Sister Restaurant was opened by Duro Hospitality (behind The Charles) in the spot where the Grape Restaurant had been for 40 years. It serves an Italian/Mediterranean loosely inspired selection of dishes. They make their pasta which is served 7 nights a week. Barely open a month, it is already packed with hungry excited guests. The large porch dining area is still there but inside it has been completely transformed. Two large faux trees are in the center which is surrounded by cozy booth seating and tables. A sleek bar is at one end and opposite are shelves containing an assortment of objects. The previous 2 rooms are now one and it is much brighter with music in the background (louder on the porch than inside). Some of the tables have clothes and others a polished finish. It is a pleasant space, service is excellent and the food is good too. Plates are meant to be shared which always makes for a more interesting meal. Continue reading
Club Paris was visited by Frankie in 2018 for lunch so this visit we decided to have dinner. It is an old school place but the interior has been changed quite a bit to deal with the Covid pandemic. Tables are now separated by dividers and so room shots are difficult. The building dates back 100 years and the current restaurant to the 1950s when I understand the owner married a French woman and he decorated the place with lots of Paris images to make her feel at home. The Selman family bought it in the 1970s with many of the staff having worked there for more than 25 years. They are known for their steaks and seafood as well as their pink neon sign out front featuring an Eiffel Tower. It is a long space with a curved bar taking up most of the front room. Music is in the background, the lights are low and they did have one nightly special to add to the menu. Their wine selection was not as appealing as their cocktails so we enjoyed martinis with dinner. 
It’s been a year since we visited (and 2 since I’ve written up) Galatoire’s and we were excited to be vaccinated and out once again. The food is just as good but a few changes include well spaced tables, masked staff and required reservations – even for dining on the first floor. Even with 75% dining capacity the room still got really noisy but part of the place is the energy in the room. Less waitstaff are on for each shift so you also may need to stray from your usual person. The menu is on line and in past write-ups but it hasn’t changed except for a price increase here and there. The fresh catch is updated daily and the food and service is consistently excellent. One caution, don’t fill up on the hot bread and butter while waiting, which is really easy to do. 
Dametra Café specializes in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food. The small cafe opened in 2008 and is even smaller now having only outdoor dining due to Covid 19 restrictions of California. The same table set up runs along the street in front of the building with tables divided by planters and heaters and separated from the street by a wooden fence. The narrow, small tables are covered with bright yellow oil-cloth tableclothes and set at street level rather than sidewalk. It makes some difficult to get in and out but didn’t seem to keep the crowd away. It’s reputation is that there is often a line for walk-up guests but we were lucky and got a table when we arrived. They offer the same menu at lunch and dinner but add sandwiches to the lunch offerings. They also have a more limited menu for curbside pickup. Service was friendly, helpful and efficient. Even with an ever-changing supply of table guests they did not rush us to finish up our wine so they could reseat the table. 
We visited Good Thyme Restaurant again on a Friday but this time opted not to have fish fry and instead try things off their regular menu. Nothing had changed in the physical facility and the service was friendly and efficient. 
