First Bite: Moe’s Original BBQ

When I heard several months ago that Moe’s Original BBQ was opening a new restaurant in the Nashville area I was immediately excited. Having lived in Birmingham, Alabama for several years I was already familiar with Moe’s, and was definitely a fan of their B’ham locations.

Well, the Moe’s Original BBQ in Cool Springs is now open, and I was fortunate enough to have the chance to attend their  media tasting event recently.

Moe’s is a small, but growing chain of restaurants, mostly in the southeast, but that actually got its start in Colorado. I know, Colorado isn’t the first place I think of when someone says BBQ either, but don’t hold that against them! Moe’s was founded by Mike Fernandez, Ben Gilbert, and Jeff Kennedy, three friends who met at the University of Alabama. After learning how to smoke meats from Moses Day in Tuscaloosa, the three took to Colorado and set up shop. After starting out as a catering and concession business in Minturn and Eagle, Colarado they were able to expand their business each year, being invited to serve at Vail and Beaver Creek resorts before opening a seasonal restaurant in Vail’s Lionshead Village, and eventually a year-round restaurant in Eagle, CO in 2005.

In 2006, MOB returned to Alabama with a location in Orange Beach, and they have been expanding throughout Alabama and Colorado ever since. They have recently expanded their footprint with locations in Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and even Maine. The Nashville location, owned by three more ‘Bama Boys, Alston Noah, Andrew Clark, and Jordan Winn who spent six years working with the original founders, is one of the newest locations and the first in Tennessee.

After months of mouth-watering anticipation, I finally had the chance to try Moe’s of Nashville, and it did not disappoint. The decor of the new restaurant reflects Moe’s roots, a blend of BBQ shack and ski lodge themes with some Tennessee artifacts and flags thrown in for good measure. It sounds weird, but it works and feels welcoming right away. Located in a strip mall/office complex, it is unassuming from the outside, but upon entering you are greeted by high ceilings hung with a few neon beer and ski trail signs. The bar is to the left when you enter and in addition to beer and mixed drinks also offers Nashville’s signature bushwacker. The register where you order is just beyond the bar, and behind it is the open kitchen. The smoker is inside, so no, this isn’t your pappy’s pull-behind pit. But don’t let the shiny metal fool you, the barbecue coming out of it is as authentic as the homemade banana pudding (yes, that counts as a side).

Since we were there for a tasting, we decided to go with the BBQ Sampler Platter which in addition to three sides also included six meats (yes, 6) and cornbread. This sampler is more like a road trip through the Moe’s menu, but we were up for the challenge. For our sides we went with mac & cheese, sweet potato casserole, and the aforementioned banana pudding. There are about ten sides offered every day with additional rotating daily specials. The six meats were: pulled pork (of course), wings, ribs, bbq chicken, smoked sausage, and turkey.

My favorite was the pulled pork, which was high quality (no fatty or tough pieces here), and cooked almost perfectly. There may have been a hint of dryness, but that immedietly vanished with the addition of Moe’s delicious sauce, which they actually serve warm by keeping the bottles bathing in a slow cooker of warm water (great idea). The pork isn’t overwhelmingly flavorful on its own, but serves as a vehicle for the sauce which I would consider a fantastic hybrid of vinegar and tomato based sauces. Moe’s also has a great Alabama-style white sauce (get your sandwich Bama style and it comes with slaw, white, and red sauces) which is excellent on chicken.

My co-pilot on this road trip of smoked meats loved the bbq chicken which came with the white sauce. The chicken was so fall-off-the bone tender that he described it as “biting into a pillow” and absolutely loved the flavor. I have to agree that the chicken was fantastic.

I usually don’t get excited for turkey, I don’t dislike it, but it is typically dry and bland. Not at Moe’s! The turkey was moist (not as much as the chicken leg, but that would be impossible), and had a lot more flavor than expected. It still wouldn’t be my go-to order, but it was really good. The sausage also had a nice smokey flavor with a spicy finish. The wings on the other hand weren’t very hot, but had a nice little sweet heat. I wouldn’t call them “buffalo wings” but the texture and flavor were nice, and these would be a good way to start a meal. The ribs were dry rubbed and had a nice flavor, with or without a generous lather of sauce, although they weren’t quite tender enough in my opinion. I like my ribs fall-off-the-bone tender.

