Another Run-in with the Law

Some of my more bulldogged readers may recall when I reported several months ago about Good Stuff Eatery's run-in with the local health inspector. The Top Chef was let off with a warning that time, but sources tell me this weekend Good Stuff Eatery had another somewhat serious incident. Various reports indicate that the restaurant had too many seats and stools when the code inspector came by on the evening of 23 April. A scuffle ensued as employees attempted to lock the door and remove the offending seats. Police quickly arrived on the scene, but not before one bystander left saying, "I just grabbed my burger and got out of there." As employees rushed to block photographs of the code violations, they were cut short by the authorities. Thus preventing what could have been a DC Gov't versus Top Chef battle royale. No word yet on whether the District government will follow up on this infraction, or if Chef Spike has managed to evade the negative repercussions of his popularity. This foodie managed to get a shake tonight, and nothing seemed amiss. So, here's hoping the Good Stuff establishment will start its second year in the neighborhood with a cleaner slate.

Good Stuff Eatery "Embroiled" in Meatastrophe

Local news reports noted that D.C. health inspectors have been snooping around the newly opened Good Stuff Eatery. Among the problems, as reported by WTOP:
Hand washing facilities were not accessible to employees
Food contact surfaces (cutting boards) were not properly sanitized
Food was not segregated, separated and protected
And, most damning from a public relations perspective, though perhaps least worrisome, at least according to the restaurant's management:
Beef stored in alley
The crew at GSE claims this was because the meat had just been offloaded from trucks and was in vaccuum-sealed containers before being moved into the refrigeration unit... conveniently located in the same back alley.

However, WTOP goes into further detail of the health inspector's report. Other items found in the alley included potatos and bread. So, have reports of unsanitary conditions been the result of NIMBY conflicts? Or, are dirtier things afoot? One thing is clear. Rather than express contrtion and explain away the mischaracterizations of conditions (as Mendelsohn and company assert) Good Stuff is thumbing its nose at the criticism with a new reported "Back Alley Burger." At this point, with clean inspection reports on 12 and 15 September, my only complaint is that this hip crew can't update their website with a description of the alley burger!

Matchbox Update II

Another update, coming from Tom Sietsema's Washington Post weekly restaurant and dining out chat.

Ballpark neighborhood, D.C.: Maybe I've missed you addressing this recently -- sorry if this is a repeat: When is the Matchbox on 8th supposed to open? Food down here by the ballpark leaves much to be desired.

Tom Sietsema: "We're shooting for the third week of October," says Matchbox co-owner Ty Neal. "Right now, we're working on finishes: tile work and hard wood floors." A crucial piece of equipment is in place, however: the pizza oven. Neal says he and his team will probably pick a Monday for their soft opening.

I can't wait...

What's New in Navy Yard?

The Navy Yard neighborhood, officially dubbed the Capitol Riverfront, is booming in terms of new high-rise condos and mixed-use development. Everywhere, buildings are going up with construction firms promising spaces for living, shopping, and eating, all in one location. So, where's the beef, or for that matter, anything other than fast food? Residents in 1000 New Jersey Ave., one of the earliest plots to complete construction around the new Navy Yard, have been eagerly awaiting a restaurant on the first floor of their building for several years now - indeed since 2006. Word is that one serious prospective tennant for this space has opted to concentrate its expansion efforts elsewhere, at least for the time being. Tonic Restaurant has locations in Mount Pleasant and Foggy Bottom, and is reportedly looking to move across the river into the Orange Line corridor of Arlington. So, seared scallops, "Monday Wine Nights," and people watching with a beer in hand on New Jersey Ave., will have to wait a while longer.

Matchbox Update

According to Tom Sietsema of the Washington Post, the Matchbox pizza restaurant's expansion on Barracks Row, near the Eastern Market Metro, is expecting to open up this Fall, perhaps as early as September-October.

Rumors of a Local Deli

There are rumors of a boarded-up deli that is actually open during the day for all the neighborhood's construction workers. I've added this locale to the poll.

Also, if anyone knows of a clickable mapping widget, that would allow me to point out locations of places I've visited and eaten, let me know, because I would love to add that as a feature here.

Chow.