Riveting Rooms

Fire pit via Lonny.com

Growing up in North Carolina, I spent a lot of time sitting outside and soaking up the nice weather.  In DC, outdoor space is a premium and it's the thing I miss the most.  We have a wonderful roof deck that I use often but it's not MINE.  Therefore when I see stunning outdoor areas such as the one above, I long for a house.  One day.

Best Cubano in Town? AM Wine Shoppe

AM Wine Shoppe store front on 18th St, NW

 I've never been fan of pork sandwiches until my husband discovered the Cubano at AM Wine Shoppe.  Located at 2122 18th St, NW, the store opened in January 2010.  For a history on the beginnings of the store, Brightest Young Things a great interview with the store proprietor (who is also the owner and GM of Cashion's) Justin Abad.  

Let's get back to the Cubano.  Their version features house roasted pork confit, prosciutto cotte and comte, spicy mustard, pickles and it's grilled on a panini press.  This is not to be missed! 

AM Wine Shoppe Cubano

First Friday

This week, I'm featuring two houses located near Logan Circle. 

1700 11th St, NW

1700 11th St, NW living room/partial dining view

The first house is 1700 11th St, NW.   It's a 3 bedroom, 2 bath rowhouse for $659,000.  It's 1,374 square feet and the yearly taxes are $4421.  It features hardwood floors, an updated kitchen with granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances.  It has southern and eastern exposures which equals lots of sunlight.  The house occupies a corner lot and has a lovely yard.  It does not have parking but it's a short jaunt to Whole Foods and the U St. Metro.  It's Open Sunday, 5/8/11 from 12-3pm. 

1328 10th St, NW

1328 10th St, NW living room

1328 10th St, NW is the second house I'm showcasing.  It's 2 story Victorian with 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths for $840,000.  It's 2,008 sf and the yearly taxes are $6,077.  It has a lovely bay window, high ceilings, hardwood floors, a fireplace, 1 car garage parking and a patio with a hot tub.  It's a short walk to the U St. Metro, the 11th St. dog park and the 14th St. strip of retail. 

Hood Happenings-Cinco De Mayo Edition

Lots of fun stuff happening this week in the 'hood.  Happy Cinco De Mayo!

New signage for El Centro DF via POP

 

POP announced El Centro DF, the taco joint from Richard Sandoval (Masa 14, Zengo) is opening today for Cinco De Mayo.  I'm sure it will be a mobbed but I'm ecstatic about a new option on 14th St.  Cerveza, tequila y tacos.  Que bueno!

Fresh produce from U St. Farmer's Market

U St. Girl notes the Farmers Market at 14th and U St, NW opens this weekend.  YEA!! 

Turtle bar by Whisked.  Photo via Metrocurean.

Metrocurean is excited about a new baking venture between two bloggers called Whisk.  Conveniently, Whisk is  launching at the 14th and U St. NW Farmer's Market this weekend.  Doesn't that turtle bar look delicious?  Be on the lookout.

Holy shmoly deals..what happened to them?

Before my First Friday posts, there were Holy Shmoly! deals.  I last posted about these properties in February.

917 Kennedy St, NW

917 Kennedy St, NW was a 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath house listed for $339,700.  There was a price reduction to $329,700 and it sold in 26 days at $320,000.  The final result was about 5.5% off list price. 

1626 Oak St, NW

1626 Oak St, NW was a 3 bedroom, 2 bath house listed for initially for $475,000.  There was a price reduction to $469,000 and it sold in 22 days for $458,600.  The sold price was close to 3.5% off list.  

In general, DC buyers are able to negotiate 3-5% off the list price if the property has been on the market for over two weeks.  If the a property is hot (under contract in 0-7 days), the buyer's negotiating power is weaker. 

Riveting Rooms

Entry via Rue Magazine p. 103

Light fixtures are one of my passions.  They add elegance to many a dreary entry way, hall, or kitchen. This weeks Riveting Rooms is from Rue Magazine.  I love this entry way because the Murano glass flower light fixture.  I've gazed at this fixture online millions of times and wondered if it'd be right for our entry way.  It's not but you know I like to dream.  Maybe our next house.

Lalique Clear Murano Glass Light Fixture

Toki Underground

I've done a miserable job of following my New Year's Eve resolution: try new restaurants.  After falling back into my standard rotation of Rasika, Bibiana and BLT, I decided it was time to venture into new territory.

Toki Underground logo

There was a lot of excitement about the opening of Toki Underground, a ramen house on H St, NE.  DC ramen fans have been waiting in vain for two years for the Penn Quarter Wagamama to open.  The development of Toki Underground was hugely anticipated and in the first weeks of it's existence, it was flooded with customers.  I doubt this will change anytime in the near future.

It's a small place with only 20 seats.  Clients of mine went on a Sunday the first or second week it was open at 5:45pm and waited two hours for seats.  Wanting to avoid the lines, my husband and I went early.  We were the second and third customers of the evening.  I guess the masses don't eat at 5pm.  The restaurant was virtually deserted which gave us our choice of seats.  I chose to sit in front of the windows which gave us a birds eye view of rush hour traffic.  It also framed us perfectly for the Washingtonian photographer that was there for his own story. 

Toki "tree"

I thought the place was adorable with lots of fun design details.  Skateboard decks for foot rests, a "tree" with lanterns and cute animal bento boxes for dessert.

Dessert bento boxes

The ramen was pretty amazing too.  I ordered the Toki Hakata Classic.  The broth was rich, had a lot depth and flavor.  The noodles were yummy and firm.  I also enjoyed the seasonal veggies and the pork loin.   My only complaint was the high level of salt.  My husband (my tough, in-house ramen critic) ordered the Kimichi Hakata.  He wasn't as impressed.  He agreed with my assessment of the broth.  He had a few additional critiques:  he thought the pork should be a fattier cut and the noodles should be firmer.  He grew up eating ramen and I didn't.  His critiques are fairly standard from the Yelp reviews I read after we visited. 

Hakata Classic Ramen

We had fantastic, attentive service which I always appreciate.  Overall, I enjoyed our experience and it's one I'd repeat.