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Luck of the draw

New Logan Circle gastropub finds retro inspiration

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dining, Drafting Table, Washington Blade, gay news
dining, Drafting Table, Washington Blade, gay news

(Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Ever since Artfully Chocolate Kingsbury Confections (ACKC) closed on 14th Street this year I’ve been peeking in the windows of the space to see what may be happening there. A couple of months ago a visible transformation began occurring and The Drafting Table (1529C 14th Street) was slowly revealed to the Logan Circle neighborhood.

Originally, The Drafting Table was supposed to be named Woody Creek, the name proposed by the winner of a Going Out Guide poll and agreed upon by owner Aaron Gordon. However, Gordon’s primary designer, Andrew Christenberry stumbled upon mid-20th century drafting tables while searching for furniture for the space and the theme was completely overhauled. Now the space is full of sleek warm wooden drafting tables and chairs and the theme trickles all the way down to the menus, which are printed on drafting paper. One of the most dramatic elements is the six foot handcrafted wooden architecture compass mounted to the wall that Gordon says was, “completely his [Christenberry’s] idea. He thought of it, he built it by hand and it complements the space perfectly.”

My introduction to the atmosphere and food of The Drafting Table was at its media event on Oct. 16. We were assigned tables with platters full of food featuring their pickled veggies with “Greek green goddess” dressing and their chacuterie plate.

We then had time to mingle with other food writers (in between taking photos of the food) and sample beers from their in-depth list. As we were seated, a very interesting dish was presented to us — the Kaya Toast, which many of my fellow writers had already been talking about. It has the makings of a signature dish for this neighborhood gastro pub with its thick and crusty toast, rich sweet coconut jam and creamy egg cooked sunny side up and served on a plate with soy broth that introduces saltiness to the mix. Make sure to mix it all together in order to experience the full range of flavors. This is definitely a “don’t-knock-it-‘til-you’ve-tried-it” dish.

Following the appetizers we were offered our choice of the draftsman burger, the herb roasted chicken or the falafel. All of us at the table made sure that the three dishes would be represented and we passed them around so we could try them. The plates put together by head chef, Ciji Wagner, were strong and well balanced. Then it was time for dessert and chocolate puddin’, grilled pound cake and homemade Snickers pie all made their way to the table. The chocolate puddin’ was the strongest of these three, but that may just be the comfort factor talking, since it reminded me of a Jell-O Puddin’ Pop.

I left the media dinner satisfied, but wondering what a non-media event would be like at The Drafting Table, so a few days later I returned for brunch with my husband. The brunch was much more laid back with tables full of people relaxing instead of rushing. The wait staff also moved at a more relaxed pace.

I was disappointed to see no unlimited mimosa on the brunch menu, but the rest of the menu seemed to offer typical brunch fare. The “sexy breakfast sandwich” caught my eye and Greg chose the French toast with apple compote, which he described as “good, just not great.” I was blown away by my breakfast sandwich, which turned out to me more messy than sexy, but tasty nonetheless. The sunny side up eggs were flavored by the herb aioli and warmed by a healthy portion of roasted red peppers, then some prosciutto was piled on top and I was in heaven.

As Gordon said, “People love something new in the neighborhood and they seem to be enjoying ‘The Drafting Table’ as their new neighborhood pub.” The Drafting Table is an excellent addition to Logan Circle offering an eclectic mix of pub food and beers. This is one of the first (of many) welcome additions soon coming to the 14th Street corridor for lunch, dinner, snacks and brunch.

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Catherine O’Hara, ‘Schitt’s Creek’ star and celebrated queer ally, dies at 71

Actress remembered for memorable comedic roles in ‘Beetlejuice’ and ‘Home Alone’

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(Photo courtesy of Pop TV)

Catherine O’Hara, the varied comedic actor known for memorable roles in “Beetlejuice,” “Schitt’s Creek,” and “Home Alone,” has died at 71 on Friday, according to multiple reports. No further details about her death were revealed.

O’Hara’s death comes as a shock to Hollywood, as the Emmy award-winning actor has been recently active, with roles in both “The Studio” and “The Last of Us.” For her work in those two shows, she received Emmy nominations for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series and outstanding guest actress in a drama series.

In 2020, O’Hara won the Outstanding Lead Actress in a comedy series award for her work in the celebrated sixth and final season of “Schitt’s Creek.” She was also known as a queer ally and icon for her theatrical and often campy performances over multiple decades. In “Schitt’s Creek,” she played Moira Rose, the wig-loving mother of David Rose (played by series creator Dan Levy). David is pansexual, but the characters around him simply accept him for who he is; the show was embraced by the LGBTQ community with how naturally David’s sexuality was written and portrayed. That show ran from 2015 to 2020 and helped bring O’Hara and her co-stars into a new phase of their careers.

