Category Archives: East

January 29, 2013 · 7:02 am

Back To Black in Eastern Market

pic courtesy Girl Meets Food

pic courtesy Girl Meets Food

Let’s face it — Washingtonians love their speakeasies. The latest in the growing roster is Harold Black on Capitol Hill, located quaintly at REDACTED. Just kidding, it’s right above the Italian restaurant Acqua Al 2 across from Eastern Market.

Unlike other such bars dotting the District’s landscape, HB feels like a true speakeasy. It’s only open at night, and you need a reservation, which is only procurable via text message from a number that isn’t published. Because of course there’s no sign, you have to walk into a door marked only for the adjoining restaurant SUNA, walk up a staircase, at which point you open a sliding door that reveals the most secret bar you’ve never seen.

It’s equal parts Boardwalk Empire and 007, on the rocks. The decor is dark and vintage – even the bathrooms have an old-time W.C. feel. You’ll see what I mean.

The mixologists at HB don’t mind taking risks and use some awfully obscure liquors in their creations. Stone-pine liqueur, shochu, stone water madeira, just to name a few. All the special cocktails (aptly titled elixirs) are a not-unreasonable $12.

There’s a full bar and a few beers available too, for those not feeling quite so adventurous. If you’re one of the fortunate ones, you might just get one of the big spherical ice cubes they make at the beginning of the evening.

As a distinguished establishment, they have a few non-negotiable rules (no cell phone use, no flash photography, keep conversation low and civilized), but curiously the first rule isn’t to not talk about Harold Black.

There are several booths and some seats at the bar, but this place is very exclusive. You can’t book any more than six people at a time, and reservations are strictly limited to 90 minutes. Highly recommended.

Harold Black
212 7th St SE
202-540-0459

On a final note, since DC Style Is Real is in its last week – it’s been a joy reviewing local things for you over the last few years. Until next time, friends.

Written by Joel Church.

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January 23, 2013 · 7:19 am

Revenge is a Dish Best Served on H

H Street DC sign
H Street – it’s not just for boobs and vaudeville anymore. Rising from the ashes of the recently vacated Red Palace space is…..drum-roll…..long-planned Italian eatery Vendetta, which was originally slated for the 1300 block. Observant Sherlock-types may have seen small ads for it whilst frequenting RnR or the Biergarten.

Vendetta will boast two bocce courts upstairs (think H Street Country Club) and will feature a Vespa themed bar, with several of the popular motor scooters hanging from the ceiling. Let’s hope they’re well secured.

Vendetta will serve casual Italian cuisine, with a wide selection of pastas and pretentious sides, including something called vanilla Chianti polenta. Sigh. It’s only a matter of time until some enterprising chef unveils an artisan sea urchin ceviche accented with violets and pine nuts.

In terms of ambiance, partner Jimmy Silk says he’s going for a rustic feel, probably akin to distant neighbor Boundary Road but with more of a focus on wood. The space will have 120 seats over both floors.

The 5,000 sq ft space at 1210 H is better suited as a restaurant. When Palace of Wonders and the Red and the Black merged a few years ago, it lacked cohesion, although the renovated performance stage upstairs will be sorely missed, not to mention the sword-swallowing strippers.

As for the Vendetta plan, the ink hasn’t dried yet, but the partners are fast-tracking this for a Spring opening. Pretty exciting!

And the transformation of H Street continues…

Written by Joel Church.

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January 17, 2013 · 7:07 am

Restaurant Review: Ambar on Barrack’s Row

pic courtesy K Street Magazine

pic courtesy K Street Magazine

I must admit that I was skeptical. Despite the fact that Ambar, the new Balkan cuisine restaurant occupying the space that was once Jordan’s 8 on Barrack’s Row, is the newest culinary project of Ivan Iricanin, who has made me salivate at Maza 14 and El Centro. This guy is good, I knew, but even a great artist can be limited by his raw materials. And my previous experience with Balkan food gave me pause.

In December 2010, I took a last-minute trip to the beautiful country of Croatia with my mother.  We traveled to Zagreb, Dubrovnik and Split and were delighted by the people, places and things we encountered, with one significant exception: the food. Croats may have invented cravats, boast gorgeous, ancient cities, produced incredible artists and done many other exceptional things, but the culinary culture there left my spoiled Washington palate with something to be desired… namely, flavor and variety.  So, I approached Ambar with some reservation. My two friends who had lived in Bulgaria, however, could not contain their enthusiasm. Was it possible I was just on the wrong side of the Balkan kitchen?

