Our Favorite Restaurants – Butter, Bourbon, and Other Sins

Michelin Star, Dry Creek Kitchen

June 6, 2023June 6, 2023Leave a comment

In the heart of Sonoma County’s wine industry lies the beautiful town of Healdsburg. Healdsburg has quickly become a tourist destination, not only for its scenery and famous wines, but also its amazing food scene. Within the town, Michelin has recognized seven restaurants for their uniqueness and culinary expertise. The recognized restaurants range from the Michelin Recommended list, all the way to having Three Michelin Stars.

One of the amazing restaurants on that list can be found adjacent to the downtown Healdsburg Plaza. Owned and operated by the world-class chef, Charlie Palmer, his French cuisine restaurant, Dry Creek Kitchen, is one that you do not want to miss out on.

The Atmosphere

Walking through the tall, swinging doors, you are met by a hostess or two, ready to take your jacket and lead you to your table. You first walk past a long bar filled with top shelf liquors, and lots of smiles. Walking through the modern, yet classy restaurant with tables topped with white linens and candles, you are led to a table of your own, where you are almost immediately met by your waiter or waitress, wearing dress pants, button down white shirts, and either a black tie or a bowtie; truly classy.

After immediately being served sparkling or still water, you are brought a batch of hot garlic herb focaccia bread with sea salt sprinkled on top. Not long after, you are getting your order taken, getting drinks, and immersed in the well oiled machine that this wonderful restaurant is.

The Food

Michelin Star restaurants are known for some of the greatest dishes in the world, and that’s exactly what you’ll experience at Dry Creek Kitchen. The cuisine is classic French, with a decently sized menu, containing everything from oysters to lamb chops. I began with an ahi tuna tartare, which rested on a bed of avocado and a lovely vinaigrette. It was recommended to me and it did not let me down.

Following that, was the Alaskan halibut with a side of spring vegetables. The halibut was poached and topped with a saffron broth that truly brought together all of the unique flavors. For dessert, there were so many beautiful options, but the sorbet was the dessert of choice; three vibrant flavors in one tasting was perfect.

Drinks!

One of the most important parts of a restaurant is the drinks. Dry Creek Kitchen has an assortment of in-house cocktails, which I’m sure taste as good as they look. Along with that they do have a full bar with the ability to make whatever you request.

What really amazed me was the wine list. The wine list, the size of a short novel, was based on all Sonoma County wines, and seemed to almost have them all. The restaurant also offers free corkage if you bring wine from Sonoma County!

A Summary

As a Michelin Star restaurant, Dry Creek Kitchen truly has a unique, high end ambiance, but the lovely staff gives off a very kind-hearted feeling, which brings the comfort of a family run business. Right next door, in the lobby of Hotel Healdsburg, there is also a full bar that gives access to a lot of the menu from Dry Creek Kitchen, which is also unique. It is more casual, and oftentimes your meals or cocktails are accompanied by live music.

A wonderful way to explore French cuisine in a comfortable setting; with great service, exquisite food, and tasty wines and cocktails!

Waterbar in San Francisco

June 5, 2023June 5, 2023Leave a comment

Located in the Embarcadero neighborhood of San Francisco, the waterfront restaurant, Waterbar, is truly a gem.

The Embarcadero and Financial District neighborhoods of San Francisco pose as a two of the more beautiful places to check out in the city. Since San Francisco draws a lot of attention for its big city, compact vibes, with things like the Golden Gate Bridge and a couple of top professional sports teams, there is a lot of tourist traffic. Not to mention, San Francisco is a travel hub with one of the largest international airports on the west coast.

It is not abnormal to find yourself in this city, traveling for both business and pleasure. If there is one recommendation I can make on your travels, go to Waterbar.

Ambiance

Waterbar, with a panoramic view of both the bay and the city skyline, will make you need to catch your breath at first glance. Not only are the outer views amazing, but the restaurant itself is almost more breathtaking. When you walk in, there is a beautiful, antique feeling with the brick walls and tall windows. There are also multiple, tall cylindrical pillars that are actually aquariums with vibrant fish giving entertainment for your dinner.

