Connecticut Ave, NW in Chevy Chase, DC Needs Help!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Blue 44 is fine, but there needs to be more than one decent, or three if you count Macon and Jetties, options on the Avenue. A few more updated options would encourage more people to come out and increase foot traffic. Imagine if we had a few options similar to Little Red Fox, Bullfrog Bagels, Cava Mezze, Matchbox Pizza, Bread Furst, Guapos, Dolcezza, a good salad joint like Chop't or Sweetgreen, or burger joint like Good Stuff Eatery. Having better eateries would bring people out for breakfast, lunch, and dinner which would increase window shopping and ultimately better shopping options as well. The Avenue has a lot of valuable real-estate that is in desperate need of an overhaul. There is plenty of money in Chevy Chase to support better options, but right now no one wants to walk down Connecticut with limited and unattractive options like the greasy diner, dirty bagel shop, outdated Bread and Chocolate, and bad clothing and jewelry - not to mention the weeds and patchy sidewalks. It would be nice to see more updated shopping options as well like Periwinkle, Full of Beans, and Core 72. Better options equals more foot traffic which equals great revenue which increases popularity and home prices go up. A win win for all who work and live in Chevy Chase!

We know your age, now, and how recently you arrived. And Bullfrog bagels suck, no matter how handcrafted they may be. But they sure are artisanal !!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Connecticut Avenue in Chevy Chase, DC desperately needs some nice hip family friendly restaurants. Something that both parents and kids can enjoy. Something hip enough that parents aren't mortified to go to - with good food and drink for all. Maybe a nice updated and casual pizza place or similar. There are so many nights my family would love to grab a bite out close by or meet friends for Friday night dinner with kids. Comet is good, but it is always such a mob scene and not walkable from the circle. Seems like it is so popular a little competition might be good and needed up in Chevy Chase, DC. Seems like it would be a good idea for the old Chinese restaurant location - or get rid of the Bread and Chocolate next door and renovate that to be a cool family friendly restaurant - certainly has the large indoor and outdoor space to be focal point/flagship/cornerstone of the block.

Do you eat any of you go to Blue 44? Because it fits this description perfectly in my opinion.

I hate the decor of Blue 44. It's so dark and dingy. I would love a Pete's, Cactus Cantina, or Lebanese Taverna. I would also love it if the Diner underwent a major reno. That place smells like piss.

I have been to Blue 44 once despite living a short walk from it. Intellectually, I think I SHOULD love it. It is extremely well-executed food and the most talented chef in the village. It is also colossally boring food and ok decor. It reminds me of someone who got an A+ at the CIA and just decided to cook the CIA textbook for a living. It may objectively be the best restaurant in the village but I just have no desire to eat there.

What the hell is this "the Village" nonsense? The Village is in Maryland. Chevy Chase DC is in the District, no different legally than Farragut north or eckington. And blue 44 isn't even inside the boundaries of Chevy Chase DC (which isn't A Village in the first place). Stop being so pretentious.

-- a longtime ccdc resident

Huh?

[Anonymous]

Blame the ANC and the old folks who don't want anything changed ever! The buildings keep going up and they refuse to allow new stores so the same old crap goes without competition. Rattle the owners up a bit and you'll see some change.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Blame the ANC and the old folks who don't want anything changed ever! The buildings keep going up and they refuse to allow new stores so the same old crap goes without competition. Rattle the owners up a bit and you'll see some change.

I love blaming the ANC for stuff, I just wonder what the highest and best use actually is. Having followed Cleveland Park debates for years, that neighborhood just has a wildly unrealistic view of what they should expect from their strip.

Honestly, except for so so food and grass on the sidewalks, that section of street is fairly functional. It's a better strip than a lot of the wealthier residential areas in DC have.

[Anonymous]

I agree, it is a functional strip (with the library, independent movie theater, post office, UPS store, CVS, Safeway, Starbucks, nail salons, liquor stores, dry cleaners, etc) and much better than what most higher end neighborhoods have (like Kent, Spring Valley, and Wesley Heights). But that does not mean we should settle. Keep the utility, but improve the restaurant and shopping options. Think of what it could be with some historic renovations, a little elbow grease, some fresh paint, and updated options. Just saying it could be fantastic!

No one wants the strip bulldozed and an enormous development put in it's place, just some tasteful renovations, sprucing up, beatification, and new food and shopping options.

And no, I am not a Generation Y or Z. I am Generation X - right smack in the middle of life. I have heard that strip on Conn Ave referred to as the Avenue on many occasions and Blue 44 is squarely in CCDC. Just to address a few inaccurate statements from above.