We started at the bar. The set up is the same as Jordan’s, with some welcome improvements in color and lighting. The outdoor bar will undoubtedly be a destination after the winter. After discussing the differences between plum brandy and hazelnut liquor with the nice people at the bar, I indulged in the Belgrade, a delightfully sour cocktail with plum brandy, ginger beer and lime. The signature cocktails are named for the capitals of the countries in the Balkans. So far, so good.

Soon, our meal began with crispy bacon wrapped-plums stuffed with cheese, hearty sourdough and corn breads and a warm stuffed pepper. Our kind waiter indulged all our questions and you would have never known that it was only the second night a new restaurant was open. You could tell an experienced hand was running the show. The food continued to offer all the flavor and variety I could ask for and missed in beautiful Hrvaška. Crisp salads with colorful peppers and feta, a ricotta cheese pastry, veal-stuffed cabbage, parmesan- encrusted sirloin cooked exactly right, walnut-encrusted chicken that was moist and flavorful, delightfully salty potatoes, and salmon served with an enticing sweet eggplant purée. Everything we ordered (and it was a lot) was delicious and well-presented. I paired my steak with a red Macedonian wine that nicely rounded out the meal.

I will be back to Ambar, and I will never underestimate Ivan Iricanin again.

Written by Marie Francis.

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January 16, 2013 · 8:28 am

Remembrance of Martin Luther King Jr. to be Held

1bokamoso_at_blue_monday_blues_2011__amazing_grace_aThe Capitol Hill Arts Workshop will offer a “Remembrance of Martin Luther King, Jr.” on Tuesday, January 22, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. at the Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church, 4th and Independence Avenue SE. Participants in the Remembrance include Fortissima, Capitol Hill Youth Chorus, Not What You Think, Nuance, Jubilee Singers of All Souls Unitarian, Washington Youth Chorus, and individual artist Pamela Jafari. The performance will conclude with a special appearance by the youth of the Bokamoso Youth Centre in Winterveldt Township near Pretoria, South Africa who will talk and sing about their challenges and dreams.

The event is free and open to the public. It is sponsored by a grant from the Capitol Hill Community Foundation. The Church is accessible and the event will be interpreted for the deaf. The event is free and open to all. For more information, call (202) 547-6839.

7:00pm til 9:00pm, Tue Jan 22 @ Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church, 201 Independence Ave SE, Washington, DC 20003

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January 14, 2013 · 8:02 am

Monthly Wine Tasting at Le Grenier

pic courtesy of District Cuisine

pic courtesy of District Cuisine

New local favorite Le Grenier, at 5th and H Streets NE, knows how to keep the local crowd happy.  Every month the French restaurant will feature new wines by the glass, introduced at a free [read: FREE] tasting the first Tuesday of every month.  I sat down at the beautiful and dimly lit bar to try six new wines for myself.  Verdict?  I’m sold.

Le Grenier means “attic” in French, and has been decorated completely by the wife of the husband-and-wife team who owns the new spot, in addition to long-standing favorite Le Chat Noir in Georgetown.  The small upstairs (available for private parties) is decorated with antique skis, headboards, and my favorite, a marching band drum with stuffed animals inside. The effect is charming.

Back to the tasting!  Six wines were being poured, in addition to gorgeous crostini on offer, of cured meats, paté, and lemon and herb mousse.  The following are some of my notes and thoughts, in case you wish to stop in for a happy hour (wine half off every day from 5-7, even weekends).

Whites

  • 2011 Francois Chidaine Sauvignon D’Alsace Touraine:
    From the Loire valley, mellow and light, very easy to drink.
  • 2010 Castle Rock Chardonnay, California:
    To make the list in a French restaurant, this California wine must be pretty great, and it is.   Softer, with an apple and pear profile, rounder bodied.
  • 2010 Jean Baptiste Adam Pinot Gris D’Alsace Reserve:
    This one was my personal favorite.  Brighter, sweeter, lively, fun to drink.

Reds

  • 2009 Chateau Pavillon Boyrein Graves Rouge, Bordeaux
    Poor Merlot, left out in the cold after Sideways.  But really, the only reason people (myself included) generally don’t care for Merlot is we’ve been drinking bad/cheap Merlot.  This wine was dry yet fruity, with a tang on the palette after a sip.  Flavors of berries.
  • 2009 Chateau Lascaux Rouge, from the Languedoc
    Full-bodied, fruity, dry and tangy.
  • 2010 Kermit Lynch Cotes du Rhone, Rhone Valley
    I really love this maker’s name, but the wine was excellent too.  My notes read “full, full, full.”  Acidic once tasted, this was in energetic, the perfect companion to a steak.  The acidity in this wine stands up to food, as opposed to some of the others, which are just fun to drink alone.

