Saturday, February 28, 2009
12th on Main
When Northern Exposure was open on Main Street, I ate there a lot. I could never imagine anything else in that space. So, when we decided to eat at the new spot there, 12th Street Taphouse, I have to admit that I did not enter it with an open mind. With memories of firecracker chicken and key lime pie dancing in my head, I approached the new restaurant. It was different. Way different. Even from the outside, it is a much brighter space. Once inside the front door, it was busy and upbeat. And, oh yeah, loud. Friendly loud, not 'horn in your ear' loud. (Think Continental Divide) We were escorted to our table in the back, where miraculously the noise disappeared. It's the best of both worlds! There were so many beers to choose from that we just got wine. (Don't worry, we will go back to sample the hops faire.) We ordered the bruschetta to start. This was no run-of-the-mill tomato-and-oil-on-a-piece-of-bread bruschetta. There were artichokes, pitted olives, red peppers, garlic, and feta cheese in the mix. It was heavenly. Steve ordered the chipotle t-bone special, which I cannot guarantee will be there long, but he truly enjoyed it. Although, he was mystified as to how one side of it was med-rare and the other side med-well. For me, it was a tough decision what to get for dinner. They have curried chicken, salmon with horseradish sauce over linguini, a red beans and rice New Orleans-type dish. It all looked great, but I was actually getting full off of the bruschetta. So, I got the nicoise (sp?) salad, and if you order this, you will not go home hungry. It was a huge portion. What struck me most about the place, however, was how happy all of the servers seemed to be there. This is rare in C'ville these days. Don't get me wrong, most servers around here are attentive and great at their job, but these folks...I mean, I thought they were going to break out into song any minute. And it was a genuine-feeling niceness. I will definitely go back. If not for the delicious food, just to see if a musical happens!Oh, and I hope to see you at the UVA/Wake Forest game today at JPJ! - A
# posted by Angie @ 6:10 AM 
