daekr

.
.

PDF Document was moved: https://bit.ly/2ulojle

.
.

Overall our experience was a mixed bag. We came here on a Saturday evening for a late dinner and drinks. We made reservations for six and when we arrived I don’t think they had any idea who we were. They initially seated us in a very cramped table that only fit four, but minutes later the hostess found us another table were we were actually able to all sit down. The restaurant was packed and very loud. So one of the main attractions to this restaurant was the live music. When we arrived there was a DJ playing. The music here is extremely loud and it makes it very difficult to speak to the waiters or to anyone else on your table. The band did come in around 11pm and they played a variety of music including salsa and merengue. Overall the music was good throughout the whole evening. They have a large open area for dancing and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. For dinner I had a mixed fajita plate and my wife had the vuela a la vida coctel. The food is just okay, but taking the price into consideration makes it a good deal. The majority of their plates are lower priced than most restaurants with a similar menu. Other than the stale chips and salsa the rest of the meal was fine. We did order a couple of buckets of beer and mixed drinks throughout the night. The mixed drinks were not a hit, all the ladies did not finish their drinks. No complaints on the buckets of beer, I think they sell at $19 for six which is not a bad price. The service was also hit or miss. The waitress took forever on the mixed drinks but had our buckets of beer delivered to our table quickly. As mentioned before it’s difficult to hear due to the music so we were constantly repeating orders. The food came out quickly with no issues. Overall I recommend this place if you are looking for a cheap dining option and/or looking for some live music where your not going to spend a ton. There is definite room for improvement throughout but for the price you can’t complain too much.

Commonwealth Brewing – Menu with Prices – 2444 Pleasure House Rd, Virginia Beach

This place is pretty awesome! We came on a holiday afternoon and they were pretty packed. It was hard to find a parking lot but after waiting a bit we were able to find one in the back. They had live music playing that entertained the crowd. They also had a couple pop up companies present: The Coop food truck, which I didn’t get a chance to try but am now dying to. (I looked at the menu on the way out.). Smores Amore was also there with their PistachiOMG is a signature blend chocolate brownie leaded with pistachios and covered in chocolate ganache…topped with pistachiosso beer marshmallow. We of course indulged on all 3 they had available today. We went in to check out the scene and it was just “fun!” Live music and plenty of seating makes for a great day! They had a good assortment of house made beers all infused with everything from sea salt, pistachios, cacao, fruits of all kind including kumquats and calamansi. I am not a beer expert by any means, but I will say their Marmalade was delicious (& stout). For those also not much into beer, they do have non alcoholic drinks available such as Kombucha, la Croix, root beer, and sodas. So awesome they allow dogs inside. The inside was a bit loud with the music playing. I like music like the next person, but it was too loud for my little one, my husband had to take him for a walk. I’d definitely come back sometime, without my little one, and try another drink. I’d also be looking for who else they have as a pop up!

Atwood’s Tavern – Menu with Prices – 877 Cambridge St, Cambridge

Atwood Tavern has live music Weds through Thursday. You do have to buy tickets in advance. We walked in one Friday evening for dinner, and had no idea there was live music starting at 9pm that evening, and tickets were sold out. So we were told we could eat dinner but had to leave by a certain time. The artist must have been quite popular because crowds of people started showing up an hour early. It was unfortunate that we had to leave before the show, but now I know to look up their website and buy tickets if I want to stay for the music. Now let’s move on to the drinks and food. The drink menu is quite impressive, with a great draft beer selection. Since it was Oktoberfest, they even had special Oktoberfest beers! I had a beer from Germany and it was so good. For food, they have the usual bar food like burgers, mac n cheese, and sandwiches. I had a burger with sweet potato fries. The burger was actually really good, the meat was tender and juicy. I added cheese for an extra dollar. I don’t always expect bars to have good food, but this place has excellent food. Random fact: there is a 2 bedroom apartment on top of Atwood Tavern, which can be rented out via AirBnb!

