Sushi-Ko Closed Permanently?

October 10, 2013

A “For Lease” sign was spotted over the week on the side of the Sushi Ko building at 2309 Wisconsin Ave., NW. Owned by Daisuke Utagawa, Sushi Ko closed suddenly a few months ago, because of a D.C. tax problem.

Eno Wine Bar Opening Soon


Eno Wine Bar, next at the Four Seasons Hotel, at 2810 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, is set to open in a few weeks.

Tory Burch to See November Debut


Tory Burch, the chic designer boutique set to open next month, is finishing its build-out in the old Bebe space, which many years ago was the American Cafe and before a Blimpie’s, at 1211 Wisconsin Ave., NW.

“Her team tells us the Georgetown boutique, scheduled to open November 1, will be an ‘accessories only’ concept,” according to Kate Bennett of the Washingtonian.

Latham Hotel Re-do: Small Apartments? Added Retail?


“Say farewell to Georgetown’s Latham Hotel,” reported the Washington Business Journal last week. “Preparations are underway to convert the property at 30th and M streets NW to residential. Small residential. Micro small.”

The Latham Hotel at 3000 M St., NW, closed in 2012, reportedly due to water damage. At the same time, Michel Richard’s Citronelle restaurant was shuttered — and it will not re-open in that location, if it ever does re-open in Georgetown. The casual eatery, La Madeleine, in front of the hotel also was closed and is gone.

“But behind the scenes, plans for a transformation are underway,” according to the Journal. “Matthew Le Grant, D.C.’s zoning administrator, recently sent a letter to the Latham’s land use attorney that sums up the blueprint. ‘You are proposing to convert the existing hotel to residential and retail use and eliminate the existing vehicular drop-off driveway, and excavate down two floors to bring daylight to the lower levels,’ Le Grant wrote Sept. 26 to David Avitabile of Goulston & Storrs PC.”

The letter also detailed that the renovated Latham would have more 12,000 square feet of retail, add height to part of the third floor and broaden the pool patio. According to the Journal, “Le Grant does not say how many units the residential Latham would have, though a site plan that accompanies the letter suggests there will be roughly 122, most in the 250- to 400-square-foot range. The Latham Hotel had 133 rooms.”

Rialto Opens; Guards Sign in Online Auction

October 7, 2013

Another famous space — once the home of the legendary Guards restaurant which closed last summer — at 2915 M St., NW, is now the Venetian-inspired Rialto, an Italian eatery, owned by Moe and Joe Idrissi, who run Thunder Burger across the street. Meanwhile, the old sign for the Guards restaurant is being auctioned off on Ebay, with the starting price of $10,000. (No bid yet as of noon, Sept. 24; proceeds of the sale will go to D.C. Central Kitchen.) The bidding will end Sept. 26, the same day as the official opening for Rialto. The Peabody Room of the Georgetown Public Library has asked for the sign as a donation because of its historical value.

Gypsy Sally’s to Open Sept. 12 on Water Street

September 23, 2013

Gypsy Sally’s, the live music venue and multi-use event space at 3401 Water Street, NW, above Malmaison Restaurant, will open Thursday, Sept. 12.

“Featuring local, regional and national Americana acts on its stage, Gypsy Sally’s hopes to complement the venerable Blues Alley as well as evoke memories of Georgetown’s entertainment heyday when locals and tourists had their choice of multiple venues,” the company said. Located nearly at the banks of the Potomac River, Gypsy Sally’s wants patrons to feel the vibe of the departed Bayou, the Cellar Door, Desperado’s and Crazy Horse Saloon.

Venue owners David and Karen Ensor, husband and wife, bring a diverse and extensive history of experience, knowledge and passion for the live music industry to their project, the group said.
“As a veteran musician and restaurant worker, this has been a dream a long time coming,” David Ensor said. “We are very excited to create an active relationship with the community to grow and create a space that Georgetown can make its own.”

