A Coffee Shop ‘Coming Soon’ to Chinatown Has a Trippy 3D Mural of a Venetian Alley

More perks for the 9-to-5 set

A new coffee shop called Urban Roast DC says on its social media pages that it’s “coming soon” to Chinatown (916 G Street NW). Details are slim for now, but along with organic coffee, smoothies, and fresh juices, Urban Roast’s site says to expect sandwiches, salads, fruit bowls, pastries, and desserts. Local artist Christopher Lynch tagged the restaurant with pictures and video of a “Venetian-esque” mural with an image of an alley that appears to extend beyond its corner spot.

The neighborhood lost an independent coffee shop this fall with the shutter of decade-old Chinatown Coffee Co.

Raise a glass to Ri Ra

Georgetown Irish pub Ri Ra will close at the end of January, Popville reports, wrapping up a 7-year run on M Street NW. Last year Eater profiled its chef Charles Sutherland, a NYC hospitality vet who cooked for Michelle Obama at the Lincoln Center and catered high-profile events such as the U.S. Open and glitzy Met Gala. It’s unclear how Ri Ra’s last remaining D.C. outpost (3125 M Street NW) will say goodbye. Its upstairs whiskey bar’s impressive selection includes an ultra-rare Teeling 34-year Old Irish Whiskey — one of only 43 bottles in the world. [Popville]

Bring on the bets

A bunch of bars across the city just applied to add sports wagering to their operations: Exchange, Franklin Hall, Big Chief, Church, Penn Social, Astro Beer Hall, and Public Bar. Too bad all roll call hearings are scheduled for Monday, February 3 — the day after Super Bowl. Establishments are applying for everything from multiple on-site betting kiosks to handheld devices. Penn Social also wants to add a multi-player Dragon’s Ascent electronic game of skill.

Eddie V’s replacing Tadich

Reports swirled this summer that Eddie V’s would replace Tadich Grill at a prime D.C. location (1001 Pennsylvania Avenue NW), and an ABRA filing last week finally confirms the news. The San Diego-based seafood chain, which also touts top wines, steaks, and live jazz at each coast-to-coast location, will seat 262 patrons along with an 89-seat patio in D.C. Its arrival will fill an expense account void that Del Frisco’s steakhouse on Pennsylvania Avenue NW recently left behind.

More coffee for Clarendon

East West Coffee and Wine just brought small plates, coffee, wine, and cortados, to an already heavily-caffeinated corridor in Clarendon, ARLnow reports. Customers can perk up with nitro cold brews and espresso drinks, along with tapas like a hot pepper dip muhammara and brunch on weekends (3101 Wilson Boulevard). The space seats 65 inside, along with a 34-seat patio. The brand’s first location debuted two years ago in Rossyln, with another is en route to the Boro in Tysons Corner. All-day cowork cafe Three Whistles just rebranded this month nearby with a new Mediterranean menu.