In a 2019 interview with the Gay Times, O’Hara explained why the show got LGBTQ representation right: “Daniel has created a world that he wants to live in, that I want to live in. It’s ridiculous that we live in a world where we don’t know how to respect each other and let each other be. It’s crazy. Other shows should follow suit and present the world and present humans as the best that we can be. It doesn’t mean you can’t laugh, that you can’t be funny in light ways and dark ways. It’s all still possible when you respect and love each other.”

Additional credits include “SCTV Network” (for which O’Hara won a writing Emmy), “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Six Feet Under,” “Best in Show,” “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York,” and “Dick Tracy.” O’Hara also lent her voice to “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” “Chicken Little,” “Monster House,” and “Elemental.” O’Hara was expected to return for Season 2 of “The Studio,” which started filming earlier this month.

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Calendar

Calendar: January 30-February 5

LGBTQ events in the days to come

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Friday, January 30

Friday Tea Time will be at 12 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Bring your beverage of choice. For more information, contact Mac ([email protected]).

Spark Social will host “RuPaul’s Drag Race S18 Watch Party” at 8 p.m. This event will be hosted by local drag queens TrevHER and Grey, who will provide hilarious commentary and make live predictions on who’s staying and who’s going home. Stick around after the show for a live drag performance. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite

Saturday, January 31

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ+ community, including allies, together for delicious food and conversation.  Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Sunday, February 1

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community and Conversation” at noon at As You Are. This event is for those looking to make more friends and meaningful connections in the LGBTQ+ community. Look for the Go Gay DC sign on the long table near the front window. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Monday, February 2

“Center Aging: Monday Coffee Klatch” will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more information, contact Adam (adamheller@thedccenter.org).

Tuesday, February 3

Universal Pride Meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group seeks to support, educate, empower, and create change for people with disabilities. For more information, email [email protected]

Wednesday, February 4

Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom upon request. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.

Center Aging Women’s Social and Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group is a place where older LGBTQ+ women can meet and socialize with one another. There will be discussion, activities, and a chance for guests to share what they want future events to include. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website

Thursday, February 5

The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5:00 pm if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245. 

Virtual Yoga Class will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This free weekly class is a combination of yoga, breath work and meditation that allows LGBTQ+ community members to continue their healing journey with somatic and mindfulness practices. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.  

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D.C. LGBTQ sports bar Pitchers listed for sale

Move follows months of challenges for local businesses in wake of Trump actions

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Pitchers is for sale at an undisclosed price. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

A Santa Monica, Calif.-based commercial real estate company called Zacuto Group has released a 20-page online brochure announcing the sale of the D.C. LGBTQ sports bar Pitchers and its adjoining lesbian bar A League of Her Own.

 The brochure does not disclose the sale price, and Pitchers owner David Perruzza told the Washington Blade he prefers to hold off on talking about his plans to sell the business at this time.

He said the sale price will be disclosed to “those who are interested.” 

“Matthew Luchs and Matt Ambrose of the Zacuto Group have been selected to exclusively market for sale Pitchers D.C., located at 2317 18th Street, NW in Washington, D.C located in the vibrant and nightlife Adams Morgan neighborhood,” the sales brochure states.

 “Since opening its doors in 2018, Pitchers has quickly become the largest and most prominent LGBTQ+ bar in Washington, D.C., serving as a cornerstone of D.C.’s modern queer nightlife scene,” it says, adding, “The 10,000+ SF building designed as a large-scale inclusive LGBTQ+ sports bar and social hub, offering a welcoming environment for the entire community.”

It points out that the Pitchers building, which has two years remaining on its lease and has a five-year renewal option, is a multi-level venue that features five bar areas, “indoor and outdoor seating, and multiple patios, creating a dynamic and flexible layout that supports a wide range of events and high customer volume.”

“Pitchers D.C. is also home to A League of Her Own, the only dedicated lesbian bar in Washington, D.C., further strengthening its role as a vital and inclusive community space at a time when such venues are increasingly rare nationwide,” the brochure says. 

Zacuto Group sales agent Luchs, who serves as the company’s senior vice president, did not immediately respond to a phone message left by the Blade seeking further information, including the sale price. 

News of Perruzza’s decision to sell Pitchers and A League of Her Own follows his Facebook postings last fall saying Pitchers, like other bars in D.C., was adversely impacted by the Trump administration’s deployment of National Guard soldiers on D.C. streets   

In an Oct. 10 Facebook post, Perruzza said he was facing, “probably the worst economy I have seen in a while and everyone in D.C. is dealing with the Trump drama.” He told the Blade in a Nov. 10 interview that Pitchers continued to draw a large customer base, but patrons were not spending as much on drinks.

The Zacuto Group sales brochure says Pitchers currently provides a “rare combination of scale, multiple bars, inclusivity, and established reputation that provides a unique investment opportunity for any buyer seeking a long-term asset with a loyal and consistent customer base,” suggesting that, similar to other D.C. LGBTQ bars, business has returned to normal with less impact from the Trump related issues.

The sales brochure can be accessed here.

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