The Protein Source Kitchen – Menu with Prices – 7060 South Durango Drive, #115, Las Vegas

As far as food goes, I have no complaints. Food has been tasty so far. I’ve enjoyed the protein shakes (Signature is my favorite.) Recommendations: Female employee at the counter looked like she didn’t want to be there. It makes a big difference to look approachable. Body language is speaking loudly when customers come in. Speaking of loud, the employees behind the counter were talking on top of each other as if they were screaming. One cause could be the LOUD club music blasting on the loud speakers in this small space. Please turn down that music or change music selection. This has been consistent every time I’ve been there. Customers are there for a healthy meal. Meanwhile, the loud music is grating on the nerves which defeats the purpose. This will drive people away quickly.

Elst Brewing Company – Menu with Prices – 2419 N Central St, Knoxville

This new brewery venue is ok but kind of on the loud side. I think other breweries in and around central ave are more conducive to actually having a conversation. The sort of bare industrial factory concrete and steel atmosphere just amplifies whatever noise is in the place. As far as the actual different brews being offered, about a dozen, they were quite creative and interesting. We had a sour beer that was quite unique and refreshing. My wife had a mineral water with an essence of lime and some alcohol which you couldn’t even taste. Also a refreshing drink, a bit bland but I’m sure a couple of large ones could quickly creep up on you. There was some food you could buy the evening we went but like the live music it’s not offered every night. Overall this venue scored positive points on their brews but it was too loud and not having a real menu made me give them an overall average score. Definitely not a date place but it might work for a group of young beer aficionados that would rather drink than well you know what I mean…

Woodson’s Local Tap + Kitchen – Menu with Prices – 4127 Riley Fuzzel Rd #100, Spring

Stopped here with my friends and their two boys and my 10 month old son. He place was bopping! Nearly all tables were full on the Friday night. The service was fast and efficient and food came out quickly. I ordered the burger With Mac and cheese, fries onions, and bacon. It was actually quite good. The fries were just okay. Oh but the pretzel?! It was to DIE FOR. It was absolutely mouth watering, buttery deliciousness!! I’d go there again just for that! The beer flight I got was decent as well. And I live in San Diego and go to many breweries and I was pleasantly surprised by their beers! My only complaint is the music level. It was SO loud. Thank god I brought my son’s moose cancellation headphones and mine as well! I felt no shame in wearing them because the music was so loud you couldn’t really hold a conversation very easily at all. I would hope this would change. I will definitely be back and update the review when I return. They could perhaps earn a 5 star with less booming music!

The Grotto – Watering Hole Menu with Prices 303 S Ashley St, Ann Arbor

Neat place to have a beer with three different rooms and a very small patio. The largest “room” is really just a vinyl covered portion of the sidewalk next to the bar. It’s like a heated greenhouse. They have a good selection of craft beers and hard liquor too. They do not serve food, just popcorn. Their audio system for music is better than any other I’ve ever heard in a bar. They have custom built speakers mixed with high quality outdoor speakers. They play a thoughtful variety of recorded music at the right volume – loud enough to hear and enjoy but not too loud to make it hard to talk. The bar tenders here also know their beer so they can tell you about the selections and even help you pick one if you’re not sure what to get.

Pacific Standard Tavern – Menu with Prices – 212 Crown St, New Haven

I’m really unsure how this place got so many positive reviews. While it is a nice venue to see live music and hear local bands, that’s where the positives end. I have been there multiple times and the service is always incredibly slow (the place is never full either). The bartender used a shot glass to measure out mixed drinks and while they have a list of “specialty cocktails” they make, when someone ordered a mojito they had to find a manager to make it and it took nearly 10 minutes. Even the beer selection is below average compared to all the other places on the same street. Save the money you pay for a cover here and go somewhere else for live music.

Belmont Tavern – Menu with Prices – 784 N Jefferson St, Milwaukee

Belmont Tavern is a very pleasant, stylish spot for a drink. The place is relatively small but feels more spacious thanks to tall ceilings and a wall of glass windows to the street. The decor has touches of art deco. The bartender was friendly and mixed some great drinks during happy hour. The free popcorn was fresh and tasty. The only minor critique I’d have is that the music was a bit loud for the early evening (although the sound system is great.) The volume was more appropriate for later in the evening when the place is hopping, but at the time we were there in the early evening, it was filled with after-work parties and friends chatting in the early evening. Check out the website for nightly specials, or visit from 4 pm to 6 pm for happy hour. I’ll definitely return and explore more of Belmont’s cocktails.