The cornbread was a great surprise. It was exceptionally moist and had a wonderful sweet flavor. This isn’t your mom’s dry skillet cornbread, this stuff is a fantastic compliment to Moe’s ‘que. As for the other sides, the sweet potato casserole was great, sweet, but not too sugary, and the corn flake topping was the perfect compliment. The banana pudding was also excellent, not overly banana’d, and not overly ripe. Bonus points for making it a side, and not an extra charge dessert! The mac & cheese was solid, but nothing extraordinary. With so many sides to choose from, you might want to go with another vegetable option.

Overall, we were definitely impressed with the quality, variety, and flavors at Moe’s Original BBQ and will be back for a full review in the future. Based on my experiences at the Moe’s in Birmingham, the pulled pork sandwich (Bama style) comes highly recommended, and after this first visit I don’t expect that to change. We’re happy to welcome Moe’s to Tennessee!

Swaffles

Reviewed by: Clay

Dined 5/1/13

I first heard about Swaffles through the Scout Mob app and email offerings, and then subsequently heard about it by word of mouth. After one ill-fated attempt to visit Swaffles last month (they are closed on Monday’s, but luckily for me, The Red Bicycle is open), I was finally able to pay this unique shop a visit.

Located in the Germantown neighborhood right across from Germantown Cafe, Swaffles is unique in that they serve a variety of swaffles. As you may have guessed, a swaffle is a sandwich served on a waffle instead of bread. They offer both sweet and savory swaffles in addition to sides, baked goods, and bottled drinks. Orders are placed at a the counter and then brought out to you. This is a small shop, and there is limited seating; just a few tables inside and out, but it wasn’t busy on our visit.

After checking out the menu and consulting with the friendly staff, my accomplice and I decided to share one sweet and one savory swaffle and two sides. We settled on the Southern (fried chicken, shredded jack cheese, tomato and greens) and the S’more (chocolate, marshmallow, graham cracker, cinnamon) with hash browns (meh) and sweet potato fries (perfect and delicious).

The kitchen was open and we could see our food being prepared with care. The sliced french fries looked so delicious that I almost changed my order from hash browns to fries, but stuck to my guns. I was very pleased to see that Swaffles’ waffles are the regular, non-Belgian variety (like Waffle House). I am probably one of the few people who favor this type of waffle over Belgian. I prefer the texture and the flavor (softer, not as sweet).

The food came out after a short wait, and I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the presentation. The Southern was beautifully plated (well it was in a plastic basket, but still) and looked so appetizing! The waffle was folded in half along its center crease, and fried chicken tenders, ripe red tomatos, and fresh spinach were layered in between with care. The swaffle was smiling at me! The S’more was sprinkled with powdered sugar, and smelled great.

My first impression upon biting into the Southern was that the waffle didn’t change the sandwich as much as I expected. The waffle flavor was more subtle than expected. This was probably a good thing, as it allows the ingredients to shine. The main difference was the pillowy,  springy texture, which I liked. The tomato and spinach were fresh, ripe, and just as tasty as they looked. The chicken was tender and golden fried. The Southern was good, but it seemed to be lacking something. I wish that they offered it with “hot” chicken or even buffalo chicken, or maybe some more adventurous sauces. As is, the Southern is fine, but a little bland.

I had similar feelings about the S’more. It was good, but not nearly as good as a real s’more (which incidentally, I had just had the night before). This was something that I might have made at home by slathering some Nutella and marshmallow cream on a waffle. This isn’t to say that it was bad, but it just wasn’t anything special. I think on my next visit I’ll try the sticky bun or German swaffle.

Swaffles is one of several new restaurants in the modern section of Germantown, and along with The Red Bicycle, it is one of the few quick and casual options. Being right across from each other, and both showcasing a traditional breakfast item as a vehicle for both sweet and savory fillings, the two are ripe for comparison. While I enjoyed both, I think I would give the nod to The Red Bicycle by a nose, as they offered more variety and bold flavors on their menu, and their Nutella and strawberry crepe was just awesome (they also have more seating, espresso drinks, and a larger menu) That said, I’d love to see Swaffles add some more adventurous items to the menu, and I”m sure I’ll be back.

