Hidden Beer Hall in Georgetown is Now Open!

24 tap lines, 4,200 square feet of event space, floral wallpaper, unique murals by graffiti artists, garage-door style openings, and German street-eats make for the perfect new modern brew hall in Georgetown.

PAUL USA Opening Soon in Georgetown

by Samantha Grieder
Captial Cooking Contributor

For more than two decades, the space at 1078 Wisonsin Ave. NW has been unoccupied. Until now, that is. PAUL USA has taken up residence at the location, conveniently found at the intersection of M St. and Wisconsin, right in the middle of Georgetown. This comes after the French bakery opened its U.S. flagship store in Penn Quarter back in May.

Downstairs PAUL take-away counter

It took two full years to renovate the Georgetown shop to become what it is now. The space was originally built in 1889, the same year the original PAUL opened in Lille, France. All the original bricks were taken down, saved, and placed back into positioning, one-by-one. Recycled wood was imported from the north of France and used for extra detailing. Exposed beams and a beautiful skylight enliven the second floor dining area. And it seems that all the hard work is finally about to pay off. Though small, the new shop is impressive.

Second floor skylight and decoration

Guests enter downstairs and, like other locations, can order at the counter for take-away. This new Georgetown PAUL, however, will offer something new: full, sit-down service. Travel up the wooden staircase and grab one of the 36 velvet seats. There are kitchens on both floors to service the needs of all guests.

Second floor seating area, overlooking Wisconsin Ave.

Though this location is new, it shares the same quality that has sustained PAUL since the original opening in the 19th century. From baguettes and sandwiches to tarts and macarons, all the food and drink will be just as familiar and lovely as ever.

Excited patrons can expect a soft opening on November 14 or 15th, with a hard open on Monday, November 21st. One thing is for sure, any guest who likes PAUL will love the new Georgetown location.

8th Annual Open-Air Georgetown French Market

This April, The Georgetown Business Improvement District (BID) will host the 8th Annual Open-Air Georgetown French Market--a European market bringing French flavors and shopping deals at more than 30 Georgetown merchants. Marked as one of DC's most charming outdoor shopping events of the year, the French Market will return to the Book Hill neighborhood April 29-30, 20011 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. 

Trip to Five Guys Restaurant

Amy is a student at Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri. She is here for the summer interning at my firm and she took a trip to Five Guys for the first time last week. Her experience is recounted below.

Five Guys, Georgetown location

By Amy Lessman

Getting inside was a little difficult because of the people scooping shelled peanuts out of the giant box next to the door, but I finally made it past them and was able to place my order at the counter. The menu’s not too difficult, as long as you don’t like to have options. You have a selection of burgers, big and small; a selection of fries, Cajun or regular; and then a choice of drink, 24oz soft drink or... water. Basically, choosing condiments is more difficult than choosing your actual meal.

After my number was called, I carried my grease-stained, brown, paper bag back to my table and suspiciously opened it up.

Surprisingly, the burger was delicious, as well as the Cajun fries. Despite the torn leather booth and the cracked peanut shells lining the floor, the food was full of flavor, not to mention reasonably priced!

This place is not the type of place to take a first date or to have dinner with your parents. Ironically, its name is fitting to the atmosphere: Five Guys is a little messy, kind of awkward, simply decorated, but definitely a meal you’ll enjoy!