Just a quick reminder that the January 2015 AMPBID Board meeting will be Tuesday January 13th at 5 pm at the Festival Center at 1640 Columbia Road, NW. Hope you can join us!
Also the new Ward 1 CM Brianne Nadeau has confirmed she will be joining us. Please bring your questions for her.
Board members: Please call or email Kristen at 202-997-0783 or
kbarden@adamsmorganonline.org
if you are unable to attend. Otherwise we will assume you are attending. Thanks.
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As we have done in previous years, the Clean Team will be collected discarded holiday trees placed at the curb or in tree boxes. They will drive through the neighborhood and the residential streets we normally clean on the weekends and collect trees. Please place your tree out for collection on Sunday evenings. Thanks.
We have collected more than 45 trees already and all of these will be mulched.
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3) More news on the new owners of the 18th and U Duplex Diner at 2004 18th Street, NW
New 18th & U Duplex Diner owners Jeff McCracken and Mark Hunker didn’t win the long popular Northwest D.C. bar and restaurant at a poker table, but that’s where their friendship and eventual hospitality business partnership originated.
“We first met at a poker game 17 years ago,” Hunker recounts, “and we immediately became fast friends.” They began hanging out, drove across the country, vacationed with friends in Key West and bought a Rehoboth beach house together.
They would later work together at a Washington-area IT firm specializing in government contracting. “We saw each other more often than we saw our partners,” jokes Hunker, a former presidential appointments director and OPM chief of staff during the Clinton administration.
The duo is now betting on utilizing nearly 10 years of shared Rehoboth restaurant ownership and operational experience, Hunker says, to “carry on the tradition of a community and neighborhood institution” in D.C. Hunker, who also lives in Adams Morgan with his now husband of four years, Jeff Shields Hunker, says both he and McCracken have been Duplex Diner customers “since the second or third day after it opened.”
In fact, the couple held their marriage ceremony there, later celebrating the union at the Rehoboth restaurants Eden and Jam Bistro that Hunker co-owns and operates with McCracken. A Rehoboth resident, Hunker married Shields in D.C. before same-sex nuptials became legal in Delaware.
McCracken, also a Rehoboth resident who has a D.C. home in the developing H Street, N.E., area, similarly splits his time between locales overseeing operations at both beach town establishments that he and Hunker oversee together. McCracken shares his life with Ron Niemann; the couple has been together for seven years.
A decade ago, McCracken and Hunker jumped at the opportunity to purchase Rehoboth restaurant Eden when the family owners decided to sell. A favorite dining spot for both, located on Baltimore Avenue near the beach, they relied on McCracken’s penchant for, and professional experience in, building rehabilitation and renovation redesign to transform the space and create a second level additionally booked for private and catered events.
It wasn’t long afterwards, in 2010, that they opened the more casual and café-style Jam Bistro, adjacent to Eden. Eden is distinguished by a warmly inviting and romantic ambience, as well as featuring extensive wine offerings and noteworthy fine-dining fare. Both businesses have become popular and well-respected Rehoboth dining destinations.
Duplex Diner devotees needn’t worry about drastic alterations at the hotspot straddling Dupont Circle and Adams Morgan at the intersection of namesake 18th and U streets at Florida Avenue. Opened by original owner Eric Hirshfield in 1998 and subsequently purchased by former manager Kevin Lee in 2011, it has remained popular, with Thursday nights a longstanding gay party tradition.
“When we were approached about buying, we couldn’t imagine it being sold to someone who hadn’t ‘lived it’ and ‘loved it’ as much as we have,” Hunker says.
“We bought Duplex Diner because it is a successful business,” says McCracken. “We prefer the word ‘evolve’ in describing our contribution,” Hunker is quick to point out, “rather than sudden change. Expect our influence in adding an expanded range of wines to the menu, and a more consistent service approach in the dining room.”
“We focus on strategic management and the customer experience,” Hunker explains, “We entered this business as diners.”
Duplex Diner has a “neighborhood feel,” notes McCracken, as Hunker adds, “with a welcoming staff and a diverse crowd. We love being part of a place that is a part of our lives.”
Information about the trio of venues is available online:
DuplexDiner.com
,
EdenRestaurant.com
and
JamBistro.com
.
- See more at: http://www.washingtonblade.com/2015/01/08/meet-duplex-diners-new-owners/#sthash.moLMwyCI.dpuf
New 18th & U Duplex Diner owners Jeff McCracken and Mark Hunker didn’t win the long popular Northwest D.C. bar and restaurant at a poker table, but that’s where their friendship and eventual hospitality business partnership originated.
“We first met at a poker game 17 years ago,” Hunker recounts, “and we immediately became fast friends.” They began hanging out, drove across the country, vacationed with friends in Key West and bought a Rehoboth beach house together.
They would later work together at a Washington-area IT firm specializing in government contracting. “We saw each other more often than we saw our partners,” jokes Hunker, a former presidential appointments director and OPM chief of staff during the Clinton administration.
