Monday Morning Quarterbacking: the Bicycle
Like other restaurants in this economy, the Bicycle in Federal Hill has had to make some changes. In its case, the changes were pretty major: a more casual, less pricey menu and for good measure, some cosmetic changes in the dining rooms and bar.
As you can tell if you read my review yesterday, we had a very good time there. If the Bicycle were in my neighborhood, I would definitely give it a shot as a "Honey, I don't feel like cooking tonight, let's go out" restaurant.
But maybe you don't agree. It's still not exactly budget fare, in spite of the lead of my review. So if you want to tell us your impressions about the "new" Bicycle (I'm almost scared to use those quotation marks), this is the place to do it.
(Barbara Haddock Taylor/Sun photographer)
Categories: Monday Morning Quarterbacking
Comments
We went at least twice a month when Barry owned it and more when we could fit it in. Entertained several times for business over the years. Loved the food staff and everything about it. After it was sold we went back felt the food was still good service not so great so we stopped going could never could put our finger on it. Over the years we found many of our favorite wait staff at other restaurants. so a couple of weeks ago I thought we should give it another shot it was still getting very good reviews. We will never go back. Service was better but we thought the food lacked. We used to love the inovative food some people thought crazy combinations but we loved it nothing I would cook at home. Your review was good so maybe it is just us. I think it might be a llittle of you can never go home again? I will be interested to see what other people say
Posted by: sas | March 9, 2009 12:26 PM
I was pleased to see in the review Bicycle offering wines by the glass for $6 but when I view the website the glasses start at $8 with the more interesting wines in the $10 to $15 range. Are there by the glass wine specials at cheaper prices?
I never trust Web site menus much. The wine list on the printed menu has a couple of wines by the glass for $6. Or at least did when we were there.EL
Posted by: Elite Elephant Lover | March 9, 2009 12:35 PM
$10 starters, $20 entrees and $18 bottles of wine does not qualify as a 'honey, I don't feel like cooking, let's go out to eat' restaurant for me. wow.
Posted by: Direwolfc | March 10, 2009 7:04 AM
I was thinking the same thing. Restaurants that I go to when I don't feel like cooking are more in the $10 to $15 range for an entree that includes salad, potato and maybe even a vegetable. I hope others add their opinions.
Posted by: Elite Elephant Lover | March 10, 2009 9:00 AM
When I don't feel like cooking, I go for the $4 10" cheese pizza special down the street.
Posted by: Lissa | March 10, 2009 10:17 AM
When I read the prices and then the "Honey, I don't feel like cooking tonight, let's go out" remark, I figured it was a sign that this column's - and this blog's - target market are a higher economic class than mine.
Alas, I wish it were as well thought out as that. It was an off-the-cuff remark on my part. I meant it specifically for myself and my husband, who aren't big eaters when we don't have to be. We are perfectly happy with a couple of small plates or a pasta dish and a $6 glass of wine. All I meant was that you now have that option at the Bicycle, which you didn't before.
Surely with the amount of time we spend talking about burgers, Frito pie and such you can't really think this blog has a high-end target market. :-) EL
Posted by: Eve | March 10, 2009 10:44 AM
"who aren't big eaters when we don't have to be"
EL, I guess the only time you have to be a big eater is when you're reviewing restaurants. I can see how eating less on your days off would be a relief. :-)
Exactly. And we go for quality rather than quantity if the price is the same. Of course, there are always those times when you just want pizza, and lots of it. EL
Posted by: Laura Lee | March 10, 2009 1:26 PM
Pizza, like all junk food, comes in single serving packages.
Posted by: Lissa | March 10, 2009 2:22 PM
To me, this blog addresses all the economic classes. Heck, we had a post on the best Italian cold cuts in town. Yes, there are places mentioned here that are a bit pricey, yet there are others that are quite affordable.
It is trulyThe Only Blog You Will Ever Need. :-)
Am I allowed to use smileys, or is that permissible for our Dear Leader?
Go for it. :-) EL
Posted by: PCB Rob | March 10, 2009 7:54 PM
I am still catching up with past postings and just getting to March, so forgive the lateness of this.
My husband and I are pretty big eaters and yet we find more and more that we are sharing meals at many restaurants and coming away feeling quite satisfied. We have been able to continue eating in restaurants that would be out of our everyday budget because we have taken to eating differently. We order a couple of appetizers and one entree and share it. Most places have no problem with bringing an extra plate to the table. Instead of bringing home leftovers that either get lost in the refrigerator or just are not as appetizing when reheated, we enjoy every bite right in the restaurant.
In these economic times we also find that we are cooking more at home and trying new recipes to keep from feeling that we are depriving ourselves. But, that being said, we do not want to give up the local places that we love and have developed relationships with because times are not as good as they were. And there is nothing like having a go-to restaurant right in your neighborhood.
Posted by: Regina | March 15, 2009 1:14 AM
Regina--excellent approach. My husband and I sometimes order only appetizers, treating any menu as if it offers "small plates." Works for us, and no one has complained about it from the server's point of view (to our faces anyway--Hungry Hungry Hippo?)
Glad to see you back again, btw. Have you seen Rosebud?
Where IS Rosebud? Didn't she used to link to a My Space page? Now I can't even find that. EL
Posted by: Dahlink | March 15, 2009 7:30 AM