UPDATE 12/8/2016: Following a VIP pre-funk party last week, Sugar Hill has been open for drinks and plans to kick its kitchen into gear Thursday, owner Guitar Srisuthiamorn tells CHS.
Sugar Hill, not open quite yet, at 414 E Pine
The waves of new openings across Capitol Hill have definitely slowed — but not by much. A few more Capitol Hill joints might make it in under the 2016 wire including E Pine’s Sugar Hill.
It hasn’t been an easy sprint to the finish for the “contemporary Thai chicken and rice restaurant and bar” from restaurant veteran Guitar Srisuthiamorn. The buildout of the former Bauhaus space — and onetime Capitol Club — has stretched out longer than planned but she tells CHS an opening is in site with hopes to begin service in the next week or so. The liquor license for cocktails, beer, and wine is in place. The permit for a new sign out front has been issued. The buildout is nearly complete. The plan is to be open from 11 AM to 2 AM, every day.
UPDATE: They’re open.
CHS first reported on the project from the family behind E Pike’s old-timer Ayutthaya way back in May as dust from the financial implosion around the Bauhaus chain was just beginning to settle. Sugar Hill’s opening will bring to an end a year of emptiness following the cafe’s abrupt closure in December 2015.
While there have been some changes in the business structure around the new venture, the Sugar Hill concept of a bar-focused eatery featuring Thai street-style food remains on target. A peek through the windows reveals that the building’s two-story setup remains mostly unchanged in layout. Come summer, we’re going to assume Sugar Hill will put its second-story patio seating to excellent use.
Srisuthiamorn’s project, meanwhile, will join a block with Mezcaleria Oaxaca successfully heading into its third year elevating Mexican food and drink after its 2014 debut. It is also one of a handful of new Thai projects we’re aware of lining up for openings in the area. More on those… soon.
The opening will scratch another name of the list we posted this summer tallying the dozen or so food and drink projects still to come in 2016. Ooink, Honor Coffee Broadway, L’Oursin, Harry’s Fine Foods, Frankie and Jo’s, Feed Co. Central District, Union Coffee, Squirrel Chops, and Wanderfish have all opened since with Cook/Weaver coming soon. There have also been a few surprises like Dueminuti and Sweet Iron Capitol Hill. What’s next?
