From time to time I like to re-review places that have either gotten mediocre reviews in the past, to see if things have gotten better; or have received rave reviews to see if things are still the same. I have picked four for updates.
1) Stonebridge Grille and Tavern (Boardman) – This place is great, and I intend to go there more often than I have in the past. The other night my wife and I went for a quick dinner, and confirmed what I had written previously. I had about as good a sirloin steak as I have had anywhere, and that includes some pretty high class and pricey steak joints. Served with shoestring fries on a bed of a blue cheese sauce, it was perfectly cooked and tender. My wife raved about her Chicken Milanese sandwich served with fresh greens and lemon vinaigrette. Her Sweet Potato Fries were so good. Try eating them with vinegar and lots of salt….die and go to heaven time. Lobster bisque, another winner!!! The menu is eclectic. Great bar atmosphere. Prices are fair to a fault. This place is all about the food in a sophisticated tavern atmosphere. I gave it 3 ½ meatballs before…it is now a solid 4 meatballs.
1) Stonebridge Grille and Tavern (Boardman) – This place is great, and I intend to go there more often than I have in the past. The other night my wife and I went for a quick dinner, and confirmed what I had written previously. I had about as good a sirloin steak as I have had anywhere, and that includes some pretty high class and pricey steak joints. Served with shoestring fries on a bed of a blue cheese sauce, it was perfectly cooked and tender. My wife raved about her Chicken Milanese sandwich served with fresh greens and lemon vinaigrette. Her Sweet Potato Fries were so good. Try eating them with vinegar and lots of salt….die and go to heaven time. Lobster bisque, another winner!!! The menu is eclectic. Great bar atmosphere. Prices are fair to a fault. This place is all about the food in a sophisticated tavern atmosphere. I gave it 3 ½ meatballs before…it is now a solid 4 meatballs.
2) Café 422 (Niles) – One of my all time favorite places to go…it just keeps getting better. I have had beef kebobs, lamb kebobs, and chicken kebobs. OMG. They are terrific. The rice the serve with it is terrific. The bread is terrific. The prices are terrific. The atmosphere is terrific. The service is terrific. This place is another local home-run. My only regret is that I don’t live closer because I could probably eat there every night. Gave it 4 meatballs before…and it keeps its 4 meatball rating.
3) Iron Bridge (Mercer) – The restaurant by which I judge all others. If I were to pick the best overall restaurant I frequent, this is it. The atmosphere, the food, the service, the bar service are consistently OUTSTANDING. For the money, you can’t beat this place. Known for its prime rib (I have never had it better anywhere else), you can’t get a bad meal here if you tried. The Springfield Grill Group’s flagship restaurant sets the bar for other restaurants, and also for the chain itself. And I can report that the Springfield Grill restaurants have risen to the challenge rather than the other way around. Notwithstanding, The Iron Bridge is a class by itself. The only downside is the no reservation policy which often means lengthy waits on the weekends. Try to snag a seat at the bar. You will be friends with perfect strangers real fast!! Five Meatballs!!!
4) Jeremiah Bullfrog’s Sports Bar and Grill (Boardman) – Well, what to do, what to do with Jeremiah Bullfrog’s? It is probably the best looking sports bar in the area. There are televisions everywhere, and you can see all of them from just about every place. It has a great bar. There is sports memorabilia galore. The entry way is a little worse for the wear, and so is the carpet in the dining area. Probably time for a redo! The greeting is friendly at the hostess stand. The wait staff is prompt and friendly, although they seem a little disjointed as they try to please…but that’s a good thing! My burger was good. My wife’s spaghetti dinner was good. The bread wasn’t so good, dry and overcooked. But here’s the thing. This is an honest goodness sports bar. Haute cuisine you ain’t gonna get here. And since I am not a sports bar person, I will always be a bit jaded. That being said, I try to give my ratings based on the category of restaurant a place purports to be. And if Jeremiah Bullfrog is a sport bar…it is a great sports bar. I wouldn’t go there just for dinner. But for the big game, there probably isn’t any place in town better suited for a large and rowdy bunch of friends. So for being among the best sports bars in town, I give it a strong 4 meatballs for the bar scene, and 3 ½ meatballs for sports bar food.
1/2 plus (
) for the bar.Any of the above places is worth a visit…help your favorite restaurant out in these tough times and go out for dinner!!!!
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