Beertown
Beertown is the newest restaurant opened by The Charcoal Group in Cambridge on Hespeler Road. I've had the opportunity to eat there twice in the last two weeks and my experiences have been hot and cold.
What's hot? The beer selection is definitely a good reason to make a night out of Beertown they have a huge selection of imported and local beers on tap, and they each come beautifully presented in the brewery's variation of a beer glass. One of the best deals is getting the " sampler beer paddles" which have a selection of 4 beers for only $10.00. I strongly recommend the "Tour of Beer" paddle, and if you like sweeter "less-beery" beers like me, the "Sweet and Light" paddle.
Also hot is the layout and decor, it feels modern and classy but still gives you the cozy feel of a sports bar or pub. Each time the place has been packed with a variety of age groups, so it doesn't particularly cater to just the "younger crowd" but a good balance.
What's not so hot? As seems to be the norm in this area...poor customer service. The host staff have no clue what is going on (my first visit the hostess grumpily told us it would be a 70 minute wait, yes 70! Good thing we stuck around and didn't listen to her as it was an 11 minute wait for our table for six...). The serving staff seem also seem out of their depth forgetting orders placed, messing up orders placed, taking over an hour to order food or taking over an hour to try and pay the bill...this could be chalked up to "opening kinks", but if I worked for a group of successful restaurants such as the Charcoal Group, I'd be pulling my experienced staff into the new place for opening. Just a thought.
Also, not so hot is the entree. To be fair, the apps are good, fresh flavorful and reasonably priced. And this will probably work for a bar type restaurant, as beer and good apps go hand in hand. However, I must make a quick word about their "bruschetta menu", it sounds delicious and a new idea, but the bread isn't toasted! Call me old fashioned but bruschetta should have a warm crostini base to contrast with the cold,raw toppings. Not a cold, doughy base.
Speaking of cold, back to the entrees. There is nothing exciting about this menu that would surprise anyone whose ever been to a charcoal group restaurant, they have the burgers, salads, steak (big surprise there), pork dishes and a couple of pasta dishes, each seemed over-priced for the small quantity, and after tasting a few bites of a few you could taste the lack of "heart" in the execution. Also, each of the people who ordered steak with me either didn't finish it or had to send it back, now it could be said "never order steak" in a bar, so you decide.
All in all, a fun place to hang out with friends for a good beer and a snack, but take a pass on dinner and pack your patience because you are in for a wait.
What's hot? The beer selection is definitely a good reason to make a night out of Beertown they have a huge selection of imported and local beers on tap, and they each come beautifully presented in the brewery's variation of a beer glass. One of the best deals is getting the " sampler beer paddles" which have a selection of 4 beers for only $10.00. I strongly recommend the "Tour of Beer" paddle, and if you like sweeter "less-beery" beers like me, the "Sweet and Light" paddle.
Also hot is the layout and decor, it feels modern and classy but still gives you the cozy feel of a sports bar or pub. Each time the place has been packed with a variety of age groups, so it doesn't particularly cater to just the "younger crowd" but a good balance.
What's not so hot? As seems to be the norm in this area...poor customer service. The host staff have no clue what is going on (my first visit the hostess grumpily told us it would be a 70 minute wait, yes 70! Good thing we stuck around and didn't listen to her as it was an 11 minute wait for our table for six...). The serving staff seem also seem out of their depth forgetting orders placed, messing up orders placed, taking over an hour to order food or taking over an hour to try and pay the bill...this could be chalked up to "opening kinks", but if I worked for a group of successful restaurants such as the Charcoal Group, I'd be pulling my experienced staff into the new place for opening. Just a thought.
Also, not so hot is the entree. To be fair, the apps are good, fresh flavorful and reasonably priced. And this will probably work for a bar type restaurant, as beer and good apps go hand in hand. However, I must make a quick word about their "bruschetta menu", it sounds delicious and a new idea, but the bread isn't toasted! Call me old fashioned but bruschetta should have a warm crostini base to contrast with the cold,raw toppings. Not a cold, doughy base.
Speaking of cold, back to the entrees. There is nothing exciting about this menu that would surprise anyone whose ever been to a charcoal group restaurant, they have the burgers, salads, steak (big surprise there), pork dishes and a couple of pasta dishes, each seemed over-priced for the small quantity, and after tasting a few bites of a few you could taste the lack of "heart" in the execution. Also, each of the people who ordered steak with me either didn't finish it or had to send it back, now it could be said "never order steak" in a bar, so you decide.
All in all, a fun place to hang out with friends for a good beer and a snack, but take a pass on dinner and pack your patience because you are in for a wait.
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