The restaurant has multiple bars, each unique in its own way; one even has a window of fresh fish for you to look at. The restaurant’s multileveled interior layout and exterior patio layouts, also have a more old fashioned restaurant feel. Don’t let the old fashioned feeling throw you off though, this restaurant is known for having some of the freshest seafood in the world, and the recipes are nothing, if not modern.

The Food at Waterbar, San Francisco

Waterbar in San Francisco has three menus, the lunch menu, dinner menu, and bar menu. Each is unique and amazing in their own ways. The menus for each include oysters, prawns, crab and lobster, as different side dishes. Beyond that, unlike the other two menus, the bar menu goes into small bites, or classic sea bar food.

The lunch menu has things like scallops, smoked salmon pastrami sandwiches and beer battered rockfish. A little more casual than the dinner menu, but each of these dishes are sourced from some of the most respected seafood areas in the United States. You know that, because with each menu item, they tell you exactly where they are sourcing the seafood from.

The dinner menu is a little more fancy, like the oak grilled ahi tuna or the oven roasted swordfish. Also, do not forget that with each of these menus, you are able to buy either white sturgeon or kaluga caviar served with traditional accompaniments.

The dessert menu, as enticing as the lunch, dinner and bar menus, is filled with cookies, cakes, ice creams, and tiramisu. Each looks absolutely stunning, and the menu even gives their pairing recommendations for dessert wines. The menu has a dessert wine list, with beautiful wines from around the world. Along with that, there is a list of ports, sherries, cognacs, brandies, and more.

The Cocktails

The restaurant has three in house sommeliers, giving them a huge edge when it comes to the wine list. The list is broken up into categories of varietals, winemaking practices, and regional wines. The list is international and very well put together, with large variances in price, without being forgiving on the quality of wine presented in the restaurant. They have a large “by the glass” list, along with some options for half bottles, followed by a huge bottle list.

Beyond that, there is a decent list of craft cocktails and domestic beer options. They even go as far as having non-alcoholic options!

Obviously, a wine based restaurant, Waterbar did not fall short on giving other options to the customers, to ensure customer satisfaction with their drink menu. Having multiple sommeliers in this case, created a widely successful drink and pairing menu, that meets the needs of all customers.

To Wrap Things Up

Waterbar in San Francisco is an extremely aesthetic restaurant, with a relaxing, approachable ambiance, for all to enjoy. It is on the pricey side, but you are paying for both the amazing food and drinks along with the views and incredible customer service the Waterbar staff brings.

The environment is nothing short of impeccable, the wine list is amazing, the seafood is as fresh as can be, and there is nothing negative to say about the experience of enjoying a meal at Waterbar.

Brewsters Beer Garden

June 1, 2023June 1, 2023Leave a comment

If you’re in Sonoma County on a summer’s weekend and you find yourself without afternoon plans, Brewsters Beer Garden is the right spot for you.

Downtown Petaluma is one of the fastest growing cities in California. Packed with nightlife, events and a great food scene, it is a very fun spot to be. Sitting on the south side of Sonoma County, Petaluma has the southernmost AVA’s for Sonoma County wines, commonly known for its Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays.

Besides wine, Petaluma is known for food. A wonderful scene it is, with a seemingly endless supply of restaurants found on any street corner in the city. Brewsters, considered a beer garden and not a restaurant, can still hold a light to any of the other amazing restaurants you’ll find in this city.

The Yard

The setup of the beer garden is that of a long backyard. Tables flow from the building deep into the back with a walled off alley on one side and a rustic, brick building on the other that creates a wall from the environment. Sticking with a rustic look, there are lots of antique decorations throughout this outdoor beer garden that tie the aesthetic together.

On the weekends it’s packed, loud, fun and young. The environment is lively and comfortable; not formal in any sense, but in no way trashy. Everybody seems to always be smiling and laughing, truly enjoying themselves.

Oftentimes there is a live band playing, quieting the crowd enough to hear the music, but in no way diminishing from the lively environment.

