Time is running out on the tiny Driftwood Room. Admittedly, time left it somewhere behind in the early sixties, but February 1, the Mallory Hotel closes and is transformed, into what, who knows? The Driftwood Room—did I mention it was tiny?—is claustrophobicly small. With 9 tables, and only one a 4-top, and only a couple big enough to eat at, this place is small. When somebody starts smoking, it's like you're smoking. With a couple tables full, it's loud.

When I was younger, I would have loved sitting there, soaking up the smoke and the muzak versions of Sara Smile and Dollar Brand, though my cranky old self was less than enthralled. There are three taps, with Mac's, Mirror Pond, and Hefeweizen, and wine by the glass, but this is all about hard alcohol. Wait service was erratic, and I sat with an empty beer glass for a while. And during Happy Hour (which is an amazing 6 hours long, 3-9pm, Sunday-Thursday) there's no discount on drinks, but there's a hardcore food discount. Nothing's over $4. And while nothing was worth writing home about, hello!, I am okay with a half-pound burger for $4.