I stopped in to the Bean early on a Friday evening for dinner before a Grizzlies game. I arrived around 5:30pm and the restaurant was about 40% full. I took a seat at the bar because it appeared that the smattering of tables open had all been reserved (as indicated by the pieces of paper on the tables). As has been mentioned before, things are pretty dark from a lighting perspective in the restaurant, but I found sufficient lighting at the bar (when was the last time you read that phrase?).
Jen greeted me at the bar and took my drink order and offered me a menu. I asked her for her top three appetizers and she suggested the fried green tomatoes, fried pickles, and duck fries. I went with the toms and went with one of the evening's specials for dinner (pan-seared salmon with mango salsa, rice cake, and grilled asparagus).
The appetizer was out within ten minutes. It consisted of three thick-cut slices of green tomato that were fried and stacked like a tower with pepper jack cheese between each slice. This was then drizzled with a chipotle ranch sauce. These toms were really good. I loved the combo of the sweet toms and the spicy ranch and cheese.
Then it was time for the entree. The presentation was top-notch and it was almost too purdy to eat. But I paid good money for it and I was going to eat it. The salmon was cooked to my specs although there wasn't enough salsa to my liking. A quick shout-out to Jen brought out some more salsa. It was more of the contrast in themes, although this time it was sweet and salty. The asparagus was flavorful, but unfortunately the rice was white. Would have loved some brown rice, but it is what it is.
Excellent service and some really good food here. I don't make it out to Belmont to often, but I hope to make it back again in the near future.