BY KAFIA HOSH AND PORTSIA SMITH
K. Heezy: So, this is our last Another Round column.
P. Smitty: Sad, it is. But we both are moving on to new ventures.
K. Heezy: We figured it would be appropriate to come to a close at Happy Endings in downtown Fredericksburg.
P. Smitty: It used to be the Irish-themed Covington's but has since transformed into a "basement bar."
K. Heezy: When we strolled in last Thursday night, we felt instantly at ease. The place has a comfy, laid-back atmosphere and resembled someone's basement, with green drapes, posters and a leather couch tucked away in the back.
P. Smitty: The bar took up a majority of the space, but too much bar is never a bad thing, right?
K. Heezy: There was a framed poster from the movie "Happy Endings," starring Lisa Kudrow. Our waiter explained to us that the owner enjoyed the flick and decided it would be fun to name the bar after it.
P. Smitty: When we got there around 7 p.m., a DJ was setting up for karaoke and I was setting up for something to eat.
K. Heezy: We settled into some seats near the bar and checked out the menu. I was pleasantly surprised by the choices. I expected your usual burgers and fries, but this menu was filled with diverse dishes. I picked the crab cake appetizer.
P. Smitty: I was hungry, so I ordered the crab cake entree, which came with garlic mashed potatoes and a tossed salad. And let me tell you, I think those were the best crab cakes I've ever eaten, seriously.
K. Heezy: The music was mostly pop, rock and hip-hop. But then, when it came time for karaoke, we flipped through the music book and decided we'd sit this one out.
P. Smitty: Instead of singing karaoke, I was more interested in the game of "Zelda" going on at the other end of the bar. I couldn't believe you could go there and play old-school Nintendo. I wonder if they have the "Duck Hunt" game.
K. Heezy: Back at the karaoke area, a woman named Melanie belted out The Searchers' "Love Potion Number Nine" in a deep alto. It was a cabaret-style performance. Melanie must have sung the hit before, because she seemed very much at ease. She also must have known every word of the song, because she never looked at the screen.
P. Smitty: The thing about the karaoke that night was that singers were pretty much on their own. Nobody in the crowd of 20 or so really listened or applauded. Of course, that could be a good thing--if you're a terrible singer.
K. Heezy: But still, Happy Endings is a relaxed bar with good food and a friendly staff. It's the kind of place that'd be good for killing time on a lazy evening or unwinding after a long, hard day at work.
P. Smitty: The End. It's been nice partying with you all.
Kafia Hosh: 540/735-1977Editor's Note: Portsia and Kafia may be moving on to other ventures, but keep looking for the Another Round bar-review columns--published on the last Thursday of each month--written by guest reviewers.
| The Place: Happy Endings
The Address: 1315 Princess Anne St., Fredericksburg
Hours: Monday through |