Dead End BBQ

I recently had the chance to have lunch from Dead End BBQ while passing through Knoxville. Unfortunately, due to having a puppy with me I had to get takeout and eat in the car. I ate in the parking lot for maximum freshness, but didn’t get quite the same experience as eating in the restaurant (which is quite nice looking and has an appealing open air patio). Barbecue (and by that I mean pulled pork, not beef, and not a way of cooking) is one of my favorite foods. Having grown up in NC and lived in Alabama before moving to Tennessee, I’ve had the fortune to enjoy many different varieties of barbecue. I’m won’t go as far as to call myself a BBQ expert, just a huge BBQ fan.

Dead End BBQ is a fairly big restaurant, and looks really nice and new, especially for a BBQ restaurant. This isn’t an old building out in the country, it resembles more of chain type restaurant, an upscale-casual BBQ joint. While I wasn’t able to enjoy these “upscale” ammenities, they certainly looked inviting from the bar where I waited for my take-out. They had several beers on tap, including some local ones, TVs behind the bar, and table service in the dining room. The kitchen is somewhat open in the back of the restaurant.

But what about the food? My wife and I both had the pulled pork plate (what every BBQ joint should be judged on, IMO) with various sides. I got the fried okra and Red, White, and Bleu Slaw. She got macaroni and pimento cheese and corn on the cob. The sides were good, especially the slaw which had just the right amount of bleu cheese to make it unique, crunchy, creamy, and blue cheesy. The mac and pimento was also a fun and tasty take on a traditional side. The corn and okra were typical, nothing special but solid.

Pulled Pork Plate

Dead End’s pulled pork was very good, long pulled pieces (not chopped) were cooked just right- tender, but not mushy or chewy. There wasn’t any gristle, chewy spots, or hunks of fat. The meat itself was lightly seasoned- I could have stood for just a tad more flavor on the pork, but was cooked perfectly and was waiting for the addition of one of Dead End’s 3 sauces. We both got their regular sauce which has just a touch of spice, but they also offer a mild and hot version. Overall I was really pleased with the quality and flavor of the pulled pork and its sauces (these were your tomato based sauces, not the Eastern NC  vinegar based variety).

Dead End BBQ was packed on a Sunday afternoon, and for good reason! They offer high quality pulled pork (and many other smoked meats), unique takes on traditional sides, and a friendly and fun atmosphere. I can’t wait for the chance to go back and sample their smoked wings, ribs, and maybe even the beef brisket (Texas ‘que). If you’re looking for good barbecue in a fun setting, definitely check out Dead End BBQ in Knoxville. Or, call ahead and they will have your take-out waiting for you.

Image courtesy of www.ChoppedOnion.com

This past weekend I was driving through Knoxville on my way to Pigeon Forge and had the opportunity to eat a couple of meals along the way. Cardin’s was recommended, it was reasonably close to I-40, and being that it’s a drive-in, it seemed like the perfect place to stop with a puppy in the car.

Cardin’s is on the Old Asheville Highway, a fitting location for an old drive-in. I’ve been to several “drive-ins” before where you actually order from a drive-thru window or have to get out of your car and order at a walk-up window, so I wasn’t sure what to expect from Cardin’s. When we arrived, I was pleasantly surprised to see that there were in fact carhops who came out to your car to take your order and then returned with your food later (there were no roller-skates though). The set-up wasn’t like a sonic, but more like an old school Dairy Queen- a square building with a large awning in front. Cars pulled up all around, almost like spokes surrounding the hub of the wheel. When we arrived, there were no open spots on the “hub,” so we parked next door and walked over to the picnic tables under the awning. This was actually preferable, as it gave us a chance to stretch our legs and let the dog out of the car.

I was thinking that maybe we would order at the window since we’d gotten out of the car, but I was wrong. One of the carhops immediately greeted us and asked if we knew what we wanted- we didn’t yet. We took a seat at the picnic table and checked out the menu which was posted on several menu boards attached to the underside of the awning. The menu was reasonably expansive and the prices were right.

I decided to go with a chili burger, onion rings and a butterscotch shake for dessert. The wife decided on a cheeseburger (standard toppings), fries, and a dipped cone. The food came out in 5 to 10 minutes, and I enjoyed the chance to observe the carhops at work and the other customers. It was really refreshing to enjoy this throwback to an earlier time.

