June 17, 2008
Noodles vs. Books
With the official news that the Olsson's in Penn Quarter is closing, there's some speculation in our comments as to what will be in the new space. According to a few sources, Wagamama, the British-owned ramen bar will be taking the space. Though it's a bit further south on 7th St., the spot is bound to butt heads with other casual high-end fast food joints like Chop't and the soon-to-be-opening Vapiano, as well as another British chain, Nando's.
From Wagamama's web site, which isn't big on punctuation or spelling:
our restaurants are modelled on the ramen bars which have been popular in japan for many years. our menu consists of side dishes, main meals and desserts your order is taken on an electronic handheld and zapped through to the kitchen by radio signal where it is cooked immediatelyAlthough the opening is at the expense of Olsson's, we submit it's certainly a better option than another Subway or Potbelly.
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their slogan is "positive eating + positive living".
seriously? it sounds like a hoax. oh, the fart-sniffery.
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"Although the opening is at the expense of Olsson's, we submit it's certainly a better option than another Subway or Potbelly."
Better than Subway, probably. But better than Potbelly?? There isn't enough of these places around! Who can resist their perfectly toasted creations? And no, the other twenty-somelocations are all just too far. *Groan*
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Nando's isn't British!! It's South African! MMM pap en vleis!
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Wagamama is the shiznit. Back when I was studying in London it was a daily (and sometimes twice daily) staple of my diet. Food was good and cheap, the beer good (and cheap), and the lack of separate eating spaces meant that you could hit on the honey slurping noodles right next to you. Olsson who??
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An Asian noodle place? In Chinatown? What's next? A play about the common housecat, or why not the King of Siam?
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this makes me really torn. i love olssons and am sad when bookstores close but wagamama's is one of my favorite restaurants ever. if this rumor is true, the chicken katsu curry will definitefly soften the blow of losing this charming nook full of books.
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wagamama's is ok. I mean it's cool and trendy and different and fun and all that, but it's just ramen. There are plenty of Ramen places that aren't as expensive. It's a good time though.
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Sean Jean: Where are the other Ramen places? Inquiring minds (and empty stomachs) need to know!
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Give it up, Monkey.
If they are opening up ramen bars now, can Kraft mac and cheese bars be far behind? Cook up vats of 'regular' or 'w/ sliced hot dogs', sell it to interns at $5/bowl, maybe some Annie's for the organic food crowd, the business plan writes itself.
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The search for decent ramen in DC is a long and tortuous one approaching Tampopo levels of ridiculousness.
And if it weren't for Levi's Port Cafe, I'd be all over a Kraft Mac n Cheese bar like stink on rice. I mean, jeebus, truffles and gruyere on mac n cheese? WTF? Go Velveeta or go to hell.
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Monkey - have you had the mac and cheese at the Hitching Post or at the Rib Pit? Those should keep you happy.
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the rib pit? that sounds deliciously messy.
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Is that the Rib Pit on 14th? I thought that folded?
I rarely have time to dine downtown. I'm far too busy ducking and weaving and shooting it out with Charlie using my finger pistols. Pyoo! Pyoo!
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I will officially go totally out of my way at least twice a month (and more like once a week) to eat at Wagamama's. ABSOLUTE. BEST. CHAIN. RAMEN. PLACE. EVER.
I just had a minor yaki udon orgasm.
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Wagamama opening in Boston was easily one of the best things to happen to food in the US in years. Then I moved from Boston to DC and had to give it up. Thank God they've chosen to follow me wherever I go!