Category Archives: H Street

February 28, 2012 · 3:36 pm

Peter Pan Darkly: No Rules Theater’s New Production

pic courtesy of We Love DC

No Rules Theater Company‘s current show, Peter Pan: The Boy Who Hated Mothers, is a fun, dark, engaging time.  While staying very true to the book (yes, there’s a book, not just a Disney movie), this play turns the story on its head.

Michael has died, leaving Wendy, John and Mrs. Darling grief stricken and looking for an outlet.  Peter Pan arrives, and invites the children to escape to a place where reality doesn’t exist, a land of make believe.  But when Neverland turns out to be more dangerous than Wendy could have imagined, reality at home seems more attractive.

The play moves through the traditional story with a quick pace, though there are some long stretches in which yawns were heard in the audience.  There are no twinkly lights for Tinkerbell, no adorable Nana the dog, no songs, no dancing (though there is a LOT of jumping through the air from Pan, played with exuberance and childlike suspicion by John Evans Reese, with gymnastic and dramatic thuds punctuating each landing on the boards).

There are some undeniably scary moments from Captain Hook, played by Lisa Hodsoll, who also plays Mrs. Darling.  Hook and Mrs. Darling, though they seem completely opposed, are still the only adults in the story, and represent to Pan all his fears about growing up.  Caught in the middle of these two poles is Wendy, played with unwavering spirit and verve by Megan Graves.

The production itself is ingenious.  The lighting and set design are stupendous, taking the audience from bedroom to sky to lagoon to underground house with the same props.  Likewise, the same three actors play the Lost Boys, the Indians, and the Pirates.  Seeing the on-stage character change will make anyone smile.  There are several laugh-out-loud funny moments from the Lost Boys, most notably from Tootles, played by Adam Downs.

The H Street Playhouse, where the show will remain until March 3, will be closing soon, so this may be your last opportunity to go.

Tickets are $25 and can also be had for even more than half off here for Goldstar members.  If you’re after an entertaining and deeply resonant story with full-out performances, go now, you silly grown up.

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February 8, 2012 · 10:05 pm

Boundary Road: (P)review

 

Boundary Road, the long-awaited tavern and eatery at 414 H Street NE, is officially opening on Monday after a series of delays, according to their Facebook page. Aside from the wagon-wheel chandelier upstairs, the decor looks great (lots of wood and exposed brick) and their drink menu looks quite inventive, including one made with maple syrup. I must say, however, ordering a drink called “I’m Thinking About Getting a Vespa“, while soaked in delicious irony, will get really old, really fast. I’m looking at you, Denny’s and your Moons Over My Hammy. We urban dwellers all know brevity is key – our lives are too fast-paced and glamorous to waste on extra syllables.

As for the food, it’s been described as rustic American. Everything looks promising, from the small plates to the entrees to the meats and cheese. Don’t fear, all you non-committal foodies out there – DC Style is Real will have a supplemental review once the place opens. Until then, we’ll be counting down the days.
Written by Joel Church.

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February 6, 2012 · 7:52 pm

Fruit Bat: Mellow Delight

pic courtesy of We Love DC

Like the 90’s R&B soundtrack on its stereo, Fruit Bat on a Thursday night is mellow and delicious.  Between the homey feel of The Pug and the electic and sometimes shocking vibe at The Red Palace, Fruit Bat is a gem on H Street.  Between wild and divey, it’s just the right kind of relaxed for a serious cocktail bar.

Walking in around dinnertime, the only people around are some drink vendors and the staff.  Most of the crowd on H Street must not know that Fruit Bat’s tiny kitchen churns out delicious homemade tacos.  Though billed as a bar, Fruit Bat features a Central American vibe and fare: steak, fish or pork tacos arrive along with lightly fried plantains and yucca fries.

The staff is genuinely friendly and directs me to the Spanish OR-G, a mixture of sparkling wine and fresh squeezed juices.  High expectations of the bar are met.  The owner, Erik, is also behind Wisdom and Church and State, incidentally located just upstairs from Fruit Bat.  The bat theme is everywhere, but not in a ComiCon way.  There are stills of flying bats hanging in the bathroom and sticky foam bat outlines on the check covers.  The tables are made of lacquered natural wood pieces, jutting low from the walls on one side of the place (made by Erik, we are informed), with high small tables on the other side to accommodate the weekend crowd.

Usher’s Confessions, some Mariah Carey and classic Boys 2 Men played constantly and comfortingly.  When our waiter hit forward in the middle of a Boys 2 Men song, the place erupted in good natured protests from the now full tables.  “Ahh, I can’t do it, it’s too sad” he explained with a smile and a wave.

The difference between the mellow elbow-room of a Thursday night and the crowded, high-energy feel of a weekend at Fruit Bat inspired a mental note: go back on a weekday and enjoy.  This is great.

