We visited The Local on 50th this past Saturday evening with friends for dinner and drinks before a show at the casino. I was excited to try it since I hadn't been back to this location since it was Tu Madres, which I was a big fan of.
The menu looked promising, and having live entertainment was definitely a major plus. Unfortunately, our overall experience was a bit underwhelming.
We made a 6:45 p.m. reservation through OpenTable and requested a high-top table. We ended up being seated at a standard four-top next to the restroom. While it wasn't our preference, the restaurant was busy, and I completely understand that it's not always possible to accommodate every seating request.
One thing that was disappointing was the beer selection. The menu advertises craft beer, but under the "Craft & Canned" section it mostly listed domestic staples like Coors Light and Michelob Ultra. There were only a few craft options on draft, and unfortunately the ones our group tried weren't particularly enjoyable. The guys ended up leaving them unfinished and ordering cocktails instead. We ordered the French 760, which unfortunately missed the mark as well. It was overly sweet, and the sugar rim melted down the glass, leaving the stem sticky and messy to hold.
The appetizers were actually one of the highlights of the meal. Both the fried artichoke bites and the fried cauliflower were flavorful and well prepared.
Service is where the evening started to unravel a bit. After our appetizers arrived, our server didn't return for about 25 minutes. When he finally came back, he asked if we were ready for the check. We had to remind him that we were still waiting to order our entrees. Once we placed our order, the food arrived quickly.
Of the entrées, the Steak Frites was excellent and easily the standout dish of the evening. Unfortunately, both the Pasta Pesto and the Pasta Vodka were disappointing. The penne was overcooked, and both sauces were very bland and lacked the flavor we were expecting.
The true highlight of our visit was the live entertainment. This was our first time hearing Jessica Michelle perform, and she was phenomenal. While playing the keyboard, she effortlessly covered country favorites spanning multiple generations. Her voice was absolutely beautiful, and she created such a fun, welcoming atmosphere. We'll definitely be keeping an eye out for her future performances.
We're not writing off The Local on 50th. I spent over 20 years working in the restaurant industry, from family-style restaurants to fine dining, and one thing I learned is that every restaurant can have an off night. It happens. There was enough potential here that we'd be willing to give it another try and hope our next experience better reflects what this restaurant is capable of. read more