“Belly Up to the Bar” at Red Devon

Looking for a quick bite during the week?  Joan and I were on the Friday night before the Tent Sale.  I mean, who had time to cook…especially Joan.  So, we decided we would try Red Devon’s new Bar Menu. (click to see it)

I always like sitting at the Bar in a restaurant.  It’s more relaxed, unpretentious, cheaper and you get to watch the bartender make drinks.  Come on, admit it…we all like watching that!

What’s wonderful about this particular bar at Red Devon is it has  an interesting history.  It once belonged to James Cagney who lived just up the road and frequented the “watering hole” which stood on this very spot years before it became Red Devon.   They say he danced on this bar in one of his movies.  I promised Joan I would not embarrass her by doing the same.

We were also lucky this Friday night that our bartender was Red Devon’s restaurant manager, Kelley Jefferson.  Kelley had told me months ago they had a wonderful collection of organic wines and beers but to be honest, I didn’t believe there was such a thing as a good organic wine.  Well, Kelley proved me wrong!  We tried two organic reds…all Spanish (my favorite):  Evodia (an old vine Spanish Grenache) and a 2007 Petalos Bierzo (100% Mencia also from old vines).  They were both phenomenal and very well-priced.  Then we tasted 2 really lovely Spanish Rosés:  a 2008 Olivares Jumilla and a 2008 Gaujal de Saint Bon.  The beer, I’m told (I don’t drink beer) is just as good.  There are 7 on tap.  Maybe one of our beer-drinking readers could let us know how they are if they visit Red Devon.   See their entire beer list by clicking here.

So now, about the food.  The menu is great…very eclectic with everything from a local artisan cheese plate, to house made hot dogs, to a hand cut pappardelle bolognese.  Everything sounded so good we decided to try a number of things and take home something for my spouse, Bonnie, who wasn’t able to join us.

We started with two different salads.    Joan had the Chilled Asparagus Salad with pickled red onion and pan fried goat cheese.  It was served  on Sky Farm greens with a creamy herb vinaigrette.  She loved it.  So much, in fact, that when I asked to have a taste of the asparagus…not one piece left.  I had the Spring Pea Salad with fresh peas, pickled ramps (yum!) and carrots–also served on Sky Farm greens with a wild spring onion vinaigrette.  Both salads were totally delicious and totally organic.

We wanted to try a couple traditional “bar food” entrees:  the Red Devon Hot Dog (which is a house made frankfurter and bun) and the Kinderhook Farms Hamburger (made with grass fed beef and served on a house made sesame seed bun).  We decided to add the local Bridged’s Abby Cheese.

Though the hot dog was very tasty, we both pronounced the Hamburger “the best hamburger we’d ever had”.  I know that sounds over the top but it really was.   It was perfectly done and tasted like I remember real beef tasting back home in Kansas.  And the fries that came with both the hot dog and hamburger were just right…thin and crispy…even the house made catsup was delicious.

We  ordered the Hand-Made Mushroom & Leek Ravioli to take home to Bonnie.  It came with local greens as well.   Kelley suggested it would  “travel” well and she was right.  It was fresh tasting and savory…just perfect and Bonnie was delighted with it.

The Red Devon Restaurant Bar really is a great find — especially for us “locals”.  It’s close by…it’s affordable… it’s informal…and everything is made with local, organic products.

The Bar Menu is also terrific for kids as there are selections of food that they’ll actually like and you’re not forced to spend a fortune on something they’ll never eat.  There is extra table seating  in the bar area as well so everyone will be comfortable.

We’ll definitely be going back to the Red Devon Bar.  After all, we’ve still got to try their Southern Fried Chicken with mashed potatoes & gravy and collard greens.  Hmmmmm.

Click here for Red Devon’s hours and directions.