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| - First, lets clear up some naming confusion:
1: The McNulty who owns Bier Market, Bar Centro and the Speakeasy is not the owner of McNulty's bar in Cleveland Heights. When I found this out, I felt instantly better about the place.
2: Bar Centro, Bier Market and Speakeasy are really the same bar/restaurant. They should be called the 'red' room, the 'teal' room, and the 'basement.' There is some differentiation. Bar Centro (Teal) focuses on food; Bier Market (Red) focuses on, well, beer; and the Speakeasy (basement) is just the basement bar that plays loud dance music, and is only open on special occasions and most Saturdays.
On to the review:
Decor:
Five Stars. I really enjoy being in the space. The lighting is bright enough to see clearly, but never harsh. The lamps are clever and pretty. The place has a style that is trendy but definitely its own. I can't think of another bar or restaurant that has the same feel.
Service:
Four Stars
If it's very crowded, treat the place like its a bar. Order at the bar. I think this will eliminate most of the problems people seem to have with the service. When I have had the sit-down service, it's been wonderful and attentive. They got a party of ten served in and out in about an hour. No small feat.
Food:
Four Stars
If you have ever liked eggs over-easy, and you don't have an aversion to pepper, then the Sunshine pizza is for you. I have trouble exploring the rest of the menu, because it's so freakin good. It is the perfect beer food. Other things I have had were excellent as well. You don't have to really order the Pomme Frites - just smell the fried rosemary sprigs as they march by. That's really the best part.
Beverages:
Four Stars
Tip: check out both bars before ordering a beer. They have very different drafts! It's the only real difference between Bar Centro and Bier Market.
The first time I went here, it was all Belgian style beers. Admittedly, a huge selection, including a few I hadn't had since I was in Brussels. But I'm happy to see that they throw in a few IPA style beers now.
All in all, this is one of my favorite places down town.
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