This review is for Bar Bites only. We stopped in on a Saturday afternoon near 5:00 after attending a nearby show at the Knight Theatre. Hostess told us they weren't seating for dinner yet. (although according to Yelp they had been open since lunchtime) After asking to look at the dinner menu (it wasn't offered to us), we asked if we could just go to the bar. Yes? Yes.
They were far from busy at what was apparently a very off-time. Another couple were at the bar already and obviously not happy with whatever was going on. (I think they were trying to get somewhere and their app didn't come out fast enough...have no idea how long they waited, but they were clearly unhappy).
Fortunately we weren't in any hurry and started with a glass of chardonnay for me, and bourbon drink for Husband. Bar Bites menu is so enticing we had a hard time narrowing it down: Decided on: Nduja Sausage & Pimento Cheese Dip with house tortilla chips for $8. And: Fennel Sausage Flatbread charred peppers - caramelized onions - ricotta for $12. Both of these were exceptional! Full of flavor and perfectly executed!
As much as we loved our drinks and food here, I have to say that we felt like we were sort of/kind of in the way of them preparing for the REAL guests that were yet to arrive...We felt like we were trying hard for them to WANT us to be there. (I know that sounds weird, but it was made even more obvious when we left and went to a much more welcoming place).
That being said, the food we did have was so good that had we felt more welcome we would have possibly had a great dinner to follow those bar bites! Which is also why this is still a 4-star review.