Ruta launched on Tuesday evening with an unannounced opening.
Here’s the view early evening on Tuesday, shortly after the restaurant opened.
Your host, Ruslan Falkov, Director of Operations, wears his country’s colors on his wrist.
Capitol Hill’s Ruta Ukrainian Restaurant Is Open
by Larry Janezich
Posted April 25, 2023
Ruta restaurant at 327 7th Street, SE, near Eastern Market opened Tuesday night – Washington’s first full service Ukrainian restaurant. Dinner is served six days a week plus brunch on the weekends.
Dima Martseniuk, formerly an executive chef in NYC’s East Greenwich Ukrainian restaurant Veselka for more than 12 years will head up the kitchen. As you might expect, the menu includes the Ukrainian Borscht (beef or vegetarian), pierogi, potato pancakes, stuffed cabbage and Beef Stroganoff. Many of the menu items are gluten free including seldom-served buckwheat. See the complete menu below.
The name comes for a Carpathian legend that tells of the “Red Ruta” – a yellow flower that turns a flaming red for a few minutes on the night of the summer solstice. The legend says that the lucky one who finds the flower and plucks it during those few minutes will find true love.
The space was formerly occupied by the short-lived Newland and before that, the long-time neighborhood favorite Montmartre.
Comments Off on Capitol Hill’s Ruta Ukrainian Restaurant Is Open
ABRA’s orange Liquor License placards announce the future location of I Egg You on Barracks Row – brought to you by the creative team behind Chiko. The Liqour License Application comes up before ANC6’s ABC Committee next Tuesday.
I Egg You – from Chiko – Will Open on Barracks Row
by Larry Janezich
Posted April 25, 2023
I Egg You is opening soon in the Barracks Row space at 417 8th Street, formerly occupied by Mekki Moroccan Restaurant and before that, by Las Placitas. The new concept is an all-day breakfast sandwich place which will serve designer brunch cocktails.
I Egg You is the creation of Danny Lee and Scott Drewno – the Fried Rice Collective – that founded the widely acclaimed three Chinese/Korean Chiko restaurants at 428 8th, SE, and on P Street, NW, as well as on Bethesda Row. They are also behind Anju, the Korean restaurant on 18th Street, NW.
I Egg You breakfast sandwiches have been served out of the Chiko Barracks Row outlet, but the owners decided that the demand justified opening a new location devoted to breakfast food.
Capitol Hill Artist and Photographer Elizabeth Eby – R.I.P.
by Larry Janezich
Elizabeth Eby, long time Capitol Hill resident, artist, photographer, gardener, and Capitol Hill Corner contributor died on April 20, from injuries suffered in a fall 12 days earlier. Her daughter, Carolyn, posted on Face Book:
“On Thursday, April 20th, we said goodbye to my mother, Elizabeth Eby. She touched so many souls with her fun, funky personality, always shaking things up and making you look at them a different way. She shared her passion for gardening, cooking, and art and so much more with me or anyone who was interested. She will be sorely missed.”
Her longtime friend and partner Ben Richter, posted that day: “Elizabeth Eby, my dearest friend, life partner and constant companion for the past twenty years, passed away this afternoon due to injuries and complications from a fall twelve days ago. I am inconsolable.”
In November of 2012, CHC featured Elizabeth’s glass work in the first post of a new series called “Piece of the Story” featuring the work of local artists. Her work also appeared in CHC posts on art exhibits held by the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop, the Capitol Hill Art League, and The Hill Center. Here’s a link to the first Piece of the Story Post: https://bit.ly/3AmIltQ
In March of 2022, CHC asked Elizabeth to write a column on items that interested her and she suggested an occasional post for a series called “Out and About.” She posted and wrote about art, flowers, gardens, and “vignettes” she observed while walking on Capitol Hill. One of her most popular posts was on the “Acme Mood Indicator” guerrilla art piece on Independence Avenue, SE. Here’s a link: https://bit.ly/3wAgvtD
Elizabeth contributed to the richness and depth of the Capitol Hill community. She had many friends and colleagues in the Capitol Hill Art Community and was a presence in the lives of many who were better for it. Rest in Peace, Elizabeth.
About a week ago, Barracks Row Nooshi morphed into Akeno. Akeno means “sunrise.”
The back story, according to Akeno staff, is that the owners of Nooshi had difficulty finding staff for their Barracks Row outlet and decided to consolidate their efforts at their second Nooshi location at 1120 19th Street, NW, in Dupont Circle. They offered to lease their Barracks Row space to Akeno located in Alexandria.
