Hooray! Hill Street Tavern has opened for business!
Though we’ve heard tell of their “gigantic steaks” around the dinner hour, we went by for lunch yesterday to check the place out. The space is comfortable with warm lighting and big comfy booths that can easily fit a group of six. The bar is expansive and inviting as well, and you can sit in view of a television or away from it, as you so choose. Awesome, because one of my biggest pet peeves are places where TVs assault you in every direction.
The waitstaff was friendly and welcoming, making sure our beverages came promptly. The beer selection was excellent, so one of our number chose a New Belgium Fat Tire. They have over 20 draught beers available, so it’ll definitely be a great place to hit up after hours.
We glanced over the appetizers and found the idea of bbq pulled pork potato skins too irresistible. When they came, they were covered in black beans, succulent pulled pork, and the house-made barbecue sauce, with fresh and crispy cabbage slaw on the side. We devoured them. Amazing.
Hill Street Tavern offers a daily blue plate special, and yesterday it was a smoked quarter chicken with mashed potatoes and green beans. Two of us ordered that, while the others were convinced by the burger, made with meat ground in house, served with fries, and reportedly, “huge.” Everyone at the table had a substitution or special order, and these were all handled with aplomb. The burgers didn’t disappoint. And the chicken special was fantastic, smothered in a sort of mustard/peppercorn barbecue sauce that managed to be unusual while still being delicious.
We’ll definitely be coming back for dinner and a pitcher of draught at this pub that offers more than the usual pub fare. All in all, the restaurants and retailers at the Pencil Factory Flats & Shops are looking more promising by the day…and more delicious!