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December 6, 2011 · 9:22 pm

The Big Board Adds an Upstairs

courtesy of Prince of Petworth

Happily, The Big Board, the new bar in the place of sad what-could-have-been story, Toyland, is doing very, very well in its new home at 4th and H, NE.  Every time I have been in or walked by, the bar is filled with friendly-looking types of all ages, creating the everybody-knows-your-name-but-not-in-a-weird-or-creepy-way vibe.

What’s more, now there’s an upstairs as well!  A few weeks ago, The Big Board took a trial run of its upstairs bar with The Parlour, a DC Week collaboration with local artists, emphasizing the “listen local” aspect of DC arts and music.

The experiment worked, so now the bar plans to celebrate their new full liquor license.  Fridays and Saturdays should soon see some live music or other fun shenanigans for a break from the hard trading downstairs at The Big Board (their drink prices go up and down according to demand–if you’ve had a little too much Occupy in your diet lately, upstairs may be for you).

The Big Board’s menu has expanded since their opening a few months back.  The chefs (formerly of Granville Moore’s and The Queen Vic) offer rotating specials each day.  Their variety of burgers is quite enticing–there’s the traditional, the sushi grade tuna burger, and even a veggie burger consisting of formed chopped mushrooms–so you don’t bite right into a whole Portabella).  The rest of the varieties are just cool-sounding…a Guinness-marinated patty for The Dublin, and I can’t wait to try the “tobacco” onions on The Memphis, whatever those are.

So stop by at any evening after 5pm, just not Tuesday–they’re closed.  Upstairs or downstairs, the friendly staff will make you feel at home.

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November 22, 2011 · 7:07 pm

H Street News Round-up

Long-awaited Hikari Sushi & Sake Bar, soon to be located at 644 H Street NE, is in the process of getting final approval for their liquor license and should open relatively soon. Hopefully this will alleviate the ludicrous 45 minute waits at Sticky Rice on Tuesdays.

Unfortunately, as far as Le Grenier (upcoming French bistro at 502 H Street) goes, it’s all crickets and tumbleweed. Nothing new to report.

The reviled “grocery” store, Murry’s, has been sold and the lot will surprisingly transform into something luxury condo-ish. Who woulda thunk it?

Apparently our lovely First Lady was dining at Sticky Rice on Friday night. Yeah, H Street! [H Street Great Street]

Looks like a fresh coat of paint has been applied to 414 H, future home of Boundary Road. While there has been some murky confusion as to whether this place will be just a bar, or a restaurant, or both (woo hoo!), it’ll bring a much needed option to the western end of the strip.

Speaking of fresh paint, the three properties adjacent to Ethiopic on the other side of the 400 block have been nicely renovated. Bring on the commerce!

Written by Joel Church.

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November 8, 2011 · 5:00 pm

The Parlour Pops Up on H Street

What is The Parlour?  Shhhhhh, it’s a secret!

OK, OK, I’ll tell you.  It’s the latest pop-up art venue to hit DC, and in particular, H Street.  Open this week only, The Parlour resides in the loft space above The Big Board at 4th and H, NE.  I haven’t been yet.  In fact, I only read about it this morning when I dutifully opened my daily Scoutmob email.  Read more here.

The Parlour turns out to be the brainchild of local scene architect Josef Palermo.  Open above the Big Board every night this week from 6-11pm, I’m more than curious.  With new events each night, including “conversations focused on cultivating DC arts and culture,” this could be just what near east H Street needs to catch up to the spicier side, down at 12th and 13th.

I’m eager to learn more about Vestibule, the dive bar of gallery parties, as well as Palermo’s DC Residence project, a corollary to DC Week [closing party this Friday].

Pop in (!!) and check it out.

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October 24, 2011 · 1:21 pm

Ethiopic Reigns on Lower H Street

Now readers of last weekend’s Saturday Post know what denizens of H Street have known for months: Ethiopic makes killer kitfo (read Tom Sietsema’s review here).

Now that the restaurant has undergone a lengthy refurbishment, diners can enjoy a more polished aethetic experience while sustaining the same high caliber of Ethiopian food that DCists have come to expect.  Yes, Ethiopian food has for years been synonomous with U Street, but since Ethiopic opened last year, the flavor has spread eastward.

The new Ethiopic features a fresh and clean exterior (sadly, the choice to a Comic Sans font was made–and we know there’s nothing comic about Comic Sans).  Floor to ceiling plate glass windows show the tables inside as well as large Ethiopian-style paintings facing outwards.

The ambiance inside is semi-formal, with, I’ll just say it, beautiful Ethiopian waitresses smiling encouragingly at you as you navigate the menu.  They will give you a tutorial if you’ve never eaten Ethiopian fare before, but here’s a primer–injera is the tortilla-like spongy bread, served cold and used to pick up the food.  Kitfo is the marinated steak tartare.  Tibs is a spicy lamb dish.

But really, you can’t go wrong with the Vegetarian Sampler.  It’s a little safer (in case you’re eating with someone who doesn’t particularly enjoy raw meat; and we know they’re out there) and it gives a broader range.  What Ethiopian food does with veggies is like what Hank Williams does with a four bar refrain: magic.  If you do get the Veggie Sampler, add a whole fried fish for a few bucks more to complete your eating-with-your-hands experience.

