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.

First Friday-Shepherd Park Edition

Shepherd Park is a small, historic neighborhood north of Walter Reed between Georgia Ave. and Rock Creek Park. The houses are stately, the streets are tree lined and it's convenient to downtown Silver Spring and DC.  Today there's two houses that caught my eye.

1121 Kamlia St, NW

1121 Kalmia St, NW living room

1121 Kalmia St, NW is a renovated, semi-attached townhouse with three bedrooms, two full baths and two half baths.  It's 1391 square feet and it's listed for $475,000.  Yearly taxes are $3,681.  The kitchen has been renovated with granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances.  There's hardwood floors, new windows, and a slate patio. 

1325 Iris St, NW

1325 Iris St, NW living room

1325 Iris St, NW is a Tudor that hasn't been on the market since the 60's.  Built in 1929, it's four bedrooms, two and half baths with 2246 square feet.  Yearly taxes are $4,912.  It's listed for $599,000.  It features refinished hardwood floors, new gutters, and it's been freshly painted.  Both the kitchen and baths need updating.  It also doesn't have central air conditioning.  What is does have is tons of character and architectural details, a screened in porch, a two car garage and a slate roof.  It's Open on Sunday, May 1 from 1-4pm. 

Real Estate Round Up

Spring has sprung.  So what's happening in the real estate world these days?

Church to be developed at 10th and V St, NW via DC MUD

"Sorg Gearing Up to Turn Former Church Into Condo" by DC MUD.  The most interesting part of the post for me was the comments by various neighbors.  I live around the corner from the church and found out some good scuttlebutt. 

"Builders of New Homes Seeing No Sign of Recovery" per The New York Times. 

"It's Still Cheaper to Buy in DC than rent" via Urban Turf.  For some reason, people are always surprised by this headline. 

"With Changes ahead for FHA down payment, private mortgage insurers seek inroads" from The Washington Post.

Want a superb sandie? Go here...

Fast Gourmet at 14th and V St, NW

Back in December, both Prince of Petworth (POP) and U St. Girl had rave reviews about Fast Gourmet, a sandie shop in the gas station at 14th and V St, NW.

I was dubious.  A marvelous new sandwich shop in a gas station?  I know that's commonplace in Miami but it's not in DC.

I told my husband, who's a more adventurous eater, and one day he came home with a Cubano.  I sampled it and wham, our love affair with Fast Gourmet began.

I know both POP and U St. Girl professed love for the Cubano but we're partial to the Chivito (steak, ham, fried egg, bacon, cheese, green olives) and the roasted turkey with the green olive mayo.  I'm sure you can guess which one is mine.   I highly recommend giving it a whirl next time you're in need of a good sandie.  Yum.

Chivito

Roasted turkey with green olive mayo

*photo of Fast Gourmet via POP.  Sandie photos, my own.