Our kids were driving us crazy and so my wife and I decided to take a walk with Swiftie (the dog) and get a drink outside.
I suggested Bullfeathers, but Kerry shot down that idea. Too crowded and too crowded with work people.
We walked up to Eastern Market, passed by La Plaza (too crowded), Barrel (too crowded and too many drug addicts), the Eastern (too crowded, no seats), the new Ukrainian place (too crowded, too political), and the new pizza place (we weren’t in a pizza mood and there was no way we were getting a seat there even if we wanted one).
We walked passed Radici (which was closed and I hear it is closing for good) and we wandered past the Duck and the Peach, which was almost completely empty (at least the deck part).
Every time I have been to Duck and Peach (post-covid, when it was a woke disaster), I have been mightily impressed by the wait staff (all extremely friendly and efficient), the food (the appetizers are always first-rate), and the drinks.
They don’t serve Makers-Mark, but they do have a first-class wine selection and they have an inventive cocktail selection.
When I asked for a table outside (for me, the wife and the dog) the staff was extremely friendly and welcoming (they loved Swiftie), and we got a table right away. No wait. But also no competition.
It is a beautiful wide deck, well appointed with outside lights and a barrier to keep out the homeless kid who used to play hockey at Gonzaga (it’s a long, sad, story).
I asked Kerry why she thought it was so empty and she thought maybe it had to do with the persistent homeless problem in that part of Eastern Market. I had my doubts. The homeless population is all over the Hill and it does little to stem the flood of customers at other locations.
I ordered a cocktail, she ordered a glass of Rose, and I decided to get the dates appetizer (which on the menu said it cost 8 bucks).
We had our drinks, ate our dates, and then as we checked out, I figured out why the deck was so empty. The Duck and the Peach is really expensive! Wow.
Anyway, if you have some extra money in your pocket, head on over to the Duck and the Peach. It’s nice place, with nice service, but man, it is not cheap.
Maybe that’s why we had the whole deck to ourselves.
It may be the 22% automatically added to the bill.