A New Cigar Bar; More On Rob Weland's Poste Departure

DUPONT CIRCLE—The Washington Business Journal reports that a cigar bar named Puff Restaurant & Lounge is hoping to move into a space on M Street. The plans are for a "Creole-influenced" restaurant on the ground level, plus a private club for cigar smokers. [WBJ]

PENN QUARTER—Todd Kliman and Tim Carman publish dueling blog posts this afternoon following up with Rob Weland about the news that he's leaving Poste. Unfortunately, the chef doesn't really tell either writer a whole lot other than the tidbit that he's lining up investors for a new restaurant — which was hinted at already when Kliman broke the news via Twitter last night. He does tell Kliman that the new place would take inspiration from his time at Poste: "I want to expand on what we did—expand on it, and refine it." And Carman learns that the split with Poste was an amicable one. [Washingtonian, WaPo]

PENN QUARTER—Prince of Petworth hears that Luke's Lobster has applied for a liquor license, meaning there could be a day in the future when you can have some brews with your lobster roll, the way that nature intended. [PoP]

NORTHERN VIRGINIA—Starting tomorrow night and continuing over the next few weeks, Morton's various Northern Virginia outposts are hosting a series of wine dinners celebrating California wines. The dinners will be four courses each, held on Sept. 9 (Reston), 16 (Tysons Corner) and 30th (Arlington) at 6 p.m. for $149 per person. [EaterWire]

Luke's Lobster [Photo: Facebook]