So I was really prepared to like Our House, I like Davis (sometimes), I love Village Pizza so I was looking forward to this new restaurant that BAR spoke of in the SacBee (which I looked everywhere for and now can't seem to find? maybe it was removed) either way...I heard they had a good bar, great food, and a new Gastropub style environment that's hardly seen in Sacramento much less Davis.
I mean just check out this starters list:
Mac ‘n Cheese with Winters Cheese Co. Cheddar 7 w/Pancetta 9
Salmon Cakes on a Bed of Arugula w/ a Lemon Dill Aioli 7
Sourdough Bruschetta w/ Goat Cheese, Caramelized Onions & Balsamic Reduction 6
Tequila Lime Beef w/ a Lime & Ginger Dipping Sauce 9.5
Oven‐Roasted Baby Back Jerk Ribs w/ a Citrus Marinade 12
Ahi Poke with Shrimp & Avocado 13
Looks great right?
So this was a must check out on my list. Conclusion: I should have waited.
The estimable picture above me was the "herbed" butter that instead of being an herb compound butter - as would always be the assumption with claiming "herbed butter" on a list. Instead it was a slab of butter, covered in olive oil and herbs. I know it shouldn't be a big deal, and I'm coming off a bit snotty commenting on it, but if I hadn't seen anything else this was a fair showing of what was to come.
The servers were kind, but VERY young/inexperienced for the cost of each plate at $25-27/ head per entree. Think of who were competing with: Waterboy, Mulvaney's, Ellas & Hawks. So I was expecting more knowledge, which maybe I shouldn't have given it was in Davis, where there is an abundance of kids looking for work in Davis at all price points, culinary knowledge or no.
But when you are selling ribs for $25 a plate and don't know what a South Carolina rib or St. Louis rib is how can you tell someone how they'll taste?
I swear this sweet girl said, "I think they have like...honey on them?"
The next problem I found myself with was on their cocktail list, their alcohol selection was less Shady Lady and more Press Club, but that wouldn't be bad if they poured a stiff drink. The Woodford Reserve Old Fashioned I found myself with was lighter than iced tea (not good). When I asked for a new drink, this time straight up - they served me just that, it was only about half the size at any other bar? So it seems the reason that they "offer great drinks at a reasonable price" is that they water them down? not good.
The picture above is the ribs (more like south east Asian in flavor), and the quality of pork was in question to my taste-buds under all that sauce. The corn was a burned form of corn nuts? or something that was better in 1994 when it was flavored with ranch, but the potatos were good?
Just in case you think I'm a cranky bitch that hated this whole experience, it's not true, the NY Steak was perfectly cooked, and I haven't had such a great steak in a long time! Although the chimichurri butter was left off the steak and then had to be grabbed in a quick hurry by the scrambling waitress, it was quite good! The kettle chips that came with it were forgettable, but whoever's running the grill in the back is doing a good job cooking a steak!
The decor is mixed, I loved the bar, entry, and lighting, but the almost cafeteria style tables are a little cheap for the price of the menu?
So like I said there were some highs, and lows - I'm interested in coming back, and next time trying a bunch of small plates and giving this place another go around. Either way I can get that steak again, right?
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