This week on Not So Long Ago, GM stops by M St. and 33rd St.
These days, this block contains Pizzeria Paradiso and will soon host Pinkberry. In the background is Thomas Moser on the next block.
In 1993, half the space currently used by Pizzeria Paradiso was occupied by a Mexican restaurant. GM’s not sure of the name since the tree blocks the sign. It could be Posadas Grill maybe?
Next to the Mexican restaurant was Candela’s a northern Italian restaurant. While GM can say for certain what the name is–unlike with the Mexican restaurant–GM can nonetheless not tell you anything else about Candela’s.
Next over was El Caribe Restaurant, which GM is going to assume was a Spanish Caribbean restaurant.
GM can’t remember what was in Pizzeria Paradiso’s space before they moved in (they moved in sometime around 2003, if memory serves right). Next door, Sangaree was open until the last year or so.
You can’t tell from this photo, but where Thomas Moser is, there was a fast food restaurant called Tasty Chicken.
Candela’s was a long-standing Italian restaurant (supposedly Northern in cuisine but Southern in atmosphere and vibe) popular both with locals and GU students splurging on a date. You could find better Italian food elsewhere but the service and setting were very pleasant and welcoming. If I recall correctly, Phyllis Richman included it in some of her early Washington Post dining guides. Not sure when it went out of business (maybe 10 to 12 years ago) but it is definitely missed.