The Georgetown Metropolitan

3500 block of O St.

Wisconsin and M St. is the heart of Georgetown, yet it’s an incredibly unpleasant place to be. Whether on foot, bike or in a car, it’s an intersection that you just want to get through as quickly as possible. There are possible schemes that could address one type of user or the other, but most diminish the intersection’s utility to the other types of users. But is there a way to improve the intersection for all users? If there is, a rotary is probably it.

If you’re immediately skeptical, view the film above. It shows how an unusual traffic solution took an intersection at the heart of an English town-an intersection that had all the unpleasant characteristics of Wisconsin and M-and turned it into a shared space, where car speeds reduced, pedestrian access increased, and overall traffic flow was not worsened. It sounds impossible, but really just watch the film. Continue reading →

Photo by Elvert Barnes.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• Some more details of Mr. Smith’s move to the Chadwick’s space.
• New app will deliver booze to homes in Georgetown, but why don’t you just walk to the liquor store?

1300 block of 30th St.

GM has learned that a new restaurant will soon be opening in the old woodworking shop of G. Morris Steinbraker & Sons on Grace St. It will be the first bricks and mortar location for Chaia, a vegetarian taco purveyor that has been a popular attraction at local farmers markets (their tagline is “From Far to Taco”).

According to the Post, it was they were one of last year’s top tastemakers (sharing the rarified air with Rose’s Luxury):

Trying to find the Chaia taco stand at the farmers market? Just look for the longest line. Launched in May, the popular vegetarian Latin American-influenced concept is led by self-trained chefs Suzanne Simon (an Ohio native with a degree in environmental science) and Bettina Stern (a Manhattanite who got her culinary start at Ina Garten’s now-defunct gourmet food store, Barefoot Contessa)…A brick-and-mortar restaurant with a focus on plant-based cuisine is the goal, though the two plan to fine-tune dishes like kale and roasted potato tacos on handmade tortillas with creamy poblano sauce at pop-ups and year-round farmers markets.

Continue reading →

Photo by Ben Miller.

Good morning Georgetown! GM is back from his trip and is ready to get back to keeping you up with the latest:

• Beautiful architectural prints at the Old Print Gallery on 31st.
• Hoya alums coming up with big checks to fund new athletic center.

1500 block of 33rd St.

Photo by Eddie Welker.

Yesterday GM reported that Mr. Smith’s was going to close due to a rent hike. He mentioned with skepticism that the owner was going to try to stay in Georgetown. Well the Eater is reporting that that is exactly what happened. Unfortunately it means the end of yet another landmark restaurant: Chadwicks.

They write:

Longtime Georgetown bar Chadwicks will be closing on Aug. 31st. Replacing it? Another longtime Georgetown institution,Mr. Smith’s.

The bar is shutting down its operations, and Mr. Smith’s will move from M Street to Chadwicks’ current location at 3205 K St NW, Washington, DC. Chadwick’s General Manager Nicole Maddin confirmed the news and said the deal was finalized yesterday.

“Mr. Smith has bought us out. And we’ll be moving out at the end of August,” she said.

Continue reading →

Photo by Branderguard.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• All you wanted to know about the waterfront park’s labyrinth (or the Green Electric Range, as GM dubbed it six years ago).
• Georgetown could’ve been bigger than Baltimore.

Photo by Alan Kotok.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• No updates except to say that GM has to head out of town for a week and a half (sadly not for the beach, but work) and probably won’t be posting anything after today. Catch you after Labor Day!