Neighborhood Eats: Eataly? Can It Be?

• July 7th 2011

by Rebecca Cooper

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The news that Mario Batali and Co. are planning to bring their Eataly concept to DC had the city restaurant scene buzzing this week, as foodies dreamt of salumi and fresh pasta. The DC location of the gourmet market-bar-restaurant combo would be at least as large as the 40,000 square-foot location in New York City, and include the imported products and beer garden that the New York location is known for. No word yet on where Eataly DC would be located, but we’re thinking somewhere downtown or perhaps the long-empty space at 14th and Q St. NW (probably not near enough square footage, though).

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In other food news this week...

Closing: Wine retailer Best Cellars will be closing its Clarendon Boulevard store in Arlington on July 16, a little more than a year after the owners closed their Dupont Circle location. All wines are currently 25 percent off, and beers are discounted by 20 percent. Employees at the store won’t say much about why the store is closing or what may take over the highly visible retail space on a strip that includes a Red Mango frozen yogurt shop and a Crumbs cupcake location.

Opening: Sweetgreen is opening its 10th DC location at The Avenue in Foggy Bottom on Friday. The fast-casual salad and yogurt shop will give away a free salad to the first 200 customers on its opening day. Sweetgreen is the first of several restaurants expected to open this summer in the massive development at 2200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, which also include another Circa location, Mediterranean small plates at Roti, and DC Commons/Burger, Tap & Shake.

Opening...eventually: Just when it seemed like there wasn’t room for another pizza concept, Prince of Petworth reports that the folks behind Marvin are looking to open Satellite Pizza at 2047 9th St. NW, behind the 9:30 Club. The space is expected to have seating for nearly 150 patrons, with a third of those seats in a summer garden.

Opened: In the cool and refreshing department, Pitango Gelato has opened on Capitol Hill, at 660 Pennsylvania Ave. SE. - the local chain’s fifth location. The shop, which features organic, house-made gelato and sorbet, is sandwiched between Seventh Hill Pizza and Peregrine Espresso, creating what owners are calling an “Italian Trifecta” just down the block from Eastern Market.

A few blocks away, another site for sweet treats -- 32 Below -- opened just in time for summer. Located at 703 8th St. SE is sure to please those fans of the “serve yourself” yogurt concept i.e. the pay-by-weight, self-serve method of yogurt that has become popular in the DC area recently.

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Events: We know that some dudes might shy away from an event called Bitches Summer Brunch but regardless of gender, this weekend’s brunch-cocktail party-fashion show-fundraiser seems too fun to pass up. The bloggers behind the Bitches Who Brunch blog are throwing the $45 per ticket bash on Saturday, July 9 from noon to 3 p.m. at Ris in the West End, with a portion of the proceeds going to benefit the DC Farm to School Network.

For a slightly more low-key daytime event this weekend, check out Local 16’s pig roast this Sunday as part of “Eat Local First Week.” For $15, you get Berkshire pork and local vegetables sourced from farms in Virginia, and two drinks to help you ease into Monday.

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_eataly_can_it_be/3767.