Washington, D.C

After a D.C. restaurant closes, selling pieces of a dream

Published

2 weeks ago

April 20, 2024

After a D.C. restaurant closes, selling pieces of a dream

Tables and decorative plants: make an offer.

In 2017, Michael and Hatice Rosato opened Sospeso, a restaurant that featured eastern Mediterranean cuisine and Michael’s homemade vermouth. The 60-table establishment, in a converted office on Northeast Washington’s H Street corridor, was named for the “Neapolitan practice of anonymously paying for a coffee … for someone else in need.”

Michael had spent more than a decade toiling in the food industry. Finally, he had his own place. And, for seven years, its doors remained open.

Sospeso survived the coronavirus. It survived inflation and confusion over tipping. It survived the Rosato family’s move from the H street area to the suburbs.

But, in March, the Rosatos decided to close. Business was flagging. Staff members had been carjacked. Crime in D.C. was on the rise. The restaurant’s carrying costs — $50,000 per month — were too high.

Day after day, the couple felt that they were just working for their landlord.

They had dreamed a dream, and it had come true.

But when a restaurant closes, the story isn’t over. Now, everything had to go.

Reader’s Digest Condensed Books: make an offer.

Sospeso served its last meal on April 7, and a liquidation sale was advertised on Instagram and by word of mouth for the following weekend. Dozens of people showed up, picking through what remained of the restaurant as ’90s rock blared.

The Rosatos weren’t just selling plates and flatware. All of the countless objects a modern restaurant demands were up for sale: Candlesticks. Half-empty bottles of alcohol. Deep-fryer baskets. Soup tureens. A cactus.

“We both have done a lot. We have done everything possible to make this work,” Hatice said. “Even your best is not enough.”

She stood among the shoppers, answering questions as her young children — Miles and Siena — gave impromptu restaurant tours. Miles wore a fedora and a skinny tie. Siena wore a princess dress and earmuffs.

The children felt at home here, Hatice said. A small loft space above Sospeso’s second floor was outfitted with a play kitchen where they whiled away idle hours.

Olivier Caillabet, who runs the ramen restaurant Toki Underground two blocks away, browsed through books in the second-floor dining room before heading to the kitchen. His feelings about Sospeso’s departure: “It sucks.”

Many H Street restaurants opened businesses more than a decade ago amid the corridor’s resurgence. Since then, costs and competition have increased. According to data from the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington, 75 percent of restaurants are less profitable than they were before the pandemic.

“The food was good,” Caillabet said. “The service was good. They did everything right. It’s tough.”

Sospeso Blanco Vermouth: $49 per liter.

Grapefruit juice: 50 cents.

Emma Hollandsworth and Hakeem Bisyir had come to say goodbye. They stood in line to buy small containers of lentils and hummus as Michael negotiated prices while navigating various payment systems.

“We always loved coming,” Hollandsworth said.

“It’s a little weird in here,” Bisyir said.

“We thought it would be a happier vibe,” Hollandsworth added.

On the second floor was a painting — a mural of what looked like an Italian village with the restaurant’s name stenciled in the sky. The painting, on three large pieces of plywood, was propped in front of an exterior door. A strong wind occasionally blew the door open, knocking the plywood to the floor.

Apparently not even a portrait of the restaurant could survive.

In the end, Michael didn’t get rid of everything he’d wanted to. Other restaurateurs would come by to see what was left.

They probably would get a bargain. Michael knew the dangers of holding out for a higher price on kitchen gear during a fire sale.

Closing Sospeso helped him remember, he said, that “special things happen in restaurants.” People have stopped in to remind him what a good time they had there. Some said they started drinking vermouth because of Sospeso. An employee met his wife working there.

“I’m happy that I did it,” he said. “Before opening the restaurant, I was tired of me saying, ‘I’m going to open a restaurant.’”

Most people never get to live their dream; at least the Rosatos lived one for a while. Now, Michael can focus on bottling and selling vermouth. Hatice can turn to her jewelry business.

The book of life has many chapters.

“It feels good,” Hatice said. “We are ready to move on.”

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Washington, D.C

E.F. Gilmore DAV traveled to Washington, D.C.

Published

4 mins ago

May 3, 2024

Press Room

E.F. Gilmore DAV traveled to Washington, D.C.

Recently, several members of the E. F. Gilmore Disabled American Veterans traveled to Washington, D.C. to attend the DAV mid-winter conference. This annual event brings close to 1,000 DAV members from across the country for a series of seminars and workshops to improve their delivery of services to veterans in their community. The highlight of the conference was the appearance of VA Secretary Denis R. McDonough, who thanked the DAV for its assistance in passing the PACT Act. He also outlined the VA’s goals for 2024 and beyond. The members of the E. F. Gilmore also heard from the Legislation Committee on upcoming legislation affecting veterans. On Monday, members of the DAV traveled to Capitol Hill to meet with their legislators. The members of the E. F. Gilmore DAV met with Congressman Seth Moulton. Moulton thanked the members for their commitment to the veterans of Swampscott and Lynn.