If you miss the monthly wine tasting, which is planned for the first Tuesday of every month, you can still catch an amazing deal every Tuesday: half-price wine, cheese, and charcuterie at the bar.  Sitting at the bar tasting wine lets all the hurry of the world outside melt away.  Treat yourself next month.

Written by Haley Fults

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January 11, 2013 · 7:01 am

Weekend East City Event Round Up: Happy 2013 Edition

 

Laura Elkins “Self as Michelle Drinking Tea.”Photo Courtesy of the Fridge

Laura Elkins “Self as Michelle Drinking Tea.”
Photo Courtesy of the Fridge

Friday January 11

 

Honfleur Gallery (6pm to 9pm)

Artists Michael Dax Iacovone and Kathryn Zazenski collaborated on a series of “Memory Maps” based on recent travels undertaken by each artist.  In the Points That Bring Us from Here to There, audiences will experience Iacovones’ chronicle describing his crossing of all 123 Mississippi River bridges and Zazenski’s visual documentation of her time in Haukijärvi, Finland, Washington, DC, and Beijing.  For more information click here.

Honfleur Gallery is located at 1241 Good Hope RD SE

 

 

The Gallery at Vivid Solutions (6pm to 9pm)

Oswald Spengler once said “It goes without saying that what distinguishes a town from a village is not size, but the presence of a soul.” As such, the Instant DC photography collaborative, through an open call, found several photographers whose images of Washington, DC have captured the spirit of this quote.  For more information, click here.

 

NOTE: The Gallery at Vivid Solutions is temporarily relocated to the second floor of 1241 Good Hope RD SE while the permanent space is being renovated.

 

Saturday January 12

 

Art Enables’ Off Rhode Gallery (1pm to 4pm)

Art Enables’ second gallery space known as the Off Rhode Gallery will host an opening for the group show Inaugural Visions.  The exhibition features Presidential Inauguration themed works by resident artists as well as Washington, DC mainstays like Dana Ellyn and Matt Sesow.  For more information, click here.

Art Enables is located at 2204 Rhode Island Ave NE

Tubman-Mahan Gallery (2pm to 4pm)

To open up the 2013 exhibition season, the Tubman-Mahan gallery at the Center for Green Urbanism will show a series of new work by Maryland artists Sandra D. Davis.  Davis’ Journey with Paper features brilliantly colored mixed media work.  For more information, click here.

 

Tubman-Mahan Gallery is located at 3938 Benning Road NE

The Fridge (6pm to 8pm)

In keeping with the Presidential Inauguration theme, Capitol Hill artist Laura Elkins, known for her portraiture of first ladies, pays homage to Michelle Obama.  Elkin’s use strongly contrasting color and course brushstrokes results in a bold interpretation of her subjects. For more information click here.

The Fridge is located at 516 1/2 8th Street rear alley, SE

 

 

Monday January 14

 

Catalyst Projects (6:30pm to 8:30pm)

Extend your week into Monday Night.  Have you ever been interested in taking your artwork to a Miami art fair?  Now is your chance to learn from experts and newcomers fresh from their December 2012 experience.  The panel discussion is organized by Capitol Hill based Catalyst Projects and will feature Lenny Campbello, Tim Tate, Sean Hennessey and Ada Rose Bitterbaum.  For more information, click here.

The HIVE 2.0 is located at 1241 Good Hope RD SE

Phil Hutinet is the Editor-in-Chief of East City Art.  You can get more information about East City Art on Facebook , follow them on Twitter or sign up for their newsletter here. 

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January 10, 2013 · 7:20 am

Laura Elkins’ Homage to Michelle Opens in The Mini-Fridge

pic courtesy of The Fridge

pic courtesy of The Fridge

In a nod to the upcoming inauguration, The Fridge opens Laura Elkins’ Homage to Michelle in The Mini-Fridge, the newly opened space at the gallery. The artist will show a retrospective of works inspired by Michelle Obama during the first administration. Elkins uses First Lady imagery to create self-portraits that are at once deeply personal and also inherently historical and political. Elkins’ work addresses larger social and cultural issues, including current events, while maintaining the everywoman quality of a self-portrait.

