Update 10/23/2001 - Content (at bottom of post)
Bolt is the brainchild of a consortium of area eye doctors, led
by Michael Davidson, O.D, himself an experienced retail
entrepreneur. The consortium joined forces with Restaurant Consultants,
Inc., led by Joe Spinelli, a veteran with over 40 years in the
Washington, DC restaurant business. "
Bolt Burgers will open sometime during the first two weeks of November," says Joe Spinelli, The signage is up, and looking really good, and the interior is nearing completion, and it looks even better. Joe Spinelli told me "he hopes to have staff in place and trained within the next week, and be open in early November."
The menu has a few changes but is basically as first reported, and like the restaurant, this is something that, personally, I am really looking forward to. It meets the needs of the neighborhood, with a lower cost, extended hours business plan that will undoubtedly attract a loyal following very quickly.
So Joe was kind enough to let me inside and take a few photographs, so for the first time I didn't take shots with my nose pressed up against the window;
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| Main Sign on Mass Ave NW - remember 2 words Bolt Burgers w/ an S |
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| Down the stairs and also the location of the, future, outside eating place, the entrance to the Carry Out and Pick-up |
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| Inside at the Carry Out Counter equipped with 42" TVs (Geek #1) |
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| Main eatery. Still some 'straightening' out to do - but wow! this place is mid-century cool |
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| Main eatery. Bright, light and comfortable booths ( Mass Ave NW side) |
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| Main eatery. Entrance and Stairway from 11th Street NW |
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| From the top of the stairs...look central above lighting - there is a projector |
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| Oh my, the projector high above the main eatery will project 'promotional' content to start, programming later on, maybe, to the white wall above the order/serving area (Geek #2) |
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| The screen for the projected images |
"Bolt Burgers is where sophisticated burger lovers will be able to kick
back and enjoy flavors they canʼt get at any other fast casual burger
restaurant—big, satisfying flavors beyond what you expect from a burger,
fries and soft drink. The antithesis of quick serve burger joints, itʼs
an experience worth savoring, from the hand formed patty of
Boltʼs exclusive, extra juicy blend of Certified Angus Beef, to the
toasted brioche bun, to the layers of flavor piled in between."
Update 10/23/2001
A number of people contacted me about "table-service'. I reached out to
Restaurant Consultants, Licia Gliptis, here is the response;"Yes, there is table service......Once
you have ordered, your food will be brought to you at your table number.
We are also unique in that you can get a table number from the greeter
and directly order from one of our freestanding kiosks (and avoid the
line all together). - Not typical restaurant waitress service but full
customer service"
Sounds pretty cool to me...like everything else about this concept burger house. Now lets hope the burgers are as good as they sound. I for one will be an early bird on this one.
Just a note here; Bolt Burgers are currently searching/hiring.
jobs@boltburgers.com if you know any suitable candidates have them send an email.
A quick visit to the
Bolt Burgers website is in order, to check out the menu
Bolt Burgers is located at:
1010 Mass Ave NW (11th & Mass Ave)
Washington DC 20001
Look for more information here over the coming week or two.
I'm surprised by this development. I always assumed that space was destined for something a little more...upscale? The condo building it resides in, 1010 Mass, certainly is a boutique property.
ReplyDeleteIn terms of retail it's a strange location; solidly residential with a lot of foot traffic passing through en route to MVT or Logan Circle, but never a destination itself. For that reason I never thought a restaurant could survive there.
However, with CityCenter opening and more importantly, the new Marriott hotel nearing completion, there may finally be the critical mass of people/visitors in the vicinity that a restaurant would need to thrive in that location.