Jaunted

They were out of at least six bottles on the wine list. We kept asking for this one and that one, and, with a straight face, the waiter kept telling us, we are out of this, we are out of that. He tried to sell us on another bottle, but we waved it off, finally settling for a mediocre and slightly warm Australian Shiraz - Cabernet blend. When we first sat down I decided I really wanted a martini so I got one of their signature drinks, a Belvedere Vodka Martini. The martini was good, but the olives were almost completely tasteless. How does that happen?

We ordered two appetizers: a plate of calamari and a dish of crabmeat-stuffed mushrooms. For our entrees Jenn ordered salmon and I ordered spinach ravioli. What seemed like a long time passed (though we didn't really care, there was wine, atmosphere, and conversation) and then a food runner came by with our entrees.

Our appetizers had never arrived, so I told the manager that if they had forgotten them, that's fine, just bring us the entrees, no problemo. But please don't send the entrees back to the kitchen and then whip up the apps in the meantime. But he said it was a mistake, those dishes were meant for another table (yeah right: it was our exact order, and I didn't see them get delivered elsewhere). But I was in good spirits, so I said, fine. Within five minutes or so our appetizers showed up, and they were so-so at best, limp squid rings and a soupy mix of mushrooms and crab meat.

At some point, the waiter asked if we wanted bread, and brought four slices of the blandest white bread I had ever tasted in my life. It was damn-near comical: how can this place consider itself Italian? The Italians I know wouldn't be caught dead with bread that insipid. We took it all in stride, feeling like we sort of deserved what we got for not doing more research on the place. The entrees were the equivalent of microwave cuisine. So we ate, paid the check (including a generous 20% tip, it was $134.90) and split.

Despite it all, we were having a fine time on our vacation, and didn't feel any ill will toward the restaurant, because it really is just one of those places that occupy a great location and cater to tourists like us who don't know any better. We have restaurants like that in New York too. It's just the way the world is.

Back on M Street, we strolled around looking for a bar that wasn't swamped with college students. There were lots of college-age kids from nearby Georgetown and GWU because the school year had just begun for many. We went into a restaurant/bar called Clyde's and took two stools at the end of the bar. It was a young crowd but we had good seats and were just doing our thing so it was cool.

Jenn ordered a Muscat and I had another vodka martini (okay at this point I'll admit it was an ill-advised drink, but we were reveling in our freedom a bit). This martini was grand and the olives were good too. We sipped and chatted and then made our way back to the hotel.

[Photos: Victor Ozols]

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