A Pie from Chatman's for Thanksgiving

Chatman's Divine Bakery is a great resource for delicious pies. The clock is ticking, though, if you want one for Thanksgiving. She will take orders through tomorrow (November 21, 2009), and supplies are limited...

Chatman's D'Vine Bakery & Cafe
1239 Ninth Street, Northwest
02.249.3258

Tasty Preview: Mandalay Restaurant

We were in Silver Spring on Tuesday night and decided, while there, to try out Mandalay Restaurant and Cafe. As you may recall, Mandalay is set to occupy the ground floor of a new mixed use (residential/retail) development coming to the corner of Ninth and P Streets, Northwest (see rendering of same here). Unfortunately the waitstaff did not have any specific information on the new location in Shaw.

Virgins to Burmese food (which is distinct from but influenced by the cuisine of China, India and Thailand), we asked our server to order for us, and we loved everything we tried. We split an order of spring rolls, a chicken dish (KyetThar ALoo Masala Hin), and a pork dish (WetThar ChoChin Gyaw). Others have since suggested additional must-haves from their menu, so we look forward to going back.

I have a feeling that the atmosphere of their new restaurant on Ninth Street will be a big upgrade from that of their Silver Spring location, which is in a a no-frills, kinda worn, and older looking building. I think Mandalay will be a favorite for many in our neighborhood, and can't wait for it to add to our dining options.

JBG Suit Blocking Convention Hotel Survives Motion to Dismiss

The Washington Business Journal reports that the judge denied the City's motion to dismiss the lawsuit. JBG's case challenges the contracting process, which JBG asserts was an “invalid sole source procurement.” With the lawsuit moving forward, it seems unlikely that the hotel will break ground this year or that the hotel will be complete in 2013.

PoP Previews The Passenger

. . . and our newest neighborhood destination looks AWESOME. Check out the preview here!

1600 Eighth Street: Sold!

According to this online listing, long-vacant 1600 Eighth Street, Northwest (MLS No. DC7146640) sold on October 31, 2009. The stated closing price is $415,000, $35,000 under asking. The new owner's name does not yet appear in the online Real Property Database. Here's to hoping we see a great renovation of this gorgeous, highly visible corner property soon!

Caddy-cornered 1543 Eighth Street, Northwest is still for sale (check out its listing here). I have my fingers crossed that someone will purchase 1543 soon, too, and thereby bring this entire intersection into a new era of viability and beauty!

Old City Green, A Year-ish Later

About a year ago, I was so excited to learn that a garden center would be opening up at the long-empty lot at the corner of Ninth and N Streets. Little did I know that Old City Green would become so much more than just a purveyor of plants, Christmas trees and pumpkins: it’s a neighborhood gathering spot (having hosted pig roasts and countless other events), a provider of holiday cheer (entertaining us with jazz Christmas carols last year, giving us warm fires and cider on cold days, providing flair to the street with sunflowers planted along the fence in the summer and spider webs adorning it at Halloween), a community partner (having sponsored and helped coordinate last month’s tulip planting and countless other community events), and a landscaping business. Old City Green has transformed what was once an eyesore of a fenced off, forgotten lot, into a flourishing green heart of our community.

I’m gushing over Old City Green because I don’t want us to take it (or any of our other small businesses) for granted. I was surprised to learn that Garden District on Fourteenth Street recently declared bankruptcy. Garden District’s demise might be tied to the expensive second indoor plant location they opened at Fourteenth and Church Street last year, but retailers generally haven’t had the greatest year ever. So I extend a big virtual hug to our wonderful garden center, Old City Green, and can’t wait to buy my Christmas tree there soon!

Old City Green still has plenty of flowers, shrubs, trees and bulbs still hoping to call our yards home this year. In fact, they're having another "Whacky Weekend Sale" this weekend -- selected shrubs, trees and perennials will be 20-50% off. It is not too late to plant. Stop by this weekend and take advantage of the gorgeous weather!


Old City Green
Corner of Ninth and N Streets, Northwest
202.412.2489

DCist Previews New Civilians Arts Gallery

DCist has a great preview of our neighborhood's newest gallery, Civilian Art Projects. The gallery celebrates its grand re-opening in the Warehouse Arts Complex on Seventh Street tonight from 7 to 9 pm. After tonight, Civilian Art Projects will be open Wednesday from 1 to 6 p.m., Thursday by appointment, Friday 4 to 8 p.m., and Saturday 1 to 6 p.m.

Civilian Art Projects
1019 Seventh Street, Northwest
202.607.3804

Three Years and Counting

Three years ago today, I wrote my first entry on this blog. Since that time, I’ve published about 750 posts relating to the renewal of our neighborhood. I’ve written on topics including developments (planned or underway), great neighborhood businesses, calls to action about a variety of issues (e.g., vacant property, liquor license support, meeting attendance, and volunteer opportunities), musings about what I think would be neat additions to the neighborhood, promotion of events, real estate for rent or sale, business deals and specials, and design.

Although I've remained somewhat anonymous behind my "Shaw Rez" moniker, this blog has gotten mentioned in print publications including the Washington Post, Express, CityPaper and Washingtonian Magazine. OutsideIn cited this blog in naming Shaw the second bloggiest neighborhood in America in 2007.

Here are a few of my favorite posts over the past three years:

* Why Development Hasn't and Isn’t Skipping Over Shaw

* Thinking About: Improving Shaw Recreation Field

* Long View Gallery’s Exciting New Space on Ninth Street

* A Great Day Planting Tulips

* Design: Backyard Renovation

Added to the above list could be any of the several posts about Vegetate's struggle to get a liquor license. I think wanting to see Vegetate, a true neighborhood gem, prevail in its liquor license struggle was one of the main motivators to my blogging in the beginning. I am so happy that they were triumphant in early 2007 and that they've done so well since then. I still adore the restaurant and lounge and appreciate greatly what it adds to Ninth Street -- from the delicious seasonal menu to the inventive cocktail menu to their cool vibe.

Three years ago, I probably could not have foreseen how much I would enjoy living in Shaw and getting to know the area through this forum. Thank you all for reading, commenting and saying "hi." I hope in some way it's helped contribute to the renewal of our great neighborhood.

All to say -- thanks so much for reading!

Exciting New Bar Coming to Seventh Street

The Going Out Gurus have the scoop on a cool new bar and bar concept, to be called The Passenger, which will soon transform and occupy the bar area of the Warehouse Theater (1021 Seventh Street, Northwest). According to the article, The Passenger "will combine a laid-back saloon with an upscale, reservations-suggested cocktail sanctuary." Of note, The Passenger will eventually feature a cocktail club and laboratory to be called The Columbia Room, which will offer a really unique and personal bartender experience. The Passenger should open this month, while the Columbia Room will follow in early 2010.

Weekend Mornings

I love a good, laid back back weekend morning, typically one involving copious amounts of caffeine and a non-calorie conscious meal. Our great neighborhood serves up Saturday and Sunday a.m.'s right. Depending on my mood, desire and ambition, here are my usual go-to's:

- Azi's Cafe, for a cup of coffee and a muffin to enjoy on its patio whilst reading the paper and people watching.
- Cozy Corner Cafe, usually to order one of their awesome paninis (my favorite is the turkey, bacon and swiss on sour dough) and a large fountain drink.
- First Cup Cafe, usually to grab a bacon egg and cheese croissant and a large coffee on the go.
- 1905 Restaurant, for a Bloody Mary (they have really delicious and unique Bloodies; my favorite brunch spot currently) and a breakfast scramble in their cozy atmosphere.

What is your favorite area destination on a weekend morning?