Thanks Giving

Popped over to DC9 last night on a nasty rainy evening. Ran into a couple of friends, Mike & Steve, that go all the way back to the start of the 1990s -- the era of Back Alley Cafe. Downed a couple of beers, as we listened to a jukebox where someone had punched in lots and lots of Oasis and New Order, then we headed over to Solly's U Street Tavern. It's my first time there, and I found it an appealing place that already had a cozy neighborhood vibe, in part thanks to the presence (and part ownership, I believe) of one of the Fox & Hounds' longtime bartenders.

After that Mike and I headed out in search of end-of-the night food. First choice for me was Manny & Olga's, but Mike won't eat pizza that's not made in Brookylyn (and admittedly Manny & Olga's pizza is bad) so we headed to Ben's. Closed so we were off down to El Tamarindo instead. Door was also locked as the last of its diners finished their meals inside and the waitress waved us off. In futility, I tried to get Mike to go to Alfredo's, which offers the best thin-crust in the city. He wasn't having it, so Yum's II Carryout, still sporting its bulletproof glass from the long era when 14th Street NW was a free--fire zone, was our final destination. It's often been said that you should never eat at Chinese carryouts that also offer subs, but when I finally received my steak and cheese around 3AM, it was actually pretty good, especially after I got it home and sprinkled it with Tabasco.

Today was the annual Thanksgiving family reunion -- I'd say around 70 people. And yesterday and today brings us to what this day is best for remembering to be thankful for -- good friends and family.