by Steven S. on Service - 4 Stars Food - 4 Stars Chopped House Burger - 5 Stars A sports bar with linen napkins, silverware, and decorated without sports memorabilia, posters, photos or beer signs of any kind? Ain't no such a thing! Well, my daughter proved me wrong. She and her boyfriend took my wife and i to this upscale sports bar to try out Texas Monthly's #12 ranked Best Burger, the Chop House. It did not disappoint. Grilled nicely outside, cooked medium rare as requested, the cheddar fused into the patty and criss-crossed with bacon strips, it was superb. Wisely, it's served on a Ciabatta bun to absorb the juicy interior, so there's no external mess and every fattening calorie gets delivered to your taste buds intact. It comes with some parmesan fries that are a little too thin for my preference but still delivered a lot of flavor. Normally, I'd say a burger and fries for $10 is a bit steep, price-wise. But then, it normally woudn't taste so good. And someone's got to pay the cool interior of the restaurant with a lot of TV's. Because it doesn't resemble any sports bar I know. Contemporary styling, wood and leather booths along the walls, and indirect mood lighting makes it look more like a date-sport restaurant. Maybe they're trying to please both sexes. The food is excellent. We had the trio of chips and three dips, guac, salsa and queso. Elegantly served, not just a basket and bowls, but a ceramic platter with three sections holds the dips. The fried chips are served in cone-shaped paper, held upright by clever silver basket. Happy hour prices are $3 off appetizers, $2 off cocktails and $1 off beer and wine. I'd go again. I guess sports bars don't have to be grungy or excessively loud. And food can be quality without upsetting an old bar-hound like me. Just takes a little getting used to, that's all.
by hen a. on continuing on castro march...after-dinner hours...wine for dessert?...blush appearance dim, quaint and serious....wine serious....shelves and boxes of wine around...walls and floors...wine and more wine...good clutter...order of cheese and favorite pinot grigio....owner recommendation of reds....and splash of port...few wine enthusiasts amoungst group...longer chit chat before deciding....personal service a plus....a generous complimentary pour another plus....although group of naked banana hammock and top hat wearing men quite the disturbing scene...."this is the castro!"....fine wine bar nonetheless...for wine indulgence...