Park Tavern – Menu with Prices – 2305 E Knox Rd, Gilbert

We were scouring yelp looking for a new place to go to and found the Park Tavern. Wasn’t sure since it was apart of the Ice Arena but it was actually pretty nice and you really didn’t notice (unless you went and looked) that they were together. The location is nice and the inside is modern and updated. They have a decent size patio with the fancy garage doors that open up to the bar where you can also sit. While we were there there was a live band outside. The band was pretty good and the type of music was enjoyable, HOWEVER it was WAY TOO LOUD! We were sitting at the bar, inside, and as far from the music as you could get and kept saying how it wasn’t even worth trying to have a conversation with how loud it was. Even the staff was having difficulty talking without asking again. We initially wanted to sit outside but were glad there weren’t seats with how loud it was. We went just to get some beers but also got the chips and dips appetizer. The pita was really good and we LOVED the hummus! It was on point. They also had an olive tapenade dip that was great. The tzatziki was good but nothing special, especially after it got warm. The regular menu was outdated the waitress said, so most the drinks on it they didn’t have as listed. So that was kind of weird. Someone down the bar got chicken fingers from the kids menu and they looked so good and were also the largest kids portion I’ve ever seen! (That’s what I’d get if we went again!) Overall, we were surprised with how nice the location was and it didn’t feel like you were at the ice arena. There was a big park nearby and it is dog friendly here. We just had beer and one appetizer but were happy with both. They had live music on this Saturday, however it was WAY to loud. The music being to loud and the menu being outdated were a bit disappointing because we couldn’t hang out as friends without yelling and didn’t know what they actually had. I wouldn’t be opposed to coming here again in the future and giving it another shot. This is a good family atmosphere and there were a few family’s there with the kids tagging along with a Shirley temple or two ?

The Pony Inn – Menu with Prices – 1638 W Belmont Ave, Chicago

A sports bar in the whole sense of the word; small enough to feel intimate, but large enough to accommodate a large groups of friends. With 22 tv’s screens there is no blind spot for sport watching. The place has a narrow front giving the appearance to be smaller than it is, but it is long to the rear. There are a few tables at the front, that gives the appearance of being at a patio with the opening store front windows. The long bar covers about half the length of the place, seating over 20 customers while providing enough space for the number of bartenders the place requires. On the opposite wall from the bar is a row of booths, each for 4  ppl per table (or 6 If you must). At the rear is a table for 8 or 10 customers and a few more booths I stopped in on the Kentucky derby day. They were having a special offering unlimited, selected drinks and food for 3 hours for a set price. A good deal, and for heavy drinkers, a great deal. A DJ played music constantly, alternating with  a one person live act, playing guitar, and singing with pre recording music. The food is decent for sport bar, and I have no complaints about the service; it was friendly and cordial. Although, a little understaffed for the day. About my only complaint, and this is a matter of taste, is that the music was too loud; In a narrow space, loud music and people screaming trying to hold a conversation, this is literally a place where you can not hear yourself think.

Julia’s Market Cafe – Menu with Prices – -1643, 1617 S 9th St, St. Louis

Fantastic Bloody Mary’s and Margaritas at a great price! I don’t mind grabbing a beer at the other stands but this is my go to for a mixed drink while at the market. They have varying food that’s also really great like red beans and rice or chicken and dumplings. If it’s nice outside, grab a drink and sit on the little patio right across the walkway, sometimes there’s even live music.

Julia’s Market Cafe – Menu with Prices – 730 Carroll St, St. Louis

Fantastic Bloody Mary’s and Margaritas at a great price! I don’t mind grabbing a beer at the other stands but this is my go to for a mixed drink while at the market. They have varying food that’s also really great like red beans and rice or chicken and dumplings. If it’s nice outside, grab a drink and sit on the little patio right across the walkway, sometimes there’s even live music.