PlanJam!From your screen to the scene

Boy, I sure do love to check out brand new establishments, and this one is just within ear shot of my home, so that made me extra happy. The menu is a nice addition to the other restaurants nearby, Americana with pizazz, and they are already getting a lot of regulars, so there holds a lot of promise here. I would say though that they have a few kinks to work out, but I'll save the complaints for later. For now, let's just dive in to all the good they have to offer.

The first thing you'll notice is how this place looks an awful lot like an upscale hunting lodge, especially with that antler chandelier! It doesn't quite match the exterior, and I found it to be a little creepy yet alluring at the same time. The overall warm, cozy and inviting, modern vibe does it for me, and with it being pretty chilly out there right now, I can definitely take that. It would be nice to see a fire place in there to add to its overall woody charm, but I digress. The volume level is good too, making it a good place to relax with that special someone.

Now onto the food! There seem to be quite a good number of selections to go by, but since the place is so new, I am not a judge of all of them. I liked the endless flat bread, though a dipping sauce of sorts would have done it a bit more justice. The gouda macaroni and cheese is warm, creamy and has just a nice bit of crunch to it, chalking it up a few notches past what I can whip up at home. The vegetable pot pie is very comforting, and I liked that they include sweet potatoes as a new twist. And the fish and chips was a pleasant surprise, as it's very fresh. Others rave about their Rustik burger, which is a patty stuffed with gouda, bacon and chorizo (interesting!), though the tiny fries I could live without. And others still swear by the bef burgundy stew. Oh and go with the German butter cake for dessert… heavenly!

Now it's no secret this place is brand spanking new, but I do need to mention the slow, spotty and overall unsure service so far, which is again probably because they are new, too. The other thing is Wow! That front area is mighty chilly! Getting a vestibule set up might not be such a bad idea! So, if you stop by, be sure to request a table further back.