Ethiopic is located at 4th and H Streets, NE, surrounded by new businesses like The Big Board and Tru Orleans.  The food is fresh and delicious, the experience is engaging, and the location and price are right.  What are you waiting for?

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October 19, 2011 · 10:03 pm

Botany Comes Alive at Studio H

To celebrate Studio H’s second anniversary as the most hole-in-the-wall gallery on H Street, owner Phil Hutinet celebrated the run of not one, but two concurrent shows this past weekend.

Studio H itself is a wonderful space and a true find.  Climb up the stairs above a fitness center with no permanent sign, to find a bare bones studio where the emphasis is solely on the art.  The artist’s private studio upstairs (closed to the public, eee!) has the best view of the Capitol building I’ve seen.  The owners were there to welcome patrons, pour wine and answer questions.

With two shows running side by side, or room by room, rather, Studio H played host to an eclectic crowd.  The attendees sipped complimentary wine (which was not Two Buck Chuck–I love you TJ’s, but sometimes it’s too much) and peered intently at the pieces hanging on the wall.

Katherine Tzu-Lan Mann‘s Slurry show consisted of large and medium size mixed media pieces.  One of the most striking mixed media paintings was painted on both sides of transparent plastic, creating a mystifying layered effect (shown here in Prelude).  Her woodblock prints were also stunning.  The detail and attention to the simple colors became more and more apparent as the viewer concentrates on how she did that.  The pieces were inspired by nature and had running themes of braids, baskets, ribbons and rope.  Pieces start at $500.

Pam Rogers‘ Autumnal Equinox was also mixed media on paper.  Mostly watercolors with leaf and moth motifs, Rogers included some mysterious lines and creatures to spice things up a bit.  Sadly, since an unfortunate incident in which I became angry with some watercolors for not going where I wanted them to go! I have no good feelings about them.  So sad.  However, that doesn’t change the fact that Rogers art is excellent with pieces starting at $800.

Studio H usually shows about two to four shows a year, but you’re in luck: the opening reception for the next show, Amalgamations by Steven Pearson is this Friday, October 21.  The gallery shows first-run art, as in, buy while you can art.  Without normal business hours, the owners are committed to working with prospective buyers who wish to see the art.  Seeing this kind of first-run art in an unfinished space is an H Street experience.  Put the show on your calendar.

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October 17, 2011 · 5:14 pm

192 | DC Project Shows at Sova

As we all know (or maybe don’t) there are (or were) 192 countries in this wonderful world.  Whatever the number, there are tons of countries out there, yet many of us remained narrowly focused on our own lives, going from home to work, to home again.  We have communities, yes, and how do those communities form?  What makes a home, even for people from out of town (most of us in DC) and from outside the States?

Bipin Badhe has asked all these questions and more as he formed the idea behind The 192 | DC Project.  This series  features pictures taken by people who have lived in each of these 192 countries.  Shown in batches of 25 countries at a time, Bipin is showing the first phase at Sova now–the next phase of 25 more countries will be added soon.  The pictures and captions ask Bipin’s question, “What do we begin to see when we are residents but not citizens, visitors but not travelers, at home but abroad?”

When taking the time to walk around Sova’s upstairs with a warm handmade latte or delicious Delirium Tremens (what an amazing happy hour they have) looking at the pictures, I was struck that they were beautiful for their subject matter but also for the fact that none were professional.  Bipin kept the entries to pictures taken for personal use, chronicling favorite places, friends, or things from home abroad.  There is sugar from Turkey, a festival from Brazil, children from Mexico, and on and on.  It’s like a window into an expat’s life overseas, a respite from the sometimes blah DC day-to-day.  Take a step back and look at life from a new perspective.

Stop by to see the exhibit any time, and come hear the photographers speak during the 192 | DC Participants’ Talk on Tuesday, October 25th, upstairs at Sova from 7-9pm.

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October 13, 2011 · 4:20 pm

All Aboard the Big Board

Rising from the ashes of beloved and reviled Toyland comes The Big Board, a new gourmet burger joint and bar at the corner of 5th and H St NE. The decor is noticeably different from the Toyland days. The owners have smartly chosen an understated yet considerably more urban theme, with exposed brick and a clever array of park benches serving as the window seats.

The ground beef braintrust consists of former chefs from Granville Moore and The Queen Vic, and I must say, the burgers are delectable. Choose from roughly ten specialty burgers or make your own — there’s an array of sauces (including a mouth-watering red pepper aioli) and an assortment of toppings. Celiacs rejoice – they even have gluten free buns. Baller.
The bar has a neat concept — they have an array of beers each night that appear on a faux-stock ticker screen, and every few minutes one or two of these beers will go on special — 50-75 cents off each pint. A breath of fresh air for the gimmicky-laden corridor.
The owners are very friendly and approachable and seem to really want this place to be the best neighborhood bar it can be. It’s not quite the Queen Vic, but they’re sure off to a good start. Check it out.

 

Written by Joel Church.

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