Here’s a shot of their roof deck overlooking Barracks Row. And here’s a link to their menu: https://www.akenosushibar.com/
Sunday afternoon featured a book sale on Eastern Market Metro Plaza. Turning The Page is a philanthropic non-profit organization based in Washington, DC and Chicago, dedicated to improving the education of public school students. Part of their fund raising activities includes the sale of used books, CDs, DVDs, & Vinyl. The organization holds several book outdoor book sales every week in different locations around the city. Staff says a crew of three or so volunteers set up the sales, transporting boxes of books to the site in rented U-Hauls. Sometimes it takes two hours or more to set up. For more, go here: https://turningthepage.org/
The meeting featured a representative from City Council Chair Phil Mendelson’s office who said that the Chairman would take his lead on supporting interim services from CM Charles Allen. DCPL is resisting a large expenditure of funds to rent space for an interim facility but might be more flexible with respect to funding interim services in a city-owned facility. So far, the likeliest candidate for space appears to be the Arthur Capper Recreational Center at 1000 5th Street, SE. Some ANC6B Commissioners say the rec center would be more accessible for members of the community than the alternative DCPL is suggesting, i.e., using NE Library. Mendelson’s office will continue to explore possibilities with CM Allen’s Office and DCPL. The Taskforce will meet again on Sunday, May 7th.
Digital Art Installation at K Street NOMA Underpass is operational. Artist My Ly’s concept speaks to the multimodal community of pedestrians, cyclists, cars and trains the location represents. Ly created an animated layering of colors and shapes depicting vehicular, bicycle, pedestrian and train movement as a matrix – projected art that captures the movement through the site. The installation employs 12 laser projectors and plays out in a loop-able state which runs over several minutes and repeats. The light and shapes appear to be moving with the traffic to avoid being distracting. The apparent motion is timed to travel in 30 to 35 seconds what a car would take 14 seconds in real time. This is to discourage drivers from racing with the light.
The Week Ahead…& Some Photos from the Past Week
by Larry Janezich
Posted April 23, 2023
Tuesday, April 25
ANC6A Alcohol Beverage Licensing Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
Discussion of application by Gallery O on H at 1354 H Street, NE, for renewal of its Class C Multipurpose License.
Discussion of request by Kitchen Cray at 1301 H Street, NE, for a stipulated license while its application for a substantial change to its license is pending.
ANC 6B Executive Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
The Executive Committee will meet to set the agenda for ANC6B’s May meeting.
The full ANC6B Commission will next hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm on Tuesday, May 9.
Wednesday, April 26
The Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee will hold an in person as well and a virtual meeting at 7:00pm in the North Hall of Eastern Market. at 700 Pennsylvania Ave SE at the Yards Meeting Room on 2nd Floor.Please arrive before 7:00pm to assure access. Important as all will be buzzed into building and elevator. If you have entry problems, please text 202-258-5316
Free Earth Day Concert at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. The 21st Century Consort returns with “Music for Earth Day” on April 29th. A pre-concert discussion will take place with the performers at 4:00pm in Baxter Hall and the concert will begin at 5 pm. St. Mark’s is at 301 A Street, SE.
Comments Off on The Week Ahead…& Some Photos from the Past Week
ANC6B SE Library Task Force Meets Sunday, April 23, at 1:00pm.
The Task Force, chaired by 6B Commissioner David Sobelsohn, will hold an in-person meeting at SE Library, lower level, at 1:00pm.
Among items on the agenda:
Briefing on the prospects for funding interim SE Library services during the upcoming renovation. Bijan Verlin, staff, DC Council chair Phil Mendelson.
Discussion of the impact of renovation on neighboring residents
Discussion of the recent budget hearings of the DC Council’s Library Committee.
Next steps
Comments Off on ANC6B SE Library Task Force Meets Sunday, April 23, at 1:00pm.
Hosted by the Capitol Hill Jazz Foundation and Barracks Row Main Street, in partnership with: the Department of Parks and Recreation and the Office of Councilmember Charles Allen.
Comments Off on April 21 Friday Night Live Jazz at Eastern Market Metro – 5pm – 6:30pm
The Week Ahead…& Photo Essay on Lead Pipe Replacement
By Larry Janezich
Posted April 16, 2023
Photo Essay on Lead Pipe Replacement
DC Water is in the process of replacing the city’s lead pipe infrastructure by 2030. As work proceeds throughout the city, when DC Water shows up and initiates the replacement the cost on both the public side (to the property line) and the private side (to the point of entry) is paid for by the city. For most Capitol Hill residences, the front yards are public (though maintained by the residents) and usually extends to the front of the house point of entry. For some homes, the point of entry is on private property, for example, under the house.
For those who do not want to wait for DC Water to get to them and want their lead pipes replaced now, the city offers two programs.
Private side only replacement when the public side (to the property line) is already non-lead. The replacement program uses city funds to provide a free or discounted replacement for lead pipes on the homeowner’s property. All property owners in this category receive a 50% discount. Some residents will qualify for 100% coverage depending on household size and income.
