Bob's restaurant reviews

Let's start with that new beer place.

What is good there? Do they have any specials?

are you referring to HopCat?

Bob makes a mean omelette in his kitchen.

Robert J Sakimano wrote:are you referring to HopCat?

Yes. I was going to call it Hops, but it didn't sound right.

NigelUno wrote:

Yes.  I was going to call it Hops, but it didn't sound right.

I've probably been about 3 times since it opened.. as was established on the lesser board - the Applebees of the Internet - it's not really my scene. Too many suspiciously groomed people tend to hang out there.. pressed khakis and button-ups... deliberately combed hair, most probably arrived in an SUV, etc.

anyway - beyond the clientele, the menu is rather bland and seemed overpriced. I'm genuinely befuddled by people who rave about seasoned french fries.

Granted, there are a ton of beers on tap but I don't find that sort of thing inherently appealing. I selected a few obscure beers a few times but then got tired of staring at the menu equivalent to War and Peace and ended up getting a few pints of Hamm's..

and the artwork on the wall is perplexing. They have these paintings (they look like paintings, I suspect they're some sort of mass-produced lithographs) of people like Bono, Mick Jagger, Jack White, etc - at least I think that's who they are - but the thing is, every single painting looks the same.. I never really thought Chuck Berry had that much in common, in terms of a physical likeness, to Keith Richards.

maybe it's just me.

Overall, it strikes me as the kind of place you'd go to meet your 2nd ex-wife.

  You can have anything you want, at Bob's restaurant....  

No... Doesn't really work.

Robert J Sakimano wrote:
I've probably been about 3 times since it opened.. as was established on the lesser board - the Applebees of the Internet - it's not really my scene. Too many suspiciously groomed people tend to hang out there.. pressed khakis and button-ups... deliberately combed hair, most probably arrived in an SUV, etc.

anyway - beyond the clientele, the menu is rather bland and seemed overpriced. I'm genuinely befuddled by people who rave about seasoned french fries.

Granted, there are a ton of beers on tap but I don't find that sort of thing inherently appealing. I selected a few obscure beers a few times but then got tired of staring at the menu equivalent to War and Peace and ended up getting a few pints of Hamm's..

and the artwork on the wall is perplexing. They have these paintings (they look like paintings, I suspect they're some sort of mass-produced lithographs) of people like Bono, Mick Jagger, Jack White, etc - at least I think that's who they are - but the thing is, every single painting looks the same.. I never really thought Chuck Berry had that much in common, in terms of a physical likeness, to Keith Richards.

maybe it's just me.

Overall, it strikes me as the kind of place you'd go to meet your 2nd ex-wife.

How's the parking?

Personally, I like HopCat. And Bob, sorry, I love the crack fries with beer cheese dip, and so does tWife. As for the food, I have had different experiences. Went one night and our appetizer came out cold and soggy....buschetta that sat in the window too long, but then the pulled pork and BBQ beef sandwiches were excellent, I thought.

I wish they would serve better flights. They charge a buck for about a two ounce sip...not worth it. Better off just ordering a full pour.

Nigel, not sure if serious about the parking. There is a structure immediately behind HopCat that always has room.

NigelUno wrote:

How's the parking?

I think parking is okay - whenever I go downtown, I typically walk.

Spartanic wrote:Personally, I like HopCat.  And Bob, sorry, I love the crack fries with beer cheese dip, and so does tWife.  As for the food, I have had different experiences.  Went one night and our appetizer came out cold and soggy....buschetta that sat in the window too long, but then the pulled pork and BBQ beef sandwiches were excellent, I thought.

I wish they would serve better flights.  They charge a buck for about a two ounce sip...not worth it.  Better off just ordering a full pour.

Nigel, not sure if serious about the parking.  There is a structure immediately behind HopCat that always has room.

that's cool - I'm glad you dig it.. I think I've only actually ordered food once.. whatever I got was unmemorable.. 'cause I don't remember what I got. The other times I either haven't eaten or just scarfed something off of someone else's plate.

Happy Hour is 2-4? What kind of BS Happy Hour is that?

How about Capital Prime? The new swanky joint behind NCG in eastwood. I had a large group dinner there where we could only pick from a select few of the entrees. I had the Mahi with a mango salsa on top of it, and I have to say, it was pretty damn tasty. tWife had a steak that was very good too. Anyone else been there? Its pretty pricey, but what the hell, I wasn't paying.

Spartanic wrote:How about Capital Prime?  The new swanky joint behind NCG in eastwood.  I had a large group dinner there where we could only pick from a select few of the entrees.  I had the Mahi with a mango salsa on top of it, and I have to say, it was pretty damn tasty.  tWife had a steak that was very good too.  Anyone else been there?  Its pretty pricey, but what the hell, I wasn't paying.

I've heard of it but haven't been there..

Robert J Sakimano wrote:
I've heard of it but haven't been there..  

Is that pizza place still open over there?

NigelUno wrote:

Is that pizza place still open over there?  

Yes, right next door.  I went in there once last year.....unremarkable. Tony Sacco's or something like that.

Spartanic wrote:

Yes, right next door.  I went in there once last year.....unremarkable.  Tony Sacco's or something like that.

agree.. not impressed with the place.

Robert J Sakimano wrote:

Spartanic wrote:

Yes, right next door.  I went in there once last year.....unremarkable.  Tony Sacco's or something like that.

agree.. not impressed with the place.

So, two Hamms then?

SeeRockCity wrote:

So, two Hamms then?

I went to Total Wine (& More) to get some Hamm's, because I figured they would have it for sure. No dice.

Bob -
What is your take on Golden Harvest?
Went there with Mrs. Fairway a week or two ago, but with a 1+ hour wait we bailed and ended up at Fork in the Road.

We liked the breakfast burritos and a breakfast taco - overall we liked, but the burrito had too many potatoes and not enough other filler, taco was great.
A little on the pricey side, but I'd rather spend more and get fresh quality then go to Bob Evans and save a couple of bucks.

NigelUno wrote:

SeeRockCity wrote:

So, two Hamms then?

I went to Total Wine (& More) to get some Hamm's, because I figured they would have it for sure.  No dice.  

The one by NorthPoint?

Wally Fairway wrote:Bob -
What is your take on Golden Harvest?
Went there with Mrs. Fairway a week or two ago, but with a 1+ hour wait we bailed and ended up at Fork in the Road.

We liked the breakfast burritos and a breakfast taco - overall we liked, but the burrito had too many potatoes and not enough other filler, taco was great.
A little on the pricey side, but I'd rather spend more and get fresh quality then go to Bob Evans and save a couple of bucks.

I've only been to Golden Harvest once. As I recall, it's a good little breakfast place. They have definitely been able to develop a cult following, that's for sure. I don't remember being overly impressed to the point of standing in line for an hour or two.. I'd rather eat a quick bagel at home and get out on a bike ride or a run.. or, hell, both.

usually when I/we go out for breakfast, it's at Leo's on Albert.

SeeRockCity wrote:

The one by NorthPoint?

I'm not sure I want to confirm the location of my beer/wine store in case any rejected nominees want to seek vengeance.

They had Pabst. But, I wasn't feeling the Pabst vibe.

We tried to go to golden harvest but gave up because of the line. We were in an "Old Town" breakfast mood so we went to the Old Town Diner. Super inexpensive but tasty. Very cute waitresses as well.

Giant Moose wrote:Bob makes a mean omelette in his kitchen.

No way does bob participate in chicken abortions.