I stopped here for a late lunch the other day. The last time I was at East Blvd Bar & Grill they were down the street a few blocks.
I remember them for their sandwiches and it was a good neighborhood place to get a drink and good stopping point after a day in Freedom Park.
This location I found very sterile. There is a small bar to one side and booth and table seating around. The patio is tiny and is roped off from the sidewalk on East Blvd. Decor was very limited. There were a few TV's at the bar but they looked like they were an afterthought.
I ordered a beer. Their draft selection was limited but at least they had NoDa and Birdsong represented. I also ordered the blackened fish tacos with a farmers salad. The dish came out beautifully presented. Flavors were good and there was a good spice to the fish.
Besides the atmosphere, the other odd thing I found about this visit is the bartender. He would stand behind the bar and just stare. It seemed like he was staring right at me and that is all he did. Sure, it was dead but couldn't he have found things to do behind the bar? Cleaning, refilling mixers, cutting fruit?
Because of the bartender and the atmosphere, I left so turned off by this place that I know I will not return. The food was decent but I was actually sitting at the bar wondering why I didn't go to Lebowsky's down the street.