Ben’s Chili Bowl, the historic U Street half-smoke and chili-cheese fries hangout is planning to get bigger. Kamal and Nizam Ali–sons of Chili Bowl founders Ben and Virginia Ali–have their hands on the next door space that once housed the Casbah nightclub. They’ve recruited Goetz Architects, who also designed Central Michel Richard, to spiff up the 3,000 square foot space. Also in the works: a liquor license. But don’t start craving a cold one just yet: According to Kamal, the tentative opening date for the new space is over a year away–August of ‘08 at the earliest…
…Corduroy chef/owner Tom Power plans to move his foodie-favorite restaurant from its dullsville space on K Street to new quarters near the Convention Center (1122 Ninth St., NW). He’ll vacate his current dining room in the Four Points Sheraton–the hotel is set to be demolished–in January, and hopes to have the new three-story digs ready the following month…
…Pam Ginsberg, the much blogged-about butcher who used to preside over the meat counter at Cleveland Park’s Brookeville Market, is now wielding her knife at Wagshal’s (4845 Massachusetts Ave., NW) in Spring Valley…
…Bastille chef Christophe Poteaux and pastry chef Michelle Garbee are getting hitched this July 4th. And between July 6 and July 31, they’re inviting customers to celebrate at their Old Town restaurant with a special three-course menu for two, paired with a bottle of wine. It’s an oh-so-classy $69…
…Does DC really need another CrackBerry? That’s the nickname that’s been given to Pinkberry, the West Coast frozen yogurt(ish) chain that’s become the snack of choice for skinny Hollywood starlets. It's looking to open one or two stores in our area by the middle of 2008. The stuff comes in two flavors–“plain” and green tea–and sports such toppings as fresh kiwi and Cap’n Crunch.
Ann Limpert joined Washingtonian in late 2003. She was previously an editorial assistant at Entertainment Weekly and a cook in New York restaurant kitchens, and she is a graduate of the Institute of Culinary Education. She lives in Petworth.