The food came out on a tray (which could have attached to a car window) and we got down to business. The portions were fairly small, and I immediately started debating adding a slaw dog to the mix. The first bite of the chili burger was both familiar and new at the same time. The flavors of chili and mustard, key components of a standard chili burger were at the forefront, but I was surprised to find high concentration of beans in the chili. In my experience, hot dog and hamburger chili usually has less beans than regular chili, but not this recipe. The beans gave the chili a bit of a unique flavor, and I think i would have preferred a lower bean concentration, but the chili was rich and tasty and complemented the burger and other toppings nicely. This was a really good drive-in chili burger. Better than fast food, not as flavorful as a sit down place, but really good flavors that complimented each other well. The patty itself was good, but not super thick or flavorful- it was exactly what I expected from a drive-in, and thoroughly enjoyable.

My wife was even more impressed with the cheeseburger, claiming that it could have held its own against almost any of the burgers in the Burger Beat-Down (although she hasn’t had ALL of those burgers). I was too focused on my chili burger to snag a bite of the cheeseburger, and by the time I finished mine, there were no bites to be had- it MUST have been good. The fries and onion rings were good but not great, they were reliable compliments to the burgers, though they were likely frozen. I decided against (or maybe I was talked out of) getting a slaw dog for the second course, but in my imagination, it was delicious (slaw would have been a great addition to the chili burger, a realization I came to a half way through my meal).

I only discovered the joys of butterscotch milkshakes this past fall, so when I saw butterscotch on the menu I was immediately excited about the prospects of a butterscotch shake for dessert. I snuck a few sips before digging into my burger, and those only made me look forward to the after dinner treat even more. The shake was thick and creamy, and by the time I finished my food, it had softened just enough for me to drink it with the straw. The shake was the perfect end to the meal, but I do wish they had used more butterscotch. I could taste the butterscotch flavor, but it was more subtle than I had hoped. I didn’t want to be overwhelmed, but I think there is a perfect medium between subtle and overwhelming, and this one was just a little on the subtle side. The dipped cone (vanilla in chocolate) looked fantastic, but again I was too focused on my own shake to partake. My wife noted that the chocolate was thicker than a typical dipped cone (I thought this was a compliment), and that made it a little sweeter (and probable richer) than normal. She enjoyed it but wasn’t able to finish the whole thing.

We drove up to Cardin’s not knowing what to expect, and we left with our hunger satisfied and smiles on our faces. Cardin’s Drive-in was a great stop, I really enjoyed the atmosphere, the old school tradition, and of course the food. While the burgers and shakes weren’t the best I’ve ever had, they were better than average, and far better than anything from a fast-food window, and for similar prices. The food was simply prepared and somewhat predictable, but this is exactly what I was looking for in a drive-in. I would definitely recommend Cardin’s to anyone looking for a fun and casual meal in Knoxville. If you close your eyes, you can almost picture it as a crowded hotspot surrounded by 1950s era Chevy’s and Thunderbirds. Actually, it was pretty crowded on a Friday afternoon in 2013 too, some things are too good to change.

Dined 4/8/13

We stumbled onto The Red Bicycle by happy accident recently. I had planned to check out Swaffles in Germantown for lunch with a couple of friends. Unfortunately, we arrived to find that they are not open on Mondays. Not looking to spend the time or money on a fancier lunch at one of the upscale restaurants nearby (Germantown Cafe, Silo, Mad Platter, Rolf and Daughters, etc.) we were suddenly at a loss for where to eat. We noticed The Red Bicycle across the street and were unsure… a creperie? For lunch? “Ok, why not?” we thought.

Walking into The Red Bicycle I immediately liked the eclectic coffee house atmosphere, and we were pleased to see that they not only had sweet crepes, but also breakfast crepes and savory crepes. Plenty of variety and substance for lunch! The Red Bicycle almost feels like a stationary food truck. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, just a unique feeling. If paying with plastic, you swipe your card and sign your name on an iPad. You order at the counter and your name is called when your food is ready (the wait is slightly longer than expected, but not unreasonable). The menu is hand written on a blackboard behind the counter, and includes a variety of coffee and espresso drinks as well as the aforementioned assortment of savory and sweet crepes.

