These Are a Few of My Favorite Things (Iron Gate Restaurant)

For my birthday, hubby took me to one of my favorite restaurants: The Iron Gate (1734 N Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20036). The service is always warm and gracious. (Think about it: how many restaurants can you say that about?) The food is quite good from beginning--warm, crusty bread served with an olive chickpea spread --to the end--their lemon cheesecake was the lightest, freshest cheesecake I've ever had. They have live, unobtrusive jazz: the kind you notice as a pleasant sensation somewhere deep in you brain.

Most inviting of all... the atmosphere is very cozy. It's not that any particular spot in this place is so fine--although dining by the fireplace is special-- it's that all these little spots put together create a very enticing experience. There's more nooks and crannies than a Thomas' English Muffin. So even though there's lots of people around you, you have an intimate experience.

Go, enjoy.