Overheard at Lunch: D.C. Gossip Girl June 8th, 2016

For One Night Only: Eric Sommer Returns!

Eric Sommer, who drives around the good old U.S. of A. strumming his guitar, made an appearance at Gypsy Sally’s on May 5. He performed renditions of Johnny Cash as well as his own material. Sommer previously owned an advertising agency on M Street and led the short-lived Georgetown Film Festival. He was also a waiter at Martin’s Tavern.

A ‘Home’ Run at Martin’s Tavern Washington Nationals manager Dusty Baker and his wife Melissa dined at Martin’s Tavern a few weeks ago with Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson, a Georgetowner. Johnson addressed baseball team owners about stadium security in January in light of the recent terror attacks in Europe. The topic of conversation at Martin’s? We were assured it was stories about Baker’s and Johnson’s undying love of the game, including Johnson’s ceremonial first pitch at the Nationals May 24 game. (The weekend before, Johnson gave the commencement address for Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service. And, yes, those were deportation protestors in front of his house last week.)

Obamas to Kalorama; KGB Gets Scoop

The First Family will be heading to Kalorama, in case you haven’t heard the news. President Obama and his family will be living in the posh neighborhood for a few years while Sasha finishes high school. White House Correspondent for the Independent Journal Review Kate Glassman Bennett was the first to break the news about the specific address — Joe Lockhart’s former home — which multiple media outlets jumped on and rewrote as their own.

‘Number 2’ Emma: Yelp Sensation?

In one of the most bizarre Yelp exchanges we’ve seen, a reviewer named Emma C. gave Georgetown favorite Nick’s Riverside Grill a paltry one star, saying the restaurant charged her for two drinks when she only ordered one. Grub Street reported that restaurant management responded with a typical bad review response, except with a twist. You see, Nick’s accused Emma of not ordering two drinks, but going number two in her seat, in the middle of the restaurant. Emma responded it wasn’t her and Nick’s fought back saying they have her face on security camera footage. The review has since been removed and the Washington City Paper has reported that Nick’s admitted they wrongly accused the Yelper of making a mess in their restaurant.

Jack Evans Says What We All Are Thinking

At a May 24 meeting of the Citizens Association of Georgetown, Ward 2 Council member Jack Evans cracked a classic Metro joke: “Metro has 13,000 employees,” he said. “How many work? Half.” He later talked seriously about Metro’s safety problems and added that a subway-deprived neighborhood would eventually get a stop. You know how some Georgetowners can be. They’ll just wait until things are perfect — or obsolete.

Redskins Owner, Family Pop into Das

Das Ethopian’s owner Sileshi Alifom was pleasantly surprised a few weeks ago when Redskins owner Dan Snyder popped into the popular eatery with wife Tanya and other family members. Alifom said the party was gracious and all 12 enjoyed his spicy eats.

Correction & Update

In our May 18 Overheard at Lunch column, we incorrectly stated that LuAnn Bennett lost her election to Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-Va.).

In an update to that item, the Washington Post reported that a conservative group is filing a complaint with the IRS accusing Bennett of not paying her D.C. taxes. The Washington-based Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust said in a letter that Bennett lived in D.C. for more than half the years of 2014 and ’15 in her apartment in the West End and should have paid taxes there. If an individual spends at least 183 days in a year living in D.C., they are to pay taxes there.