CRESTVIEW — Angela Quertermous says overcoming breast cancer inspired her to open a restaurant.
But it needed an old-fashioned feeling.
'THEY DON'T LEAVE'
Angel's Speakeasy is a throwback to the 1940s and 1950s. You can hear that era's music playing, and you can see vintage artwork and photographs throughout the establishment.
Outside, residents can have a drink and socialize at the porch-side bar, which features live music throughout the week.
In the Boulevard of Broken Dreams dining area, four booths are dedicated to James Dean, Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley and Humphrey Bogart. Each booth has curtain draping for some privacy.
“When people get in those booths, they don’t leave," Quertermous said. "They will hang (out) and order another glass of wine."
That's the point. Customers can power down their smart phones and tablets during a visit at Angel's because here, the meal is as much about the experience as it is the food.
“Everything is go, go, go now … you really don’t sit down and enjoy eating," she said.
'I FEEL LIKE I LIVE HERE'
It took Quertermous three years to renovate a 1936 Hickory Avenue house into a restaurant.
She wanted to create an atmosphere that encouraged sitting back, relaxing and forgetting about modern pressures.
“A lot of it is old-school hospitality that I wanted to bring back,” she said.
So, what kind of food is served?
Well, a top seller is lasagna that takes at least 30 minutes to bake. Apparently, customers are willing to wait, Quertermous said.
“My first day open, I sold 15 (lasagnas),” she said.
The menu also includes alfredo and spaghetti dishes, seafood, steaks and sandwiches. Appetizers, salads and desserts are also available.
Everything, including the salad dressing, is made fresh at the restaurant. Many recipes are handed down from Quertermous' family.
The restaurant's throwback, come-and-sit-awhile environment and its family ties make working there seem less like a job, Quertermous said.
“I don’t feel like I am working. I feel like I live here and people will come and have lunch with me,” she said.
WANT TO GO?
WHAT: Angel’s Speakeasy
HOURS: Bar, 11 a.m. to midnight; lunch, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and dinner, 5-8 p.m. Late-night dinners are available until 11:30 p.m. Thursday through Sunday
WHERE: 398 Hickory Ave., Crestview
Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Time slows, food's made fresh at Crestview speakeasy (VIDEO)