Inked, you have the patience of a saint.
Here lately this blog has gone from a good local read to something that is actually sortof hard to read.
I used to check in every other day or so.
Now I only check in every week or so, as I just can't stand the vitriol.
Beyond that, I can maybe speak as one of those that think ten blocks is too far to walk for dinner. There are a lot of older people in this area, and a 20 block round trip walk for dinner is just too much.
And let's be honest. There are still crime issues in that 20 block walk.
Sometimes I wonder how any legit business opens on H Street at all, what with the instant vitriol that gets slung.
I am in full support of Western End development, whether it be taverns, restaurants, or pet shops.
Anything (including adult novelty shops) and everything is better than vacant retail space.
A 2-year old sign that says "For Lease" is not cool.
This proposed establishment will be DOA just like the other poser establishments before it.
DJ=entertainment=arts/entertainment district for those that asked for overlay explaining.
Having worked in the restaurant industry for a long time, I can tell you that an establishment should not be judged for the license it holds. There are plenty of "Restaurant" licensed places that in my opinion violate the basic tenants of a good neighbor and are not desirable establishments. The license attenuation process in DC and the rules associated with those licenses is a perilous venture. Suffice is to say that in a down economy a Tavern license affords a greater level of safety for an business owner. Lets try to judge them by their food, drink and atmosphere instead. Seems reasonable to me.
i dont get the constant references to "posers." does that mean that people from MD and/or VA are posting about our neighborhood? I dont believe that for a minute. Why would they.
@5:48:00 PM
Yes, be reasonable. Give them a tavern license without the dj/live music and see whether they open with "regional" cuisine. They can always come back and ask for more. That sounds reasonable.
@anon 4:55 pm
So after I posted with my full legal name (as I generally do in all my online interactions), you responded by posting my address. Which, of course, is available in the phone book. OOOOOoooo - scary! Gimme a break, man.
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