Monday, March 23, 2009

Cafe Salsa is OPEN

Thanks to Borderstan for the tip--it seems that Cafe Salsa has (finally) opened their doors to business. Although we have yet to dine there, early returns seem to give the establishment high marks (it seems their mojitos drew in the crowds at their Alexandria location...Mrs. 14th and You happens to be quite the mojito fan, so we'll see if they're as good as advertised). No word on why the opening took so long (it seemed that they were "almost ready to open" for some time...) but at any rate we're happy to hear that they finally did.

It should be noted that only the first floor dining room is currently available, so seating will be somewhat limited. Several other dining rooms on the second floor will be open soon, offering panoramic views of the Central Union Mission and the Whitman-Walker Clinic. I jest, of course...I'm certain the view will be quite lovely.

Oh, and in case you go off hunting for Cafe Salsa's website, it seems that they don't have one. Cafesalsa.com takes you to the homepage of Cafe Salsa--in suburban Chicago. Lest you get confused or something.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

I heard that POLICY on 14th and T opend Weds.

Anonymous said...

and there's a new place called 1905 that opened last week on 11th St between T and U.

Anonymous said...

Sorry, I meant 9th St (not 11th).

Lauren McK said...

Correct website (at least for the Virginia one): http://www.cafesalsagrill.com/

Not even the Washington Post has it right online.

Anonymous said...

I for one am not happy they have opened. My bedroom window overlooks the back of their restaurant and their ventalation system is so loud the buzzing from the restaurant is audible in my apartment and really annoying--so bad it keeps me awake. Anyone else hearing this? I've complained to them but to no avail.

Mr. Other Upper NW said...

Anon: I think Cafe Salsa has a voluntary agreement with the ANC, which I'm quite certain would regulate this sort of thing. I'd recommend contacting them--start with ANC2F commissioner Charles Reed (I believe Cafe Salsa falls within ANC2f). Good luck.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the update! We're excited about all the new restaurants in the neighborhood.

Anonymous said...

I agree with Anonymous. Their vent is extremely noisy. All through their construction they were rude to many of the residents adjacent the building. From what I understand, their Alexandria restaurant has a very bad reputation in that neighborhood. People may be glad there is a new restaurant in the neighborhood, but most of the people nearby aren't so happy.

berkeley223 said...

Anon# 2--it is good to see other residents behind Cafe Salsa posting their opinion re the unacceptable volume of the vent on top of the restaurant. Here is an update of the steps that have been taken to quiet the noise--
(1) I emailed both Jack Evans (city counsel) and Charles Reed (ANC2f). Both have been very responsive. Reed sent me (via a posting on borderstan) the section of Salsa's contract which the ANC which states Salsa will "take necessary steps to ensure that the music, noise and vibrations are not disruptive to the adjacent residential property occupants’ reasonable use of outdoor areas of their property. Should any sound, noise or music be disruptive to any residential occupants, [salsa] will take immediate remedial action." Evan's assistant has arranged for DCRA to conduct a noise inspection, which was to occur on 3/26--I have not yet heard the results.
(2) Both before and after I complained to the city, I spoke to the manager. She has told me the following (a) the noise is from the "kitchen hood" and that is just the sound all kitchen hoods make [obviously untrue; cork's kitchen hood is next door and makes no noise, plus Salsa is not the first restaurant I've ever seen in my life, and I have never heard such a noise]; (b) after my first complaint, she claims to have paid $600 for the installer of the hood to put insulation around it and now it is much quieter--obviously it is not (even assuming she is telling the truth about the insulation), the noise is just as loud as before; and (c) the city had approved her restaurant plans, so there is nothing she needs to do.

I will follow up with the city re: the results of the noise inspection. While my reading of the ANC agreement is that a finding of a noise violation is *not* required to obligate Salsa to take action, a finding of a violation would be helpful (frankly I can't imagine this noise, which can be heard from a block away on Johnson Ave, is not a violation). The sound is driving me crazy--I am hearing it right now!--and it sounds like I am living under high tension power lines.
Please post and let me know if anyone else is being disturbed by this.
Thanks
David

Anonymous said...

FYI: 1905 has been open almost a year - I dined there back in October. It's quite good, especially the scallops.