"2017-11-24T00:00:00"^^ . "0"^^ . . "5"^^ . . "0"^^ . . "As a proud local to the Gerrard & Jones scene, I couldn't have been happier when I heard about Poor Romeo...This review is way overdue as I've now had the pleasure of returning several times. The short version of my review is: Homerun, just go there...OK, so I had been waiting from across the street at my local fav Pinkerton Snack Bar for what felt like ages as Poor Romeo was being put together over the summer sneaking peaks through the paper that blocked the windows. Fast forward to late September and there I am with good friends celebrating my birthday at their sexy chefs table which is at the back of the joint in a nice pocket in front of the kitchen with lighting right out of Tony Scott film, dig it. First impressions: what a cool spot ; I loved the long bar with the LPs on the shelves towards the back. It feels like the kind of spot that you'd find in NY if you know where to go. The staff seem genuinely happy to be there and set the tone for a great evening. As for the food, what a surprise....we were presented with a celebration BDay menu that started with a gorgeous platter of oysters and poached shrimp with accompanying homemade sauces , delicious and fresh. Then we had a whole bunch of snacks / apps that included tasty fried green tomatoes, warm homemade queso cheese dip with crunchy corn chips, brined and smoked chicken wings - these little guys where a real stand out as I've had many a wing in my day but never like this - so tasty. Then came mackerel fish fingers with a green goddess type sauce for dipping - so much flavor. Then 'the mains\": one platter with a sous vide bavette steak sliced up with chimichurri, roasted potatoes and another platter with a whole grilled branzino with, chilis, , greens and more potatoes and sides of rice and peas and wedge salad and I think that was it. As full as we were it was a birthday celebration so we agreed when we offered the made in house key lime pie, awesomely bright and tasty. All of us were equally blown away by the meal... I've been back and want to mention that their smash burger is highly addictive but I can never leave without having more of those wings, so good; So Poor Romeo is a self described \"rock n roll bar\" but the food that kitchen is putting out punches way higher than that moniker implies. And while it's hard to not compare it to their neighbour across the street (the always amazing Pinkerton Snack Back) since both spots are in the same extended family. Walking in the first time, I was expecting Pinkertons 2 but Poor Romeo really isn't that, it has its own distinct personality that just works...its a destination worthy of folk who are looking for uniquely tasty comfort food, great drinks and killer vibe, very proud to that we have another winner in the hood #GERRONES"^^ . "0"^^ .