Lindsey gives M&BB 2.5' I give her 4. Good start.

[Robin Garr]

In her first review outing, Lindsey Stewart McClave​ gives Mussel and Burger Bar 2 Downtown. a little constructive criticism and 2.5 stars. I like her style ... it's clean, direct and sensible. A breath of fresh air.

http://www.courier-journal.com/story/en ... /90806048/

Good read. We failed to see what the big deal was when the wife and I visited the downtown location recently. My burger was very dry. Our bill was $60 for a mediocre meal. Money is short these days. We LOVE Guacamole a mole tho. Gotta be wise with the limited dollars these days.

I like her style ... it's clean, direct and sensible.

Agreed -- I think it's a promising debut, should keep me coming back.

I can't agree/dis, though, as I've not been to either M&BB.

I've been to the Taylorsville Rd location many times and never disappointed. Never tried the DT local but would in the future if I was in the area. I thought her review was executed well and quite diplomatic. I will happily read her reviews if this one is any indication of what's to come.

She nailed it. Well written. No weirdly structured sentences, no mixed metaphors. Good descriptive paragraphs fairly describing the good, and the not so good, in an objective and constructive manner.

But, most importantly the stars match the review!! She's not afraid to dip below 3 stars!! And, that's not saying that this place is a BAD restaurant. Her review clearly sets forth that it is NOT bad, but it just has a few weak spots that need to be addressed. Exactly what a 2.5 star rating would indicate.

Well done.

I completely agree with her review of the Southern Bell burger. I've order this burger at the downtown location as well and it tasted just like she described. Bland. No flavor at all from the pimento cheese. Just, meh. The Korean wings are a complete ripoff, however. $10 for a couple of puny wings. No thanks.

Much better review style than her predecessor. I also appreciate that she writes like she's been doing this all along and not "hey, look, I'm new!"

As for the review, it's sad to hear that the downtown location failed to execute on 50% of the restaurant's name. If burger is in your name, you better knock it out every time in that department. I could see if the adorable mini-tacos were less than top marks, but to have the burgers fall short definitely justifies the 2.5 star review.

Thankfully, we have had nothing but top shelf experiences at the east end location!

My problem at both locations has been the mussels. Both times they were huge but not at all fresh. I mean stinky, fishy and overpowering. Instead of the salty taste of the ocean they've had a rank, fishy smell and taste. I would have sent them back except on both occasions at both locations, the server didn't check back. So my table mates finished their meals and I ate the bread dipped in the broth that was pretty good.

Want to try a third time but I've been leary. Anyone else had a similar experience?

Hopefully Ole isn't resting on their laurels.

I have not yet tried this restaurant but this was a well written review. She writes clearly and well and her grading actually seemed to correspond with her commentary. A nice change from what we had before.

Hallmark of a good review for me is that when I get to the end of it, I don't bother to look at the stars/rating. This met that standard, for me. I'd be curious to see a review for Grind beside this.

So I've been saying this for a while now. Ole has jumped the shark, or stretched themselves too thin, or something.

Guaca Mole used to be my favorite restaurant in town. My last two visits were so underwhelming I haven't been back in months. M&BB was amazing when it opened. It's not now. Either location. Artesano was good when it opened, not anymore. My last visit was just not good at all. Red Barn is Okish? Not the best at anything it does. I felt no need to return. Better Q and fried chicken can be had at many places. Mercato is hit and miss. I've given them three tries, I'm done trying (And please stop saying they have good pizza. No... they don't.)

I personally feel people who still rave about their restaurants are living on past glory. Several of them were once great. The best in town even. None of them are currently great. Some aren't even very good. We have too many REALLY good options in this town for me to spend my money on an "ok" meal.

They did too much. Too quickly. Too many different things going on. Quality is not what it once was. Sad to see.

[Robin Garr]

I didn't realize Artesano had slipped, Chris. I really hate to hear that, as it was one of the best in town the three or four times I went. I did feel that Mercato was a step down from Artesano, and Red Barn Kitchen down a step from there, although I thought maybe the decision there was not to change Joe's too much other than to clean it up a little. Your point about expansion wearing an operation thin is certainly a fair one, though. I think we're seeing it a little with Basa to Doc Crow's to the failure of Doc's Cantina. Or maybe Boombozz to Joella's?

I didn't realize Artesano had slipped

It hasn't, we eat there 3-4 times a month, just went Monday. Everything was fantastic.

Her next one has been posted. A few more flourishes, but still written well for a place that (imo) deserves the attention.

http://www.courier-journal.com/story/en ... /91317662/