Monday afternoon quarterbacking: 13.5 % Wine Bar
I seem to be getting later and later with the regular features this week, and it's only Monday. Oh, well.
Yesterday I reviewed the 13.5 % Wine Bar in Hampden. A few years ago it would have been reviewed by the Other Reviewer, the one that wrote for the Live tab, while I was reviewing more formal restaurants.
But these days, it sometimes feels like only wine bars are opening, and once opened they are the only new eating places that are an instant success. If they have more food than a cheese plate or two, it's a plus. ...
I got a funny e-mail this morning about my review:
Although my wife and I don't get out as much as we used to (recent baby), I still like learning about places that I would like to try some day. However, I have to admit you almost fooled me today. I have been telling my wife how sensitive you are to noise. It seems that almost weekly you mention how loud a place is. Usually it is near the beginning, but this week you held out until the third from the last paragraph. Just an observation and not meant as criticism, and I have to admit it keeps me reading the reviews every week.
Sincerely from an avid follower,
I can't decide whether he wishes I would stop commenting on a restaurant's noise, or if he will be disappointed if I don't. Anyway, it's better than the folks who want me to take a decibel reader, or whatever you call the gadget that measures noise, with me on my reviews and then assign stars for the noise levels. Gee, that would be inconspicuous.
All of which is to say that 13.5 % Wine Bar has a lot of virtues, but being able to hear your dining or drinking companions isn't one of them.
(Barbara Haddock Taylor/Sun photographer)
Categories: Monday Morning Quarterbacking
Comments
EL, please keep including that information! Those of us who are more or less hearing-impaired really appreciate it.
Posted by: Dahlink | August 17, 2009 4:31 PM
yes, please keep describing the noise levels - it definately affects my decision whether or not to try a restaurant.
Posted by: Michelle Brown | August 17, 2009 4:35 PM
Man, those tin ceilings... They're installed at the Hamilton Tavern and in Clementine's new dining area - both spaces are incredibly, often almost unbearably, loud.
Posted by: sean | August 17, 2009 4:47 PM
I too want to know about loud restaurants. I have very sensitive hearing, and too much noise causes me physical pain. I want to try 13.5, but maybe I'll go at lunchtime or mid-afternoon, when it might be less noisy.
Posted by: Dottie | August 17, 2009 10:06 PM
I used to work at a place called "crabby dicks" on broadway, where the music was low until you went into the restroom where it was up loud. I thought that was a great idea for obvious reasons. maybe the women disagree?
Posted by: the baltimoron | August 18, 2009 3:11 AM
baltimoron, it's like that in Bateman's too. I always thought it was kind of funny like the music blaring in the elevator in Airplane. But you actually have a point, I hadn't thought of the reasons for it before. I certainly don't mind it, I'm not trying to chat it up in there!
Posted by: Joyce W. | August 18, 2009 5:36 AM
Haha, but the loud restroom music would inhibit cell phone conversations in the stalls.
Posted by: no | August 18, 2009 7:57 AM
My husband, a friend, and I went around 6:30 on a Tuesday evening and it wasn't that crowded.
All the food was good. We tried some of the same stuff EL did, the Il Casanova (mine was not dry and overcooked like EL's experience), the vegetable napolean, and a panini.
My only complaint was that the aside from the panini the food was an awkward size. I guess it's good for a snack with wine, although the food is not something I would think of as a snack. But as the waitress explained to us before we ordered the plates are medium sized i.e. larger than tapas, but smaller than an entree. Thus really not enough food to make a meal but too large to want to order more than one.
I'll probably stick with the paninis when I go back. I'm also interested in trying their Sunday brunch.
Posted by: Danielle | August 18, 2009 10:37 AM
Just get drunk and then you won't notice the noise.
Posted by: maddogg | August 18, 2009 12:47 PM
Finally, thankfully, a straight
forward review of a restaurant
(wine bar) in Hampden without
any other comment. Thank you.
Posted by: S. Charles | August 18, 2009 7:42 PM
I'm interested to see how small these plates are. A tapas-sized plate is almost enough for me, and a full dinner is usually too much. This sounds like a good medium. Aren't we constantly being told these days that restaurant portions are too large for a healthy diet? Is it a price issue for the size?
Posted by: Bourbon Girl | August 18, 2009 10:57 PM
BG: A tapas-sized plate is pretty much what my Moroccan shrimp was.
Honestly, as lovely as the shrimp were -- flavorful, perfectly cooked, the rice they were served with was, reminded me of Boil-in-Bag.
It spelled "filler" to me like a tapas plate shouldn't.
In the end, I caved, and ordered a panini (the rustic bread is gorgeous).
Posted by: El Generalissimo | August 21, 2009 6:13 AM