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| - This has become the Sunday afternoon go-to hangout spot in Arcadia. I could be saying too much, because the Scottsdale douchebag crowd may catch on and disrupt our awesome neighborhood hangout. I LOVE spending my Sunday afternoons drinking a few beers here. The patio on Sundays is the place to be. Get there before 2:30 if you have any hopes of getting a table. After 3, the band, and thus the party gets underway, and it becomes a good time.
I've been coming here since before it was "cool" to be here. I've watched it slowly morph into a slightly confused too much to too many sort of place. It seems as though they don't know who, or what they are. The food, because of this crazy loss of direction has become "eh" quality. The menu is confusing, just in the read, then when you get this plate of confusion fusion, well, it just leaves too much on the plate. Again, I go back to the point that it is trying to be too much to too many. There are too many things going on in the dishes. Not in a bold, rich, dynamic, wow! sort of way, but in a "HELP ME! I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M TASTING BECAUSE THERE'S TOO MUCH GOING ON!" sort of way.
I suggest: Because I love the feel and vibe of this place.
Settle down! Simplify the menu. Focus on making simple, flavorful and quality food. This is a neighborhood bar, not a 5-star bistro. The Turkey sandwich is a perfect example of screwing up a fantastically simple, good eating, sandwich. The crab artichoke dip is hated by those who serve it, and incredibly bland to those who order and eat it. Take the simplicity of that dish, and figure out how to enhance the flavors in it.
As far the service goes: I've had great service, and I've had abysmal service. Guess it's a hit and miss sort of thing. I will say that Scott is the best it gets there, and I make it a point to get into his section. Management has been rude to me on several occasions with a nose high attitude. I was asked to relinquish my table because my party hadn't shown up. Nothing that a polite, "No. I will not." wouldn't fix, however.
Bottom line here: If you're looking for a fun place to grab a beer or glass of wine, and maybe a burger, with a great vibe, and fun people, this is the place. If you're looking for really great food, and friendly, hospitable service, you might want to go there first, then come to The Vig after filling your belly. 3 Stars. Barely. Because of the band and great vibe on Sundays.
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