Dining with a Diva: All Smiles at Blues Alley
“Now This is a Jazz Club!” –Dizzy Gillespie on Blues Alley
Ambiance 
Blues Alley is…the stuff of romance and adventure. Packed away in a historic part of Georgetown, you leave a busy, crowded, modern street and transport yourself into the roaring 20s, down an actual alley that can only be traveled with excitement and anticipation. You disappear into the club that can only be described as authentic, with its brick walls, wooden chairs, and candlelit tables. The tables are small, just barely big enough for two people and two drinks, let alone two dinner plates. But you are completely surrounded by people who are just as excited as you are about what you are soon to experience. Jazz. And Blues. And history. You are a part of a blanket of energy that is constantly being transferred throughout the night. There is no need for personal space because you are one, united in jazz. And in that moment, nothing else matters. For Ambiance: 4 out of 5 stilettos.
Jazz
Jazz pianist Marcus Johnson was phenomenal. His fingers danced all over that keyboard in a way that left everyone’s mouth agape. From Sade covers to Christmas jams to original pieces from his new cd “Poetically Justified,” Johnson turned an initially reserved crowd into a head-bobbin’, finger-snappin’, church-shoutin’ group of folks. And It didn’t hurt that his saxophonist Najee played that instrument like it was his last chance to get back the only woman he’s ever loved. For the Jazz–the only reason you go to Blues Alley–4 of 5 stilettos.
Food 
I don’t even feel right discussing the food at Blues Alley because it is just not the reason one goes to Blues Alley. But I ordered the “Ahmad Jamal Pasta” named after the jazz legend, of course, and it left much to be desired. But considering how small the tables were, I was pleasantly surprised by the size of the portion I was given. An almost ridiculously huge pile of simple spaghetti pasta with white wine sauce and teeny tiny vegetables sprinkled in was placed in front of me, and I ate all I could and my date finished what I couldn’t (yes I broke my own rule and went on a date. But it was Blues Alley for pete’s sake! You don’t pass up Blues Alley). I digress. The point is, your food is jazz. You feast on the energy of the crowd and you get full off the music and high off just being there. Eat before or after or grab dessert. The point is, this is an experience you must have. But for actual, physical food, I give it a 2 of 5 stilettos for discovering how to fit a large portion of food on a teeny tiny table.
Overall
Let me reiterate that you cannot be in D.C. for an extended period of time and not experience Blues Alley. While it is markedly better when you see an artist you love, (I would die to see Natalie Cole there!) the ambiance alone is enough to get out of your seat and make the trip to Georgetown. Top it off with the fact that it snowed like God tore open a bag of powdered sugar and just showered it down on us, there has never been a more romantic first date. Overall, 3 1/2 of 5 stilettos. 