Homage to Michelle opens on Saturday, January 12, 6 – 8pm, and is on view through February 9, 2013. The artist draws upon the mythical narrative that each First Lady is the personification of flawless taste and grace as well as a humble servant to the people. Elkins pairs conservative style choices with provocative imagery to reexamine the American perception of the qualities that the First Lady, and by extension, all women, should possess. Her artwork presents a radically new understanding of how private identity is masked to create a socially acceptable and politically correct public personality. This will be Elkins’ third solo exhibition with the gallery.

6:00pm til 8:00pm, Sat Jan 12 @ The Fridge, 516 8th St SE, Washington, DC 20003

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January 9, 2013 · 8:00 am

Hip Hip Hikari!

pic courtesy Thrillist

pic courtesy Thrillist

New Japanese restaurant Hikari Sushi opened this week at 644 H St NE, adding another exciting cuisine option to the burgeoning corridor. According to Thrillist, it’s named after the fastest bullet train in Japan. The polished decor includes samurai swords and red lanterns, and there’s an impressive skylight lining the entire staircase. The first floor seems to cater more to the drinking crowd, while the 2nd floor has booths for peeps looking to dine-in or check out the exciting goings-on at the sushi bar. A wood-lined patio is slated to open in March on the second floor, which will be a great spot for outdoor seating in the warmer months.

Onto the offerings. Hikari offers an wide array of nearly 30 sakes, and the food menu offers an impressive list of Japanese “tapas”, including a lot of tasty-looking options for those who prefer small plates. The ever-growing ramen crowd has no need to fear – there are several options, but none that look as creative as the ones offered at Toki Underground.
There’s a range of Pan Asian dishes, including several styles of noodles, Korean bulgogi, as well as Hibachi grilled meats of your choice – chicken, steak, and lobster.  The fancy sushi rolls are on the expensive side (priced quite a bit higher than similar items found at Sticky Rice) but are quite delicious – from what we could tell, Hikari appears to get very good fish.

They offer happy hour specials on Tuesday, and hopefully this will be extended to the rest of the week as well. We’re glad to have Hikari as another great option on the western end of H Street.
Written by Joel Church.

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January 7, 2013 · 7:53 am

Free Gilbert & Sullivan Workshop

Gondoliers Giuseppe and Marco as played by Trey Gibson and Kerry Jones

Now how’s this for some local arts?  You could be the one performing!

Join the fun at the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop’s free one-day Gilbert and Sullivan workshop on Saturday, January 12, 2013 from 12:00 – 6:00 p.m. at 545 7th Street, SE. Peter DiMuro and Barbara Schelstrate, who direct CHAW’s summer Gilbert and Sullivan productions, will be on hand to teach and prepare participants for a same day, 6:00 PM public performance of three Gilbert and Sullivan songs (from “The Pirates of Penzance” and “The Mikado”).

To reserve your space in the workshop, register by calling CHAW, 202-547-6839 or by emailing victor@chaw.org. Familiarity with the operettas is not required. The public is invited to a performance at CHAW at 6:00 PM on January 12th. For more information, visit http://www.chaw.org or call (202) 547-6839.

12:00pm til 6:00pm, Sat Jan 12 @ Capitol Hill Arts Workshop, 545 7th St SE, Washington, DC 20003

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December 19, 2012 · 9:20 am

Opening Reception for Davis McLane Connelly’s Individuation at The Fridge

 

Connely bunniesThe Fridge presents Individuation, an exhibition of drawings by Brooklyn-based artist Davis McLane Connelly.

Davis draws youthful figures in lifelike, surrealistic scenarios. In a departure from previous works in this series featuring stuffed toys and anthropomorphic animals, Davis is also showing drawings with human figures as part of his pursuit to fully realize this dream-like exploration of the psyche. Davis is a self-taught artist whose skills as a draftsman earned him a post-graduate residency in Corciano, Italy. His academic training in the field of psychology is the dominant influence in his work. This series is born out of the concept of individuation, the Jungian term for each person’s path to becoming whole.

Davis says, “I want to make work that is visually accessible, and I believe it’s important for everyone to be able to form their own interpretation of my work. I aim to make my drawings aesthetically pleasing so that they appeal to a wide range of viewers. Beyond the immediate aesthetics, there are slightly muted references to greater topics. For example, the words on a magazine, the direction in which light is cast, or the arrangement of the composition will hold clues to a deeper meaning.”

7:00pm til 11:00pm, Sat Jan 5 @ The Fridge, 516 8th St SE, Washington, DC 20003

price free

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