For lunch I went with the Bacon Cheeseburger crepe (I couldn’t resist), and my accomplices chose the Thai and Hamilton crepes. Fortunately someone also had the foresight to also get a sweet crepe, because the Nutella + strawberry was FANTASTIC! The Bacon Cheeseburger crepe was very good, and tasted surprisingly like a McDonald’s Quarter-Pounder with cheese (yeah, but in a good way). I think it was the mustard, but I’m not sure. That first bite just grabbed me and said “hey, I’m familiar, but unique and better!” These crepes are also sizable and more filling than I expected. One crepe (no side) is probably enough for lunch (I was full), but you’d be remiss to not try one sweet and one savory. The Thai and Hamilton crepes were also good, offering a nice variety of flavors. My favorite though was the nutella and strawberry. It was topped with homemade whipped cream, and even after sitting while we finished our savory crepes, it was still fantastic. None of the flavors was overwhelming, and they all came together for a perfect sweet dessert. I want to try some of their other sweet crepes, but it will be difficult not to get this one again. The crepes themselves were soft, light, and just the right amount of sweet. They were also plenty large, allowing them to be filled and folded nicely.

What could have been a lunch disappointment turned into an unexpectedly fun find. I’m actually glad that Swaffles was closed because we got to experience The Red Bicycle, and I really enjoyed it. I’ll definitely be back. Maybe for lunch, maybe for breakfast, or maybe just for a sweet snack and a coffee. If you find yourself in Germantown and craving something sweet or a unique lunch, stop in and see what The Red Bicycle is all about. And, check in on facebook or tag them on twitter for 15% off!

April 8, 2013    Spring has sprung in Tennessee (for good, we hope), and Summer is right around the corner. This time of year brings longer days, more time for eating, and lots of festivals and other events around the state, especially Nashville. We’ve also been up to a few things here at Eat It, Tennessee and wanted to share some of that with our readers, and give you a taste of whats to come here on the blog. As always, thanks for reading, and happy eating!

Special Events:

The Burger Beat-Down is nearing its conclusion, with only 4 more restaurants on the list. The results will be announced soon, and we are even producing a special t-shirt to commemorate the occasion! Keep an eye on our facebook and twitter pages for a preview of the shirts. Oh, and while you’re at it, follow us on Instagram: @EatItTennessee we post food pics that don’t always make it onto the site.

Did you like the Burger Beat-Down, but prefer your food competitions a little spicier? Well we have good news for you! The Nashville Hot Chicken Festival is coming up on July 4th, and in honor of this annual celebration of Hot Chicken, we here at Eat It, Tennessee will be conducting our own Hot Chicken Challenge, a daunting quest to find the best hot chicken in Nashville. Leave your suggestions for contestants in the comments section.

New Reviews Coming Soon:

Lockeland Table

Pomodoro East

Swaffles

The Red Bicycle Coffee and Crepes (now posted!)

New Restaurants Opening Soon (Nashville):

Edley’s East (now open!)

Teen Sixteen Food & Drink Company

Peg Leg Porker

Mason’s

Husk

Moe’s BBQ (now open!)

Do you have suggestions for things you’d like to see us cover on Eat It, Tennessee? If so, let us know!

I’ve been to DeSano Pizza Bakery twice now, and I have a feeling it is about to become part of my regular rotation. There isn’t much to DeSano, other than delicious pizzas and super hot ovens, of course.

DeSano’s pizza is authentic Napoletana style, with ingredients direct from Italy. The Buffalo Mozzarella is flown in each week, the flour shipped by boat, and even their salt comes from the Mediterranean sea! But the coolest (hottest, actually) things about DeSano are their three pizza ovens. These ovens, each weighing over 10,000 pounds were hand made in Naples from Santa Maria brick and Volcanic Rock from Mt. Vesuivius.

The Ovens

These ovens are where the magic happens, but don’t blink or you might miss it. Each pizza spends only sixty to ninety seconds inside these super-hot (900 degree), wood fired ovens. Just enough time to cook the dough, melt the cheese, and give the crust a gentle kiss from the flames. The large dining room opens up to the kitchen so that you can see your meal being prepared and cooked. Watch out for flying dough, as the pizza makers stretch out your pie between tosses.

DeSano offers a relatively small menu, featuring only 10 pizzas (no substitutions allowed), 3 calzones, 2 salads (pre-made and pre-packaged but still good), and an assortment of handmade desserts. Bottled soft drinks, beer, and wine are available, but customers are also encouraged to BYOB, as each of the long picnic style tables is adorned with plastic cups and paper towels for sharing. The prices range from a low of $12 for a Medium pizza to $23 for a large, with the calzones going $13 to $15. A little steep for the size, but then again ingredients of this quality aren’t cheap.

