Category Archives: Bars

Pizzeria Uno Chicago Bar & Grill

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*** (3 stars)

I’m not sure whether the drift of the name is the result of the chain’s deemphasis on pizza, but the menu has certainly broadened here, and it seems more like a sports bar than anything resembling an Italian restaurant.

Their new pick two emphasis makes it a good choice for lunch, and some of the options aren’t as caloric as most of the food.

The decor of this location is open and lively, but the volume remains reasonable even when they are busy.

Service was friendly and efficient.

Pizzeria Uno Chicago Bar & Grill
55 W Church St
Orlando, FL 32801
(407) 839-1800
http://www.yelp.com/biz/pizzeria-uno-chicago-bar-and-grill-orlando-2

Tin Roof

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**** (4 stars)

I was expecting this place to be more like a sports bar, given the decor, but I was pleased to find many tasty and healthful items on the menu in addition to the heavier food.

I tried the Shrimp Coctel (which is really ceviche) and the Tuna Tataki. Both were excellent. The shrimp were tender, and the lime marinade contained just enough tomato that the dish earned its unusual name. The tuna was definitely sushi grade, and could be eaten with a fork or folded into the lettuce to make three nice wraps. The bed of slaw was appropriately tangy and fresh tasting.

Others in my party had a salad with chicken, which was good, quesadillas, which got mixed reviews, and a chicken sandwich that turned into a bit of a slippery mess but tasted good.

Service was friendly and attentive, and out party of eight was served quickly at lunch (although we were one of the the few tables seated; presumably after the grand opening things will pick up.)

Tin Roof
8371 International Dr
Ste 100
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 270-7926
http://www.yelp.com/biz/tin-roof-orlando

Buena Vista Cafe

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***** (5 stars)

This place never changes. They invented the Irish coffee (or at least did a darn fine job of copying it) and I don’t know of anyplace to get a better one. Perfect balance of coffee and liquor (and obviously very good coffee to start with) plus an amazing cream that is thick and rich yet floats and remains distinct from the liquid. Great on a cold day, but even on a warm one thesis an essential stop on any visit to San Francisco.

Buena Vista Cafe
2765 Hyde St
San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 474-5044
http://www.yelp.com/biz/buena-vista-cafe-san-francisco

Gotham Bar And Grill

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***** (5 stars)

“Bar and Grill” is a bit of a misnomer here, as this is truly a fine dining restaurant. The kampachi sashimi is among the best I’ve had, and the roasted cauliflower appetizer was absolutely amazing–complex and delicate at the same time.

True, I did have a New York strip steak for dinner, but it was really the only item I’d describe as coming from a grill. It was an excellent steak, by the way, with a thick char and coated with a sticky Bordelaise.

There is a solid if somewhat pricey wine list.

Service is professional yet friendly.

The one caveat: The place is LOUD. There isn’t really a quiet corner where you can hide from it, so be prepared or go at an off time, if there is one.

Gotham Bar And Grill
12 E 12th St
New York, NY 10003
(212) 620-4020
http://www.yelp.com/biz/gotham-bar-and-grill-new-york

Murphy’s Cable Wharf

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**** (4 stars)

We had a nice afternoon snack here on the semi-enclosed patio. Protected from the wind, but  open above, it’s a great way to enjoy a brisk day. The lobster dip was a generous serving, and mostly lobster.

There are a lot of similar menus in this touristy area, but you can’t beat the view at the end of the pier this restaurant sits on.

Murphy’s Cable Wharf
1751 Lower Water St
Halifax, NS B3J 3E4
(902) 420-1015
http://www.yelp.com/biz/murphys-cable-wharf-halifax

Cask & Larder

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**** (4 stars)

This is a great place for pork lovers, as most of the dishes involve some variant of that meat. The aroma of the place reminds me of some of Chicago’s pig-centric restaurants such as The Girl and the Goat.

The micro brew beers are interesting. I tried the cilantro lime variant, and it went great with the CBLT, a BLT involving fried chicken skin.

I also tried the Devils on Horseback, dates wrapped in country ham and stuffed with bleu cheese, but felt they were too sweet.

There’s an extensive cocktail list, and since half the space is taken up by the bar, it’s a great place for happy hour.

Cask & Larder
565 W Fairbanks Ave
Winter Park, FL 32789
(321) 280-4200
http://www.yelp.com/biz/cask-and-larder-winter-park

Elephant Bar Restaurant

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**** (4 stars)

The elephant bar was a pleasant surprise. I was expecting just another middle of the road homogenous American food chain ala TGI Fridays, but it’s far better. For starters, the interior design is beautiful, filled with curved spaces, attractive wood and bamboo surfaces, lots of booths that help with the ambient noise level, and an intimate circular bar near the door.

