European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - July 27, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                A couple Dine at ease at a Gung to restaurant in Virginia where a 1942 weapons Carrier la parked behind thee lad bar and chunks of beef Are served treate no Type Appet Ltee. Military menu in Virginia Battlefield Buffet by Janet Howells Tierney. A staff writer. New people can stomach the possibility of the military and Good food Ever finding a Happy meeting ground but then they be never eaten at the keep in Stafford a near the Quantico Marine corps base. The sprawling restaurant was built two years ago using a military theme except in the Kitchen where lip smacking dishes Are prepared to be eaten among the footlockers and landmines. However just because the establishment has a combat Quality does t mean diners will be roughing it. Visitors can choose Between three distinctly decorated dining areas ranging from an elegant civil War Era banquet room to a downright cozy Vietnam Alcove. Quot the largest area is the world War ii room an airy main dining room built with plenty of warm Wood and hanging Green plants. Each table resembles a military Footlocker and the front of the salad bar is adorned with ammo Box covers. Behind the salad bar a 1942 weapons Carrier is parked and covered with Model air planes and other War Memorabilia across from the salad fixings 50 people can sit around the 100-foot bar and Converse about the hundreds of military medals trapped for All time under the counter Glass. A people stopped by when i was building the place and donated different items for display Quot said Frank Piwowarski who co owns the keep with his wife and family. Donations include most of the More than 700 medals the Model air planes flags and Navy Fleet Caps. But not All the military artefacts came easily or inexpensively. Piwowarski paid $900 for a civil War Ruck sack he found at an auction then paid Only for the transport of a 1920 biplane he spotted on its Way to the junk pile. A they were unloading the plane when j happened to drive by Quot he said. Quot knew i had to have  Piwowarski envisioned the plane being positioned on the restaurant s roof As though it had crash landed. But the idea did t work. Instead the plane was set in the Trees on a Hill behind the building and illuminated for evening diners. The plane is visible through the Wall of windows that line the Vietnam Alcove. The area is guarded by two replicas of 40mm anti aircraft guns positioned near its Entrance. One Wall of the room is covered with a hand painted Jungle scene that nearly conceals the Alert faces of soldiers on patrol continuing Back into american military history another dining room is dedicated to the civil War. Hand made wooden panels and lace curtains give this room an elegant air although some diners May get a bit uncomfortable under the unflinching gaze of opposing generals Robert e. Lee and Ulysses s. Grant who gaze Down from Large portraits around the fireplace. The restaurant s unique design was dreamed up by Piwowarski who spent 10 years in the army before starting to work in Northern Virginia restaurants. Besides experiencing an atmosphere you won t soon forget the Cost of eating at the keep is appealing a even to the lowest paid new recruit Piwowarski contends the local marines Are keen on the restaurant s special a chunk of beef a which comes in three sizes restaurant Cut for $6 95, owner s Cut for $8.95 and Mammoth Cut for $11,95 along with a full line of steaks the menu offers delectable seafood and Chicken All entrees come with potatoes and a trip to the ammo Box lined salad bar the keep is easy to find Ion route 1 in Stafford across from the main Entrance to the Marine base about 30 minutes drive South of Washington d c. A amps Chuck Vinci Quot people stopped by when i wee building the place end donated different Itema for display a Maya restaurateur Frank Piwowarski. Friday july 27, 1990 the stars and stripes a a a Page 13