[Anonymous]

Just did some investigating and it looks like Capital Crab is moving in to the old Chinese restaurant location. Looks like a nice addition to the neighborhood - family friendly, possible takeout or party ordering options, casual, hip (love their logo). Would be fabulous if this were the beginning and more new options came in!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Blame the ANC and the old folks who don't want anything changed ever! The buildings keep going up and they refuse to allow new stores so the same old crap goes without competition. Rattle the owners up a bit and you'll see some change.

I love blaming the ANC for stuff, I just wonder what the highest and best use actually is. Having followed Cleveland Park debates for years, that neighborhood just has a wildly unrealistic view of what they should expect from their strip.

Honestly, except for so so food and grass on the sidewalks, that section of street is fairly functional. It's a better strip than a lot of the wealthier residential areas in DC have.

You know what it needs? A gourmet prepared food joint like Wagshals.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Blue 44 is fine, but there needs to be more than one decent, or three if you count Macon and Jetties, options on the Avenue. A few more updated options would encourage more people to come out and increase foot traffic. Imagine if we had a few options similar to Little Red Fox, Bullfrog Bagels, Cava Mezze, Matchbox Pizza, Bread Furst, Guapos, Dolcezza, a good salad joint like Chop't or Sweetgreen, or burger joint like Good Stuff Eatery. Having better eateries would bring people out for breakfast, lunch, and dinner which would increase window shopping and ultimately better shopping options as well. The Avenue has a lot of valuable real-estate that is in desperate need of an overhaul. There is plenty of money in Chevy Chase to support better options, but right now no one wants to walk down Connecticut with limited and unattractive options like the greasy diner, dirty bagel shop, outdated Bread and Chocolate, and bad clothing and jewelry - not to mention the weeds and patchy sidewalks. It would be nice to see more updated shopping options as well like Periwinkle, Full of Beans, and Core 72. Better options equals more foot traffic which equals great revenue which increases popularity and home prices go up. A win win for all who work and live in Chevy Chase!

We know your age, now, and how recently you arrived. And Bullfrog bagels suck, no matter how handcrafted they may be. But they sure are artisanal !!

I agree that upper Conn Ave needs new restaurants, but please, no Chop't, Sweetgreen, Matchbox, etc etc etc.

[Anonymous]

Read pp posts, their not specific suggestions people - just sample ideas of types of eaters needed. Focus on the message and don't get stuck on the details. Chop't is probably not going to open a shop on Conn Avenue, but the idea of a salad place would be great. Open your mind and instead of nit picking someones sampling come up with some unique ideas yourself! Ugh!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Blame the ANC and the old folks who don't want anything changed ever! The buildings keep going up and they refuse to allow new stores so the same old crap goes without competition. Rattle the owners up a bit and you'll see some change.

I love blaming the ANC for stuff, I just wonder what the highest and best use actually is. Having followed Cleveland Park debates for years, that neighborhood just has a wildly unrealistic view of what they should expect from their strip.

Honestly, except for so so food and grass on the sidewalks, that section of street is fairly functional. It's a better strip than a lot of the wealthier residential areas in DC have.

You know what it needs? A gourmet prepared food joint like Wagshals.

To be honest, I like Macgruders better than Wagshals. Wagshals has a handful of things I'll pay their price on, but then it gouges so badly on basics. Like I'll get my head wrapped around how much they want for two ounces of premium goat cheese only to discover the Carr's water crackers cost more than a whole meal at a reasonably priced sandwich shop. I think a better outcome would be if Safeway upgraded their deli counter, which is utterly useless.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Read pp posts, their not specific suggestions people - just sample ideas of types of eaters needed. Focus on the message and don't get stuck on the details. Chop't is probably not going to open a shop on Conn Avenue, but the idea of a salad place would be great. Open your mind and instead of nit picking someones sampling come up with some unique ideas yourself! Ugh!

Fine, not that PP but let me rephrase: I don't want those restaurants or others of a similar nature and quality.

[Anonymous]

Can't you rich ppl just live in your expensive houses and stop bitching?

[Anonymous]

I drive that way every week and honestly don't see anything wrong with things, OP.

But then I'm European. A little run-down in an expensive part of town means respectable. Anything flashy and spiffy would be highly vulgar

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I drive that way every week and honestly don't see anything wrong with things, OP.

But then I'm European. A little run-down in an expensive part of town means respectable. Anything flashy and spiffy would be highly vulgar

"Flashy and spiffy" = Cathedral Commons, which everyone seems to hate.

[Anonymous]

Honestly I like that Cathedral Commons is a short drive away. I'm just NIMBY about it being walking distance.