Welcome to my Memory Lane posts, where I look at old photos of the neighborhood and remember. Today is the BFM- Bloomingdale Farmers Market. Yes, it is in another neighborhood, technically. But it’s right on the border with Truxton Circle and felt like a neighborhood amenity.
These were taken in 2007, so those were the early days of the BFM. I have a zillion more photos of the BFM. But let’s just start with these.
I saw in PoP’s post that BKK is closing at the end of March. I decided to look in my old posts and see what I had to mark the occasion. It was about 13-14 years ago when this restaurant opened as the original Beau Thai. Then when they moved to 7th St, it was kept open as BKK.
I liked it better as Beau Thai. It was our go to place to get food when I was too lazy to cook. I loved their Pad Thai and Panang tofu (Thai X-ing had better but the spice levels starting getting off the charts for me). I see Thai X-ing has closed too. Maybe I’ll do another post for Taw Vigsittaboot’s venture.
For a gentrifying area, Beau Thai was what was needed. I remember, what was there before the building was renovated, was a greasy take out with plexi-glass. But I’m starting to doubt my memories, please correct me if I was wrong. This was a sit down place, with wait service, a step up from the options that we previously had. This plus Big Bear a short walk down R St NW just added more amenities to Truxton Circle residents.
The following was originally posted on August 17, 2010:
Well after work, went to Beau Thai at 1700 New Jersey Avenue NW and had me some Pad Thai. I’m full. It was good.
If you have an early menu the phone number is wrong. It seems the phone number is 205-377-5329. I asked about that 205 bit, but apparently it’s 205 and not 202. 202-536-5636
Any way, pad thai.
and
The food came fast as she’s got a couple of people in the kitchen, so she differs from her brother Taw (Thai X-ing) in that way. When asked about him, she mentions that he doesn’t have delivery but she hopes to do delivery soon.
Well after work, went to Beau Thai at 1700 New Jersey Avenue NW and had me some Pad Thai. I’m full. It was good.
If you have an early menu the phone number is wrong. It seems the phone number is 205-377-5329. I asked about that 205 bit, but apparently it’s 205 and not 202. 202-536-5636
Any way, pad thai.
and 
The food came fast as she’s got a couple of people in the kitchen, so she differs from her brother Taw (Thai X-ing) in that way. When asked about him, she mentions that he doesn’t have delivery but she hopes to do delivery soon.
It’s open. R & NJ Ave NW.
Yay!
I saw some movement in Beau Thai on the way back home. I got excited. excited for nothing and yes, guy from the city, I’m blaming you. Guy from the City was excited that we in the neighborhood are all excited but he blames the hold up on some office closing 3 minutes early. So he says, “Definitely, Monday.”
The owner, she did not look happy. She looked seriously unhappy.
She’s got a bunch of food she can’t serve because well, it would have helped if Guy from the City had shown up Thursday and gotten her a Certificate of Occupancy or what ever his magic seal of approval. He knows we’re all blaming him, but you know the process of what it takes to open a business in DC is cloudy from the standpoint of a citizen. We don’t know what all the hoops and hurdles are that stop a business that we’re starving for, from opening because one of the city offices closed shop early on a Friday.
So, we’ll see, Monday.
Here’s the thing. I want to have a small canning party. Thing #1 my kitchen is crowded with 2 people in it and three people it just isn’t happening. Thing #2 I know some folks out there are curious about small scale canning, which is what I tend to do as I hardly ever use up a whole pint of anything to justify canning that much and I’d like to share what I know. Thing #3, I’d like to share my knowledge close to home.
Yeah, I could post what I know on-line but there is something about hands on learning.
So if anyone has a kitchen that would work well for show and tell and wants an intro to canning (I’m no Master, I just do my own canning and so far, so good) and has a few friends who want to learn as well,
UPDATE- A canning party has been organized. Thank you.
I peeked into Beau Thai (unopened) and it looks lovely, the paper is off the floor, the lights are cute, it looks simple and nice. There is nothing in there, but what is (floor, paint, hardwired lights) there is lovely looking.
Today at 7pm Beau Thai is to be at the CCCA meeting to get support for BZA approval to be a sit down restaurant.
Don’t get that excited yet. Walking by it still looks like they’ve got a few more weeks of painting and shifting stuff around before she (the owner) opens up and starts making this neighborhood what I hoped it might become when I bought the stack of bricks and wood 9 years ago.
I got an email from Mr. Renew Shaw about what’s up and I’ll just sum it up. The opening should be soon, like maybe in about a week and she (Aschara) will be gradually building it up from carry out (phase I) to sit down real live restaurant (phase II). There is stuff to get through with BZA (Board of Zoning Adjustment), which is why she’ll have to start as a fast food carry out place.
Mr. Renew Shaw had an opportunity to taste Aschara’s food and says the menu has fresh and healthy Thai fare.
So it is a contest of who will open first along R St. Toque Cafe or Beau Thai? It’s anyone’s guess.
Tell me what you think.
