Chili cook off at St. Ex

12 Chili Flights, yum!

On Memorial Day, St. Ex hosted a chili cook off with all proceeds going to Ross Elementary’s cafeteria. For $3 you got a chili flights of 6 chilis and for $5 a big bowl of chili. There was face painting and lemonade as well. Metrocurean, who was a judge to determine the winner, tells us that the chef and manager of St. Ex and Bar Pilar ended up winning in a blind taste test. I didn’t end up staying around for the judging but went on the earlier side to avoid lines. It was a good time, and a nice neighborhood reach-out for a restaurant who has had some issues with the neighbors lately.

 

U street area news round-up

Here’s your semi-regular news update of what’s happening in the U street ‘hood:

• The Gibson’s expanded their seating two fold by opening up a sweet patio, along with fancy frozen drinks. Awesome! I’m definitely going to have to check this out ASAP.
• The Perseus project on 14th and W has been stalled because of the economy. Now the new YMCA isn’t expected until late 2011.
• 14thandYou asks if St Ex is a restaurant or tavern, and what that will do to their liquor license. I say, it’s a restaurant that turns much more bar-like after 10 or 11 pm, but I don’t think there’s a licensing class for that.