Miguelito

Four (largely unrelated) items.

1. What was the name of the campy Italian place on Connecticut in Cleveland Park that had the trophies (animal heads) on the walls? Went there once shortly before it closed (about 12 years ago?) and am still trying to get over the weirdness.

2. I miss Havana Cafe, which used to be right at the Courthouse metro stop, IIRC. I thought it was the best Cuban around.

3. For 24-hour breakfast, Cracker Barrel beats IHOP and Denny's hands down, in my book.

4. Once at the late Nick & Stef's, a prominent DC politician was dining with his family, which included his two teenage sons, at the booth next to ours. Waiter takes their order, and asks if anyone would care for a sauce to go with the steak. Dad asks for bearnaise ... then one son asks for ketchup and the other requests A-1. After waiter departs, boys get lecture about "appreciating the finer things." Wife and I struggled mightily to stifle the chuckles that really wanted to escape.

Since we're in a reminiscent mood, let me throw out a few more from the 70s and 80s. Any memories of these out there?

-- S&W Cafeteria---located somewhere in what is now the Executive Blvd area of Rockville. Nothing special but cafeterias were the few places my parents took us when we were younger. Including the Hot Shoppes in Montgomery Mall.

-- Burger Chef---I remember it was the first place that had a fixin's bar. My dad loved to overload on the pickles. Remember Jeff?

-- Peter Pan Inn, Urbana---this was the fancy-night-out place. I still remember the fried chicken and hush puppies.

-- Farrell's, Wheaton Plaza---how could you not like a place with that huge Zoo sundae and those loud horns and lights?

As pointed out, Shakey's was the ultimate pizza parlor atmosphere. I fondly remember those fried potato things on the all-you-can-eat buffet.

Burger Chef & Jeff! What a stroll down memory lane. Got my "collectible" Star Wars glassware there back in the day. I think the whole franchise system got swallowed up by the Hardee's/Carl's Jr. conglomerate at least a decade or so ago. Was their marquee burger called the "Big Chef"? Now off for a Monster Thickburger...

Charlie Palmer's is good. Atmosphere might be a bit contemporary if you're looking for old-school-style dark wood etc. Quality wine list (and a pretty cool looking "floating" wine cellar) and good service.

If you want the old-school atmosphere, you oughta consider the Caucus Room along with the other places that have been suggested.

Gotta agree that Ruth's Chris can be a disappointment. It start to feel a bit like a "McSteakhouse" a few years ago, IMHO.

Aveleda vinho verde. Crisp, slightly effervescent, a bit off-dry. Green apple, some lime in there. Perfect for the season and easy on the wallet, too -- $5/btl.

Roma in Cleveland Park. Trophies on the wall and a blind pianist -- what's not to like?

Speaking of...Ortanique is on my way to work- Thursday the lights were off and a sign was on the door saying that a license or their was suspened.  Looks like they won't be opening until Nov. 9.  What's going on?

I know I could track down whichever DC bureaucracy keeps a listing of these things, but y'all are a much more reliable source! 

Thanks

Nothing on the dc gov website yet; as of today (11/7) restuarant closures are only reported through 10/31.

I know Dremo's was mentioned, but I gotta add the late, great Bardo Rodeo to the list. Sticky floors, wacked-out murals, bad food, crappy movies that you couldn't hear, Plymouth through the entrance...

So maybe the beers and the clientele were a little too yuppified for the place to truly be a dive (and it probably had pretensions of being a classy establishment), but it was damn close in my book.

To be a bit more specific, I really enjoyed several bottles of Chateau Trinquevedel last summer, and will be seeking out more this year. Noses strawberry and watermelon, and has enough depth on the palate to keep you interested. Might be a little bigger than many roses. Yummy.

My house rose has been a Tavel for the last two or three summer, lots of reliable producers in that region.

IMHO, when the ginger salad is the dish that gets far and away the most mention -- and I agree that it is tasty -- the rest of the menu just cannot be that great.

And that is what I thought when I lived a block away from Spices and visited often. I thought the aforementioned salad was yummy, the sushi was serviceable but not great, and the rest of the menu was just OK. In terms of quality to price ratio, I gave it high marks--but driven by a low denominator and not a particularly stellar numerator.

Perhaps the addition of some "legacy Yanyu" dishes to the menu has kicked things up a notch or two; I hope so.