In the May Forest Hills Connection newsletter, our editor-in-chief mentioned dining with her husband at Rosemary Bistro Cafe early that month. “It was the first time we dined out together since the beginning of Covid-19. Lots of tables were filled at Rosemary and I’m Eddie Cano,” Marlene Berlin wrote. “Other than the waiters, passersby and some patrons wearing masks, there was air of normalcy in the hubbub that was very comforting.”
It also felt different and new, she wrote, and it’s a feeling that returns every time we see announcements like these:
“After a 15-month closure, we’re beyond thrilled to announce that the Avalon Theatre is on track to reopen to the public on Friday, June 11…”
At Hillwood Museum: “As of June 12, reservations are still encouraged but no longer required.” And, “Merriweather Café reopens on June 22!”
We are witnessing a reawakening.
On May 12th, Comet Ping Pong launched a Wednesday night spring outdoor concert series, which sold out within days.
Announcing Comet Ping Pong's Spring Outdoor Music Series!!
Beginning May 26th, Comet will present a series of 7pm concerts in the Comet parking lot for a limited audience of pre-reserved, seated, dine-in guests.
Tickets available via Eventbrite:https://t.co/Stn3BwqdOv pic.twitter.com/JhNohpympU
— Comet Ping Pong (@cometpingpong) May 12, 2021
At Little Red Fox:
Outdoor seating has returned on our front patio. 🤗 pic.twitter.com/pVaYLleoKj
— Little Red Fox (@littleredfoxdc) May 18, 2021
Little Red Fox also says: “We’re still rocking the same online ordering setup, so still no customers inside, please. But we plan to announce our next store evolution in the coming weeks. Things are looking up!”
On May 21st, the same night DC restaurants could fully open for indoor dining, Tesoro Trattoria & Pizzeria‘s patio was a hot spot.
Acacia Food & Wine‘s large, covered patio is now home to “Puppy Hour” every Thursday from 3 to 6 p.m.
And Broad Branch Market co-owner Tracy Stannard tells Chevy Chase News & Notes that the store has resumed wine tastings, and the candy shop will reopen.
The area Main Streets, meanwhile, are preparing events to further tempt us to get out and support local businesses. The Great Cleveland Park Yard Sale, a Cleveland Park Main Street fundraiser, returns on Saturday, June 12th. Tenleytown Main Street has put out a call for artists and performers for the return of Art All Night on September 25th. And Van Ness Main Street, along with UDC, will be hosting a summer movie series at the UDC amphitheater starting June 23rd. The theme of each film: perseverance.
Seize the book!
The Carpe Librum pop-up bookstore is popping up inside and outside of the Van Ness Main Street office at 4340 Connecticut on Saturday, June 5th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
THIS SATURDAY, June 5, inside & outside at 4340 Connecticut Ave, 10am – 5pm in Van Ness!📚📀
Browse 1000s of books, CDs, DVDs & vinyl records all under $6. @CarpeLibrumDC is a donation-based used bookstore benefiting Turning the Page
There's something for everyone at this sale! pic.twitter.com/Ayt0m780JK
— Van Ness Main Street (@VanNessMainSt) May 31, 2021
All proceeds support the DC education nonprofit Turning the Page.
This matchbook tells a story
You don’t have to be much of a Van Ness old-timer to remember Shanghai Garden. Park Van Ness now occupies the space where this restaurant and Van Ness Square once stood.
But who among us knew that it wasn’t the first Chinese restaurant at that location? John DeFerrari, for one. He’s the author and historian behind the Streets of Washington blog. Click the image in the tweet below for an expanded view of his vintage matchbook.
The Kongnan American and Chinese Restaurant was located in the Van Ness area in the 1940s, in a small storefront at 4469 Connecticut Ave NW. The site was later home to Carmack's Restaurant and then beginning in 1972 Shanghai Garden, which remained until 2012. @chineseeateries pic.twitter.com/KHiHyWSlfR
— Streets of Washington (@StreetsOfDC) April 21, 2021
PSA
Happy to report that dogs are once again permitted at the UDC Farmers Market!
🐶🐕🐩🐾 pic.twitter.com/YC1ZVFHn1e— Van Ness Main Street (@VanNessMainSt) May 22, 2021
Forest Hills Connection is a program of Van Ness Main Street.
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