by Katherine Saltzman
Van Ness/Forest Hills
Kickstarting a new restaurant
The owners of a new Italian restaurant moving into the Banana Leaf space at 5014 Connecticut are introducing themselves – and the eatery – via Kickstarter campaign. “I’m Eddie Cano” is a play on the Italian pronunciation of Americano, and the brainchild of Massimo and Carolyn Papetti, a local couple with kids at Murch, and executive chef James Gee, previously of Jaleo Bethesda and China Chilcano in Penn Quarter.
As it turns out, the only thing they have in common with New York’s Da Noi restaurant group is the name they had planned to use for the restaurant. The New York Da Noi has the name trademarked, so they had to go another route. And as they write in the Kickstarter FAQ, “It was a blessing in disguise as we are really happy with our name!”
“Permits permitting,” they’re planning to open I’m Eddie Cano in late September.
Laliguras x2
Laliguras (4221 Connecticut Avenue) is opening a sister restaurant in Glover Park. As first reported by Popville, Laliguras expects the second location to open in late fall. It will occupy the former Bruegger’s Bagels space at 2334 Wisconsin Avenue and half of the former Salvadoran consulate next door.
Ibhana’s pop-up store, shown here shortly before it opened in June, will remain at 4340 Connecticut through December.
Ibhana Boutique pop-up settles in
When the Ibhana Boutique pop-up opened at 4340 Connecticut on June 1st, it was expected to leave at the end of the summer. Now, owner Meena Tharmaratnam expects to stay there through December and is on the lookout for a permanent home in Van Ness. She gave Forest Hills Connection an update on how it’s going so far.
FHC: Could you describe some of the successes and hardships you have had operating in Van Ness so far?
Meena Tharmaratnam: Operating the popup in Van Ness has been a wonderful opportunity to explore a new market/build more clients and learn about the demographics of this location to assess for a more permanent location eventually in the Van Ness neighborhood.
One major challenge is we are only open on Fridays and Saturdays. This involves committing inventory for just two days and not cost effective to keep bringing new merchandise very frequently. It also is limiting since customers can’t walk in anytime they want to/need something, so we lose a bit of momentum.
The big plus, the ladies in Van Ness are delighted with our offerings and very happy to have a neighborhood dress shop. Our sales have also been steady, and we learn what the customer at Van Ness is looking for/her style.
FHC: Are there any items that have been particularly popular in the Van Ness area?
Tharmaratnam: Dressy, special event dresses and outfits, a variety of our best-selling pants and the jewelry lines we offer have been most popular.
FHC: Do you have any promotions that you would like to highlight or new items available in the store?
Tharmaratnam: As the temperature cools down, we will start bringing in hot fall fashions.
FHC: Anything else you would like to add?
Tharmaratnam: I want to thank Theresa Cameron and the Van Ness [Main Street] board for their welcoming and support and all their efforts to help Ibhana transition into the Van Ness neighborhood. I am deeply grateful to them for this opportunity.
The Ibhana Boutique pop-up is open Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Farm to table via the Van Ness farmers market
Fun Fact: when you brunch with us, you're supporting Local Farmers! Our Farm to Table brunch program brings produce & eggs from our partners at the @udcvnmarket right to your table. @kings_produce @VanNessMainSt #brunch #farm2table #brunchdc pic.twitter.com/rNn60BAMpu
— Acacia Food & Wine (@acaciabistrodc) August 25, 2018
Freshly picked and locally grown, @sfoglinadc chef Michael Fusano chooses a variety of produce from the UDC/Van Ness Farmers Market every Saturday morning for his incredible culinary creations. The market is open every Saturday, 8am-2pm 🍅🌽🍒 #locallygrown #supportlocal #VNFood pic.twitter.com/YHMvUVT545
— Van Ness Main Street (@VanNessMainSt) July 14, 2018
Cleveland Park
CPBiz.org
Why did the Secret Service occasionally stand guard at Cleveland Park Valet? How did a City Fitness co-founder’s imagination lead her into teaching aerobics classes? CPBiz.org, a new website started by the Cleveland Park Business Association, tells these and other stories about the neighborhood’s unique businesses and business owners.
Susie Zimmerman, a Cleveland Park resident who leads CPBA’s Promotions and Marketing Committee, helped start the volunteer-run website.
“We needed to have a neighborhood website about all things Cleveland Park for residents and visitors,” Zimmerman said.
The site includes features on restaurants, shops and services as well as information on the Saturday farmer’s market. In addition, there is information about the neighborhood, news features and event listings.
Cleveland Park Chipotle closes
The Chipotle at 3420 Connecticut Avenue permanently closed at the end of July, citing underperforming sales.
The now-former Cleveland Park Chipotle.