The Menu

The menu there changes on a daily basis, but you can bet on having some great barbecue no matter what the menu holds. Brewsters does their own smoking, so oftentimes you find 12-hour smoked meats like chicken, ribs, and brisket. They’ll melt in your mouth and leave you with the best hickory flavors you’ll find in Sonoma county.

Their amazing barbecuing is also accompanied by sides of different vegetables, fries, mac & cheese, etc. Personally, the fried chicken sandwich jumped off the page for me, and words could not do it justice. It was juicy, savory and crunchy; perfectly delicious.

Drinks

The beer garden shows off the vast amount of microbreweries there are in California. All of the beers on tap are unique and only a few come from outside of the state. You can find beers from companies like Lagunitas, Lost Coast and Barrelhouse on the draft list.

The beer garden also has a full bar, so any cocktail you’re looking for, they can make. Not much goes better than good beer or a hand crafted cocktail to go with southern style barbecue and live music.

Takeaway

Brewsters Beer Garden is a great summer day lunch or dinner spot. Whether it is for a fun date, a day out with friends and family, or just a quick beer, it really is unbeatable. Explore the downtown Petaluma nightlife, play pool at Buffalo Billiards, and make sure you check out Brewsters Beer Garden.

Shadowbrook Restaurant

May 30, 2023May 30, 2023Leave a comment

One of the most amazing culinary adventures you will find in Santa Cruz County, in the heart of Capitola, is Shadowbrook restaurant.

Capitola, a beach town that brings thousands of tourists annually, with some of the most gorgeous beaches and best vibes you will find in California, is just south of Santa Cruz.

If you visit the area, make sure to spend your day adventuring the boardwalk, seeing all the beauty it has to offer, and then check out the beautiful buildings in Capitola. Like Burano, the colorful island near Venice, Capitola is partially known for its gorgeous beaches and colorful buildings.

The town’s uniqueness rubs off on the restaurant, Shadowbrook, which has been around since 1947!

Shadowbrook’s Uniqueness

Shadowbrook lies at the bottom of a steep hill, directly above, and overhanging of a river. The location is tucked in and you cannot see the restaurant from the main street. If need be, the restaurant will give free transportation in retro taxis up to three miles from the restaurant.

Once you get to the top of the steep hill, you can either walk down the hill, through a forest of plants and flowers, or you can take a unique cable car, which will take you directly to the front desk of the restaurant crafted from recycled redwood. This restaurant’s recycled wood is all from used wine redwood vats from the early 1900s!

The restaurant itself has multiple indoor levels, all unique and themed, along with multiple levels of patios, including one on the same level as the river. Every table outside has an overhead heater that can be turned on by the customers through the touch of a button.

The experience beyond the food is worth the trip!

The Food at Shadowbrook Restaurant

Besides the salad starters, a lot of the starters are fish, including calamari and ahi poke. I ended up enjoying a baked brie dish, with a jalapeno jelly and crostinis on the side. They also have a small selection of soup, including a clam chowder which is supposedly the crowd favorite.

For entrees, the restaurant offers a few selections of seafood, including salmon, lobster tail, and scallops. There is also an assortment of vegetarian and vegan options, followed by a list of entrees containing meats. These entrees include filet mignon, chicken parmigiana, and osso bucco.

The Drinks

Accompanying the decent wine list and beer list, Shadowbrook is known for its unique craft cocktails. They use unique ingredients not found in most bars, and create a large list of cocktails, each with a fun twist.

I had a cocktail called the “Gold Rush” which was Larceny bourbon, mixed with orange blossom honey and orange bitters over ice. It was sweet and tangy; an amazing cocktail!

Final Words

If you are ever in the Santa Cruz area, Shadowbrook restaurant is a must. The retro cabs, cable car, and restaurant scenery are fascinating and fun. The place is amazing for a date, but it’s also a great place to go with your family! You can reserve a table up to 30 days in advance, which I would highly recommend. Also, there is a dress code, so check that out on their website before you go!

