What's Up With The Georgetown Park Mall?

Of the questions I'm most often asked about Georgetown, way out in front is, "What's up with the Georgetown Park mall?" Beats me. It's a ghost mall, and with very little street talk about anything happening of significance. Rumors, yes, but nothing real. The fact the owners call the dinosaur "The Shops at Georgetown Park" is first of all a good laugh and, second, an indication of their total absence of self-awareness. Shops? Shops? It wouldn't surprise me if Vornado is trying to sell the whole damned thing. 

What else do people ask? Let's see. "When is Good Stuff Eatery opening?" Dunno. Haven't heard a peep. Sure would like it to happen, though. "Does the city give out parking tickets 24/7 in Georgetown?" Sure feels like it. Just wait until you read the March issue of Washingtonian. More about that later.

Many times the question is, "Where's a good place to eat in Georgetown?" I have my favorites and list them, but there's no question we need more. I'm looking forward to Bandolero, which has the potential to fill a huge Mex void (as in good Mex).

"Are there any coffee shops?" Nope, not since Furin's closed. And by that I mean old school bacon & eggs places, not Baked & Wired, which is exemplary for coffee and bagels and coffee cakes. (Do not come back at me with Daily Grill, which is in a hotel and kind of dreary). There are murmurs of a new coffee shop on O Street, among the possible tenant's in Antiques of Georgetown which, sadly, will close at the end of the month. Georgetown Dinette is just that, more lunch than breakfast, and home to the best egg salad and tuna salad sandwiches in the village. 

Note: I did get to the new Unum on Friday evening. It's where Mendocino Grill used to be and feels much the same - happily - and even the menu feels similar. The chef was with Todd Gray at Equinox. If you have one thing, have the spicy eggplant. I look forward to returning. 

I am asked about Georgetown real estate. "Are prices going back up?" Not that I've heard. Still sort of wobbling around, but everyone is hoping for a vibrant spring.