The duo is now betting on utilizing nearly 10 years of shared Rehoboth restaurant ownership and operational experience, Hunker says, to “carry on the tradition of a community and neighborhood institution” in D.C. Hunker, who also lives in Adams Morgan with his now husband of four years, Jeff Shields Hunker, says both he and McCracken have been Duplex Diner customers “since the second or third day after it opened.”
In fact, the couple held their marriage ceremony there, later celebrating the union at the Rehoboth restaurants Eden and Jam Bistro that Hunker co-owns and operates with McCracken. A Rehoboth resident, Hunker married Shields in D.C. before same-sex nuptials became legal in Delaware.
McCracken, also a Rehoboth resident who has a D.C. home in the developing H Street, N.E., area, similarly splits his time between locales overseeing operations at both beach town establishments that he and Hunker oversee together. McCracken shares his life with Ron Niemann; the couple has been together for seven years.
A decade ago, McCracken and Hunker jumped at the opportunity to purchase Rehoboth restaurant Eden when the family owners decided to sell. A favorite dining spot for both, located on Baltimore Avenue near the beach, they relied on McCracken’s penchant for, and professional experience in, building rehabilitation and renovation redesign to transform the space and create a second level additionally booked for private and catered events.
It wasn’t long afterwards, in 2010, that they opened the more casual and café-style Jam Bistro, adjacent to Eden. Eden is distinguished by a warmly inviting and romantic ambience, as well as featuring extensive wine offerings and noteworthy fine-dining fare. Both businesses have become popular and well-respected Rehoboth dining destinations.
Duplex Diner devotees needn’t worry about drastic alterations at the hotspot straddling Dupont Circle and Adams Morgan at the intersection of namesake 18th and U streets at Florida Avenue. Opened by original owner Eric Hirshfield in 1998 and subsequently purchased by former manager Kevin Lee in 2011, it has remained popular, with Thursday nights a longstanding gay party tradition.
“When we were approached about buying, we couldn’t imagine it being sold to someone who hadn’t ‘lived it’ and ‘loved it’ as much as we have,” Hunker says.
“We bought Duplex Diner because it is a successful business,” says McCracken. “We prefer the word ‘evolve’ in describing our contribution,” Hunker is quick to point out, “rather than sudden change. Expect our influence in adding an expanded range of wines to the menu, and a more consistent service approach in the dining room.”
“We focus on strategic management and the customer experience,” Hunker explains, “We entered this business as diners.”
Duplex Diner has a “neighborhood feel,” notes McCracken, as Hunker adds, “with a welcoming staff and a diverse crowd. We love being part of a place that is a part of our lives.”
Information about the trio of venues is available online:
DuplexDiner.com
,
EdenRestaurant.com
and
JamBistro.com
.
- See more at: http://www.washingtonblade.com/2015/01/08/meet-duplex-diners-new-owners/#sthash.moLMwyCI.dpuf
For the full article see:
http://www.washingtonblade.com/2015/01/08/meet-duplex-diners-new-owners/
Exerpts from the Washington Blade, Mark Lee story below. Congratulations to the new owners!
New 18th & U Duplex Diner owners Jeff McCracken and Mark Hunker didn’t win the long popular Northwest D.C. bar and restaurant at a poker table, but that’s where their friendship and eventual hospitality business partnership originated.
“We first met at a poker game 17 years ago,” Hunker recounts, “and we immediately became fast friends.” They began hanging out, drove across the country, vacationed with friends in Key West and bought a Rehoboth beach house together.
They would later work together at a Washington-area IT firm specializing in government contracting. “We saw each other more often than we saw our partners,” jokes Hunker, a former presidential appointments director and OPM chief of staff during the Clinton administration.
The duo is now betting on utilizing nearly 10 years of shared Rehoboth restaurant ownership and operational experience, Hunker says, to “carry on the tradition of a community and neighborhood institution” in D.C. Hunker, who also lives in Adams Morgan with his now husband of four years, Jeff Shields Hunker, says both he and McCracken have been Duplex Diner customers “since the second or third day after it opened.”
Duplex Diner devotees needn’t worry about drastic alterations at the hotspot straddling Dupont Circle and Adams Morgan at the intersection of namesake 18th and U streets at Florida Avenue. Opened by original owner Eric Hirshfield in 1998 and subsequently purchased by former manager Kevin Lee in 2011, it has remained popular, with Thursday nights a longstanding gay party tradition.
“When we were approached about buying, we couldn’t imagine it being sold to someone who hadn’t ‘lived it’ and ‘loved it’ as much as we have,” Hunker says.
“We bought Duplex Diner because it is a successful business,” says McCracken. “We prefer the word ‘evolve’ in describing our contribution,” Hunker is quick to point out, “rather than sudden change. Expect our influence in adding an expanded range of wines to the menu, and a more consistent service approach in the dining room.”
“We focus on strategic management and the customer experience,” Hunker explains, “We entered this business as diners.”