Voluntary full lead pipe replacements. If both the public and private side are lead, customers can enroll in the Voluntary Replacement Program. DC will pay for all work in the public space and the owner pays for work on private property.
Here’s a photo essay on the process when DC Water initiates the process and replaces lead pipes to the property line AND to the point of entry on the private side:
Digging a trench from the street to the house is unnecessary. Most replacements start with a hole or two in the sidewalk or yard and one at the public side entry point next to the house. (The contractor restores the surface to the original condition.)
DC Water has a supervisor (at right) on site to oversee the contractor’s work.
This is the “Mole” – the compressed air-powered digging device that is guided by hand along the existing lead pipe between holes. A rope is attached to the Mole when it is withdrawn, which is then used to pull the copper pipe to the point of entry.
The replacement copper pipe.
The new copper pipe after installation – the lead pipe it replaces is left in place.
If the point of entry is on the public side – in this case under the house – the replacement is more complicated. One of the contractor signals “We got this.” The owner’s dog inspects the work. The contractor restores the work area to it’s original condition. On this block 3 houses out of 20 had lead pipes in the private side.
The Week Ahead…
Monday, April 17
DC Emancipation Day Holiday. No trash or recycling pickup.
Racial Equity Tool. Discussion of the revised DC Zoning Commission Racial Equity Tool, and how it will be used on zoning projects within ANC 6A.
721 H Street, NE. Zoning Application. Proposed map amendment to rezone the property from NC-16 to NC-17.
1371-1375 H Street, NE: Informational presentation on a residential development concept for the address range 1371-1375 H Street, NE.
424 10th Street, NE: Zoning Adjustment Application. Request for a Special Exception to construct a two-story rear addition, to an existing, attached, two-story with cellar, principal dwelling unit.
1112 8th Street, NE: Zoning Adjustment Application. Request for a Special Exception from the building height requirements to construct a third story addition to an existing, attached, two-story with cellar, flat.
Comments Off on The Week Ahead…& Photo Essay on Lead Pipe Replacement
Mayor Bowser joined ANC7D virtually on Tuesday night from Skyland Town Center in Ward 7
ANC 7D’s April Meeting Featured Mayor Bowser
by Hilary Russell
Posted April 13, 2023
DC mayors have rarely graced ANC meetings. The ability to dial in facilitated Mayor Bowser’s attendance at 7D’s April 11 meeting, where she outlined her almost $20-billion budget proposal now before Council and answered myriad questions. Her participation may reflect the fact that 7D is a large, new ANC within Councilmember Vincent Grey’s purview, extending from 15th Street on the Hill to the Maryland border and encompassing Reservation 13 and the RFK campus.
A later presentation at this meeting by architects of Phase II of the Hill East Redevelopment Plan for Reservation 13 underlined 7D’s important role with respect to Mayor Bowser’s goal of attracting thousands of new residents and visitors to the city, given that plans includes a Marriott hotel, about 2000 housing units, 60,000 square feet of retail space, and a one-acre central park and playground that will memorialize, respectively, Robert F. Kennedy and Relisha Rudd. For a timeline and more details on the development of Reservation 13 Phase II see CHC’s December 2022 report here: https://bit.ly/3HRNIX3
The Mayor stated that her budget proposal reflects reductions in city revenues and “cost growth,” but no additional taxes. She highlighted investments in schools, childcare, infrastructure, and broadband improvements and maintained that her proposed budget fully funds the Police Chief’s request for 4,000 officers and “the whole spectrum” of violence prevention.
Closer to home, she noted that her budget supports another full-service grocery store at the Capitol Gateway at the intersection of East Capitol and 58th Streets, and the streetcar extension along Benning Road. She acknowledged “tough decisions” on transportation with respect to Circulator buses but didn’t add that the Eastern Market – L’Enfant Plaza route is one of three eliminated by her proposal. And she didn’t reference the prospects for free Metro bus service.
Commissioners posed a raft of questions on community issues, most of which centered on public safety and transportation. They itemized incidents and complaints, including high-profile shootings and carjackings in specific locations; dangerous intersections (e.g., at East Capitol and 16th); illegally parked and fraudulently licensed vehicles; and a need for more integration between violence interrupters and the “safe-passage” workers attached to schools.
She did not address a question on plans for the RFK stadium and the level of community engagement in this process, though noted later the key role of Events DC and its priorities and promised to meet with a community member enthused about adding a skate park to the campus.
Mayor Bowser was back on the Hill the next morning (Wednesday the 12th), outlining her budget proposal and the goal of increasing DC’s downtown residents and tourists for a gathering in Union Station’s great hall that kicked off Jazz in Bloom, a series of concerts at the station organized by DC’s Office of Cable TV Film Music and Entertainment. Concert dates announced so far are Wednesday, April 26 and Thursday, April 27. Watch this space for more information.
