Finally, Katie's!

[Low-N-Slow]

Katie's has been re-opened since Wednesday, and we went for lunch today. Is it too early? They are still working out some kinks. Should you go anyway? Yes, even at three-quarter speed, Katie's turns out better food than some places do on their best days. The new interior is strikingly different from Katie's pre-storm funky neighborhood joint days-- brighter and more modern, but still comfortable nonetheless. Seating includes sixteen tables, ranging from a few two tops, to mostly four tops (three of which have swing-up leaves to accommodate up to six), and the bar. We wanted to check and see if the patio was back, but got distracted and forgot. The new menu seems quite expanded, and covers a lot of ground on just two full-size pages. Apps, soup, salads, sandwiches, seafood & Italian entrees, specialty pizzas. Favorite menu line: "All sandwiches come on French bread, unless they don't."

As a part of the never-ending quest, I tried the Reuben. Mrs. Slow had the sandwich special, which was grilled mahi-mahi on a large seeded roll dressed with Tabasco mayo, and accompanied by a large scoop of potato salad. As we waited for our food, Chef Scot stopped by for a quick chat before heading back to the kitchen.

The Reuben came out on toasted-not-grilled Jewish rye, accompanied by chips and a pickle spear. The menu had said choice of fries or chips, but the server did not ask, nor did I specify. But chips seemed the better choice, anyway. I thought it was tasty, and, at $8.75, sufficient, although there was something a little odd about the way the meat was sliced and arranged. I tasted Mrs. Slow's sandwich and found it quite good, almost wishing I had ordered it, too. The potato salad had a nice balance-- not too mustard-ey, and I want to say that what looked like diced red onion in it just might have been shallot.

After we had finished, Scot stopped by again, and sat down to get some feedback. He admitted the corned beef today had been sliced a little thicker than his preference (I wouldn't say it was thick, though), and his idea for what he ultimately wanted the sandwich to be was more like something piled so high with paper-thin meat that you have trouble fitting it in your mouth. (I will continue to remind him of that statement.)

Service was friendly and engaging. Some might say a little too attentive, but this was an early weekend lunch, and they weren't overly busy yet. We look forward to the kitchen hitting its stride, and to trying the rest of the new menu again soon.

[Gourmondo]

Gosh that really took forever - many hurdles and unforeseen issues, I guess. Great to see them back. Actually never ate there before the storm, but now that I work part-time in the neighborhood, it will be nice to have another option. When the 'now hiring' sign came down I was worried it wasn't going to happen.

[paz5559]

The menu had said choice of fries or chips, but the server did not ask, nor did I specify. But chips seemed the better choice, anyway.

Menu actually specifies that chips come with the Reuben (http://www.katiesrestaurantandbar.com/menu.html)

[Low-N-Slow]

Thank you so much for expending the extra time and effort to correct me on that important point/oversight/error. Apparently, I was confused by the two other menu disclaimers of sandwich choice of fries/chips. Rest assured that it won't happen again.

[paz5559]

Thank you so much for expending the extra time and effort to correct me on that important point/oversight/error. Apparently, I was confused by the two other menu disclaimers of sandwich choice of fries/chips. Rest assured that it won't happen again.

I guess it was unreasonable for me to assume you had the ability take in the menu listing "Reuben served with chips". Now that I know better, I will temper my expectations regarding your reading level in the future

[Gourmondo]

Went for lunch today. Bad move. They were slammed (at 1:15). Iced tea came in a cocktail glass, no lemon, no spoon. The initial greeting was promising. Server pointed out the specials, which sounded good, but I was craving crawfish so ordered the crawfish penne. Then no service for the next 35 minutes. Finally the crawfish arrive. They are tiny, but that's beyond Katie's control so no matter. The dish is rather lacking in basic seasoning and the sauce is too runny, but it is otherwise OK. Another server asks if I want more tea. She brings it in a more appropriate glass with lemon. I am halfway through the entree and notice the side salad has not appeared yet. Original server re-appears and asks if everything is OK and I request the salad. The female server stops by after a few minutes go by. "Did you have a salad?" I explain that server #1 has the matter under control. A few more minutes and he returns minus the salad and says, "I'm sorry, the kitchen is really backed up". I announce I have to get back to work and get my check and get out of there.

I will definitely be back, but my advice would be to give them a little more time to get their act together. And avoid Friday lunch unless you are off work and can hang out for a while.

[Jeeves]

Did you notice if the patio was open?

[jshushan]

Did you notice if the patio was open?

As of a week ago, no it wasn't.

Jonathan

[Low-N-Slow]

Still no patio today, but by noon, the house was packed-- about half with people dressed like CCC participants, none of whom looked too sweaty (maybe they broke off the route to have lunch).

I had the BBQ Delight sandwich special-- a ciabatta bun piled thickly with pulled pork and BBQ beef, sauced and topped with Muenster cheese. After adding lettuce, pickles, and sliced Roma tomato (supplied on the side), it weighed in at roughly just under two pounds, by my estimate. The sauce was a just-right balance of tang, sweet, and smoke, and judiciously applied so as not to overpower the meat, which appeared to have been grilled to add a crispy edge just before serving. It was accompanied by four very large house-made onion rings.

Mrs. Slow had the Bacon Bleu Burger, and pronounced it worthy. Also served on the ciabatta bun, it featured thick, applewood smoked bacon, and plenty of bleu cheese crumbles (which she prefers to versions elsewhere that use a chunky bleu cheese dressing of sorts). It came with a generous helping of thin cut french fries-- about the equivalent of four Bud's Broiler servings.

The only off-note was that, while both sandwiches were served piping hot, both the fries and onion rings were only about luke-warm-- not at all greasy, but, in fried food terms, still somewhat disappointing. Also, the latest printing of the menu now lists the choice of fries or chips as being a $1.50 extra option.