I’m not sure about you, but I don’t feel like I got enough of summer. It started out cold and rainy, then there was a crazy heat wave, and then I got so busy I didn’t have time to vacate or even stay-cate…until the last two weeks of August. Breath of air, if I do say so myself.
Now, I’m itching for more. Even though the calendar says it’s September and Labor Day has past, it’s still (sometimes) nice out. For those of you who think summer was a bit too short and want to get out one last hurrah, let’s enjoy the sunshine upon us and still-decent daylight hours.
What better way to stretch the summer than to sit on the beach at Surf City this weekend?
The Trolley Car has never failed me. This little gem, tucked into the heights, is the first nice bar we’ve had around here. I’ve been going since it opened in 2011. The ambiance is “upscale but relaxed neighborhood bar” (my words). The service and the patrons are usually friendly. In the warm weather, sit out on the enclosed back patio and admire the Japanese garden and the blue sky. I call it my little oasis, my home away from home. You can smoke in the backyard too, if that’s your thing.
The clean and modern interior is decorated with art from local artists, and all pieces are for sale. The owners are great supporters of the arts and the local community in general—more incentive to spend my hard-earned money there.
The bartenders are unpretentious. Sixpoint, River Horse, Purple Haze and other unique beers (in addition to your basics) are usually on draft. I also discovered Golden Monkey there (bottled), which is a new favorite of mine. The selection of liquor is quite extensive for a bar in the heights, which I appreciate. Last week I had something that tasted like an orange creamsicle. Some of the bartenders like to show off their skills, so ask them to create you a cocktail if you’re feeling adventurous.
As for food, I think I’ve tried every single thing on the menu, and many of the specials. The Trolley fries are a must for me, as they are drizzled in truffle oil. The food here is inexpensive yet the menu items and quality of food exceed expectations, especially considering the other restaurants around here. When I ordered the Ahi tuna sandwich, the tuna was rare and the fish was quality. I’ve had kobe beef sliders and pulled pork sliders (both excellent), wings (juicier than most), the caesar salad (typical), calamari (typical), nachos (typical with those good, thick, probably very unhealthy chips), fish tacos (made just the way I like them, with fresh fish not fried). My boyfriend loves the steak tacos and orders them almost every time. The tacos come with all toppings on the side (cheese, guacamole, sour cream, salsa) so you can build them to your preference. Next I want to try their mussels. They always have specials and the menu changes every month or so, so forgive me if you can’t get one of these food items on the day you go.
Watching sports here is comfy too; there are plenty of HD flat screens and the place usually doesn’t get too crowded. Even if you don’t get a bar or high-top seat (unlikely), you can still see the game from any part of the venue. The jukebox—yes, they have one!—has a wide selection of music. And every Wednesday is open-mic night.
Another interesting note: The ladies room has two toilets yet no dividing stall. This introduces a whole new meaning to the girls going to the bathroom together phenomenon.
For more pictures and their promo video (cheesy but you get a feel for the place), click below…
The Merchant is super quiet during lunch and often pretty hopping during dinner. Both atmospheres have their advantages if you are in one of those moods.
Last week, I took out my boyfriend for a quiet and late (3pm) lunch. We were the only people in the restaurant, but it was cool (it was 90 degrees outside), quiet, and nice to have the place to ourselves. Service was perfectly timed—not too rushed (we are European)—and not too slow. They were attentive in keeping our glasses full and checking on us every now and then, but not intrusive at all.
My date got the short-rib burger, a $15 monstrosity of glorious meat topped with horseradish chive cheddar, bourbon bacon, beer-friend onions, and LT. He chose to have cheese added to his fries. I watched in awe as his 6-ft 148 pound body cleaned the plate. It was that good.
I was enticed by the bbq duck quesadilla, but eventually decided on the pan-seared rare tuna wrap, mixed with asian-style vegetables and dressed with teriyaki sauce and wasabi mayonnaise and comes with a side salad. I could only get through half of it. Tuna was maybe not as rare (or juicy?) as I liked and I thought the flavor a little bland…maybe not enough of the dressing/condiments.
We were both in a food coma walking out. The hearty portions left no room for dessert, even though the deep-fried Snickers looks like it’s worth a try. Next time.
On a previous lunch date, I sat outside (great for people watching). My friend and I ordered the steak wrap to split (with onions, goat cheese and horseradish), which was plenty of food per person—even really hungry people—on a warm July day. We were spending the rest of the afternoon outside, and you never want to get into a food coma when you’re susceptible to a heat one. I don’t even think I finished my half in fear I’d get sluggish, even though I walked in hungry.
Dinner here is always more impressive than it seems it will be. The bar is fairly scene-y, the lighting is just right, and the service is usually spot-on in attentiveness. I’ve tried a variety of things here for dinner. My favorite meal would be a shared appetizer of “bang bang” shrimp to start, then the warm goat cheese salad with apples in raspberry vinaigrette, and sea scallops (pan roasted with truffle butter) served with broccoli rabe for an entree. I tried my companion’s filet mignon, which was flavored and cooked to perfection, everything a carnivore would like in a good piece of meat.
When you’re jonesing for a well-made drink and a sophisticated bar crowd, going here for cocktails won’t disappoint. There are happy hour specials every night of the week, too, and on weekends, drink specials last all night long.
