I always liked David Bonior.  Sure, he was a left-wing, pro-labor, hard-core Democrat, who opposed much of what my personal world-view may be.

But he had integrity.  He was pro-life Democrat, which takes a lot of courage.  And you could tell he really cared about people.

My former boss, Speaker Denny Hastert, liked Bonior too.  He was somebody in the opposition’s leadership who would always give the Speaker the straight scoop.

So, when he and his wife invited my wife and I to dinner at their new restaurant on Capitol Hill’s Barrack’s Row, I was happy to accept.  Bonior is the major investor, and his son and daughter-in-law, who have long experience in the restaurant business, actually run it.

Called “Zest”, the restaurant is just about what you would expect from somebody like David Bonior.  It serves good, American food at great American prices.  It’s not particularly flashy, but it is very comfortable, nicely lit, with a good vibe to it.

There is a bar towards the front of the restaurant with a nice-sized big screen television, which I am fairly certain will have ESPN on it all day.  Read more...