Comments Off on ANC 7D’s April Meeting Featured Mayor Bowser
Friday Night Live – Jazz at Eastern Market Metro – April 14 – 5pm – 6:30pm
This Friday Night Live features award winning saxophonist Trey Daniels: soloist, composer and bandleader performing in the genres of jazz, funk, R&B and Hip Hop. For more info, go here: https://treydanielsmusic.com
Comments Off on April 14 Friday Night Live – Jazz at Eastern Market Metro – 5pm – 6:30pm
CM Charles Allen visits ANC6B’s April meeting Tuesday night.
CM Allen on MPD Vehicle Pursuit Policy, Traffic Enforcement, & SE Library
by Larry Janezich
Posted April 13, 2023
CM Charles Allen continued his spring visits to Ward 6 ANCs Tuesday night, briefing the ANC6B on the Mayor’s Budget, now under consideration by the Council, and discussing his priorities as Chair of the Council’s Transportation and Environment Committee. That part of the presentation mirrored his remarks before ANC6A last month as reported on Capitol Hill Corner, here: https://bit.ly/3FjTOgN
During the Q&A Allen responded to specific questions from Commissioners on issues concerning residents of ANC6B.
On restrictions on MPD vehicular pursuit: Commissioner Chander Jayaraman asked Allen about the widely distributed Twitter video of a carjacking of a jeep near the Ballpark on March 29, as several MPD officers and a squad car on site were unable to stop the theft and who failed to pursue. Jayaraman suggested the failure to pursue was due to the Law Enforcement Vehicular Pursuit Reform Act of 2021 and wondered if there was any thought being given to providing more support so officers can actually do their jobs.
Allen replied that he thought Jayaraman was referring to a bill that had been introduced, not one that the Council had passed. He said that “nothing the City Council has passed prohibits MPD from being able to do a vehicle chase if they believe there’s a crime taking place. MPD has its own internal policy around chases.” Allen said, “I have heard many times where somebody says the council voted to tell somebody to do that or the council has tied their hands. That’s not true – it doesn’t mean people don’t say it though.”
Jayaraman said that it would be appropriate, then, “for the ANC6B Public Safety Task Force to ask what MPD’s policy is, and what happened there.”
On traffic enforcement. Commissioner Matt La Fortune asked Allen for an update, following CM Henderson’s presentation to the 6B Transportation on this subject last week and her skepticism about moving a bill to toughen traffic enforcement.
Allen said that he and Henderson along with CM Cheh were frustrated last year in their efforts to address this issue when they tried to move an amendment providing for loss of license for individuals with numerous serious traffic violations. Allen said, “We were unsuccessful…and lost the vote significantly.” His plan, he said, is to hold a hearing later this spring with no preconceived answers to help build a stronger coalition which he says he thinks will be more successful than the approach taken last year.
Allen added that the Mayor’s Budget would repeal the law which directs revenue from fines from automated traffic enforcement cameras to go back into traffic safety. Instead, those funds would be used to balance the budget. He says residents are unhappy with traffic cameras and it’s harder to justify cameras to them if the funds don’t go to traffic safety. Allen says that will be difficult to undo but he is looking at ideas to claw back funds to be used for safer streets.
In a follow up on the subject from Commissioner Frank Avery, Allen said that on Monday, DOT revealed their plan to double the number of automated traffic cameras by the end of summer. In addition, the 136 cameras currently operating will be replaced with new technology. Allen is trying to work with the CFO and DOT to figure out how incoming revenue can be redirected toward safety efforts.
(Later in the meeting the ANC unanimously agreed to a Resolution which, among other items, urged the city to make the primary goal of traffic enforcement prevention of dangerous driving, rather than raising revenue; tying non-financial penalties to traffic violations; negotiate with VA and MD on reciprocity agreements to hold non-safe drivers accountable; and to take proactive measures against drivers with the most significant traffic violations.)
On interim services for SE Library: Commissioner Sobelsohn referenced the SE Library Task Force reps meeting with Allen on April 21st and announced that four ANC6B Commissioners, along with Commissioners from Ward 8 and possibly Ward 7, plus a representative from Capitol Hill Village would testify in support of funding for interim services before the Budget Committee meeting this Thursday. In response Allen suggested that clearly laying out the communities’ priorities for interim services and defining what the needs are would be the most effective and persuasive line of testimony.
(Later in the meeting, the Commission unanimously approved sending a letter to all members of the city council urging their assistance for interim services for the SE Library.)
DC Circulator: In other business, the Commission unanimously agreed to send a letter to the City Council stressing the importance of the service provided by the DC Circulator Route from Eastern Market Metro to L’Enfant Plaza. The Mayor’s Budget would terminate the route and the letter urged urges the Council to keep it.
Comments Off on CM Allen on MPD Vehicle Pursuit Policy, Traffic Enforcement, & SE Library
CAPITOL HILL CORNER 