The Matheson

May 22, 2023May 22, 2023Leave a comment

Healdsburg, California, the heart of Sonoma County’s wine region is one of the fastest growing regions in all of California. The town, becoming known for its beautiful scenery, diverse terroir, high end wines, and ever expanding food culture, has caught the attention of many. Thousands of people flock to the town for barrel tasting weekends, and other large events, with peak seasons filling up the town’s plaza.

Right at the corner of the plaza, a new two-story restaurant named The Matheson has hit the scene. The two-story restaurant, joined by its Roof 106 cocktail bar above, is the newest, hottest restaurant in Healdsburg.

First Impression

The Matheson restaurant — Image Credit: https://www.instagram.com/themathesonhbg/

The first thing you see, walking through the doors of the Matheson is a beautiful interior, modern, but fanciful decor, a 360 degree bar, an open kitchen, and a whole wine wall with automatic dispensers dedicated to both Sonoma County’s amazing wines and other high-end wines from around the world.

After being greeted by a hostess, you can grab a drink at the bar, a glass of wine from the wine wall, or even venture to the roof for a cocktail with a view of the plaza. The rooftop is absolutely gorgeous, with a full, wrap-around bar inside, with comfortable seating, and a more casual feeling. When you step onto the patio, you have a perfect view of downtown Healdsburg, seen from the firepits and couches lining up the sides of the patio.

The Food

pizza and wine outdoor seating — Image Credit:https://www.instagram.com/themathesonhbg/

A wide menu awaits you if you eat at the first-floor dining room. Chef Dustin Valette has outdone himself. You can find everything from woodfired pizza to a tasting platter of sushi. The most amazing part is that you could not go wrong with either.

If you decide to eat at Roof 106, you will find a smaller menu, with a more approachable feel. You can still get a variety of pizzas and appetizers, including shishito peppers that are out of this world.

The Drinks

mixologist pouring a drink — Image Credit: https://www.instagram.com/themathesonhbg/

The extensive number of wines you can find on the wall as you enter the restaurant is astounding. Many wines are from Sonoma County, but you can still find wines from notable wine regions like Bordeaux, Mendoza, and Napa.

While enjoying a meal prepared from a menu built by chef Dustin Valette, you might as well try his personal wine, Valette. Valette cabernet sauvignon is a beautifully crafted, Sonoma County cabernet, made by Healdsburg’s own, and world renowned winemaker, Jesse Katz.

The cocktails are their own craftsmanship. Each one is unique and equally as amazing as the last. My recommendation is the modern margarita, which is clear with ingredients crafted by the Matheson team. It is an amazing balance of sweet and tangy and is not lacking in alcohol.

Takeaway

The food scene is amazing in Healdsburg. You will find everything from local burger joints like Healdsburger, to three Michelin star restaurants, like Single Thread. Go check out the wines, the scenery, and the restaurants, but do not forget to stop and check out The Matheson while you’re at it!

Carmel Restaurant

May 17, 2023May 17, 2023Leave a comment

Inspired by California & Yucatan Shores & Founder Tal Baum’s Seaside Upbringing, Carmel Offers Bold, Seasonal Dishes & Drinks for Lunch, Dinner & Sunday Brunch

Relaxed, Coastal Atmosphere Designed with Smith Hanes Studio

ATLANTA, MAY 16, 2023 – Tal Baum, Founder of Atlanta’s Oliva Restaurant Group, announces her sixth restaurant concept, Carmel, is now open at Buckhead Village in Atlanta. Inspired by the shores of California and the Yucatan Peninsula as well as Tal’s upbringing on the Mediterranean coast, the full-service restaurant and bar’s easy, coastal atmosphere welcomes guests to gather over lunch, dinner, Sunday brunch, drinks, and pastries and coffee. The group is also behind the city’s beloved restaurants Bellina Alimentari and Atrium at Ponce City Market, Aziza and Falafel Nation at Westside Provisions District and Rina on the Atlanta BeltLine’s Eastside Trail.

The restaurant, named in honor of Tal’s daughter Carmel and her family home in Mount Carmel, Israel, serves dishes that are bold, seasonal and ingredient-focused from Executive Chef Luis Guevara Salgado, who previously helmed the kitchen at Aziza and also grew up on the coast, in Acapulco, Mexico. Reflecting both Baum’s and Salgado’s takes on coastal cuisine, the lunch, dinner and brunch menus celebrate the water with fresh fish and seafood as well as the land with unique cuts of meat and produce.

