Dupont Darling » New!

Georgetown/Dupont Retail Swap

Dupont Darling — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:16:56 +0000

Claude Taylor Photography, on Connecticut just north of Dupont Circle, recently opened a Georgetown location. Here’s the new store, on Wisconsin just south of P:

Dupont, on the other hand, is home to a second location for Georgetown antiques store Marston Luce. I don’t think this is new, but I have to admit I’ve never seen it before. It is located at 21st and Newport; open Monday through Friday by appointment only and Saturday 11-5. The two or three blocks surrounding the store are all residences, so I was surprised to find it there:

Here is the Georgetown location, on Wisconsin between Q and Reservoir:

POSH Grand Opening Preview

Dupont Darling — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:20:35 +0000

POSH consignment boutique hosted a grand opening preview party Friday night, and the place looks great! The shelves are stocked and owner Julie Visperas did an excellent job pulling everything together (with an assist from her significant other, who did the remodeling work inside). The clothes are like new and Julie has an excellent selection so far. I saw a Louis Vuitton bag and a Betsey Johnson dress, among other things. Posh indeed.

BGR The Burger Joint Aims to Open Oct. 22nd

Dupont Darling — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:03:56 +0000

The Dupont Circle location of BGR the Burger Joint is set to open September October 22nd, according to founder and co-owner Mark Bucher. (Although he warned me the date could change.) The picture above is a few weeks old; now if you walk by the brown paper in the window is gone and you can peek in to see the store’s progress. Young and Hungry has good coverage of the restaurant in its early stages here. I like burgers but am not a big fan of Five Guys (or fast food-ish burgers generally), so BGR is a welcome addition to the neighborhood.

Now that Sweet Green and BGR have arrived, I hope PNC Bank can get a few more retailers into their space. Empty storefronts in such a prime spot near the Circle are a total waste. The Dupont Circle ANC urged PNC to add locally-owned retail, and the bank has done well so far. I’d love a good independently-owned boutique, a la Proper Topper. Benetton and Ann Taylor Loft? We can do better, Dupont.

Update on Oct. 16: When I initially posted this opening I wrote “September” 22nd (twice!). Obviously, it should be October. Sorry, BGR! That’s what I get for writing a post first thing in the morning.

Update on Oct. 26: BGR still isn’t open, but it looks oh-so-close. It’s coming along nicely! Check out the guitar table tops the next time you walk by.

POSH Consignment Coming to 18th St.

Dupont Darling — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 12:18:13 +0000

POSH Consignment is opening soon on 18th St. between S and T. I’m glad to see some retail go into the area, which up until now has been mostly restaurants and hair salons. There are a number of empty retail spaces along that stretch so I hope POSH’s arrival starts a trend. I have high hopes for POSH. It’s list of acceptable and unacceptable items matches my own. Diane Von Furstenberg, yes, Jessica McClintock, absolutely not. Saks is in, JC Penny is a no-go. Well done, POSH.

Apparently the owners are opening a few stores at once. Prince of Petworth posted that one is opening at 9th and U. Although, the POSH website only mentions a Dupont Circle/Adams Morgan location, which I assume is the 18th St. store. Are there more?

Update: apparently Prince of Petworth got the location wrong and has since updated the post to give the correct location. There’s only one POSH. For now, at least.

Eola on P St. Opens Today

Dupont Darling — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:10:52 +0000

Eola, a new restaurant on P St. between 20th and 21st (where Mark and Orlando’s used to be), opens today. Eola serves contemporary American cuisine, and looks to be more upscale than most places on P St. It’s likely the only restaurant with a tasting menu, anyway. (Except, of course, for Obelisk.) I peeked in yesterday and it looks comfortable and inviting. The walls are a soft yellow and and feature photography from local artists. Eola is owned by chef Daniel Singhofen, who is new to the D.C. restaurant scene.

Eli’s Carry Out Deli Opens at 20th and N St.

Dupont Darling — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 03:39:09 +0000

Eli’s Restaurant has opened a carry out deli right next door to their seated dining venue, on 20th and N St. Eli’s offers a large menu of kosher foods, which I have found to be solid and reliable but not exceptional. (Note: I do not keep kosher.) Still, it is vastly preferable to a sea of mediocre Potbelly and Cosi sandwiches. I do enjoy the Monterrey, with turkey and avocado on multigrain.

It remains to be seen how the carry out deli’s offerings will compare to the restaurant’s food, but I can tell from the signs in the window that it is cheaper. Should Eli’s Deli be added to the list of best spots in D.C. to get a good deli sandwich? You decide. For now, enjoy this amazing picture of the bench in front of Eli’s Deli urging you to “EAT FALAFEL!” I love it.

Update: New Dupont Pizzeria Paradiso Opening Saturday

Dupont Darling — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 02:43:34 +0000

Good news! After some delay, the new Dupont location of Pizzeria Paradiso, at 2003 P St., will open on Friday Saturday. The new location is only a block from the old one and will be able to seat over 100 people. This is a welcome upgrade from the previous space, which was small and a bit uncomfortable while waiting for a table. The question now is, what will we get in the spot Paradiso is vacating?

Updated on 8/27: The folks at Paradiso inform me that they needed one more day. They will open on Saturday, not Friday as originally posted.