Two Things . . .

1) a good dive bar is good to have

2) Barnaby's meatloaf is crazy good.

On point 1: Tuesday had lunch date with Twist. Agreed to go to Warren's, a nearby ( and more than likely very old) establishment downtown. Warren's is a total dive. It's dark and worn and out of date. Everyone in there is old and knows each other. It has cheap burgundy velvet flocked wall paper and a random bust of some dude in the corner. But, it also has cheap lunch specials that are generally good. More importantly, it is the only place I have found that can make a real grilled cheese here.

Guess what the special was yesterday? Grilled cheese and chicken rice soup! I'm not lying. We both quickly ordered up a cup of soup and a grilled cheese. Soup was nice. Not too much broth and a good peppery kick. Grilled cheese could have used more butter on the sandwich bread but otherwise it was a standard homey grilled cheese. Not overflowing with cheese either. Just right. Came on a plastic dinner plate with a generous helping of chips and a gloriously garlicky dill pickle. In contrast to the plastic plate, the soup came out in well worn standard diner heavy ceramic cup and saucer. I can't begrudge Warren's from being economical. If I can eat there for $5 then I am more than happy to use a disposable plastic plate and one napkin. Respect.


Is it the best food ever? No. But it's homey and no hassle and cheap. I'm giving Warren's a 4 and a recommended.

 

On to number Two: Barnaby's. no photo today. Was out with a colleague and didn't want to go into the whole "I'm taking pictures of food for my blog" thing. Kind of sorry I didn't though. My first experience was meh. Today was much better. Went with meatloaf. Came with two giant steamed broccoli bunches and mashed potatoes. Also got three thick slices of meatloaf in marinara. Crazy good. For real. Not sure how they made their mashed potatoes but they were some of the best I have ever had. Great flavor. Not too starchy and very light. A distinct absence of cream and butter. Possibly mashed Yukon Golds. Whatever it was, yum. Meatloaf was moist with good consistency and flavor. Definite Italian meatball kind of thing going on.


I only take issue with the broccoli that was steamed just this side of raw with no seasoning of any kind. I can appreciate the plain thing but, work with me, it's broccoli.

This meal I think is a 4.5 and a recommended. I ate about a third and have the rest to take home for dinner.