Neighborhood Eats: DC’s First ‘Philanthropub' Opens

• October 25th 2012

by Rebecca Cooper

After staying up all night to bring you the latest on DC’s 24-hour eateries last week, Neighborhood Eats is back in its usual form. On to the latest bar and restaurant news:

Open: Cause, U Street’s newest bar and the city’s first ‘philanthropub,’ opened Wednesday at 1926 9th Street NW. The bar, which promises to donate 100 percent of its profits to charities, serves a menu from former Queen Vic chef Adam Stein that includes starters such as hush puppies and African chicken groundnut stew and sandwiches that include a number of vegetarian and vegan-friendly options, as well as something called the “heart of darkness” made with beef heart. The first four charities to benefit once Cause makes a profit are Agora Partnerships, Common Good City Farm, Higher Achievement and Martha’s Table.

Opening…soon: Table, the new neighborhood spot in Shaw from chef Frederik De Pue, is aiming to open in early November at 903 N Street NW, Best Bites Blog reports. They’ll only serve dinner at first, but plan to add breakfast, brunch and lunch to the menu by February 1. The former executive chef at Smith Commons has been busy; in addition to getting ready to launch Table (pronounced the French way) and running his 42 Degrees catering business, De Pue and some investors recently bought the former minibar/Cafe Atlantico space from José Andrés’ Think Food Group.

Leek American Bistro in Ballston is aiming to open next week at 801 Quincy Street. Leek will feature New American cuisine served in an upscale casual setting — think white tablecloths without the fussiness — and include recommended beer, cocktail and Virginia wine pairings with every entree. Chef Nathan Spittal’s menu includes classics such as a Louisville hot brown and shrimp and grits, but also mixes it up with items including black pepper tofu and pulled pork biscuits. Watch their Facebook page for news of the official opening.

Those who live and work in Alexandria’s Carlyle District (just west of Old Town) are getting a new bar/restaurant inspired by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, which is just a few doors down. Trademark will soft open November 1 but have its official grand opening on Election Day. The restaurant, located in the Westin Alexandria at 2080 Jamieson Avenue in Alexandria, will feature 10 mainstay cocktails from former PX manager Christopher Basset and a menu of hearty bar food including fish and chips, pork ‘n’ beans and a Chesapeake pot pie.

Add Icelandic to the ranks of DC’s international cuisines. Michael Kosmides, owner of the former Teatro Goldoni restaurant at 1909 K Street NW, is gutting the space and plans to reopen it November 16 as Look, a modern, Iceland-themed eatery. There will be small plates and European fare, along with a more updated look, Kosmides tells Real Estate Bisnow.

Opening eventually: Lyman’s Tavern will be the newest watering hole for the Columbia Heights crowd when it opens early next year at 3720 14th Street NW. The bar is the brainchild of Raven Grill owner Merid Admassu, Kevin Perone and Jessica Kleinmann of Cafe St. Ex, reports Best Bites Blog, and plans to be a chill neighborhood spot for beer and music, including some live music and deejays. Customers will be able to sit inside or outside on the 20-seat patio — where they can order drinks at an indoor/outdoor counter.

Fans of the Greek Spot carryout joint at 11th and U streets NW may be willing to follow the owners to another place — and another cuisine. The owners are opening up a full-service restaurant near Sherman Avenue and Harvard Street NW, reports Young & Hungry, and it will be island themed, although not specifically Caribbean or Greek island. There isn’t much information on the establishment just yet, but the planned opening date is Spring 2013.

Events: Tonight is the Speakeasy Bash at the Woodrow Wilson House in Dupont Circle, where a $45 ticket gets you light refreshments and an open bar of gin cocktails made with Green Hat Gin, the first spirit from a distillery to open in the city in the past several decades. 1920’s-era costumes are encouraged, as the fundraiser for the former president’s house turned museum is meant to commemorate Wilson’s veto of the Volstead Act implementing Prohibition.

Rebecca Cooper is a freelance journalist and avid eater who has contributed to TBD, DCist, and Washingtonian.

This article originally published at https://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/neighborhood_eats_dcs_first_philanthropub_opens/6208.