At lunch, guests can expect bowls, salads, coffee, dessert and more. Come dinner, the menu features small bites that are exciting and unique, shareable, produce-focused seconds, main dishes from the kitchen’s wood-burning hearth and a variety of sides that celebrate the season’s bounty and complement main dishes. For Sunday brunch, guests can enjoy jewels from the coast, like ceviche and tartare, and the likes of salads, toast, crab fritters, tostadas and a pastry basket made daily in house. Mains include vegetable dishes with egg, a Grouper Torta, Shrimp with chorizo, pickled tomatillos & creamy polenta and more. Pastries and coffee are also available throughout each day.

On the beverage side, the bar reflects drinks and unique ingredients from coasts around the world. With a backbone of Latin American spirits, including sipping rums, organic mezcals and pisco, the cocktail menu is from Oliva Restaurant Group’s Beverage Director Demario Wallace and Carmel’s Bar Manager Baylee Hopings, who was recently named a 2023 Rising Star by StarChefs. The cocktail selection also offers guests a zero-proof option for each drink utilizing non-alcoholic spirits.

The wine list, curated by Carmel’s Assistant General Manager & Wine Manager David Chapman, spotlights the Pacific Coast, with selects from Walla Walla, Washington down through the Bio Bio region in Chile. Guests can find many wines from producers prioritizing organic and sustainable farming, and be able to sip Old World wine from France and Italy.

Come 9pm on Fridays and Saturdays, a DJ plays in the bar until midnight. Guests can nibble on bar snacks while enjoying drinks.

Leaning on her degree in architecture, Tal designed the dining room and bar in collaboration with Atlanta’s Smith Hanes Studio. With every restaurant, Tal seeks to create a space that transports guests to another place, where every element is intentionally planned to contribute to the overall culinary experience. Carmel evokes a feeling of easy, coastal living, featuring earthy, hand-textured plaster walls, woven rattan accents and warm-toned natural woods.

Located on Buckhead Village’s cobblestone street Bolling Way NE, the restaurant welcomes guests into an intimate bar room. The rattan-wrapped bar, amber-tiled barback, glowing drink rail and sculptural lighting evoke a world of cabanas and parts of the Mediterranean where handwoven basketry is commonplace. A massive wood-framed window opens the bar to patio tables on the sidewalk, blurring indoor and outdoor living and making way for the outdoor breeze, much like at the beach.

Beyond the bar, guests walk through deep rounded thresholds to enter an expansive, 1,600-square-foot dining room wrapped in warm light, as if the sun is setting low on the ocean’s horizon. Three sculptural niches inspired by Mediterranean architecture provide romantic nooks for imbibing. Mossy green velvet banquettes, soft booths and leather armchairs complete the vibe.

The design is a celebration of local Atlanta artisans, with custom fiber installations by Sonya Yong James, hand-applied plaster by Super Delicious Walls and exquisite upholstery and millwork items crafted by local fabricators Hancock Surface Studio, Onemost Studio and Bjork Studio.

@carmelatl

www.carmelatl.com

Reservations

3009 Bolling Way NE

Atlanta, GA 30305

470-355-7245

…

HOURS

Lunch

Monday through Saturday

11am-4pm

Dinner

Nightly

From 5pm

Sunday Brunch

11am-3pm

Bar Snacks

Mid-afternoon daily

Late Night Friday & Saturday

About Oliva Restaurant Group – Founded in 2015 with the opening of Bellina Alimentari at Ponce City Market, Oliva Restaurant Group is a collection of restaurants in Atlanta, Georgia exploring Founder Tal Baum’s cross-cultural upbringing. The group also now encompasses some of Atlanta’s most beloved restaurants, including modern Israeli spots Aziza and Falafel Nation in the city’s West Midtown neighborhood, Rina, an Israeli, diner-style eatery on the Atlanta BeltLine’s Eastside Trail, Atrium, a restaurant offering a Modern American menu with European influence at Ponce City Market, and Carmel, a new restaurant at Buckhead Village inspired by the shores of California and the Yucatan Peninsula as well as Tal’s upbringing on the Mediterranean coast. The group’s mission is to share flavorful moments that celebrate worldly cuisine, honor local ingredients and deepen connections to each other.

