DOT TURNS THE TOWNHOUSE ANNOUV

Those of us who have been out and about in Washington's gay scene long enough know that many gay bars and restaurants come and go. Good gay restaurants are a rarity, and while Washington boasts some that are good, we have had our share of the bad (and there are some still around).

Practically anyone who has been in town for the past seven years has at least heard of the Townhouse. The place has had a spotty history, and until Dottie Palmerton and Ruth Gray assumed proprietorship last January, the Townhouse had a well-deserved reputation for lousy food and equally lousy service.

All that has changed now. OUT has sampled the cuisine at the new Dot's Townhouse on several occasions in recent weeks, and we can report with enthusiasm that Dot's Townhouse is now serving excellent food in a serenely pleasant atmosphere.

As Dot told us, "All the food I serve is fresh. The only things frozen here are the ice in the drinks and the ice cream." All Dot's meals are prepared under her supervision, and all are cooked to the customer's specifications.

"We took over this place with very little money and a lot of guts, sweat and hard work," Dot said. "People told me they hoped we would make it. The people who know me know what kind of business I want to run, and since we've been operating the Townhouse, a number of people have said 'This is the kind of place gay people should have.' "We wholeheartedly agree.

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The Townhouse's decor has not changed much since it opened in the early 70's. It is a subdued and rustic place, with a bar and restaurant, a pool table and some game machines spread

out over four different levels. The decor is not dramatic, but it is clean and quiet, and offers diners an opportunity to enjoy good food and good conversation without the hassle of too-loud disco music blaring in the background. The menu is fairly traditional American, offering fresh seafood, steak, a spectacular liver and onions dish, a vegetarian entre, fresh steamed clams as an appetizer, and all at prices you will find hard to beat anywhere in the city. Dot's special bread is baked fresh every day, and her unique potatoes have not changed since she was working at Mr. Henry's and the Washington Post wrote that Dot had "pans of gold and the best skin on a potato east of Kansas City."

The food has a distinct home-cooked flavor, and Dot hopes soon to offer family style meals so that groups can come in and order a roast loin of pork or roast beef with all the trimmings at reasonable prices. Other plans include regular art shows, and currently the Townhouse has Roland at the piano on weekends.

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We were impressed by the mix of people we saw every time we have been to the Townhouse men, women, white and black, all seeming to enjoy their food, just relaxing and having a good time. "I don't want to run strictly a women's place," Dot told us. "We want this to be a place for all gay people. Our emphasis is on good food in an atmosphere where the food and good company can be enjoyed together."

Do yourself a favor. Stop in for a drink and dinner at Dot's Townhouse real soon. If you have only half as good a time as we did, you'll leave happily satiated.

Doug Wright

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