Expanding Your H Street Options

The atmosphere on Saturdays is just as crazy. When the noise gets to be too much, head upstairs to a quieter narrow loungey space with tables and chairs.

Daily drink specials are a good value, but with most bottled beers at $3 anyway, it doesn't really matter. And it's impossible to stop in without getting some soul food. The fried chicken delivers (crispy, seasoned skin, meat that comes off the bone), and the sides deserve attention of their own: The greens have a hint of brown sugar and spice from the hot sauce, the mac and cheese is gooey and just a bit crusty. The butter beans make me wish the chicken came with three sides instead of two.

Langston is a few blocks beyond the more established H Street strip, and though it's a short walk, because of the lack of foot traffic and lighting I'm more comfortable making the walk with a friend.

Sova Espresso and Wine

1359 H St. NE; 202-397-3080

Best for: On weekends, an early-evening date spot before heading to the Atlas theater, Rock and Roll Hotel or Palace of Wonders. During the week, a place to surf the Internet while unwinding with a glass of wine.

I'm not sure there's a more comfortable place on H Street than the upstairs of Sova. Cool green and warm red walls are covered with a funky blend of modern art. Mismatched furniture that looks like it was inherited from two very different sides of the same family fill the two rooms: Rigid wooden chairs with woven straw seats are arranged around a long, blocky dining room table and towering framed mirror. Nearby are sumptuous brocade settees and cushiony chairs that you can't help but sink into, and tall, carved wooden columns.

"I love it," says Rebecca Jones, who was resting on a couch, typing on her laptop and nursing a glass of red wine. The Catholic University grad student lives a couple of blocks away and says she stops in a few times a week to take advantage of the free WiFiand have a drink. "It feels like your living room: the furniture, the decor and everything about it."

Sova offers 16 wines by the glass from $8 to $9. And though I have yet to find a true gem, the friendly staff is very good about letting you have a taste before charging for a full pour. More reliable are the bottled beers, including California microbrews (Bear Republic, Lagunitas) and a handful of Euro imports.

Sova has worked hard to develop a true neighborhood feel. Owner Frank Harkins is usually on hand. On Tuesday mornings, the wildly popular Boogie Babies series brings out the stroller set for live music from Mr. Nate, Oh Susannah and other singalong performers. Truly a space for everyone on H Street.