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| - The original Renegade wasn't really much of that, with Robert McGrath trotting out the same old recipes he built his reputation on at the RoaringFork. Don't get me wrong, I loved to stop by for the burger or the green chili stew, and I always loved the ambiance of the place. But if a chef was going to live up to the sign over the door, I think Michael O'Dowd is truly the guy that is up to the task. I dropped by when I heard about the grand reopening last week, and O'Dowd's new menu definitely marches to a different beat.
The eclectic selection starts with the bar. What a fun place to relax, listen to live music and have a drink. Mixologist John Woo has whipped up some tasty drinks with a different spin. My wife tried the raspberry margarita that has rose petals frozen into an icecube, and her sister had Renegade Punch in a Bag, a fruity but not too sweet mixture that can sneak up on you. The bar food is the first place O'Dowd shows he's not afraid to mix things up. I thought the black bean hummus made a great contrast with the drinks: a course texture of the beans and chick peas that packs a nice kick. The ladies ordered the MOD Sliders (made with Kobe beef and a sweet chili sauce) 'to share" but after one bite my wife was saying "Back off sister, these are mine!". The Chili Verde was tasty and the Venison "Lolipops" with Mole were excellent. And the Big AZZ Burger continues the Renegade tradition of the best burger in town. Needless to say, we had our fill at the bar before getting near the dinner menu, but with all the intriguing tastes we experienced, we'll be back for more.
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