Arts & Entertainment
Comfort food hub
‘60s-inspired diner the Satellite Room does great with the basics
Satellite Lounge (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
The last few weeks have been a foodie’s nightmare, at least for me. I’m busy at work, my dining partners are all away and worst of all, I’ve had a long lasting head cold that had made everything I eat taste the same.
So, when I finally started to feel a bit better, I found myself craving the comforts of diner food and with The Diner on 18th Street seeming like it was a bit too far away, I decided it was finally time to try out the Satellite Room (2047 9th Street NW). The Satellite Room opened Oct. 9 and is located right behind the 9:30 Club.
As one would expect, the space is super cool and trendy and an awesome white neon “Satellite” sign behind the bar dominates the main room. The Hilton Brothers who already own and operate American Ice Company and Brixton in the 9th and U area are the men behind this ‘60s-inspired diner. This location serves up food inspired by traditional diners like the meatloaf and fried chicken but they also offer a few twists with items like the tilapia tacos and the Chile rellenos. Patrons also have the option to build their own burger where you pick your patty, bun, toppers and sauce — a great feature I’m looking forward to trying on my next visit. However, what sealed the deal on my decision to give Satellite Room a try were the “adult milkshakes.”
All the “boozy shakes,” $10 each, are named after famous television characters like Lucy Ricardo (chocolate with Johnny Walker Black), Archie Leach (strawberry with Tanqueray London dry gin); or the A.C. Slater (avocado with Jose Cuervo). Nobody will even judge you if you admit that as a kid you like “Saved by the Bell” when ordering this shake. I tried the Patsy Stone, which was pineapple, coconut, orange and nutmeg, with Captain Morgan spiced rum. This milkshake was gone in moments and tasted like a richer and more decadent pina colada. My dining partner chose the Linus Van Pelt which was peanut butter and No. 12 Tennessee Whiskey. It was another rich but delightful option, the boozy milkshakes alone make Satellite Room worth visiting, but don’t just fill up on them because the food is also quite good and comforting.
An excellent example of a delicious and comforting dish is the meatloaf and mashed potatoes. Sure, it’s a basic dish, but a basic dish that can go terribly wrong in many establishments. We have all had the rock hard hockey puck piece of meat that needs to be doused in ketchup or hot sauce to even be edible. The meatloaf at Satellite Room was nothing like those culinary disasters — the meat was moist and fluffy and had the right amount of flavor and spices; no sauces were necessary.
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The mashed potatoes were obviously the perfect complement to this traditional meat and potatoes dish. Another standout was the macaroni and cheese. My dining partner admitted that on a previous visit he almost ordered a third portion. I don’t blame him. This little dish of goodness contains a rich and creamy multi-cheese sauce that coats the pasta perfectly and evenly and the baked topping adds the delightful bit of warm crunchiness. While my head cold prevented me from venturing too far away from the comfort foods I craved, I am looking forward to returning soon and seeing what other dishes live up to the meatloaf and mac and cheese.
There are a few desserts on the menu, like the apple cobbler and churros and Mexican hot chocolate and I love ending a meal with some sweets, but when I was tempted with possibly having another “adult milkshake” I decided that would be the better option. It’s an after dinner drink and dessert all in one. Overall, Satellite Room is a great place to grab a drink with friends, have a quick relaxing bite or hang out before or after a concert.
Theater
Don’t miss summer productions at Clear Space in Rehoboth Beach
‘Cher Show,’ ‘Pretty Woman’ among season’s standouts
“The Cher Show” at Clear Space Theatre is wonderful. I am always amazed at the talent they attract for their summer series. Kudos to Wes Drummond, the artistic director of the theater. “The Cher Show” is written by Rick Elice. Compliments to the talented director, James FitzSimmons, who brought to life this production. His immensely talented cast includes Shannen Hofheimer as Star, Breanna Lemerise as Lady, Abby Lynne as Babe, and Anya Kay, as young Cher. Each is a pleasure to both watch and listen to. They command the stage. Then more kudos to the entire cast and ensemble. Also, the creative team, which includes among so many who make this show a hit, choreographer Shondelle Graulich; scenic designer, David Chappell; lighting designer Brendan Smith; costume designer Valerie Beardsley; and the entire orchestra led by conductor, Jerry Birl.
But the actor who I was looking forward to seeing in the production, was a young actor I had written about, and reviewed, when I saw him at Clear Space two years ago. In this production he is Sonny Bono, and he definitely didn’t disappoint.
Let me introduce Caetano de Sá. I have written about him before, but his resume is worth repeating. It says; Height: 5’7 ½, Eyes: Brown, Voice part: Tenor G2 – C5, Build: Athletic. All true. Then you add to this he speaks Brazilian Portuguese, is certified in stage combat by the Society of American Fight Directors, and is a 2nd Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo. Then as his resume of roles confirms, he can act, sing, and dance with the best. He does a great job as Sonny and is fun to watch on stage. Here he displays his talents as a singer and actor, and they are as good as I remembered them when I first met Caetano while he was still in school in 2024, and was starring as Frankie Valli in “Jersey Boys,” at Clear Space. At the time he was a rising senior at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee BFA Musical Theater program. I interviewed him, and Harry Sperduto, who played Tommy Devotee, after seeing them in the show, and being amazed by their talent. Since that time, I have followed their careers. When I heard Caetano was coming back to Clear Space for the summer, I reached out, and he agreed to sit down and chat, which we did. I knew Clear Space Theatre was planning a busy summer season. Their lineup of shows included “The Cher Show,” “Mean Girls,” and “Pretty Woman.” They always have talented casts, including the many college students who are getting their first chance to shine, which was the case for Caetano in 2024. Now he is back as a graduate, with more experience under his belt, a little more established. This season he was going to play Sonny in their production of “The Cher Show,” Martin/Coach Carr, in “Mean Girls,” and Mr. Hollister in “Pretty Woman,” and being a part of the ensemble. He told me he really enjoys being at Clear Space, and that his castmates are all talented. He is a lot more experienced than when he was here before, having performed in productions at the Prairie Repertory Theatre, the Emerald Coast Theatre Company, Firehouse Center for the Arts, and the Sullivan Rep, among others. In productions as diverse as “Oklahoma!,” “Mystic Pizza,” “Hairspray,” and “Rock of Ages.” He now lives in New York City and clearly New York is the perfect place for an aspiring actor. He has an agent at Bramante Artists, who is getting him gigs, like the one he had at 54 Below and even a TV commercial for AFLAC.
“The Cher Show” is the second show I have seen at Clear Space this summer. After our chat I got one of the last tickets available that evening for “Pretty Woman.” In that production he has a smaller role, and is part of the incredibly talented ensemble. It is also an entertaining show and its very talented stars, Abby McDonough as Vivian, and Jaiden Leo Riley as Edward, are a pleasure to watch. Kudos to the talented director, Ashley Williams, and the entire creative team.
For anyone living at the beach, or coming for a visit, I urge you to plan a night at Clear Space. You won’t regret it. But know tickets for all the shows, and Sunday evening cabaret nights, sell out fast. So, I suggest you see what’s available online and buy yours today.
The 2026 World Pride March was held on Saturday, Aug. 8 in Amsterdam. Tens of thousands of participants marched from Martin Luther Kingpark to the grounds of the Pride Village at Museumplein.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
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The weekly drag show “Daddy Issues” was held at Kiki on Wednesday, Aug. 5. Performers included Evry Pleasure, Indiana Bones and Tiara Missou-Sidora.
(Washington Blade photos by Landon Shackelford)
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