By Michelle Lancaster. You can follow her and let her know your news on Twitter @MichLancaster. Email her at michellel[AT]borderstan.com.

If anyone can quiet the NIMBY naysayers in Shaw (or anywhere else), it has to be the brothers Hilton, of Eighteenth Street Lounge/Marvin/American Ice Company reknown. Ian and Eric (Eric also has a Grammy with Thievery Corporation to go along with the restaurant empire) are taking on a daunting challenge on U Street this time around.

They are going to try to get approval on a bar and taqueria with outdoor space (a daunting task already), with the building as essentially two shipping containers joined by steel girders and some glass. The location is 919 U Street NW.

Lest we be too negative about their chances, Mark Lee at the Washington Blade points out that the staff of the Historic Preservation Review Board has recommended that the  board endorse the project, saying the containers and design fit with the character of the Uptown Arts District. Hey, if you really hate it, the containers help to ensure that it’s essentially a temporary structure. The project is currently titled El Rey; stay tuned to get the skinny on approvals and opening dates!

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