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| - Like probably most of the patrons in here on a Monday night, I was staying at the Hilton next door. I got to the hotel at 8pm after flying all day and then driving from the airport so I didn't really feel like venturing out into an unfamiliar area for dinner. I sat at the bar, which had a couple TV's on.
I was quickly greeted by a rather attractive bartender who welcomed me and took my drink order. When she returned with my glass of house Pinot Noir, she asked if I needed a dinner menu. A minute or two later she brought me a dinner menu and told me about the specials. The Pinot wasn't the best glass of wine, but decent enough. A few minutes later after I closed my menu, another bartender (a far less attractive male) stopped by to see if I wanted to order or just hang out for a while. I really appreciate service that's attentive like this without being pushy.
I was hungry so I ordered, but he probably would have been cool if I'd sat there all night sipping my wine. And I suppose I can't fault the guy for not being the attractive young lady who'd originally been serving me ;) I started with the Shrimp & Chorizo Chowder which was excellent. I'd put it on the "must have" list for anybody dining here. I had one of the specials, the blackened monk fish, as my entree. It was also quite good, but perhaps slightly underdone in the center. I'm talking just barely though and it was a thick piece of fish. The roasted garbanzo beans and potato puree were excellent as well and complimented the seasoning on the fish quite well. They also brought me a basket of bread which was probably overkill but both varieties I tried where a nice compliment to the chowder.
I had a second glass of wine, this time a Cab. The bartender commented that the Pinot wasn't his favorite either as he brought me the second glass. All in all, for what I was wanting that evening it was just about perfect; just on the edge of getting 5 starts from me in fact, which I never do. I don't know when I'll be back in the area and I'm usually not one to stay in the hotel for dinner, but Jackson's just might tempt me to do so next time. Even if I don't get the pretty bartender next time.
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