(Credit: Matt Makaila)
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One-Eyed Mike's is a friendly neighborhood-type pub. It's not striving to be the hippest bar in town -- rather, it prides itself on being off the beaten path, and aims to be a watering hole where regulars can enjoy a mellow meal. There are a number of local beers on tap, and a selection of bottled beers and wine. Great smells emanate from the kitchen, and there is always a reasonably priced entree special. In the back, a cozy dining room gets louder than a drunk hooker on Baltimore Street once the Grand Marnier starts flowing. You can escape the rowdies by heading outside to the back deck.
Crowd: Everyone at One-Eyed Mike's is a regular -- including Duke, the resident dog. Hungry patrons tend to keep coming back for the superb specials (veal shank over risotto, anyone?), but all it takes is one visit to become a regular.
Libations: I'm a foodie, so that's what really sold me on Mike's. And everything on the menu is excellent. It's your neighborhood bar with a twist: You won't find onion rings and mozzarella sticks, but there are homemade potato chips that are worth trading your first-born for. (Fortunately, you don't have to.) Menu options include a corned beef Reuben, three-cheese lasagna, meatloaf and a chicken Caesar wrap. There are two specialty nights -- Monday is steak night and Wednesday is pasta night. And there's a stuffed Maine lobster surf and turf that is so good you'll think you died and went to New England.
Another plus: You don't have to get all gussied up to eat here. However, you must walk the plank at least once while visiting. That means you imbibe three shots of Grand Marnier: the regular Red Label Grand Marnier, the Cuvée du Centenaire and the Cuvée Spéciale Cent Cinquantenaire (a limited edition of the cognac, created in 1977). Oh, and kiddies, try to remember that Grand Marnier is for sipping and should never, ever, ever be chilled.
Sound: Uh, there's a jukebox. But you don't go to Mike's for the music -- you go for the atmosphere, the food and the friends. That said, on Wednesdays (pasta night), Sinatra transports you to Italy (or perhaps Little Italy) with the help of checkered tables and candles. Expect to hear Tenacious D at every visit, too. The band is a bar favorite.
Service: One can tell a good bar when the staff is consistent. The owners, Mike Maraziti and Shane Fullerton, are always on hand making sure glasses are filled and everyone is well-fed and happy. The bartenders and servers are friendly and familiar. Unless they die or move away, don't expect many new faces. And look for Deuce. He's been there forever and mixes a mean drink.
Bottom Line: If you're hungry, you want good food and you don't want to change out of your cut-offs or wife-beaters, this is the place to go; you can eat like a king while dressed like a pauper. The staff, the regulars, the atmosphere -- all is friendly and comfy. And where else can you indulge in your passion for Grand Marnier?
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