It’s about the food. It really is. But there’s alot more than that going on here. The owner is a self-described Foo Fighter. You can look it up on the web site if you don’t believe me, or if you want to know what that is. The private dining room is known as the "Elvis Room" because everyone dines beneath a large painting of the King, painted by Shawn, the Foo Fighter owner. Then there is the "Feed Me" series; those days when the chef gets to make all the decisions about what you eat. Really. Just sit back and enjoy. (The "Feed Me" and "Feed Me/Wine Me" options were very popular at the dearly departed Green Room). There is also Community Dining (pictured at left) where very long tables are set and you get to sit and eat with strangers, just like at John’s Cafe.

Like I said, however, it’s about the food.  The concept is comfort food, but it’s probably not like what Mom used to make. One of our side dishes was Smoked Gouda Cheese Grits. I’ll let that sink in a minute……..Smoked Gouda Cheese Grits. My wife was humiliated when I licked the bowl. There’s deviled eggs on the appetizer menu, except these are made with smoked salmon and Tasso Ham. Maybe they should be on the desert menu instead. I had a perfect beef tenderloin (it’s hard to be adventurous when faced with a tenderloin option. I was weak)  but  some in our party had the Grilled Pimenton Pork Chop with Fig Jus. A table of six and wild enthusiasm for the food all around.

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Yet another example of why I do all my restaurant dining east of Central and South of Northwest Highway. Locally owned (does a foo fighter qualify as a local?), fresh food well prepared in a creative environment. If you haven’t found it yet, it’s in the old Dolce Vita space in the Lakewood Shopping center, next to Dixie House, 1924 Abrams Parkway.