Hell's Kitchen - Minneapolis, MN

Saturday, 11/22/08, 11 am

Why I was in Minneapolis in November is a long story, but that doesn't distract from this horror-themed restaurant. The dungeon-like feel flowed into the bathroom, which had holographic pictures on the walls when you exit the stalls. The pictures morph from an innocent-looking girl to a demon-possessed child. Very nice effect.

I think there were 4 or 5 stalls - definitely needed in this large restaurant. No trick mirrors, which was appreciated.

Here's more on Hell's Kitchen.

Vinoteca - Washington, DC

Friday, 10/24/08, 7 pm - U Street

I just went to this wine bar a few weeks ago and sat upstairs in their lounge for the first time. I haven't used the restrooms downstairs, but the ones upstairs definitely reminded me of ones in people's homes. Which might make sense - the downstairs of the bar looks like a store front, but the upper level is more like a townhouse.

There are two single unisex stalls up there. The one I used was unremarkable. The requisite white title and burgundy painted half walls. There was also a storage closet right next to the toilet which wasn't well disguised. The pedestal sink was appropriate but nothing special. All in all it did the trick but did not do the place justice.

Philly/Detroit Airports

Saturday, 9/20/08

Yes I haven't posted in a while so I thought I'd make up for it by looking out of the box (or the stall as it might be). I do have some reviews with pics that I will get to when things calm down. But for now I'd like to talk about the restrooms in the Philadelphia and Detriot airports.

I was impressed with both for big public bathrooms. The stalls in Philly were really roomy with plenty of hooks - and not just on the back of the door. There were two on the side wall and even a shelf.

In Detroit, the sinks were what stood out for me. I hate when there's only a soap dispenser for every other sink or just one on either side of the row of sinks. It seems a waste to me. The sink bay was really clean and modern looking (I guess it should be - I learned that the terminal I was in had just opened three days before). The sinks were deep and each had a soap dispenser as well as paper towel dispensers in between two.

Back to restaurants soon. Stay tuned...

Earls - Denver

Thursday, 8/28/08, 10:30 pm - Downtown

I was at this restaurant at the end of a long week and hit up the bathroom after a few glasses of wine. So you'll excuse my vague memory. I do remember that it was a nice restaurant and I expected the same from the bathroom. It definitely kept me on my toes. Take a look at the doors to the stalls.


Apparently it's a Canadian chain. Here's more on Earls.

Sequoia - Washington, DC

Wednesday, 8/13/08, 7:30 pm - Georgetown

So it's restaurant week and while I went to Bistro Bis for a nice dinner, the restroom was in the hotel next door, so I feel that wasn't worth mentioning. But Sequoia gets its own mention. The huge restaurant also has a large bathroom with several stalls. But it made it feel more sterile. And even my friends commented on the somewhat creepy black toilets. You can't really tell if they're clean or not so you just have to go for it. The rest of the room was not really anything to talk about though - just a row of bland sinks. And I wouldn't normally mention this, but the bathroom is really not convenient. It's up a set of stairs and then around a few corners and another few steps and then back in a corner. Seems like they could have thought of a better place to put it.

Here's more on Sequoia.

Ceiba - Washington, DC

Wednesday, 7/30/08, 7 pm - Metro Center
This restroom was nice, but nothing really out of the ordinary for such a fun restaurant.

The two large sinks stood on titled floor, and there was a single chair in the corner (you can't see it from this angle).

But there are three stalls (I never really understand how a place decides the sink to stall ratio). Three stall with black slotted doors and just a white toilet inside. The stall I went into didn't have a hook (looked like it had been torn off), which is really important in a women's room.

I didn't think the wicker wastebasket made sense, but you can judge for yourself.

Here's more on Ceiba.

Lucali - Brooklyn, NY

Saturday, 7/26/08, 9:30 pm - Carroll Gardens

The old world feel carries on into the bathroom. The green-wood paneling gives sort of an out-house feel (but much cleaner) and the toilet is European in style, with the flush leverage an overhead chain.

The large farmhouse sink has two separate faucets - one for hot water, one for cold water. There was a stacked crate with hand soap and a nail brush on it (I wonder how many people use it). Overall it was pretty well kept despite the heavy traffic that I saw traveling in and out.

Lucali doesn't have a website, but here's it's menupages listing (which is actually kinda of funny since it only serves pizza).

Luna Grill - Washington, DC

Saturday, 7/5/08, 8:30 pm - Dupont

So they redid this restaurant and I guess I hadn't been in the bathroom since. It used to be one large unisex stall. Now it's two single stalls, but one for men and one for women.

The walls of the woman's stall are decorated with what looks like chalkboard paint and are covered with handwritten quotes from authors, feminist and political leaders, etc. (but upon closer examination, the chalk doesn't wipe off). The toilet and sink weren't anything special, but I think it's quirky and seemed pretty clean.

Here's more on the Luna Grill.

Cafe Asia - Washington DC

Monday, 6/30/08, 7:30 pm - Downtown

This bathroom might have been the reason I wanted to start this blog (and I promise I will try to grab a picture of it when I can). Call it the "Ally McBeal" bathroom - it has coed stalls side by side. The frosted glass door (that do reach the floor) have mens and womens symbols on them, but I don't think that means anything.

The stalls are small, slick, retro-mod looking, but not too confining. And the sink is one big stainless steel troth. I'm not sure if it's meant to be a place to congregate, but it's certainly a conversation starter.

Here's more about Cafe Asia.

Crabtree's Kittle House - Chappaqua, NY

Sunday, 6/22/08, 6:00 pm - Chappaqua, NY

The bathroom was what you would expect from a little inn. There was a powder area with some flowers on a small table. And the next room had two stalls, egg-shell colored and old-fashioned looking sinks. Everything was a bit worn - or worn in, depending on how you look at it.

Here's more about the Kittle House.