I’ve tried three of the pies, and while the Diavola and Capricciosa are good, the San Gennaro is by far the best. The key are the peppadews, a unique pepper that is more like a hybrid between a cherry tomato and a pepper, which are delicious with the sausage and caramelized onions. This is a pizza that I would order again and again. The crust and dough are fantastic, due to both the quality of the ingredients and the extreme heat of the ovens which leaves them with a crisp crust but still a soft and chewy dough- delicious!

San Gennaro

DeSano Pizza Bakery offers some of the most traditional and unique pizza in Nashville- you won’t get these flavors from delivery chains or even “gourmet” pizzerias like Mellow Mushroom. The Napoletana style showcases excellent ingredients served in a friendly and casual atmosphere. DeSano is located on 16th Avenue South, just off the traffic circle and is open for lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. They are modeled after the Antico Pizza Bakery in Atlanta.

If Eat It, Tennessee ratings were based on atmosphere, this place would be AT LEAST 4 stars. It is comfortable, quaint, welcoming, and fun. The decor is a cross between hipster chic and 50s diner… actually that probably isn’t doing it justice, but it is fun, approachable, and welcoming- you just need to experience it for yourself!

The Family Wash is probably best known for two things: live music every night, and “Pint and Pie Night” on Tuesdays when you can get a Shepard’s Pie and a beer for only $10. This is a great value, as the Shepard’s Pie usually goes for around $10 by itself.

We had 7pm reservations on a Friday evening, the same time as the first of two musical acts that night. Having never been to The Wash before, I was curious what the music would be like. I had visions of loud, energetic music distracting from the dining experience and drowning out conversation. Fortunately, my fears were unfounded. The music on this night was soft, mellow, and fun- but not so loud as to detract from the food or the company, even at a table right in front of the stage. The music was provided by Los Delgados, a small band of Mexican, Puerto Rican, and Spanish influence. They were friendly and skilled and complemented our dinner wonderfully. I really enjoyed the music, almost all of which (including their last number, a cover of Frank Sinatra) had lyrics in Spanish.

Ok ok, enough about the atmosphere and the music, what about the FOOD!?

I’ve heard a lot about The Wash’s Shepherd’s Pie, so even though it wasn’t Pint & Pie night, I had to go with the traditional Shepherd’s Pie. My wife went with meatloaf. Two hearty dinner’s for a cool winter night. Aside from these two staples, they also offer pizzas, several sandwiches, other adaptations of the traditional Shepherds Pie, and a few other entrees- a relatively small menu, but that’s not necessarily bad, and not unexpected for a small place like this.

The food came out quickly, and I was immediately surprised to see the Shepherd’s Pie served in a deep dish aluminum pan. It was the same kind of pan that some places use for takeout, almost resembling a bigger frozen chicken pot pie pan. It seemed a little cheap, but I’m sure it’s an easier way to cook and serve Shepherd’s Pie than using a “fancy” dish. I wouldn’t hold this against the food, but unfortunately the Pie failed to surpass the standards of its vessel. I was hoping for rich, meaty flavor and savory vegetables. The pie was mostly potatoes and cheese- not necessarily bad, but it was definitely more bland than I expected. I realize that this may be a somewhat authentic rendition of Shepherd’s pie, but I was hoping for a little more flavor (and meat) from an entree that is so well known at The Wash. The meatloaf on the other hand was fantastic. I definitely had food envy! Luckily for me, my wife grew up with siblings and knows how to share (and has a smaller appetite than me). The meatloaf was tender, juicy and loaded with flavor. It had a rich, gravy-like sauce and really hit the spot. Its tough to identify all the specific ingredients in meatloaf, but suffice to say, this one was very good.

I really enjoyed my night at The Family Wash, and I definitely plan to return. However, I did leave feeling a little bit disappointed. Its such a cool place, with awesome atmosphere, great music, friendly staff, and a welcoming vibe. But the Shepherd’s Pie just let me down. If I return on Pint & Pie night, I’ll probably give the Pie one more try (tough to turn down that deal) but if I’m back on another night I’ll try a different entree, or go with the meatloaf. I’d definitely encourage you to give The Family Wash a try for a relaxing meal or a cold beer accompanied by great music. I can’t recommend the Shepherd’s Pie, but you won’t be disappointed with the meatloaf, and several other options looked appetizing.

Holland House: I liked it, but I wanted to love it.

But, this isn’t a drinking blog, and HHBR is more than just a bar, it is also a restaurant, and one with a classy, ambitious, and potentially awesome menu.

