Log cabin-themed restaurant Boe has closed at 9th and H streets, Northwest. A sign on the door reads: “BOE IS ON PAUSE… We’d like to thank you for your past business, support and grateful having you as a customer. Stay tuned.”
But an eviction lawsuit filed last week in DC Landlord and Tenant court indicates the closure is more than a “pause.” The restaurant owes more than $250,000 in unpaid rent, taxes, and other fees from March through August, according to the complaint filed by the landlord, BOP 799 9th LLC.
Co-owner Errol Lawrence, who also own Penn Quarter sushi spot Sei, says he wasn’t aware of the lawsuit. He tells Washingtonian he gave the landlord notice at the beginning of the month that they planned to close the restaurant.
“We weren’t reaching our goals for the restaurant,” Lawrence says. He adds family time was a second factor: “I have a 1-year-old and a 3-year-old and [that] kind of pushed me to the final decision… I missed two important events with my daughters, and it’s not something I’m willing to do again.” He adds he plans to work things out with the landlord.
Boe opened in January, replacing Asian-fusion lounge Oya from the same owners. The restaurant swapped Oya’s all-white decor for a mountain lodge look that included a stone fireplace and mounted moose skull.
The menu was a bit all over the place, with dishes like truffle fries with strawberry ketchup and bull testicles with a blue cheese dressing. At some point, they even added sushi, a throwback to Oya, to the menu.
Jessica Sidman covers the people and trends behind D.C.’s food and drink scene. Before joining Washingtonian in July 2016, she was Food Editor and Young & Hungry columnist at Washington City Paper. She is a Colorado native and University of Pennsylvania grad.
