H Street Country Club 1335 H Street
The Country Club building in its Phish Tea incarnation.
A while back there were some rumors about a slow down with this place, but I've noticed some recent activity. This morning a guy was moving in old birdhouses and other hanging items (possible light fixtures?). When this tavern opens it will serve American food and feature a DC themed mini-golf course (indoors).
Phish Tea, the Caribbean restaurant which used to occupy the space was, as the only "real" sit-down restaurant on H, the focus of high hopes when it first opened, but these soon soured amid patron complaints of over-priced yet mediocre food and horrible service. I was once served cold coffee there (it wasn't iced coffee). Before closing its doors Phish Tea rented out space to both a local church and a martial arts group.
A waiter delivers a patron's coffee at the now defunct Phish Tea.
The Mart 1341 (1343?) H Street
This handsome looking building is much worse for the wear. I believe it used to belong (and perhaps it still does) to local developer (he even grew up in the neighborhood) Orlando Brooks. I have recently noticed signs of activity at the site. This morning I noticed information in a window assigning responsibility to Taurus Development and Norman Smith Architects. At one point I'm told that Orlando wanted to put in apartments or condos. I don't know what the current plan is for the site, but the building could be a good candidate for mixed-use development. I think apartments, condos, or artists lofts would all be good options (we're probably a bit heavy on the luxury condos these days). This is a massive building and just putting it back in use should really help out the 1300 block. The building is sandwiched between the old Jumbo building (which now has other tenants) and a dollar store.
Gallery O/H (not sure of the address, perhaps 1352 H Street?)
I've seen the owner of the not yet open (the original opening date was over a year ago, but he encountered a few delays) Gallery O/H (pronounced Gallery Oh!) lurking about. I've heard he's been talking to an architect and working on the other two buildings (which will also be galleries) that are adjacent to the pictured gallery that you have, no doubt, noticed.
Removing paint from the gallery's facade in fall of 2005 (only days before annual H Street Festival).
Festival goers lounge in front of the gallery.
The adjacent gallery buildings
Despite not being open ,the gallery has had artists booths at the H Street Festival since 2005. This is nice because it gives you an idea of the type of art you might expect to see on display there (so called "outsider art").
You may have also noticed that the front window on one of the buildings has been boarded up for a while. This is the result of a particular vandal throwing a hammer through the window. Hopefully the gallery will be open soon.
The Ice Cream Place (not the actual name) 1358 H Street
Ok, this is an old photo, but that white building in the middle (currently blue) is supposed to house an ice cream and sweet shop.
While under renovation
This is the owner selling some of her wares during the 2007 H Street Festival.
Originally they were aiming for a fall opening date, but I suspect that at this point they might choose to hold out until the spring.
The Ohio 1380 H Street
The Ohio suffered a fire several years ago and both the interior and exterior are in need of some repair.
Until a little over a year ago this corner building held the Ohio Restaurant and Lounge. The Ohio had been on H Street for decades (I believe it first opened in the 1950s).
Photos of the Ohio's original owners still hang on the wall.
It's definitely a piece of H Street history, and like that of H Street, the history of the Ohio hasn't always been pristine. Before its acquisition by members of the Ayele family the place was considered by a many to be a bit too rough and tumble. I recall once asking an area resident about the Ohio and being told it was just a bar for derelicts and alcoholics. By the time I first walked into the Ohio in the spring of 2006 the place was already being transformed. The original owner had died and an Ethiopian family from Virginia had purchased the building the previous December. Their plan was to beef up the menu to attract some new customers. The Ohio was really an interesting place, and it may be the only restaurant I've ever frequented with a "wine list" that consisted entirely of Manischewiz. The dishes were styrofoam and mixed drinks were served in disposable plastic cups. Yet the Ohio won many converts in its final months (including the City Paper reviewer Tim Carman, Fritz Hahn of Going Out Gurus, and various posters the Chowhound boards) because the food really was great (if occasionally uneven). The place had a very distinctive vibe and the jukebox was amazing (mostly old school stuff like Sam Cooke and Billy Stewart). Mostly I think the place had promise. That promise was unfortunately cut short when one of the sister who ran the place, Betty Ayele, was murdered in her car in Del Ray on October 25 2006. Betty had a bit of criminal background (drug related) and had previously testified against members of the notorious Murder Inc. crew (who were linked to multiple witness killings). Betty's killer was never identified, and though the Ohio continued to operate for a couple of days after the shooting, it closed its doors for the last time that October. ever since there has been a "for sale" sign hanging in the window, but when I walked by a week or two ago it was gone. Has the Ohio been sold?
A patron enjoys his pigs feet platter in happier days.
The Ohio's signature meatloaf with mac and cheese.
But diners (perhaps with a less rowdy crowd than the Ohio once attracted) have long been near the top of the list of businesses many locals would like to see on H Street, and I'm convinced that a well run diner could have broad appeal. We don't really have anyplace like that around here (Tony's sells the breakfast, but you'll have to take it elsewhere to eat). They could even stay open late to feed to post theater/concert/bar crowd.
We'll have to wait and see what will become of the Ohio, but until its fate is clear I can keep hoping for a diner.
Will the Ohio go from dead space..
...to thriving diner and nightspot?
Note the potential patio space (which is quite large).
