Aug 18, 2025
C'mon Kafka Light my fire
seen from Poland
seen from Netherlands
seen from Germany
seen from United States
seen from Germany
seen from Malaysia
seen from United Kingdom
seen from United Kingdom
seen from Hong Kong SAR China
seen from Australia
seen from United States
seen from United Kingdom
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from South Korea
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from United States
C'mon Kafka Light my fire
The Monocle Restaurant by StreetsofWashington Via Flickr: Constantine “Connie” Valanos (1918-2012) and his wife Helen (1925-2005) opened the Monocle at 107 D Street NE in October 1960, right in the thick of the Kennedy-Nixon presidential race. They chose an historic circa 1885 building that had long served as a casual restaurant and turned it into one of Capitol Hill’s first “white table cloth” eateries, serving well-prepared, traditional American fare within easy walking distance of Senate office buildings and the Capitol. Senator John F. Kennedy, who liked the roast beef sandwiches, would sit with wife Jackie at the corner table in the front bay window. After gaining the presidency, he would occasionally have meals brought to the White House from the Monocle.
Victor Liquor by StreetsofWashington Via Flickr: Victor Liquor, on Georgia Avenue in Brightwood, appears to be one of the oldest continuously operating retail stores in the city. This matchbook cover probably dates from the 1940s.
Chin's Palace by StreetsofWashington Via Flickr: Chin's Palace was another of those establishments in nearby Maryland that claimed D.C. addresses. Chin's was about a mile from the border in Capitol Heights. The building is still there.
Rich's by StreetsofWashington Via Flickr: Founded by Seymour Rich (1918-2012) in 1945, Rich's was located at 19th and E Streets NW and featured kosher style food. A popular downtown lunch destination, it closed in 1971.
Lessner's Wines & Liquors by StreetsofWashington Via Flickr: Lessner's Liquor Store near the Treasury Department downtown.
Showboat Lounge by StreetsofWashington
Tom Thumb Shops Inc. by StreetsofWashington Via Flickr: These Tom Thumb Shops do not seem related to the Texas grocery chain. It took me a second to realize that the slogan is advertising the freshness of the eggs.