Neighborhood Eats: Bobby’s Burger Palace Opens, New Belgium Arrives

• August 25th 2011

by Rebecca Cooper

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There’s food news aplenty to catch up on in Neighborhood Eats this week after a brief hiatus, covering everything from burgers to food trucks to New Belgium brews.

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Opened: About ten days ago, Bobby’s Burger Palace opened at 2121 K Street NW (map) to much fanfare, including an appearance from Bobby Flay himself. Burger options include the crunchburger (topped with double American cheese and potato chips), the Philadelphia (provolone, onions, peppers), and the Bobby blue -- there’s no lack of Bobby’s name on the menu, rest assured. The menu also offers sandwiches, fries, and milkshakes (spiked or non-spiked).

Hank’s Oyster Bar also opened its expanded space in Dupont Circle this month, adding 1,800 square feet to the existing oyster bar and restaurant. From the looks of these pics on Metrocurean, bar seating has been significantly expanded, as has table space, both of which are located in the adjacent storefront to Hank’s 1634 Q Street NW (map) location. The hours at Hank's have also been extended; the restaurant now closes at 2 a.m. on weekdays and 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.

In the realm of non-adjacent expansions, Ping Pong Dim Sum opened its second DC location at 1 Dupont Circle NW (map) on August 17. The restaurant largely follows the Chinatown location’s model in style and menu, but also offers outdoor seating for those looking to dine on their dumplings al fresco.

Opening...Eventually: A bit late to the fro-yo invasion party, New York-based cult favorite Tasti D-lite is bringing its frozen custard shops to DC -- many of them, if the franchisee’s plans for 25 shops in the metro area over the next decade come true. Although the first area store opened in Maryland in May, a DC location will open at 2029 P Street NW (map) this fall, followed soon after by a recently-announced Columbia Heights location at DC USA (map).

Opening Soon: DC’s nomadic soupstress, Soupergirl is opening up a brick-and-mortar store to augment her two-year-old soup delivery business, according to the Washington Business Journal. The spot at 314 Carroll Street NW in Takoma (map). The restaurant, which is expected to open Sept. 7, will have takeout soups, as well as self-service lunch and dinner that can be eaten in-house. The soup subscriptions won’t stop either -- Soupergirl Sara Polon is planning to cook the soups at the 1,500 square-foot location and continue the deliveries from there.

Closing: August also brought sad news for Cleveland Park's bar and restaurant scene. Ireland’s Four Fields will be closing after operating in the neighborhood for 35 years. Previously called the Four Provinces, the Irish bar and restaurant at 3412 Connecticut Avenue NW (map) is in the market for a new location after failing to reach an agreement on terms of a new lease with its landlord. It’s last day of operation will be Nov. 5.

New Arrival: Fort-Collins, Colo.-based New Belgium Brewery started distributing a few of its beers in the DC area earlier this week. The brewery is known for favorites like Fat Tire and Ranger IPA, which are now available in the city. New Belgium's distribution expansion east of the Mississippi River has been slow and carefully thought out as the brewery has very high standards for storage and quality assurance.

Events: If you’re willing to brave the elements from Hurricane Irene, head over to a slightly fancier, mini-Truckeroo at Das Bullpen outside Nats Stadium this week. Instead of a food truck free-for-all, the beer garden at 25 M Street SE (map) is hosting a beer dinner with Dogfish Head and Sierra Nevada breweries, as well as seven area food trucks. The $75 ticket may seem a little steep for a food truck event -- but that comes with seven courses (one from each truck), each paired with a different beer, giveaways, and 100 percent of the proceeds going to Living Classrooms.

For something a little (ok, a lot) less pricey but still beer-related, check out the launch of Port City Brewing Company’s first seasonal beer in Alexandria at the Oktoberfest launch party on Friday. This free tasting at the Alexandria brewery (map) could be your best chance to give it a try before the beer heads to restaurants and bars Sept. 1.

Rebecca Cooper is a freelance journalist and avid eater that has contributed to TBD, DCist, and Washingtonian. If you have any tips about restaurant or bars openings or closings, email Rebecca at coopscoop@gmail.com.

This article originally published at http://dc.urbanturf.production.logicbrush.com/articles/blog/neighborhood_eats_bobbys_burger_palace_goodbye_four_fields/4045.