ChiDogO's is Opening Monday at 14th and U

Photo courtesy of ChidogOs.com

Via U Street Girl, ChiDogO's is opening this Monday, 11/22. While their website doesn't offer any more information about the opening, you can find their menu here. My first reporting on ChiDogO's was back in September, when I wrote about classic signs of chain restaurants.

Speaking of hotdogs, since apparently that's the new thing in DC....Two DC recently tried DC-3 in Eastern Market. If you want to hear read their review, click here.

More Info on La Fonda's Progress at 14th and V St NW

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I originally reported back in September that a Tex/Mex restaurant La Fonda would be going into the old AM/PM carryout space at 14th and V. Well, U Street Girl has some updates and pictures this week.

Per the October ANC 1B minutes (you'll need to click though, as I can't directly link to each month's notes), the owner of La Fonda is identified as Michael Askarinam (who also runs Dupont Italian Kitchen on 17th).

According to Mr. Askarinam, he and his brother purchased the AM/PM carryout building 3 years ago and waited out the expiration of the existing tenant's lease. As they own the building, Mr. Askarinam asserted, they have a vested interest in the neighborhood and running their business responsibly (specific mention to discouraging loitering and congregation, which are currently a problem at 14&V).

Apparently the building also has a historic designation that will require the owners' modifications to be approved by the Historic Preservation Review Board.

One concern raised by the ANC commissioners back in October was La Fonda's hours of operation, especially in regards to serving alcohol. The original liquor license application stated that alcohol would be served from 8am-2am. Mr. Askarinam clarified that this was a typo, and that his business model was a restaurant primarily serving food, but where it would also be possible to purchase drinks. He asserted that he did not want an establishment where people came to get drunk.

However, additional concerns had been raised by community members because there is a nearby daycare that cares for approximately 250 children daily. There is also a school across the street. In deference to resident concerns about "peace, order, quiet and parking" the commissioners unanimously voted 8-0 to protest La Fonda's liquor license.

Yet throughout the October meeting, Mr. Askarinam repeatedly indicated he was very willing to compromise and make accommodations as requested by the community.

A Voluntary Agreement was drafted and presented. During the November ANC 1B meeting, the commissioners voted 7-1 to withdraw their liquor license protest, and approved the establishment's Voluntary Agreement. DC's ABRA (Alcohol Beverage Regulation Administration) will of course have the final approval on the liquor license.

New Mexican Restaurant to Come to 14th and V

Various bloggers are reporting today that a new restaurant is slated for the AM/PM carryout space at the intersection of 14th and V streets, near the U street corridor. Apparently it's a project that's been in the works for months.

I'm extremely curious to see the final result of this development, as I think the current AM/PM carryout is a bit of an eyesore (see photo, below). The surrounding area has seen quite a bit of renovation, with various higher-end apartment and condo buildings and the addition of Eatonville, etc.

Photo, courtesy of PrinceofPetworth

The new restaurant will be called La Fonda, and will be serving a Tex Mex menu. According to their liquor license application, they'd like to stay open until 2am on weekdays and 3am on Friday and Saturday, so clearly the proprietors are hoping for a bar/late night dining atmosphere in the evening. Given that the rent in this area has probably increased substantially, it's not surprising to me that the owners are looking for high-profit margin alcohol sales to boost their revenue. It may, however, be a bit a nuisance to the surrounding residents.

I'd personally rather see a fast-casual restaurant here than a bar, but hopefully the proprietors will renovate the location in fitting with the surrounding neighbhorhood's character (re: nicer than AM/PM without completely gutting the building).