Here’s more directly from the enthusiastic Gypsy Sally’s folks:

Gypsy Sally’s is comprised of three separate spaces, the largest space devoted to the Music Room. Gypsy Sally’s also has a Vinyl Lounge where patrons will enjoy music from classic vinyl records and an Art Gallery, both of which are perfect for events and rentals. The 1902 building was formerly an ice factory and is generously proportioned with tall ceilings perfect for live music.

The room is designed with tiered seating platforms to improve sight lines and has had acoustic treatments to ensure great sound. Consulting on the audio equipment are Greg Lukens of Washington Pro Sound and Tim Kidwell of the Birchmere.

An Americana theme pervades the space, with authentic barn wood, American flag murals and even an antique VW bus. “Our hippy bus is sure to leave a few patrons scratching their heads and asking why? Our response is simply, why not?” quips David Ensor.

Directing the Gypsy Sally’s kitchen is Donald Spencer, an experienced chef coming from Range, Bryan Voltaggio’s Friendship Heights eatery, and before that, 2941 and Panache.

Gypsy Sally’s will delight the locavore, as its cuisine goals are driven by the local farmers’ markets and food purveyors, with an emphasis on all aspects of the F.L.O.S.S. philosophy: Fresh, Local, Organic, Seasonal and Sustainable. “We are very fortunate to have Donald as our chef since he appreciates our locavore philosophy and our passion for music,” Karen Ensor said. The menu will change seasonally with a focus on sustainable, organic and locally acquired meats and produce wherever possible.

Gypsy Sally’s opening night on Sept. 12 will feature performance by singer-songwriter Jim Lauderdale, who is also the host of the Americana Honors and Awards Show and nominated, along with Buddy Miller, for Album of the Year. Concert music lovers can look forward to concerts by the Grandmothers of Invention, the Gibson Brothers, Kelly Willis and Bruce Robison and other nationally acclaimed acts.

Frye Celebrates 150th With Store Near C&O Canal

September 12, 2013

Frye, the oldest continuously operating footwear company in the United States, opened its third U.S. location in D.C., in a building listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Georgetown store, at 1066 Wisconsin Ave., NW, occupies the former space of Papa-Razzi Restaurant. Frye’s 2,700-square-foot store is located in the historic Vigilant Firehouse, the oldest extant firehouse in D.C., which first housed Engine 5, now located on Dent Place.

The Georgetown store join Frye’s Boston and New York City stores. The Frye Company — known for boots, shoes, handbags and accessories — also plans to open a store in Chicago this fall. Founded in Massachusetts in 1863, Frye has fans that have ranged from Sarah Jessica Parker to General George Patton to John Lennon. A pair of Frye boots is even on exhibit on the Smithsonian.

Gypsy Sally’s Ready to Play on Water Street


Gypsy Sally’s, the live music venue and multi-use event at 3401 Water St., NW, above Malmaison Restaurant, will open Thursday, Sept. 12.

Located nearly at the banks of the Potomac River, Gypsy Sally’s wants patrons to feel the vibe of the departed Bayou, the Cellar Door, Desperado’s and Crazy Horse Saloon.

Venue owners David and Karen Ensor, husband and wife, bring a diverse and extensive history of experience, knowledge and passion for the live music industry to their project, the group said.

“As a veteran musician and restaurant worker, this has been a dream a long time coming,” David Ensor said. “We are very excited to create an active relationship with the community to grow and create a space that Georgetown can make its own.”

Cannon’s Fish Market Temporarily Closed


Cannon Fish Market — “purveyors of quality seafood since 1937” — closed Aug. 12. A window notice by the business at 1065 31st St., NW, read in part that Cannon’s “is closing for the next few months . . . for medical reasons.” Calls to the business have not yet been returned.

FAD Georgetown: Oct. 10, 11, 12


Save the dates, Georgetown BID writes: Fashion, art and design will come together this fall as Georgetown launches D.C.’s newest annual style and culture event, FAD Georgetown, from Thursday, Oct. 10, through Saturday, Oct.12. Hosted by the Georgetown Business Improvement District, this neighborhood-wide celebration will showcase the neighborhood’s fashion, art and design merchants and creative community during three activity-filled days of fashion events, shopping, street style, gallery walks, design seminars, red carpets and more. More details to follow.