The menu would be great in a foreign country, because each item is pictured, and the food that shows up actually looks like the picture.

I had the Thai BBQ Salmon Salad, and I have to say it was one of the best salads I’ve ever had. The wood-fired salmon was charred around the edges and glazed with a sweet yet tangy Thai BBQ sauce. The mixed greens were lightly tossed with a citrusy vinaigrette. And the plate was surrounded by little piles of mango, marinated cucumbers, green beans, cherry tomatoes, orange slices, and grilled bell peppers. Each had a unique flavor that complemented the salad. Really a delicious offering.

Service was friendly and efficient, from the greeter at the front door to the desk, to our server. Prices might be a dollar or two higher than the norm, but I felt it was worth it. Aside from a dirty fork, the entire experience was a great one, and I’ll be lobbying the lunch group to return here soon.

Elephant Bar Restaurant
4054 Conroy Road
Orlando, FL 32839
(407) 370-6412
http://www.yelp.com/biz/elephant-bar-restaurant-orlando

Three Dots and a Dash

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***** (5 stars)

I’ve always loved Tiki bars, since I grew up in Los Angeles, frequenting Trader Vic’s, Don the Beachcomber, the Islander, Beachbum Bert’s and many others. It’s sad that they’re all gone. But the good news is that Three Dots and a Dash tops them all.

From the moment you venture down the stairway full of skulls, Three Dots immerses you in perfectly themed kitsch. The lighting, soundtrack and set decoration are impeccable, and the drinks are potent and tasty.

The drink menu is divided between classic and modern sections. I had the signature drink, Three Dots and a Dash, which was not too sweet, and rendered exotic by the inclusion of allspice. It was invented at Don the Beachcomber in the 1940s. (Incidentally Three Dots and a Dash is Morse code for the letter “V” as in victory.)

Many of the drinks are for sharing, and each has its own unique presentation.

We stopped in before dinner, so we didn’t have a chance to try any of the food, but most of it is traditional Tiki menu fare, and it looked delicious.

With a place this cool, you’re going to have to wait in line unless you go at a weird time. We were able to walk in right after work, but the place quickly became packed; however we never felt rushed.

To find the door, look for the alley off of Hubbard and follow the neon stripe.

Three Dots and a Dash
435 N Clark St
Back alley on Hubbard St
Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 610-4220
http://www.yelp.com/biz/three-dots-and-a-dash-chicago

Glenview House

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**** (4 stars)

I was in the mood for some gastropub food so I made the drive to Glenview. The menu here is interesting, walking the line between gastropub and neighborhood sports bar. There are a LOT of draft beers.

At the waiter’s suggestion I ended up just having the hamburger, and it proved to be a great choice. Lets see how it stacks up against my idea of a perfect hamburger:

Tasty patty with a crusted outside, cooked to my specified degree of doneness (medium): Check.

Bun with enough integrity that is doesn’t turn mushy, grilled or toasted: Check.

Cheddar cheese: Check.

Bacon option: Check.
Slice of tomato: Check.

Slice of raw onion: Check.

Piece of crisp lettuce: Check.

Mustard, mayo, ketchup: Check, check, check.

Wow! A home run.

Indeed, it was the perfect burger. Now I just need to return for some of that gastropub food I’d intended to get in the first place!

Glenview House
1843 Glenview Rd
Glenview, IL 60025
(847) 724-0692
http://www.yelp.com/biz/glenview-house-glenview

Mago Grill & Cantina

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**** (4 stars)

Mago Grill offers a nice mix of authentic Mexican items plus Tex Mex standards. The highlight is their various Mole sauces. Most of the food here tends to be spicy, so if you’re sensitive, be sure to ask about heat levels.

The ceviche sample is a nice way to start. It offers shrimp, tilapia and bay scallops. All appeared to be cooked. The marinade were different for each, and all three were fairly spicy.

The tamales are also a good appetizer. The come with brown and green moles, both of which are tasty.

Of the tacos, our favorites were the shrimp and the pastor, although the snapper and pibil were also good. Although an order is two tacos at lunch and three at dinner, it’s quite a lot of food, because each comes with two corn tortillas, so you can divide them up to make them more manageable and end up with twice as many.

Margaritas are good, but if you don’t like spicy beware of the salted rim, which contains peppers!

The only item we were disappointed in was the veggie fajitas, which were a rather sodden lump. I’d avoid that, as it’s not authentic anyway.

Note that Mago is a great place to eat outside on a nice day.

Mago Grill & Cantina
115 W Campbell St
Arlington Heights, IL 60005
(847) 253-2222
http://www.yelp.com/biz/mago-grill-and-cantina-arlington-heights-2