Last fall, Forest Hills Connection conducted a retail survey on Van Ness retail needs and wants. The results of the restaurant section of the survey found a split between our neighborhood’s residents and workers.
The number one choice for those who live nearby was for a casual, kid-friendly restaurant. For those who work nearby, it was a quick pick-up place like Chipotle. The number two choice for both residents and workers was a pub, bar or tavern.
To be successful in our area, since rent is not cheap, a restaurant must to be able to serve the needs of workers and residents, and do catering for office events. Uzi Turker, the owner and manager of Acacia Bistro & Wine Bar at 4340 Connecticut, wants to do all three.
Uzi Turker working in Acacia’s patio garden. (photos by Marlene Berlin)
He lives in the neighborhood, on Windom Place, with his wife and 11-year-old son, a student at Deal Middle School. Turker was born in Istanbul. He came to the United States for graduate school, studying hospitality management in Miami. In 2000, he opened Wellness Cafe, a health food store and deli on Capitol Hill.
Acacia Bistro, which opened in 2009, was to be a cousin of the Wellness Cafe, but neighborhood feedback changed his focus. Neighbors wanted a place to sit and enjoy their meals – a “real” restaurant.
With our help, Turker is again seeking feedback from neighbors and those who come to the area for work, school, shopping, the Metro stop and more. Please take a few minutes to fill out the questionnaire below, or click here to open the survey in a new window or browser tab.
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rose mosner says
the food is good
Carol Marburger says
You gave us what we asked for, a “real” restaurant, and I love it! I’d hate to see you change what you do.
Shelagh says
Love this neighborhood restaurant, its good, has great happy hour specials, and is local. Let’s support Turker!
Linda Hopkins says
I stopped going to your beautiful restaurant because there was often nothing on the menu that I wanted to eat. I think you should INCLUDE in your gourmet offerings some more ordinary comfort food kinds of offerings–chicken, mashed potatoes, turkey burgers at night (not just lunch). People like me would bring along other people who like the gourmet type of food and you might get a lot more business–certainly you would from me, because I love the outdoor seating, the lights, the location, the friendliness.
Terry says
I agree with Linda that a little more “plain, simple” food would be a good addition, for when we feel like having a smaller meal or have guests who may have some dietary restrictions. We would then likely come more often, as we do want to support this lovely restaurant.
Teresa says
Wow! Acacia sounds wonderful. Thank you for introducing me to this lovely bistro.
Steve says
Acacia is a fantastic restaurant, one of our favorites in DC, not just Van Ness. We hope the business is going well as it is a restaurant we like to go back to again and again. The menus are innovative and incredibly tasty–great chef.
Stephen says
A little more on-site oversight and training of the youthful wait staff would be a bonus; have had an awkward experience or two that detracted from the wonderful cooking.
carol kaplan says
my friends and I love the restaurant , particularly the beautiful ambiance and the fact that it is quiet and has delicious wine. But we want a real restaurant where you can have a meal. it doesn’t have to be too fancy or too expensive, but please not just small plates or appetizers. I miss the seared tuna . simple main courses (grilled fish? seafood soup? ) would be good
Ken Terzian says
Love the engagement with our community, good food with choices for varied budgets and tastes (happy hour specials are a steal), dog friendly patio for bringing the WHOLE family. Uzi has ALWAYS made us feel welcome and spent time to visit us when we are there. I’ve even seen him sit with a solo patron to provide them company during their meal.
gary says
Previously ate there a lot, not so much now. Menu is still pretty good, but quality inconsistent. More responsive service would make me a regular again. I’ll give you another try soon.
Paul says
Is there a way to not have this survey appear at the top of FHC every time the site is visited? It’s been on this page for more than a month.
Marguerite Beck-Rex says
I like sidewalk cafe life! I want a cafe we can “hang out” at, can sip an affordable glass of wine or two mid-afternoon, have something to nibble on, and pass an hour or even two with one friend or with several. I know Acacia primarily is a restaurant, but if Acacia’s wine were a little less expensive, and if it had a nibble or two like the spinach dip with those crusty bits of bread, I’d be likely to “hang out”. I’m retired and I could fit that into my life very nicely.
Judy Geller says
My husband and I miss the Mozzarella en Carozza you used to serve in that memorable anchovy-garlic sauce. We’d also enjoy simple, straightforward preparations of distinctive fish, such as Bronzino, Sea Bass, Rockfish that stand alone in flavor and texture. Many of the dishes you now serve would benefit from being presented with fewer layers. We love having you in our neighborhood and hope you will be around for a long, long time.