I read in our local (Neue Zürcher Zeitung) Sunday-newspaper yesterday about the 'revival' of this part of Washington (so far I did 'avoid' this part of Washington on my many visits). I appreciate any additional critical comments, before I try this out on my next visit.

Here is summarized what I just read (bad translation by me ...):

* background: this formerly called 'Black Broadway' district, having been home for Duke Ellington, has become now the livelists part of Washington D.C. concentrated between 15th & 16th street and also on 14th street between S and T street.

* Boutique hotels: Rouge , 1315 16th Street NW, tf 202 232 80 00 (design James Bond 'oriented'), and also Helix ('Austin Powers remake')

* Bars: both hotels above are DJ hot-spots of the current night scene (Missy Elliott prefers the Rouge). Jazz and Rock Places are round at the Rockclub 'Black Cats' and the two Jazz-bars: Twins Jazz (1344 U Street NW) and U-Topias (1418 U Street NW).

* Shopping: 'Go Mama go' (1809 14th Street NW): eclectic seletion of decorativ 'things' from all over the world; on U-Street 'Millenium' (everything for a modern household), for clothes secondhandshop "Meeps; on 1510 U Street NW a collectiv of young, local juwelry designers.

* Eat & drink: brandnew Restaurant "Rice" and very comfortable "Café Sparky's" (for breakfast); "Local 16" (former headqaurter of the railway-'teamsters'), "Café Lovecake" on 1501 U-Steet NW (founded by an attorney in love for baked cupcakes ...).

Can't really help you as I'm usually lead around on a leash while in DC and don't recall the area myself. But you've certainly got my interest up for my next trip into DC, if I can break away long enough!

Might especially have to check out that "Café Lovecake" for some reason.

Yes, this area has been gradually reviving and gaining in hipness over the last 6-7 years (Neue Zürcher Zeitung is a little late, but I'm actually pretty impressed that they'd mention the U Street Corridor at all!) It is still slightly dicey later at night but should be fine on a crowded summer evening--any evening Thurs-Sat will be no problem. Daytime is also no problem.

Rouge hotel, by the way, is not really part of this neighborhood although it's not that far away. It's one of the very few (possibly the only) boutique hotels in DC.

To the restaurant recommendations I MUST add Ben's Chili Bowl, 1213 U St. NW, a DC institution since 1958. This will be a refreshing antidote to the excesses of trendiness and health-consciousness that have begun to plague the neighborhood.

I also like the Chi-Cha Lounge (1624 U St. NW)--a lot of couches to sit on, cocktails, and Peruvian food--but it is definitely in the hipster category. A fairly young crowd.

This area has been up and coming for several years now. Chi-Cha Lounge has been around long enough that it's not THE hip place to go but still a worthwhile destination. There are lots of bars, clubs, shops and restaurants in this area. As for it's safety - it boarders some of DC's far less desireable areas but, as is true with any big city, a little awareness and precaution go a long way. I doubt I'd feel nervous unless it was very late at night and I was alone. An ounce of prevention as they say...

This U St. area is the part of DC that is experiencing a population growth for the young and urban who can not stomach the thought of moving out to one of the many soulless suburbs of the Nations Capitol. They have "outgrown" Adams Morgan's nightlife/lifestyle (party until 4 a.m. in the "hippest" part of DC) but still want that DC-neighborhood feel. Georgetown and Kalorama are too pretentious for this crowd (or they can't afford it). Many of the older buildings are being converted to loft style apartments and condos to promote that urban lifestyle.

IMHO, U St. is certainly an area worth checking out when in DC but it's not worth a special trip. Nor would I go out of my way to stay here. Most visitors come to DC and spend the majority of their visits in the vacinity of the Mall (Smithsonian museums, the Capitol, White House, Washington Monument, Lincloln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial and the various war memorials: Vietnam, Korea, WW-II). They may also check out Georgetown and the Dupont Circle areas.

IMO, once you've been to DC and seen all those "must sees" places, you would be wise to check out places like Cleveland Park, Eastern Market, the Cathedral area in addition to the U Street corridor.

Besides Go Mama Go (fun and eclectic decorative stuff with an Asian tilt), there's also Home Rule which is the pioneer of this block of furniture/home decoration stores. They're both located on 14th ST between S and T. In addition, there's Vastu and Muleh on the same block. All are worth a visit. Around the corner on U, there's Urban Essentials which is fascinating too. Further down 14th (closer to Logan Circle), there's Reincarnations and Maison 14. Between these 7 stores, I would say you would encounter much of the shopaholics amongst us DC-ites (especially on a nice day when strolling is encouraged).

I would definitely agree with Rice, Local 16 and Ben's Chilli Bowl and would like to add Kuna (U between 13th and 14th) with spectacular provincial Italian food in a tiny but charming and very personable setting. Don't miss Cafe Lovecake - the cakes there are to die for.

As a previous poster mentioned, Rouge is a distance away from the U St corridor (it's closer to Dupont Circle) but the bar is very hip. It is the pioneer of boutique hotels in DC which now include Helix, Madera (with a great restaurant) in the Dupont Circle area, and Monaco and the George closer to the downtown/Mall area. I wouldn't recommend staying along the U St corridor; better to stay near Dupont Circle which is a lovely (and lively) 20-min walk away.

The "New U" is definitely up-and-coming as evident by the large numbers of condominiums going up along U and 14th St (especially around the Metro subway station on 13th/U and the Whole Foods grocery store on 14th/P) and the slow-but-sure encroachment of Starbucks outlets (gentrification is only a Starbucks away!). It's well worth a detour from the usual National Mall/Georgetown/Dupont Circle tourist scene.