We residents dwelling in the areas adjacent to H Street Northeast live in a near-constant state of high-alert with regard to whispers of new developments in our neighborhood. Every rumor of a new bar or restaurant is pounced upon, considered and then dissected on blogs and listservs by newcomers and longtime residents alike. Our spirits rise and fall with the news of thwarted projects, permitting delays and epic liquor license battles. But as someone who has lived near H for more than eight years, I have enjoyed this wild ride. Why? We finally live in a hip neighborhood! Who knew? Of course it would have been nice if it could have happened a little faster since we now have to pay steep babysitter fees to enjoy the new nearby nightlife, but at least we don’t have to pay for parking.

I spend most days on H Street, or I suppose technically under H in my office in the basement of the Atlas Performing Arts Center. One of my most delicate tasks is convincing audiences to leave their regional comfort zones to visit our theater and the new and existing businesses here. I have developed a cheerleader-like level of optimism and excitement. The Hill Rag has tasked me to share this enthusiasm (which some might call an obsession…) with their readers. I have embraced this honor and hope to keep our southern-Hill neighbors up to date with the rapidly changing H Street.

WHAT’S NEW?

Napa 1015
Napa 1015 has finally opened at 1015 H St. – also known as “around the corner from my house.” Residents heard rumors of a “California with a French twist” restaurant occupying the site for well over a year, and we pressed our wee noses against the windows to see if we could catch a glimpse of some sort of epicurean progress to sustain us. In mid-December we were rewarded with the opening of this warm, inviting, casually elegant space.

The owners, general manager Jorge Velasquez and chef Ron Allison, have designed a space that would not be out of place downtown. The walls are adorned with thoughtful artwork, and the prevailing atmosphere is grown up but not at all stuffy.

The small, flexible menu features classics such as onion soup, crab cakes and Caesar salad. The soup and fish offerings change daily. Utterances of undying love for the chocolate mousse have been overhead on occasion.

The owners have been responsive to patron’s reactions. When concerns that the menu’s prices reflected a tonier zip code, they added a few lower-price, lighter fare items. For $10, the after-work happy hour will get you a glass of wine and one of the yummy tapas such as pillowy potato pancakes with chives, shredded pork tostadas and a shrimp, feta, artichoke and tomato pizza.

Theatergoers will love the $30, three-course, pre-theater menu. From 5-7 p.m. diners can enjoy an appetizer, entrée and dessert before heading over to the Atlas or the H Street Playhouse. The pre-theater menu is posted on their website www.napavalleycaterers.com/whatsnew.php4.

Napa 1015 is currently open Tuesday through Saturday for dinner. They plan to unveil an upstairs patio in the spring, which is also when they will begin serving Sunday brunch. To make a reservation call 202-396-6272.

Nouveau Fleur
H Street is smelling a little sweeter these days due to the opening of a new floral shop Nouveau Fleur. Located at 500 H St., the shop is a stylish and uncluttered place to pick out floral arrangements. Owner Debbie Moultry is planning on offering classes in container and herb gardening beginning in late March, weather permitting. With her help, perhaps my pathetic horticultural efforts will survive beyond July this year. The shop is open Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Saturday 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m. 202-543-8616.

Design Army
The people that make the Washington Ballet’s ads so cool now call H Street home. Design Army is an award-winning graphic design firm. The firm’s new home is 510 H St. NE suite 200. You can see samples of their work at www.designarmy.com

Changes
The Argonaut (1433 H St. NE) has revamped the interior, added a children’s menu and hired a chef. But it’s still the funky Argo neighbors love. This means there’s a more extensive beer menu, wine list and a kids-eat-free night (Wednesdays). Look for the new menu, which will have a locally grown, more organic focus, around March. Loyalists remain calm because the Booty Beer and the sweet potato fries are staying put. 202-397-1416, www.argonautdc.com.

SOVA Espresso and Wine
Sova (1359 H St. NE), H Street’s newest coffeehouse, has quickly developed a citywide reputation for its delicious coffee drinks. We hear the liquor license will come through soon which means owner Frank Hankins can open the wine bar. 202-397-3080, www.sovadc.com. 

Any Day Now…
PAP AND PETEYS is set to open very soon. A jazz and blues club, the building was most recently the short-lived Reader’s Lounge. Set to feature a variety of live music and spoken word performances. Pap and Petey’s is at 421 H St. NE. Keep up with their performance listings at papandpeteys.com/Home_Page.html.

Stick Rice
This punk-rock sushi place has been tantalizing us for well over a year now, 1224 H St. has been taunting neighbors with the cute red, white and black Sticky Rice logo while the doors have remained irritatingly shut. Permitting issues held up construction for months, but now we may soon see the light; I have been told that the doors could be open by the end of February. Sticky Rice is a younger sibling to the popular restaurant of the same name in Richmond. The menu will duplicate the original’s and will feature sushi and noodle dishes as well as tater tots. Rumor has it that if you eat there every day for 30 days, they will name a piece of sushi after you. Tempting goal, but who would order a DeMayo roll?

ARTS HAPPENINGS

H Street Playhouse
1365 H St. NE
The Theatre Alliance is presenting “A Nite at the Dew Drop Inn.” Director James Foster Jr. is recreating the “hole in the wall, through the woods on a gravel road, moonshine still in the back” juke joint experience, “A Nite at the Dew Drop Inn” offers low-down blues, hot piano, singing that makes you want to stand up and shout, and a tribute to the “Queen of the Blues,” Miss Dinah Washington. With hot music and refreshments, he plans to convert the H Street Playhouse into the Hill’s hottest “juke joint.” “The Dew Drop Inn” runs Jan. 31-Feb. 16. For tickets, call 866-811-4111 or go to www.theatermania.com.

Atlas Performing Arts Center
1333 H St. NE
February is for musical theater lovers this year as two classics hit the stage. Zoon Vader Productions makes its debut with the musical “Godspell.” With a score of songs penned by the composer of the Broadway hit “Wicked,” Stephen Shwartz, “Godspell”is a folk-rock version of the gospel of St. Matthew. Yes, you will leave humming “Day by Day,” but trust me, that’s a good thing. “Godspell”runs Feb. 7-17.

The Washington Savoyards bring Gilbert and Sullivan's beloved opera “Pirates of Penzance” to the Atlas Performing Arts Center just in time for leap year. This delightfully funny tale follows the adventures of a band of pirates, blushing maidens, a well-intentioned, yet inept, major general and a young pirate who longs to leave the pirate life once and for all. “Pirates of Penzance” opens Feb. 23 and runs through March 9.Look for pre-show meal discounts at H Street’s only pirate-themed restaurant, the Argonaut. Tickets for both shows can be purchased at the Atlas box office 202-399-7993 or at www.atlasarts.org.

SOVA-Valentine's Day Story Social with live music by Stripmall Ballads hosted by Speakeasy DC on Feb. 14 from 8-10 p.m. Tickets are $10. The evening aims to be a night of songs and story-swapping about love, lust, heartbreak and self-discovery. Speakeasy has a roster of regulars but suggests that all should come prepared to share their own stories and meet new people. The social will be a combination of performance and conversation. More information on Speakeasy can be found at www.speakeasydc.org.

That should keep you busy until March. See you on H Street!