Opening/Closing News
Cuban in Brookland: The Prince of Petworth checks in on Little Ricky’s, a Cuban-American restaurant destined for 3522 12th Street, Northeast—former home of Tropicana. The “American paladar” should be open within two weeks. [PoP]
Weekend drinking alert: Uptown Tap House is now open in the former Four Fields space in Cleveland Park. [Washingtonian]
Sweet stuff: Pleasant Pops debuts its brick-and-mortar this weekend. [Washingtonian]
Chef News and Staff Changes
Rockwell rumors: Gossip rumbled around donrockwell.com that chef Justin Bittner had bailed on his post at Bar Pilar, but Bittner popped by to let everyone know he was still chef at the 14th Street bar and restaurant. [DR]
Cannibal cuisine: José Andrés is the culinary consultant on a new NBC show about Hannibal Lecter. [WP]
Menemen for Chef Mike: A video has surfaced featuring scenes from Mike Isabella’s diplomatic doings in Istanbul. [Washingtonian]
Just in time for cold weather: Jamie Leeds emerges victorious from the drawn-out patio battle with her grumpy neighbors. Hank’s Oyster Bar in Dupont can now make full use of its outdoor area. [CP]
New Reviews and Other Items of Note
Glass half empty: Tom Sietsema visits Slate Wine Bar, is not impressed. [WP]
Diner dish: The new Columbia Heights spot from the Tryst folks will be called “the Coupe.” [PoP]
Across state lines: Gearing up for possible regulatory battles, the DC Food Truck Association has started accepting Virginia and Maryland members and will change its name to Food Truck Association of Metropolitan Washington. [WP]
Crude cocktails: The Pug is forced to take “Marion Berry’s Dirty Asian Summer Punch” off its menu; the Post’s Mike DeBonis blames himself. [WP]
Ramen reads: Toki Underground will host a library pop-up at this weekend’s H Street Festival. [Frozen Tropics]
Power breakfasts: The Washington Business Journal rounds up Washington’s top spots for morning meetings. [WBJ]
