First look: Noni's Italian Deli and Bar (1)

We were walking toward Noni's Italian Deli and Bar (357 Edgewood Ave., 404-915-8679), across from the Executive Car Wash where the staff was spit-shining cars and pumping loud music.

A woman, perhaps 45, dressed in soiled white hot pants and a blond wig askew on her head staggered by us, mumbling.

Wayne turned and said, "Aww, that was sweet. Did you hear her?"

I told him I had.

"It's not every day a stranger says, 'How you doin', darlin','" he said.

"Wayne," I corrected him, "she was drunk and she said, 'How about a dollar?'"

Which goes to show that if you carry the right attitude and hearing, you won't mind the rather picturesque folks wandering about this stretch of Edgewood Avenue, four or five blocks west of Boulevard. In any case, owner Matt Rupert has hired a black-clad security man who can protect you from panhandlers in hot pants. Honestly, I find the surroundings entertaining and, in any case, there's parking behind the new restaurant. Look for the driveway on the west side of the building.

Fair disclosure requires that I report that I've known Matt for some years. In fact, he was our server at Cava when we had a knock-down-drag-out battle about remodeling Unabomber Acres, our mountain casita. Matt's the co-founder of the Big Gay Supper Club and he recently completed a master's degree in French. He's a very talented, funny and smart young guy. My recollection is that he also plays piano. Maybe he can perform as Noni's lounge lizard as well as its owner and chef.

Read the rest of this article here.

(Photo by James Camp)