I think an understanding of what a Gastropub is may help people manage expectations when trying out this restaurant for the first time, and possibly explain some of the reviews that gave negative remarks based on atmosphere due to a lack of understanding.
The definition of a "Gastropub" according to Webster's dictionary is : a pub, bar, or tavern that offers meals of high quality.
The concept of a gastropub is relatively new, first being used to describe a concept in England in 1991. Gastropub style restaurants are still very new to the american consumer, most people have no clue what exactly that means. Typically in a bar or tavern that serves food, the main focus is alcohol or other attractions, and food is offered as more of a convenience and is generally of medium to low quality, like Dave and Busters or other like corporate places, most sports bars, etc. The idea of a gastropub is to combine the casual, laid back, and fun atmosphere of a bar or tavern with high quality food. So if you go in expecting typical bar or tavern experience, you'll either be blown away that the food is so good, or be shocked that the prices are higher than you would expect from that type of place. On the flip side, if you go in expecting fine dining or a "high end" atmosphere, you're probably going to be happy with food and prices, but disappointed at the pub atmosphere.
As a food expert myself, I can tell you with 100% certainty that the ingredients used in their food are gourmet quality. That considered the price points should be higher, but that where the pub side kicks in. A proper gastropub finds a happy medium price wise between high end and typical pub, with high end quality because they do not have the additional cost of providing a white table cloth atmosphere, which ultimately gets built into the price you pay for your food. That is why a burger here in the $12-$14 range would easily be $16 to $20+ in a high end restaurant with a white tablecloths, without any sacrifice in food quality. But $12-$14 seems like a lot for a burger from a normal "pub", but you have to remember that your not being served standard or select ground beef, your getting a high quality ground patty that you cant even buy in a typical grocery store because no one would pay the higher prices.
From a presentation standpoint, a good gastropub should try to present the food in an appealing or unique manner, instead of a boring plate or cheap basket. I love the painters pallets they use, its the way a gastropub should be! I think its great that the domestic beers are served in brown bags! Its adds humor to the dining experience, which is what a gastropub should do to stand out.
I wish it had a little more a bar area, but i assume it was kept the way it is to save and maximize seating area. That's probably why they went with the "community tables" in the middle. That concept is also new to American diners, but is meant to be more of a bar away from the bar. They are intend to be a social place to sit where you talk to others around you that are not necessarily in your group. They are a great way to meet new people and should be treated more as though you were sitting at a bar instead of a table. Really they are supposed to be seated that way, with one party siting in a row as if at a bar with other people sitting across to promote socializing, but to most american diners, that is a turn off.
So next time you visit, go in with that mentality. I hope this help all of you reading these "mixed reviews" manage expectations when trying it out, and help you understand what the owners are actually trying to do. Its not lack of effort, its not seating arrangements that don't make sense, its because that is what a gastropub is. I think if you know what your going into and realize what it is, you will be blown away by this place. It is by far the best gastropub that has ever tried to brand themselves that way to ever open in Athens or the surrounding area. read more