Discussion of Robin Garr's Against the Grain review

I'm just not into this whole goofy if-it-ain't-big-it-ain't-sh** mentality a lot of you guys have adopted over the past few years.

Creativity invariably makes me happy. I've just always been new-fashioned that way.

Roger,

I don't have a problem with creativity. I DO have a problem when someone begins to blur the line between what is creativity and what is experimentation and they expect to accomplish (or support their habit of) the latter using MY wallet as a springboard.

I don't have a problem with creativity. I DO have a problem when someone begins to blur the line between what is creativity and what is experimentation and they expect to accomplish (or support their habit of) the latter using MY wallet as a springboard.

Steve

I've felt the same frustration in reverse -- when I'd like to go eat somewhere that cannot bring itself to step into the 21st century and offer a decent, non-mass-market beer for me to drink, and instead suggest Newcastle as a microbrew.

I suppose my feeling in this instance is that you're coming close to committing a straw man fallacy by depicting a reality of habanero-infused black lambic (dry-curried) that isn't usually the case. The vast majority of "good beer" places I go have plenty of everyday selections compared to the offbeat. Personally, I too have been opting more often for the milder side of the spectrum. I'm seldom disappointed.

Maybe we'll just agree to disagree (to a degree) on this one.

R

Oh, gotta go and drink Crooked Tree (Dark Horse) at the Fireside.

http://www.firesidebarandgrill.net/menu/winebeer

I had never heard of either, but wish the beer prices were like that in Louisville. I'll have to check out both of them the next time I cross the creek.

No doubt...$3.75 gumballhead!?!?!

I've been paying $6 a pop at Z-bar!

DD

I was surprised Friday night by the lack of management's response to a situation they created.

My daughter in law received her masters degree from U of L Friday evening. My son had made reservations for 16. They only have one private room and it would have been perfect in which to eat and enjoy some family moments. Both he and the daughter in law confirmed the reservation (9pm) during the week.

Upon arrival at 8:45 there was a large party in the private room and they had just ordered. The hostess indicated she could not find our reservation. After some discussions amongst the staff, a young man told us they did "find" the reservation but had double booked the private room. I am not sure how this happens (isn't threre just one reservation book)?

The amazing thing to me was that after they cleared and put together enough tables to handle our group (in a back corner..with only limited privacy)...not a single manager came to apologize ( I was at least thinking a few free apps might be appropriate).

Am I wrong in believing, that after spending approximately $450 (including tip), we got the shaft?

[Robin Garr]

Am I wrong in believing, that after spending approximately $450 (including tip), we got the shaft?

As described, a little more groveling would have been nice under the circumstances. Still, whether they groveled or not, it sounds like they made a quick effort to resolve the issue. Once you got past that (assuming you did) were you happy with the food? The beer?

Since the 16 of us were linep up against back wall I didn't even get to talk with the family members at the other end (I was seated on the end). I didn't hear any complaint's about the food (nor did I hear rave reviews), so let's give them a "5" on food. The 5 people closet to me each had a beer or two or three,..again, I didn't hear complaints or compliments.

My diet coke was excellent with just the right "bite".

I ate at ATG a week or so ago. I had the beer sampler. It was fine but nothing blew me away. The humus was just ok. The smoke was just a bit heavy for me. I grill/smoke lots of food so for me to say that is a statement. The Angus burger was decent. I'll have to say the chicken wings were my biggest disappointment. The skin on the wings was super rubbery. That's a common problem with simply smoking chicken wings. The skin turns to rubber. It looked like they tried to crisp up the skins with a hit on the grill but they were still very chewy. Smoking chicken without having rubbery skin is a tall order for many cooks.

my experience at atg was not horrible, but left me un-impressed. the beer was o.k., the milk stout being my favorite, the food was another issue. we had the deep-fried hominy, I had never seen deep fried hominy so i had to try it. it was literally too hard to chew. to the point of chipping teeth. when i politely told our server about it he argued with me and said "i eat it all the time and love it".we didn't touch it. later our server came back and agreed with our review of this appetizer and apologized. he did not, however, take it off our bill. it was five bucks, no biggie, but it is this kind of treatment that sticks with some patrons and can negatively affect a places reputation.

I will try atg again, but they better bring thier "a" game. I tried the two new offerings from bbc's new brewmaster (formerly of dogfish head) and was blown away with the quality. i hope atg succeeds and flourishes, but the bar just got raised.game on!

I tried the two new offerings from bbc's new brewmaster (formerly of dogfish head) and was blown away with the quality. i hope atg succeeds and flourishes, but the bar just got raised.game on!

Indeed: Competition is good.

Unfortunately, recent reviews are on par with what I experienced and Marty Rosen's review. The bottom line is if they are to succeed they need to be better than Browning's, and Browning's was pretty darn good.

I remain utterly relieved that finally in that space, there's an active, principled ownership that understands, supports and maximizes locally-brewed craft beer. Brian labored for years at Browning's without such support. Go get 'em, guys.

[Robin Garr]

an active, principled ownership that understands, supports and maximizes locally-brewed craft beer.

And an eclectic, outside-the-box menu that involves real creativity. Not everyone values this, of course, or even notices, but hey.

an active, principled ownership that understands, supports and maximizes locally-brewed craft beer.

And an eclectic, outside-the-box menu that involves real creativity. Not everyone values this, of course, or even notices, but hey.

Hmmmm. Now there's something we can agree on...It's a start

an active, principled ownership that understands, supports and maximizes locally-brewed craft beer.

And an eclectic, outside-the-box menu that involves real creativity. Not everyone values this, of course, or even notices, but hey.

I will toss this out there as one of the most impressive Brew-pub menus evvvvver...It's fun, it's quirky, it draws on a regional theme, there's something on it for everyone. It's a little ol' place called Fatheads Brewery that we frequent when we're in Cleveland. GREAT food and award winning beer. We haven't found anything local...yet...that can compare (but we're keeping our fingers crossed).

http://fatheadscleveland.com/Fat%20Heads%20Menu.pdf

A creative menu that is poorly executed is not a good thing. Hopefully they will correct their execution and do well.