Yaku

I had high hopes.

As a beer drinker, I am disappointed when I go to a bar and all the taps are out. I opted for my second choice, the Sangria. The White Sangria was very sweet and peachy (I do not like peachy drinks), but the Red Sangria was delicious, full bodied, and worth trying. If you are only a beer drinker, like my friend Matt, this place was a total let down with the taps (Yuengling, Miller Light, Newcastle Brown and Magic Hat #9) out and no bottles in the house.

The wine selection was extensive with cool wine-coolers along the wall. The color and decor was very retro/hip — yellow and grays, modern lines through the restaurant, very striking. I will say, yellow seats do not mix with red wine. Despite being open only a year, the couches near the bar told us a different story and looked too stained to sit on. What I appreciated about the restaurant is that the happy hour deal was good for the entire restaurant, no matter where you sit. Thank goodness for that — the seats at the bar were already taken, and having 5 people sit side-by-side on a couch does not work.

I was excited to try the crab and shrimp wontons, but found myself again, disappointed, in the meat inside. The general response to the food at our table was, "... it was ok." Chinese Peruvian Fusion sounds delicious — perhaps I just chose the wrong dish?

When the waiters did come by our table, they were quick to take orders. The turn around on our orders was achingly slow for the lack of clientele, and trying to flag the waiters to come fill our empty drinks was at times frustrating.

Overall, I might give it another chance in 6 months. Perhaps there was it was just an off-night with the taps, wait staff, and kitchen... in the meantime, they've got a lot of tightening up to do in order to convince me to wander away from my all-time courthouse favorite: Ragtime.

drafts:
M–F, 5–7*pm
$2 drafts
$3 Sangria/$12 Pitcher
$4 Rail Cocktails
$5 Mojitos

$3-5 Apps (Crab Wontons, Lettuce Wraps, etc.)

*Happy Hour PDF on web site is inaccurate

Yaku

Dr. Dremo's

Well. The rumors have finally come true. After hearing for years that this bar is going to close, the time has come... this upcoming Sunday (Jan 28, 2008) at 2am. The auction for "almost everything" will begin at 7pm on Monday. The Dr Dremo and Taco Bell property has been sold to Elm St Development. Plans call for 141 residential units and 34,685 sf of ground floor retail. Such is the story of the Over-Condo'd Courthouse, Clarendon, Ballston area.

If you never checked this bar out, that sucks for you. It has (had?) a huge, ever-changing list of draft beers at reasonable prices. Chill setting. Jukebox. Friendly groups of patrons filling up old lounge-chairs... I hope you had the opportunity to experience the huge, round, tin enclosure/structure that (in my mind) is the pimp seat of the entire place.

Lefthand's JuJu Ginger Ale will now always remind me of the smoky bar that will be replaced by more little dwellings stacked on top of each other (hope you're getting the sense of my disdain.)

Please post your eulogies, sweet sweet memories, and farewells.

deals:
5–730 includes $1 select beers, and free pool
dremo's

CM X: Ragtime

Visiting a favorite. Ragtime has a big bar section with plenty of seating near and around the bar. The wait staff is always (for me) quick and helpful. Outside seating is pretty fantastic when the weather permits. They've got live music nearly every night of the week, and their beer of the month keeps me coming back.

Lots of talk of the corrupt referee and Jim's family home where Dawn is not allowed unless they are chaperoned. Redhook was the beer of the month, burgers were good — too hot to enjoy the patio THIS time... next time. next time.

deals:
$2.50 Draft of the Month... I think $2 Miller, you know
I've totally forgotten. Guess I'll have to go back again and see what they are...
please post 'em if you know
www.ragtimerestaurant.com/