Media-Marketers BrandLink Moves to M Street

July 4, 2013

BrandLinkDC, owned and operated by Barbara Martin and Jayne Sandman, has moved its offices to 3109 M St., NW., less than one block from Georgetown’s busiest intersection. Experts in media management, events and marketing activations, Martin and Sandman deal with D.C. events along with reporters and photographers. They made a big splash in a December 2010 New York Times article, which tagged them as “the architects of the new Washington.” Washington Business Journal selected them as “Women Who Mean Business” awardees in 2012 as part of its annual award feature. They’re on the second floor. Welcome to Georgetown, ladies.

Noodles and Co. Opens Near Safeway

July 3, 2013

Noodles and Co. opened last week at 1815 Wisconsin Ave., NW, near Safeway and Drybar. The company with hundred of locations across the U.S. has two others in D.C. — in Woodley Park and downtown. Noodles and Co. features favorites like Wisconsin Mac & Cheese, Pad Thai, Spaghetti & Meatballs and Bangkok Curry — hours, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. It also has a rooftop dining space.

Washington Harbour Sold for $371 Million?

June 20, 2013

Georgetown’s waterfront landmark, Washington Harbour has been sold, according to bisnow.com, which reported June 18: “A partnership between Principal Real Estate Investors and a Korean pension fund group is the winning bidder for MRP Realty/Rockpoint Group’s Washington Harbour, market sources tell us. … The sale price, which sources say comes in at $371M ($700/SF), represents a hefty profit for the sellers, which three years ago paid $245M for the mixed-use asset on the Georgetown waterfront. …”

The Georgetowner contacted MRP Realty about the report of the sale and received a succinct “no comment.”

Malmaison Officially Opens


Malmaison, conceived as a lunch and dinner restaurant as well as a dessert specialty eatery and bar, was officially opened June 17 by father-son team Zubair Popal and Omar Popal. The Popal family, headed by Zubair Popal, also runs Cafe Bonaparte on Wisconsin Avenue and Napoleon Bistro and Lounge on Columbia Road. The building at 3401 K Street, NW — or 34th and Water Streets — also houses Gypsy Sally’s Acoustic Tavern on the second floor. Chef Gerard Pangaud has set up the menu for Malmaison and will cook there occasionally, but the main chef for Malmaison is Yomi Faniyi, Zubair Popal said.
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Tuscany Cafe Has Closed


A favorite college student eatery is gone. Tuscany Cafe, the pizza and sandwich joint, next to Booeymonger’s on Prospect Street, has closed, according to the Georgetown University student newspaper, the Hoya. The newspaper also reported: “Public records show that Tuscany’s license was set to expire May 31. According to the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, Aokas Brothers Inc.’s license was not renewed. The DCRA could not provide information as to whether or not Tuscany applied to renew its license.”

Arcuri Opens in Glover Park


Trattoria Arcuri is now open for dinner. At 2400 Wisconsin Ave., NW, it takes over the space left by the popular Kavanagh’s Pizza Pub. Its grand opening will be June 22, one of its owners, Adam Hitebeitel told the Glover Park Hyperlocal blog.

Jonah’s Treehouse Abruptly Closes

May 23, 2013

Jonah’s Treehouse, the baby, toddler and preschooler gym, at 2121 Wisconsin Ave., NW, has closed. Owner Vicki Gersten sent a letter in April to clients informing them that classes would end by the beginning of May, according to the Hyperlocal Glover Park blog.

Georgetown 2028: ‘Come Out and Plan’


The Georgetown Business Improvement District is thinking big picture and long range.

How is what it is saying about its Georgetown 2028 Program: “Wondering about how to improve transportation in Georgetown? Like to see different kinds of restaurants or shops? Have some ideas for Georgetown? The Georgetown BID would like to invite you to participate in Georgetown 2028 to help us develop a strategic vision for ensuring Georgetown remains a world-class commercial district. We will be working on transportation, physical space, economic and environmental issues and work toward an action plan which includes short-, medium- and long-term steps. Georgetown 2028 is already in motion, and we will finish before Thanksgiving.”

Red Fire Grill Kabob Extinquished


The Red Fire Grill Kabob at 3299 M St., NW, the corner of 33rd and M, next to Rhino and across Georgetown Cupcake, has closed after less than two years. The kabob chain restaurant replaced the famed and favorite Aditi Indian Restaurant in fall 2011.

JP’s to Uncover in June


JP’s Night Club, the longtime strip club up at 2412 Wisconsin Ave., NW, is set to reopen in June to new clients and a new design after a January 2008 fire destroyed most of the building. The new interior will look like “more of a high-end lounge than a gentleman’s club,” JP’s managing partner Mathew told the Glover Park Gazette. “It’s well-lit. It’s not anything seedy.”

When the owner of JP’s, the ironically named BJ Enterprises, re-opens the place with its unique liquor license — no kitchen required — protests will then be entertained by the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board about any problems. Already, some are concerned about planed private booths in the back — which if any closeness or groping is involved — could get the joint shut down in a heart beat.