Bocce, Kielbasa, and Craft Beer
By Tom Maicon at December 23, 2009 | 10:34 pm | Print
My move to Westside has finally begun to pay dividends—with quite a portfolio of eateries to open of late. The most recent addition to my neighborhood is Ormsby’s (1170 Howell Mill Rd, Westside, Tel: 404.968.2033). This wood-paneled two-story pub is located in the new White Provisions building that also houses Abattoir, another portfolio-keeper.
The theme you’re asked to buy into here is fun. The restaurant features a subterranean game cave loaded with adult toys that scream beer (bocce, shuffleboard, pool tables and darts), in this case, craft beer. Think shuffleboard and St. Bernardus, or bocce ball and Bell’s Two Hearted Ale.
And while the pub fare isn’t quite ready to take on “gastro” status, it does drop a breadcrumb or two to entice the food savvy, like a White Oak Pastures grass-fed burger ($10). It’s a juicy half-pounder that arrives perfectly to temperature, my only complaint is with the stratospheric sodium level. Why so salty? The only slipup we encountered.
An appetizer of fries ($5) is a semi-generous portion that arrives with your choice of dipping sauces. I spent the better half of my meal happily poking fries into a thick Velveeta-y house-made cheez whiz before dunking them into hearty pot roast gravy.
The menu standout thus far, in my opinion, is the plump chargrilled kielbasa served on a soft pretzel bun ($7), and topped with sweet red beets and crispy apples. Sounds weird, but it works surprisingly well.
I also recommend a side of onion rings. When you see just three arrive, don’t be quick to complain, even the most highly skilled professional eaters will be hard pressed to polish off an order of these thickly battered large hoops—only three to an order.
Though the food is pretty good, it’s not the part of this restaurant’s prospectus that impresses. I’m likely to return for the eclectic beer selection and bocce court. That’s what compels me to invest in Ormsby’s.
kimmie, 2 years ago
We both tthink the food is pretty good for what it is…..pub grub. I fear Mr. kimmie will be too tempted by that game cave and all those beer taps on his otherwise short journey home from the office. He wants me to thank you for the tip.
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