And now a few words about... Kenos.
Magical Kenos.
We found it quite by accident; the boyfriend found a coupon in the mail for prime rib for $9.95. How could you possibly go wrong? It's right down the road from us and from the street it looks a lot like a Carrows. In fact, once inside, half of the restaurant looks exactly like a Carrows or a Dennys. But the other half...
... is a time machine.
I couldn't even tell you what the diner portion of the restaurant is like since from the moment we set foot inside we were drawn, like moths to a flame, to the the other side, the Lounge. Step past the threshold and you are immediately back in the Disco Era.
The first thing you see is the sunken conversation pit surrounding a copper hooded fireplace. Close your eyes and you can imagine women in their Qiana finery, sipping Harvey Wallbangers as they laugh at the jokes of the men decked out in their wide-collared polyester print shirts, unbuttoned low enough to show off their gold Italian horn necklaces.
The ceilings are low and the room is dark. Across the far wall is a low slung bar. The regulars roll around on short tufted club chairs on castors. Along the other walls and down the middle are deep, high backed naugahyde booths. Black and white photos of the 60's era Rat Pack are featured above the booths, but make no mistake, the year is 1977.
It was love at first sight, and what's not to love? Even if we hadn't been seduced by the decor, the food is surprisingly good, the drinks are large and potent and the whole shebang is remarkably cheap.
Not to mention, Friday night is... Karaoke Night!
Our first visit just so happened to be on Friday and it was hard not to be swept up in Karaoke Fever. Before you knew it, the boyfriend was up there doing a mean rendition of "Come Fly With Me." He was competing against a 12 year-old singing "Paparazzi". That's right... a 12 year-old! In a bar!
It's that type of place.
Ultimately, they both lost out to a couple of regulars, people who obviously LIVE for Friday nights at Keno's. And who knows, we may soon be two of them.
I told the boyfriend if we ever end up getting married, I want the reception there.
