Imm Thai’s Closing Frees Up a Hard-Luck Restaurant Space in Shaw

One less pad thai

The Imm Thai in Shaw is no longer an option for neighborhood residents who want to call in orders of curries, noodles, and pineapple fried rice. The casual spot is closed after a little more than two years of business at 1414 Ninth Street NW, Yelpers report. Popville shared a link to a real estate listing, updated last week, asking $11,000 per month for the 2,542-square-foot-space that includes room for a first-floor kitchen and an upstairs bar. Despite its location in one of D.C.’s trendiest dining areas, the space has proven tough for restaurants over the years. Before Imm Thai moved in, Chinese small plates place Chao Ku lasted about eight months. As Popville notes, in the past 10 years the space has also been home to Secret Lounge and Sports Bar, Northern restaurant, Taqueria Mexicana, Cafe Eagle, and Vegetate. [Popville]

Chefs’ favorite comfort foods

Washington Post Express recently polled a dozen prominent chefs in D.C. about where they go for affordable meals when they’re off the clock, giving the reading public a chance to empathize or sneer. For example, Yuan Tang, the chef-owner of tasting menu hit Rooster & Owl, takes guilty pleasure in 7-Eleven hot dogs and iced coffee. Gravitas chef Matt Baker favors the fried chicken at Cracker Barrel, and Ris Lacoste (of Ris) likes the gluten-free crust from &pizza. [Express]

Crepes incoming

A fourth D.C. location of Point Chaud Cafe & Crepes appears primed for opening in Glover Park. A Popville tipster shared a photo of a new branded awning at a former Starbucks at 2300 Wisconsin Avenue NW. [Popville]