Fortunately, Holland House takes reservations (on Open Table too), allowing our party of six to be seated quickly even on a busy Friday night (off to a good start). We started with a round of drink’s and I went with the Village Reserve which was fantastic. It is a new take on an Old-Fashioned, and features bacon and chocolate washed Bulleit Bourbon, maple syrup and house made citrus bitters. The Warsaw Mule is HHBR’s reinterpretation of the traditional Mocscow Mule, and it was good, but not true to form (I should point out that it does not claim to be true to form, but rather a re-vision of the classic). It was served in a Collins glass instead of a copper or pewter mug, and the lime flavor was more dominant than the ginger. It was very refreshing and good, just not quite what you expect from a “mule.” The bartender was even willing to whip up a creatively delicious “mock-tail” for a pregnant member of our party, and it was both appreciated and enjoyed. One unique thing about HHBR is their ice. My old-fashioned was served with one giant ice cube, and my second cocktail was bourbon on the rocks, but these weren’t your normal “rocks”. These ice cubes were small (half inch cubed) cubes of frozen ginger! As the ginger-ice melted, the bourbon mellowed and took on more and more of the ginger flavor, it was a delicious combination that was good from beginning to end.

Apologies for the poor lighting

For starters we went with the Short Rib Linguini and the Charcuterie plate. When one member of the party inquired about doubling the portion on the Short Rib linguini, the server had reservations, and we should have seen that as a sign. When the plates came out, the Short Rib Linguini looked more like a fancy bowl of chicken noodle soup with mushrooms than linguini with short ribs. It was a bowl of broth and noodles, with plenty of flavorful mushrooms. However, the short rib was MIA. If there was any rib in the dish at all, it was minuscule and hidden among the mushrooms. This isn’t to say that the flavor was bad; the mushrooms were nice, and the broth had a good meaty flavor. But for a dish called “Short Rib linguini”, it was way too short on the rib. Unfortunately, by the time that the appetizers had arrived we had already placed our dinner order and one member of our party ordered this starter (in addition to another) as his meal. The second order was no better than the first, and may have actually contained less short rib, if that is possible. This was the primary (really only) complaint of the night, but it was very disappointing to receive a plate so different from what was expected, and what amounted to a $11 bowl of mushroom and noodle soup.

The Charcuterie plate (we also had two of these at the table) was good and had a nice assortment. It wasn’t quite as large as some Charcuterie plates at this price ($16) but the selection was both varied and flavorful. It was a unique assortment of mesquite brisket, rillette, fois gras mousse, and cheese.

Poor light isn’t flattering on Rabbit Ravioli (but it is tasty)

For my entree, I chose the Open Ravioli of Rabbit Fricassee. When the entrees arrived, I was immediately pleased with my order. The aroma from the dish was amazingly mouthwatering. As the plates were delivered, I caught a whiff and thought “please let that be mine,” and it was! The Rabbit Ravioli was rich, creamy, and savory. The ravioli complimented the rich rabbit flavor perfectly, as did the sauce. it was so good that I even tried to eat some of the bone by mistake. While it was difficult to distinguish the parma ham and spinach as described on the menu, the flavors of this dish were bold and delicious- it was fantastic!

The pork chop was also a strong dish, well cooked, well prepared, and well presented. It was juicy and flavorful, stuffed with fuji apple and served with Brussels sprouts and bacon and roasted corn spoon-bread. This was a thick, center cut pork chop and it was well executed. The Brussels sprouts were especially delicious, some of the best I’ve ever had, and not something you often see on a restaurant menu.

The atmosphere at Holland House is nice, it’s cozy but crowded. The large square bar is the central feature of the restaurant, and the dim lighting comes not only from overhead, but also from the glow of a fireplace. Our service on this evening was neither poor nor excellent. It was adequate, about as good as could be expected on a busy Friday night, but it didn’t blow me away.

Overall, it was a very enjoyable meal and evening. The cocktails were fantastic and definitely the highlight. The food was good, but not as good as the cocktails. The kitchen has a little work to do to catch up to the bar, and if they do, Holland House Bar and Refuge could go from a great bar with good food to a great restaurant with a great bar. Absolutely stop in for a cocktail or two, and why not stay for dinner. Or better yet, make reservations and enjoy a nice evening. Just steer clear of the Short Rib Linguini and you should be satisfied.