My dear husband and I like hockey. The Verizon Center is in downtown D.C., an hour and a half away from my home. He works in D.C. so I meet him for dinner before the game. One of our favorite places is Ella’s Wood Fired Grill. I don’t hang out in bars alone but I will go to dinner where there is a bar, if the food is good. The staff at Ella’s is friendly, the food is fresh and excellent. I couldn’t ask for more. I was even able to set up my laptop and pound out a few pages. After learning that Eddie, the manager, likes poetry, I wrote this for him but I’ll share it with you.
Ella’s
Comfortably surrounded
By bar rumble,
Reggae’s the mellow backdrop.
Daylight dims and laughter tinkles,
Glasses clink in salute
To the current sport.
Warm-hearted staff create
An easy going atmosphere.
Frenchy, Joe, or Yared
Man the bar,
Benjamin, the great one
Rules the floor.
While Kirsten greets
The incoming patrons.
Eddie is the band director,
Leading with a smile.
From a booth in the window
Watching harried workers
Running into the Metro,
My dish freshly cooked
Quickly consumed,
Complimented by pinot.
I came for wine and food,
But I found friends.
By Teresa Hearl 5/13
Teresa Quill - Author 