Duplex Diner has a “neighborhood feel,” notes McCracken, as Hunker adds, “with a welcoming staff and a diverse crowd. We love being part of a place that is a part of our lives.”
Information about Duplex Diner is available at
DuplexDiner.com
New 18th & U Duplex Diner owners Jeff McCracken and Mark Hunker didn’t win the long popular Northwest D.C. bar and restaurant at a poker table, but that’s where their friendship and eventual hospitality business partnership originated.
“We first met at a poker game 17 years ago,” Hunker recounts, “and we immediately became fast friends.” They began hanging out, drove across the country, vacationed with friends in Key West and bought a Rehoboth beach house together.
They would later work together at a Washington-area IT firm specializing in government contracting. “We saw each other more often than we saw our partners,” jokes Hunker, a former presidential appointments director and OPM chief of staff during the Clinton administration.
The duo is now betting on utilizing nearly 10 years of shared Rehoboth restaurant ownership and operational experience, Hunker says, to “carry on the tradition of a community and neighborhood institution” in D.C. Hunker, who also lives in Adams Morgan with his now husband of four years, Jeff Shields Hunker, says both he and McCracken have been Duplex Diner customers “since the second or third day after it opened.”
In fact, the couple held their marriage ceremony there, later celebrating the union at the Rehoboth restaurants Eden and Jam Bistro that Hunker co-owns and operates with McCracken. A Rehoboth resident, Hunker married Shields in D.C. before same-sex nuptials became legal in Delaware.
McCracken, also a Rehoboth resident who has a D.C. home in the developing H Street, N.E., area, similarly splits his time between locales overseeing operations at both beach town establishments that he and Hunker oversee together. McCracken shares his life with Ron Niemann; the couple has been together for seven years.
- See more at: http://www.washingtonblade.com/2015/01/08/meet-duplex-diners-new-owners/#sthash.moLMwyCI.dpuf
4) Note from Angie at Beauty Tu You Salon - formerly at 2412 18th Street, NW
As of January 2015, Angie is now at Phoenix Suites Salons (Rhode Island Row) at 2350 Washington Place, NE. #103, Washington, DC 20018. In February 2015 she will be merging her business with Joy's Spa at 2471 18th Street, NW. Her phone numbers remain the same: 202-841-1628 and 202-232-4494 for appointments. She hopes to see all of her regular customers soon and sends her warmest regards.
5) Tryst to now offer Bullfrog Bagels
(Editor's note: This news made my day!)
Tryst (along with their other restaurants) will be offering Bullfrog Bagels on all their menus beginning Monday the 12th
Five stores in the Tryst restaurant group, are proud to announce they will be offering Bullfrog Bagels on their menus beginning this Monday, January 12th, 2015. These restaurants, each located in a different neighborhood of NW DC—Adams Morgan, Woodley Park, Columbia Heights, Dupont Circle, and Cathedral Heights—are excited to offer their communities these delicious, local, hand-made bagels.
After Tryst Coffeehouse hosted a very successful Bullfrog Bagel Takeover back in November, they have been working hard to get these bagels permanently on their menus. All the restaurants in the Tryst restaurant group are neighborhood gathering places for their immediate community and city as a whole. They each offer delicious specialty coffee and beverages as well as a variety of food options. Each of these locations have always sold assorted bagels throughout the day topped with delicious spreads, but beginning on Monday the 12th, all of their bagels will be replaced by local, hand-rolled, boiled and baked artisan bagels from Bullfrog Bagels in DC’s Atlas District.
Bullfrog Bagels, located at 1341 H Street, NE, opened its doors just three and a half months ago, after a series of successful pop-ups around the city this past summer. Establishing themselves as city favorites from day one, an opinion solidified by the Washington Post Express naming them their favorite DC bagel this September, they’ve been challenged to keep their freshly baked bagels on the shelves. While many fans liken Bullfrog’s bagels to classic NYC-style (of which DC’s infamously had something of a dearth), the man behind the secret signature recipe, Bullfrog Founder and Baker, Jeremiah Cohen, takes tremendous Stars and Bars pride in the fact that like himself, Bullfrog Bagels are born and bred Washingtonians made with DC water and raised with local wild yeast.
The Tryst group, too, is very excited to have the opportunity to sell Bullfrog Bagels on an ongoing basis. “These bagels are delicious, and we want to be able to share them with all of our loyal customers. Spreading the Bullfrog name is a perfect opportunity to sell a great product while also teaming up with a fellow local business,” says Rob Theriot, Executive Chef for the Tryst restaurant group.
The Tryst group will be offering assorted Bullfrog Bagels for purchase in store as well as individually or by the baker’s dozen to bring home. Given Bullfrog’s wrap-around-the-block-for-bagels track record, we recommend that customers get their bagels early each day before supplies run out!
Tryst Coffeehouse, Bar & Lounge, 2459 18th St NW 202-232-8800,
www.TrystDC.com