About Buckhead Village – Serving up modern, chic fashion and food in the heart of Atlanta’s iconic Buckhead neighborhood, Buckhead Village is a shopping and dining destination featuring retail from the world’s top fashion houses and emerging artisans, decadent global culinary adventures, as well as wellness classes and experiences. Owned by real estate investment and management firm Jamestown, the property offers guests a stylish and welcoming haven with cobblestone streets and outdoor communal spaces with lush greenery and bold, European-inspired design. For more information, please visit www.buckheadvillagedistrict.com.

The Barn

March 11, 2023March 14, 2023Leave a comment

Fairhope, Alabama’s Farm-to-Table Restaurant

Today I had the pleasure of speaking with Robert Evans, owner, and Chef Adam Stephens, Executive Chef, of the exciting new restaurant, “The Barn” in Fairhope, Alabama. If you’re fortunate enough to visit the small coastal town of Fairhope, you’ll experience the beauty, friendliness, and pride of the community at every turn. The Barn is a reflection of that fellowship and charm.

Sitting on the same premises as The Hope Farm, which grew from a son’s knowledge and passion for farming and healthy living, and a father’s love of wine and good food, The Barn is the next natural step for the farm and the community. And when it comes to community, it’s everything to the father and son team and Chef Stephens. While speaking with them, it was clear that each decision they make is based upon how it will affect the community of Fairhope and the surrounding areas. When asked if The Barn has any signature dishes, Chef Stephens replied, “The community will make that clear as time goes on.” And as co-founder Bentley Evans said about the opening of The Barn, “We can’t wait for Fairhope to experience this beautiful space.” It has never been just about themselves and never will be, no matter how big they get. Owner Robert Evans explains that if they ever expand beyond Fairhope, the goal will always be to keep a “small town” feel to the restaurant.

Although The Barn is similar to The Hope Farm because they reside on the same premises and both are built on the same values, it definitely has its own personality. Chef Stephens points out that with an open kitchen and the tables full of people enjoying themselves, The Barn exudes a vibe of energy and togetherness. The menu focuses on in-house-made pastries and bistro-style weekday lunches. One of the main attractions at The Barn is the premium coffee from Nova Espresso, a local craft coffee shop based out of Mobile, Alabama. It’s another reminder of the emphasis the team at The Barn places on supporting local businesses and sustainability.

You can expect farm-to-table and seasonal selections at The Barn, just as at The Hope Farm. Chef Adam Stephens says, “It’s like a chef’s playground,” referring to the joys of creating a menu from a sustainable farm. Don’t expect just any lunch while dining at The Barn. Instead, plan on taking your time to enjoy menu items such as Grilled Hanger with Frites & Chimichurri, Jambon Beurre, or Chilled Lobster Salad. And expect fun changes to the menu as the seasons change. To celebrate the coastal life, there’s even a raw bar with seafood and caviar service. In the mornings, grab a cup of Nova Espresso coffee and a homemade cinnamon roll with candied pecans or a fresh croissant.

As a part of the restaurant business during a pandemic, the entire team at The Barn looks back at those tough times and is so grateful and aware of how lucky they are to see great success and to give not only the local community but visitors from all over the country a new place where they now experience farm-to-table dishes that are elegant and accessible. It takes a unique group to create a casual atmosphere with a menu that can compete with the world’s finest restaurants. And best of all, it’s in the prettiest little town, Fairhope, Alabama.

Hardware Restaurant

February 18, 2023March 11, 2023Leave a comment

Let me tell you about the most amazing restaurant you haven’t heard of. I live in the far west suburbs of Chicago. I mean, there’s a cornfield behind my house. An hour west of Chicago feels like a few days from the city. However, we can drive about 30 minutes east and find incredible restaurants. Enter…Hardware Restaurant.