He also thanked them for their commitment to veterans’ mental health. The members presented Moulton the DAV Critical Goals for 2024. These goals are:

1. Correct inequities for veterans receiving compensation benefits and provide parity in benefits for survivors.
2. Ensure the faithful implementation of the PACT Act and address gaps in toxic-exposure benefits.
3. Establish equity in VA care, services, and benefits for women, LGBTQ+ and minority veterans.
4. Provide a full spectrum of long-term care options for service-disabled and aging veterans.
5. Bolster mental health resources to ensure reduction of veteran suicides.
6. Expand the VA’s capacity to deliver timely, high-quality care to veterans.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Department of Massachusetts 1st Jr. Cmdr. Andrea Gayle Bennett presented a DAV Challenge Coin to Moulton in appreciation of all he has done for the veterans of Essex County

Any Swampscott veteran or survivor needing assistance can contact E. F. Gilmore DAV Cmdr. Jeffrey Blonder at [email protected]

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Washington, D.C

Best restaurants for kids in the D.C. area? This mom has thoughts.

Published

7 hours ago

May 3, 2024

Press Room

Best restaurants for kids in the D.C. area? This mom has thoughts.

Yatzuri Thomas, like so many parents, knows the struggle of dining out with children. The 29-year-old author of the blog Kids Quarantine and Me, which specializes in D.C.-based travel and things-to-do lists, has three of her own: a 9-year-old daughter, a 7-year-old son and a 1-year-old daughter. Though the Northern Virginia mom doesn’t consider herself a foodie, she still appreciates a delicious meal out, which means evaluating which restaurants will best accommodate her family.

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Washington, D.C

LIST | Free and low-cost Cinco de Mayo events happening in DC this weekend

Published

14 hours ago

May 3, 2024

Press Room

LIST | Free and low-cost Cinco de Mayo events happening in DC this weekend

WASHINGTON, D.C. (7News) — Cinco de Mayo is coming up on Sunday — But the festivities will be happening all weekend.

Washingtonian Magazine’s Briana Thomas has a rundown of free and low-cost activities for the whole family.

7News’ Melanie Hastings spoke to Briana Thomas with Washingtonian Magazine about the events:

1. Shipgarten

“Shipgarten is located in the McLean Tysons Corner area. It’s a restaurant and bar. They throw a lot of themed events because they have outdoor and indoor spaces. And specifically for Cinco de Mayo this weekend, on Saturday from 1 to 6 p.m. they are going to be throwing a festival. It is kid-friendly and dog-friendly, so the entire family can enjoy this. There’s going to be three-legged races, a jalapeno eating contest. There’s going to be a yelling contest and a lot of different things that could earn you a gift card. And at the same time, there’ll be a kid friendly festival happening as well, that includes a moon bounce and appearances from the movie Encanto as well. This is totally free.”

2. Hook Hall

“You can actually go to Hook Hall, which is a bar on Georgia Avenue. And they are bringing in the professional wrestling group, Lucha Libre who’s going to be performing various matches. One, which is 21 and up only for adults. And that is going to be at 7 p.m. on Saturday. But during the day at 2 p.m., kids can also watch a wrestling match. There’s going to be live music, a mariachi band is going to perform.”

Tickets for both family-friendly and adults start around $25.

3. Bryant Street Market

“Bryant Street Market is a food hall in Northeast. And starting on Friday, you can attend a free salsa social. So if you want to practice your dance moves and your footwork, this is a good place to do it. And then on Saturday, there’s going to be a Farmers’ Market at the shop from vendors, as well as a DJ block party that’s going to take place from 3 to 10 p.m.. And then on Sunday, there’s going to be a pinata-making workshop that’s pretty fun.”

4. 12th annual Running of the Chihuahuas race

“All dog lovers and Chihuahua owners specifically, are invited to The Wharf DC for the 12th annual Running of the Chihuahuas race taking place this Saturday. I mean, this is the cutest event ever. Of course, chihuahuas are from Mexico. In fact, they are named after a Mexican city and so this is the perfect event for Cinco de Mayo. The event is free. It’s family-friendly. There’s going to be about 150 chihuahuas racing down a 60-foot race track along The Wharf from 2 to 5 p.m. They’re going to capture this on jumbo video. And the good news about this is it to help support and raise funds for the World Dog Rescue. So this is a fun event, but also for a good cause.

5. Mercado DC Street Food Festival

“The Mercado DC Street Food Festival is taking place on Sunday. The tickets are pretty affordable, they start at $15. In fact, children can enter this event for free. It’s going to be a chance to sample food from Latin restaurants, as well as salsa lessons will take place. There will be craft cocktails and mocktails as well. And there’s going to be live music from Latin bands. So it’s going to be one big party taking place actually on Cinco de Mayo. It’s actually taking place in Eastern Market inside their North Hall.”

All of these events are free or easy on the budget and happening this weekend.

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