Yes, it MAY be true! Birch & Barley opening in September 2009

It's word on the street that Birch and Barley/Churchkey MAY indeed finally be opening! The date appears to be mid to late September 2009. [UPDATE: October 2009.]

To remove any doubt, see this ad placed on Craiglist on 7 August:

Birch & Barley, A Neighborhood Restaurant Group Joint, is seeking experienced servers, bartenders & hosts. We are leading an area wide search for talented, experienced individuals who enjoy food and the fast pace of a busy restaurant. We are a restaurant that specializes in upscale regional cuisine while being beer-centric & wine forward! Opening in late September, so apply now!!!

Training starts on September 1st!!!

Long anticipated, the long-title beer-centric restaurant is a project of the fast expanding Neighborhood Restaurant Group. And it will be NRG's first Washington, DC location, in the Logan Circle neighborhood.

The other locations, all in northern Virginia, are Buzz, Columbia Firehouse, Daily Planet Wine, Evening Star Cafe, Rustico, Tallula/Eat Bar, Vermilion, and a new Rustico to be opened in the Ballston area of Arlington.

As to the name: Birch and Barley is the name of the restaurant; the beer bar will be called Churchkey —the term refers to a ubiquitous type of beer bottle/can opener.

• UPDATE 2009.08.25: Chef hired.
  
• Prior coverage from Yours For Good Fermentables.com here and here.
• The photo pictures Dakota Cowgirl, the former resident of 1337 14 St. NW. Courtesy of Andrew Clark, via Facebook.
• Caveat emptor: As a representative for northern Virginia wholesaler Select Wines, I sell beer and wine to several of NRG's locations.