The Georgetown Metropolitan

1300 block of 35th St.

Every year GM performs a door-to-door census on all the stores in Georgetown. The thing is, though, that GM has gotten a bit busy (or lazy) and pushed off the census a little more every year. So by the time he got around to it this year, it was more like fifteen months since the last tally. As a result, the “changes” are probably exaggerated a bit.

But that said, GM is still crunching the numbers. To tide you over, here is the first bit of data: the number of stores that either opened or closed: Continue reading →

Photo by Tinkurlab.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• Georgetown-themed movies getting shown outdoors this summer on the waterfront.
• Some details on the interior of the forthcoming Chaia Tacos.

2900 block of M St.

Yesterday ABRA announced that the four Georgetown liquor licenses have been claimed. GM has received an unverified (but reliable) tip as to who claimed them. And while it isn’t as bad as he expected it still demonstrates that the moratorium remains a problem for attracting new restaurants.

So who got the licenses?

• The Georgetown AMC
• Lady Camelia Tea Room
• Chaia Tacos
• Unnamed Greek restaurant on Prospect

Here’s GM’s take on each:

It’s unclear why the theater needs this liquor license. It’s in the same building as the Ritz Carlton, and hotels are not subject to the moratorium. Even if it’s not covered by the hotel exemption, it ought to be. Either way, this license is obviously not going to result in a new restaurant.

Lady Camelia is a successful tea room from the team that had less luck opening Macaron Bee on Book Hill. Now the stores are essentially merged, and finger foods are offered with the tea. It would appear that they also want to offer liquor (mimosas?), which sounds like a good idea. But if that’s true then it still means that this license isn’t producing a new restaurant.

Chaia tacos is not even open yet. They are moving into the old woodshop on Grace St. GM’s had their tacos before, and they’re amazing. We’re lucky they’ve decided to open here. But again, they were already going to open without the license. So again, it’s not like this license is inducing a new restaurant to open. Continue reading →

Photo by Brendan Ross.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• The four liquor licenses were snatched up, GM has more on that later.
• Not news to many, but Georgetown is a good place for desserts.

1000 block of 34th St.

The flyer doesn’t say it, but MPD Chief Lanier will attend this public safety meeting tonight. So come on out and learn what’s being done and what else can be done to keep you safe!

Photo by BeyondDC.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• If Visitation sponsored the Fort Reno concerts, who would play? (GM thinks the obvious answer is Shane MacGowen and the Popes).
• Start-up, Georgetown-style.

3300 block of P St.