"Exactly three weeks ago, I was in DC, hanging out with friends at Baby Wale, a busy bar and restaurant across the street from the convention center. It was the last busy bar I visited before the coronavirus lockdown, and it's wild to think about now--four of us exchanging hugs and eating dinner, two of us in from out of town, all of us having been on public transportation in the last several hours. One of my friends was there for a conference, so we picked Baby Wale out of convenience. It was full of people from the same conference. I'm guessing that was one of the last days before the place emptied out. The space was great, attractive and comfortable, with high ceilings and lots of hanging lights. The atmosphere was about right for a spot right by a convention center--not especially hip, but casual and nice. We met up early, at 5:00 on a Wednesday, and the place was quiet when we arrived and filled up while we were there. Service was polite and efficient. I had the Nagoya-style ramen for dinner and this was okay, a bowl of ramen with a chicken, pork, and bonito broth, topped with egg and green onion. The noodles were on the soft side and the broth was bland, but I guess it was fine for a restaurant that clearly doesn't specialize in ramen or even Japanese food. Anyway, I'd be thrilled to be back at Baby Wale, eating and drinking whatever, if it meant I could hang out with friends again. I don't live in DC, but I hope this place pulls through this difficult time, and that one day soon (just not too soon) it feeds hordes of conference attendees once again."
