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| - It's time! Mother Bunch time, that is.
Park along the generous neighboring streets, get lucky with a spot in the adorably small parking lot, or lock your bike in the convenient rack directly in front of the door. When you enter, you'll be greeted by a contagiously happy host who'll ask for your seating preference (bar or table), and direct you that way with magnetic enthusiasm. I chose to sit at the bar, which was a fabulous decision, though by the looks of the tables and booths, you really can't go wrong. When I was walking back to the restroom (which there are two of, they're unisex and private. Nice.), I noticed some beautiful church pews that served has booths, and learned that they were from an old church in Tucson. Very nice touch.
The bar is the centerpiece of this brightly lit establishment, and they've taken great care to make it comfortable and beautiful. I was immediately impressed by the counter top, which seems to be a granite/concrete mixture with dazzling color in its unique finish. There's a large blackboard on the wall that dons all of the beer choices, which is easy to read and visually appealing. If you're in the mood for a mixed drink, there are plenty of choices as they have a full bar (though I glossed right over that and focused on the brews).
My sister and I were shocked that we were able to talk to each other using our inside voices, despite the packed house and classic rock playing in the background. Must be those magical 1926 acoustics.
It's going to take a minute before they're able to start pouring their own house brews, but they have wisely chosen some great local and craft beers that'll entice a wide variety of taste buds. My bartender, James, was knowledgeable and eager to please when it came to choosing the best and the brightest. The Borderlands Citrana Wild Ale is now a favorite, and I had no idea they were making this lovely liquid in Tucson. Nice.
THE FOOD! The food. The menu is simple in design, but complex in its variation. I chose the vodka citrus cured salmon, and my sister got the steak (sliced prime rib). We were so pleasantly surprised to see the use of pickled fennel throughout the menu, which you don't see many places, if any! If you haven't had pickled fennel, get'chu some pickled fennel. The house made sauce that came with the steak was an absolute treat, and definitely stood out. But the mashed potatoes were just fantastic. Smooth, creamy, and perfectly seasoned. Our one complaint was that we wanted more, like piles more. Mountains. The cured salmon was buttery and balanced beautifully. It was such a surprise to see it as an option on a bar menu, and I'm so glad I chose it. It came with some crispy bread, capers, onions, a creamy goat cheese spread, and that lovely pickled fennel. I loved it, loved it.
The prices reflect the quality and creativity in the menu, so it's not your $5 burger and fries place. I did notice quite a few orders of their home made pork rinds, which were so crispy, you could hear people bite into them from across the room! You could probably order a couple of those, a few beers, and pat your belly in happiness. They're probably going to be a happy hour favorite, I'm guessing.
This is a wordy review, but I'm not going to apologize. I'm so excited that this place exists, and I'm very proud of the owner, Julie, (who was walking around talking to patrons and seemed to be beaming with well deserved pride). William Hampton is the head brewer, and he has a lot of fun work ahead of him with some fantastic equipment. I can't wait to taste his first lineup, which includes a hearty oatmeal stout, and some creative small batch concoctions.
Downtown is a lucky sonofabitch to have Mother Bunch. Quality.
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