BF and I stopped by last Wednesday. Our one day off a week together.
We have known Matt for sometime and loved Methode Bistro so were very happy to hear The Grind was opening. We started with the Salad of local greens / roasted tomato, baked ricotta salata / $6. Then the Grilled portobello burger / fried zucchini, ricotta salata, watercress,
garlic aioli / $10. Roasted sweet potato fritters as a side dish. I was surprised Ben didn't go for one of the ground beef burgers but he was saving his meat fix for the Cubs/Dbacks game. We have to have hot dogs at the ballpark! Way to justify, right?
The salad was very fresh with the locals greens and dressed lightly which I truly appreciate. Nothing ruins a salad more than to be drenched in vinaigrette. Beautiful greens with plump and full of flavor were the house roasted tomatoes and with light slices of the baked ricotta.
The portabello burger was delicious with garlic aioli. The mushrooms tasted as it had been marinated in maybe balsamic vinegar which gave it a nice tang but not overwhelming at all. The sweet potato fritters were crisp on the outside and soft and tender on the inside. 4 big slices in a cast iron dish were served on the side.
Decorated with large portraits of local and past icons. One not impressed with was Sheriff Joe Arpaio. In light of the current situation in the press seeing his big fat face almost lost my appetite. Enough said! I did count over 60 seats between the bar and booths. I loved the long and narrow design of the restaurant and dim lights. It reminded me of many places in Chicago. My old stopping grounds.
I should also mention the bartender was very nice and I loved the handled glass canning jars the draft beers are poured into. BF was happy the Pabst Blue Ribbon was on draft. Not my personal choice, I had the Anchor Steam. There was no room for dessert because we had to save it for the ballpark but my eye is on the warm doughnuts with salted butterscotch.
Go check it out!