If you've ever been to England, or more specifically, to a tiny pub in a tiny town, one-half of this place is like that. I hope, hope, hope that this doesn't become a scene. Yes, I want them to succeed, but I want it to be my secret. A couch in front of a fireplace: I can't really ask for more. I am in infinite search of a fireplace during the winter months and I think I have found my new hang out.
The ground level is nicely done up with a ton of attention to detail. Wood tables and bars, leather chairs, clean lines, warm atmosphere. There is a long bar and maybe a half dozen tables and was just beginning to get jumping around 6 pm on a Tuesday.
We were directed upstairs and had the level to ourselves. There's maybe a dozen or so tables up there, so reservations are recommended if you really want to go on a Friday or Saturday night. Our table overlooked the Showcase Theaters there on Western, which is an armpit of humanity, but that was balanced by the incredible service, attention to detail and, of course, the roaring fire.
You Have Been Served:
Our waiter, John, was extremely helpful and knowledgable and sported the requisite intellectual glasses and facial hair to guarantee this place as a hipster locale. He seemed happy to accommodate for Babycakes any way possible and welcomed conversation. On that note, it did kind of feel like we were really back in England.
Notable Potables:
I started with a Ruddles County Ale. Served with a nice head, near room temperature, quite tasty. I asked for something "not too hoppy" (save that for the mister), and was presented with a deep amber ale that went down nicely. It was a little strong, so I asked for a half-pint when I finished it-and they accommodated! Not many places stateside serve you half-pints. Ah, the excess of America.
The mister had a draught Abbot Ale-- a go-to, but felt that the temperature was much too cold. He commented that if he were going to have another one, he would order it immediately and let it sit to bring the temp up. But he instead joined me with the Ruddles.
Sustenance:
We knew that we were both going to order the fish and chips. How can you not? Two GIGANTIC pieces of Haddock, flown in daily from New England (from what we understood, caught by a father and put on a plane to be picked up by the son at O'Hare later that same day), perfectly battered and fried, sitting atop mushy peas-a combination of smashed peas, pea puree and creme fraiche. Delicious homemade chips, served in a Wells Bombardier pint glass, seasoned and a ramekin of English mayonnaise for dipping. No ketchup here, nor is there any needed!
The fish was delicious, the fries absurdly delicious. Both of us could only finish off one of the pieces and were told that the fish turns out nicely if taken home and put in the oven.
My only wish: more mushy peas! Had the waiter not appeared when he did, I would have licked the plate.
Babycakes:
There was no changing station in the bathrooms upstairs, but I just used the couch. I don't know that I would do that if there were other patrons eating dinner, so I would suggest to them that one gets installed (there's room). A lap change is fine until a certain age, but again, you don't want your neighbor looking at the dirty diaper and back at their smashed peas.
They had high chairs and brought one out. No kids menu, but possible alternatives are the cheddar mashed potatoes or bubble and squeak, a potato/vegetable pancake.
We ate from 5-6 and were the only patrons in the upstairs-perfect for having Babycakes with us.
Total Bill:
2 Fish n Chips: 30.00
Half-Pint Ruddles: 5.00
2 Full Pint Ruddles: 14.00
1 Abbot Ale: 7.00
Total with Tax: 59.15
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