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An Emerging Columbia Hts.-Petworth Food Split?
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Columbia Heights Georgia Ave-Petworth
IN PETWORTH AND COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, the food and dining options have expanded considerably over the past year or so as redevelopment and neighborhood investment have spread north from the U Street corridor and east from Adams Morgan.
The newest option for Petworth? Nigerian cuisine.
As blogger Prince of Petworth notes, an empty storefront on Shepherd Street NW near Georgia Avenue now boasts sign saying that Lagos Cafe is "Opening Soon." The prospect is exciting news to some commenters on the blog, but others aren't exactly keen on Nigerian cuisine, which includes dishes like amala (a form of ground-up yam), eba (a doughy yam-based dumpling) along with items you might find at other West African and Caribbean restaurants, like fried plantains and fufu (a porridge made from root vegetables, including, you guessed it, yams).
For the yam-phobic, Columbia Heights is just a short walk away. And its restaurant scene is sprouting more mainstream dining options, including the mainstreamiest of them all: Ruby Tuesday.
The franchise eatery, better known for dotting the suburban landscape, might inspire upturned noses among the city-eating set. But although Prince of Petworth generally prefers smaller ethnic nooks, the blogger says shunning Ruby Tuesday is a mistake:
I'm not saying I want blocks and blocks of chain restaurants but if I want to stuff my face with cheap tasty food and have a huge sundae for dessert I'm glad I have that option at Ruby Tuesday. Truth be known, I'd rather have an Olive Garden but I'll take what I can get.Others, however, might beg to differ. The fact that chains and larger enterprises — along with lots of luxury condos and rentals — have swooped in on Columbia Heights' 14th Street NW strip has led to what some say is an emerging inter-neighborhood food divide. One Prince of Petworth commenter sums it up this way:
The masses can go eat at a chain restaurant in Columbia Heights. For more unique food, let them come to Petworth.What do you think? Let us know in comments.
» "Care to Speculate has an Answer" [Prince of Petworth]
» "I’m Not Embarassed to Admit It" [Prince of Petworth]
Map image courtesy WMATA
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Addison Road
i'm all for the small places in petworth. domku, el limeno, and now lagos cafe (as well as sweet mango and a lot of other places). petworth is winning in my book.
By IMGoph , Posted November 7, 2007 11:44 AMOkay, this article and description is totally one-sided! Columbia Heights is not only what's happening on 14th street! 11th street is getting a crop of places, including Red Rocks and several El Salvadorian eateries. Also, 14th street has Rumbreroes, the Heights, an upcoming Mediterranean place, a forthcoming Julia's Empanadas.... not to mention El Districto Federal! And apparently there are several more restaurant zoned places coming on 11th and the new location of Warehouse. 1 new Nigerian place in Petworth does not an eating destination make. Nor does one Ruby Tuesday make a suburb. Both neighborhoods are getting more places to eat and providing options for residents, not creating some imaginary neighborhood food war. Sheesh.
By motorhomejesus , Posted November 7, 2007 5:44 PMIt's not really fare to only mention Ruby Tuesday: we've also got The Heights, El Rinconcito II, Red Rocks, Rhumbero, Wonderland, Sticky Fingers, Pollo Campero....
By rockcreekrambler , Posted November 7, 2007 7:46 PMCan we please also not forget the options on nearby Mount Pleasant Street. Just three blocks west of 14th St and Columbia Heights Metro. There's a diverse mix of establishments including Guatemalan, Peruvian, Salvadoran, Mexican, Korean and Chinese. All of these seem to be owned by "mom and pop" types and are all extremely friendly, accommodating and not to mention cheap! Some of my personal favorites are Marx Cafe and Haydee's. The only chains you'll find on Mount Pleasant Street are Bank of America and 7-11.
By MountPleasident , Posted November 8, 2007 2:14 PM