Bistro 1717

I have no clue how or why I ended up in this place but I will never forget the experience. It must have been a weekend night because there was live music which was ok and it was super packed. I asked for a Guinness and the person I was with got a Jack and Coke. He got his drink first, which is typical for ordering a Guinness. After a minute or two though I was wondering what the hold up was and looked around. They had my beer on this like … vibrating thing that gave it the foamy head that is typical of a well poured Guinness. To top it off it was freeeeezing cold. Guinness is always better a tad warmer than your average beer.
Fail.

Fun little place in the neighborhood that serves decent enough food. My hamburger the one night was cooked and presented nicely and the salad I had most recently was delicious.
The bartender also was our server in the dining room so if they ever got crowded it might be a little bit of a challenge.
Happy Hour wine prices seem to be standard and the pour is generous for the price.
A good alternative if you don’t want to cook and want a quiet place to dine.

This place smelled like urinal cakes, which is not to say it smelled like a nasty restroom, but as if someone had replaced the air filter with a big box of urinal cakes. Ironically the restroom was very clean and had a scented candle that smelled wonderful. I suggested moving our entire party into the restroom but was voted down.
This place would be perfect for people whose primary joy in life is the tv show Moonlighting. Its theme is that kind of «1980’s beckoning the 1920’s» with a bunch of black and purple drapes everywhere, dim lighting, glass over the tablecloths, and smooth jazz.
I did not eat dinner at 1717. The martini I ordered was tasty but very weak, which sucks cause it was $ 9. In Wilmington that is a fortune. All of the martinis on their menu are vodka-​based. Although I personally dislike gin I can see how this would offend a real martini drinker. The couple I was with shared a hamburger they said was decent and some fried calamari that came with some kind of green dip instead of just cocktail sauce. I had some of their sweet potato fries which were ok.
The service was very good.