Tots and The Terminator
This week felt a little like a deep breath for my liver. My liver and I didn’t try and go for the gold of 3, 4 or 5 bars this week. This week Liver, myself, and the Hoppers stayed low key. We zoomed into Office Nomads and turned it into the Hill’s new hot spot then rushed off to the Six Arms to meet another Hill Hopper. Want to hear all about it? Okay!
Office Nomads was all full of bodies when we got there too late. Sierra Nevada had kept their promise and gave our your entrepreneurs three free mini kegs. They were hooked up through a little cooler similar to the one I used for my lunch box at summer camp. The only difference is that mine didn’t have a fancy tap on the front. The bright walls with the exposed brick gave the place a homey feel, especially with the bookshelf of board games in back (What? no Trivial Pursuit?). Some folks were dressed to impress while others stayed true to the laid back attitude that are the Hill Hoppers. Hill Hopper Kelsey had some fantastic large print photography on display. We looked, we judged, we loved.
Promptly at 9 the kegs were kicked. A run to the fridge revealed that we’d also taken out the case of PBR (nothing but class at Nomads) and the other random beers laying about. We’d had all one could consume and thus had to be on our way to the next stop. Thanks Nomads! Check ‘em out at http://www.officenomads.com.
Guest Hill Hopper Mark and I huffed it to Six Arms for some cajun tots and McMenamins brew. Six Arms seems to rest on the corner of Pine and whatever that other street is. There are large windows so anywhere you sit you can people watch the interesting kids wandering the hood. The lighting late at night is a bit dark and isn’t helped by the dark wood and leather booths. Anyone thinking of sleeping could zonk in that light. But the booths are huge and our palatial spot could have fit 8 but we maxed out at six. The bar itself is long and sticks out from beneath the upper loft which has a good bunch of tables. I’m beginning to see this loft area as a theme of Capitol Hill bars. Hmm…
Back on track. The bar was long. Yes. And decorated with foreign bills and a few Georges up there. Piping snaked around creating an arch and then barrier to the bar itself. Hopper Mark loved the look. ”It’s not something you see elsewhere. I like the character of this place.” A huge light fixture hung down next to the bar and reminded me of the stars outside that we rarely see.
And the tater tots! Cajun spiced to perfection. The tots you grew up with have nothing on these. Hopper Mark had some issue with the spice but he’s from the Midwest so I don’t think that counts. Hopper Susie went for the Garden Burger and was rather satisfied with its deliciousness.
Our server had some issues remembering who ordered what beer. I think it was sexist thinking as he kept putting my dark beer in front of male Hoppers and giving me the IPAs. The Terminator is just like the Terminator at Dad Watsons, McMenamins in QA and all the others. It’s a stout that doesn’t feel too heavy when it gets down. I forgot to write down my thoughts so that’s what I’ve got for ya.
McMenamins is the sort of establishment where you can always rely on it. You will enjoy your food and drink there but it’s not something you are going to write home about. In the end we closed the place down without realizing we were doing so. The crowd never got too big and the place never got too loud. Chill with a beer, friends and hang for a few hours with no worries.
Judgings:
Beer: 4 Stars
Tots: 5 Stars
Booths: 5 Stars
Lighting: Put Duff to sleep so 0 stars (well, it was either that or the fact that he gets up at 4 AM)
Thanks to all the Hill Hoppers who were out. This week’s short list is Meagan, Kelsey, Duff, Susie and Mark. See you all this Saturday at Stumbling Monk!