Sustainability

Hardware is in North Aurora, Illinois. It’s sort of out in the middle of nowhere, but with plenty of other restaurants and shopping nearby. Every time I eat there I think to myself, They should be in the city. Their food is almost too good to be way out here. The thing is, they need space for their place.

Hardware has a greenhouse right onsite where they grow their own produce all year round. When you sit in the bar area you can see all of the beautiful greens growing in the greenhouse. It’s refreshing to see on a cold northern Illinois winter day. They also have little micro-orchards around the property where they grow their own nuts and fruits. Have you ever met a restaurant that does that? In the summer, when you pull in and see all the foliage, much of it in containers on the exterior walls, it just looks pretty. Then when you get closer and realize they are actually growing a good amount of the food you are about to eat, it’s fascinating. The list goes on.

Image Credit: https://www.instagram.com/hardwaregastropub/

https://www.instagram.com/hardwaregastropub/

Sustainability isn’t just a hip term at Hardware. They take action. Hardware brews their own beer, and the hops are grown on site. They even have their own well, so they know where the brewery water comes from. I haven’t even mentioned the food and already you can see, this place is beyond cool.

The Interior

The interior of Hardware is smart and it represents sustainability as well. If you love a warm atmosphere that makes you question your interior design abilities, this is the place for you. Some of the walls are covered in wood that’s been charred, which matches the fabulous aromas coming from the area where the restaurant is smoking meats. Tables and chairs are arranged so you feel the energy of the crowd yet can hear each other speak at your own table. They’ve done well with the acoustics in such a large setting. Everything from the light fixtures down to the flooring are artistic and well thought out. You’ll know as soon as you pull into the parking lot that you’re in for a unique experience. Hardware has managed to create a vibe that’s rustic, warm, yet hip and modern. Literally, you’ll even enjoy the restroom experience where sinks sit atop old kegs. Hardware is one of those restaurants where you can enjoy a lovely evening out in a little black dress or a sport coat, but you can also take a seat in your favorite jeans.

The Food

About the food — it’s incredible. We are sort of food snobs and feel Hardware is some of the best food you’ll taste anywhere. The charcuterie boards are beautiful and we tend to stuff ourselves on one every time. They include sausages and meats made in house.

Hardware is the only place, ever in my life, where I get excited about a salad. On their salad menu is a smoked gouda tart salad. We tried it one day out of curiosity because, you know, it had cheese in it. What shows up is a tiny little tart filled with smoked gouda and caramelized onions, hidden under a bed of Hardware’s microgreens that are tossed in a lovely vinaigrette dressing, pickled red onions, and some fig jam. First of all, just the salad is the best tasting salad you’ll ever have. I love a chef who understands flavor. Then, after being good and eating all your greens, the gouda tart is like dessert. My husband and I say, “Mmmm” an embarrassing number of times while eating it.

There are fun small plates to share, and I guarantee you’ll see offerings there you’ve never seen before. The entrees are delicious, and I appreciate that the portions aren’t ridiculous (less waste). Everything served at Hardware focuses on which fresh ingredients are available. Everything is seasonal while many items, of course, can be served all year round.

I could go on about every unique and perfect menu item, but I’ll let you see for yourself. However, please also try the teriyaki bacon with watermelon. On to the drinks…

Cocktails

If we want a cocktail made the way it should be, we go to Hardware (sometimes after church which feels a little wrong). Truth be told, my husband has become an amateur mixologist because the following weekend I usually ask him to recreate what we drank at Hardware. No pressure.

They have all the classics as well as their own creations. I have a vintage soul so I tend to order anything that sounds like it would be on the set of Casablanca or bring me a step closer to looking like Ingrid Bergman. Just trust me, the cocktails here do not disappoint. Then there’s the whiskey and whisky collection. If you sit at the bar, they all decorate the wall and it’s pretty fun to read as many as you can and look for new one’s you haven’t tried. Hardware boasts 400 whiskeys from all over the world.

Hardware Restaurant

Hardware Sustainable Gastropub and Brewery – Google Maps