A 10/10 first visit, and I'm already planning my return…read more
I stopped in on a Sunday around noon, party of one, and grabbed a seat at the bar. The place was fairly quiet when I arrived, but it picked up as my meal went on.
The space is really well put together: nautical theme, interesting art, and lots of natural light from the windows balanced by dark wood furniture. You can watch the chefs cook from the dining area, and the long full bar has a great layout. They also had Sunday football on two TVs, which was a nice touch. It kept things casual without feeling too fancy or too much like a sports bar, just a great vibe for an afternoon of football and a good meal at the bar.
The bartender made the experience even better. She was attentive, friendly, easy-going, and engaging, and she was quick, too. You can tell she genuinely likes her job.
I'd checked the menu beforehand and spotted the mussels and fries. I love both, so I had to try it. The portion is big enough to share, but it works as an entrée if you're hungry. The fries come topped with a truffle garlic mayo, and the mussels arrive steaming hot in a delicious broth. You choose your spice level, and I went spicy. It was perfect, with plenty of heat that never buried the flavor of the broth.
I usually only trust mussels near the ocean, but these were cooked perfectly and won me over. The pairing with fries is one I never would have imagined, and it works. If you like garlic, you'll love the broth. As the mayo melts in, it turns creamy and almost looks like a tomato bisque, seasoned to perfection with a flavor I've never had before. Even soaked in broth, the fries stayed crispy.
One tip: I finished everything and still had a lot of broth left. My bartender offered bread for dipping, but I was too full and didn't know it was an option. Next time I'll save room or ask for bread right away.
I also tried the seasonal spiked apple pie cocktail, with a cinnamon-sugar rim and a cinnamon stick garnish. It was flavorful without being overpowering, the kind of drink you could easily have more than one of.
I'll be thinking about this dish until I'm back, which will probably be soon. I'm dying to try the mac & cheese topped with hot Cheetos, plus a few other things on the menu.
Highly recommend!