By Michelle Lancaster. You can follow her and let her know your news on Twitter @MichLancaster. Email her at michellel[AT]borderstan.com.
The Italian joint on Connecticut Avenue always seemed to have a bit of a problem fitting in with the neighborhood, and after its last day (Wednesday) it’s still sort of hard to put a finger on “why?”
Borderstan: News from Dupont-Logan-U Street
After all, La Tomate has been making ends meet in the neighborhood for years, offering many similar dishes with a less modern spin. Perhaps that was the problem, Connecticut Avenue already had Italian family style, if you are willing to count Buca Di Beppo and a red sauce joint.
I was a fan of the gelato cart and chef Amy Brandwein’s creations, and the Eater article indicates the owners agreed with at least one of those assessments.
Is this the end of NYC concepts coming to DC? The immediate comparison has to be Carmine’s, another Yankee transplant featuring giant portions of red sauce favorites.
Any reports on how business is in Chinatown? On my last visit there, I recall an over-sized menu, over-sized portions and underwhelming meals. But perhaps that plays better with tourists than the fancy salad lunch crowd around Dupont?
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