In 1992, the high-profile Cafe Milano opened at 3251 Prospect St. NW and never looked back — and remains a favorite of Georgetown residents, visitors, politicians and celebrities alike. Its birthday celebration is Friday. “Many things have changed over the past 25 years in D.C. We’ve seen four presidents, changing neighborhoods and varying political ideologies, but Cafe Milano still remains a safe place to come together to talk, drink and eat, in even these polarized times,” owner Franco Nuschese said.

“Cafe Milano is my wild child,” Nuschese told the Georgetowner more than 20 years ago. He was sitting in Bice, formerly a downtown restaurant on Pennsylvania Avenue, which he was managing in the 1990s, and talking about his new Georgetown venture.