The Weekly Feed: Burgers, Belgians, and BoJo Edition
Pour Out a Forty for the Childe Harold
The pilgrimage is at its end. After 40 years nestled on 20th street NW in Dupont Circle, the Childe Harold has closed its doors for good. A victim of increasing rents and lessors unwilling to negotiate, the Harold is one more example of how the face of Dupont Circle is ever-changing.
The venerable institution held a lot of history, partly because of its ties to the music world—Bruce Springstreen, Bonnie Raitt, the Ramones, and Emmylou Harris went there according to this WaPo article—and partly due to its reputation as a haunt for hard-drinking political and journalist types.
Childe Harold made its name in recent years with well-cooked steaks, as well as burgers that were juicy and flavorful — all cheaper than $9 — a direction that many Washington eateries should look at when analyzing their $16 burger options. The Harold was a good spot to stop after a hard-partying night in Dupont Circle, or a place to go for a drink or eight if you wanted to get shit-faced and have it kept quiet. I mean, I've heard. Dive-seekers will have to look a little harder in the neighborhood for a place to meet their needs now. I imagine many of them, much like owner Hossein Shirvani, are heartbroken.
Risen From the Burnt, Cakey Parts Left on the Griddle
In happier news, penny pinching Washingtonians will be happy to hear that the Waffle Shop on 10th St. NW may have moved to a new location and changed its name—but the old one isn't dead. The Post reports that D.C. wonder developer, Douglas Jemal, will dismantle the historic diner piece by piece, move it, and re-open it exactly as it was, most likely in a space on 7th Street across from the convention center. Not only it this welcome news for one of Washington's most historic eateries, but it bodes well for those folks who never had a chance to dine at the Waffle Shop's sinusoidal counter.
Waffle Shop photo from buschap.
Will the new Waffle Shop be exactly the same? Of course not, but patrons also won't be forced to wade through diesel fumes and hordes of screaming tweeners with fake Abe Lincoln beards just to have some affordable eggs and toast. To ease the transition, Jemal has agreed to reduced rent for 15 years—a generous offer, but the level of reduction from one of the city's highest rent districts may still be a sizeable payment. All parties intend to make a go of it, however, and we wish them luck.
Un-aged and Ready to Go; The Olsen Twins of the Wine World
In what has arguably become more popular than Bastille Day—at least here in the U.S.—the evening of Beaujolais Nouveau is rapidly approaching. The third Thursday in November (the 15th this year) is the traditional night for bistrots and bars to hang their signs proclaiming "Le Beaujolais Nouveau est arrivé!" So, start counting. Backwards. And in French.
Alliance Francaise in Kalorama is holding their celebration on Friday, the 16th, featuring both the wine and a mix of Edith Piaf and electronica. You can expect parties at standbys like Les Halles and Bistrot du Coin as well. Try places like Montsouris (2002 P St. NW) for an affair with more Frenchmen and less college students, or the Official Embassy party if you have a new suit you'd like to show off.
Small Bites
What's Shanghainese for "What?"
Gridskipper takes this week's award for most creative sentence: "Somewhere between Shanghainese and Cantonese is a place called Taiwan." Also, someplace between Tunisian and Italian is a place called Malta.
$10 to Someone Who Actually Sees Him in One of His Kitchens
Todd Kliman, in his chog, hands us the news that Michel Richard (Citronelle, Central) is advising Amtrak's Acela on its menu. What's wrong with a hot dog?
Gelato At Dupont Market
You didn't need a reason to go to the Dupont Farmers' Market (Sundays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 20th and Mass. Ave NW), but here's one anyway. Dolcezza gelateria is now selling its made-with-market-ingredients gelato at the market. Their gelato is second to none already, but the flavors made with fresh market ingredients are really transcendent. You can also catch them at the Penn Quarter market at its last day, Thursday the 15th.