We gathered some cVillains and headed to Horse and Hound for a bite to eat. We have written about the rise of West Main (or MidTown). The Upstart even wrote a good review of this so called GastroPub. Go read the article if you want a good description of the place. Now it’s my turn to write…
I believe my expectations of a restaurant were ill-formed
Looking back, I now realized that H&H is mainly a pub. Sure, the menu has improved bar items, but expecting to go here and enjoy the finer side of Charlottesville dining was a mistake. The interior was nearly empty and there couldn’t have been more than 40 people sitting outside. We knew there was a problem when other guest mentioned that “many food items were not on the menu, despite the fact that it was a Friday night.”
Our food (burgers, steaks and sandwiches) took far too long and the food left much to be desired. No one explained why the food took so long, but I think it was a ploy to make us drink more. It worked. The food… eh, I can’t really explain why it wasn’t great. It was just kinda boring. Sticking mid-end Cheese on a burger doesn’t make it any better than Big Jim’s burgers.
Gastropub is a Pub! Duh!
The amazing things about this restaurant are:
- Rockin’ Outdoor Patio
- Kickass Beer List
- Beer Battered Onion Rings – The onion rings balanced the perfect blend of “fried” with taste of real onion. The fried part was light and airy.
My takeaway from H&H is this: Go there with your friends to grab some great beers, snack on some delicious fried appetizers and sit outside. The food isn’t anything special, but H&H is still worth a visit.
Related posts:
- The rise of “Midtown” continues at Horse and Hound
- The White Spot’s Gusburger Picked as One of America’s Best Burgers
- Name the New High End Burger Joint Coming to the Corner
Thor, I missed you. I’m still sorry. I got drunk! Are you surprised? I agree that the beer list kicks serious horse’s A, but the mark-ups are embarrassing. If you buy Leffe Blonde at Teeter, it’s about $2/per– they charge $8? Allagash White is almost as much retail and costs $5 on their menu, which I would pay, but it’s disproportionate. Even Mas charges less for Chimay. I’m almost positive.
The British are known for many things. Food is not one of them.
A kick-ass beer list? Where?
click the link!
Thor — I did! I just don’t think that is a kick ass beer list.
I’m a sucker for the top 5 on the list. I guess it’s kickass because they have a solid list of foreign beers on tap!
I think those beer prices are a little ridiculous, especially if the quality of the food is nothing to rave about.
I went there two weeks ago and had a few of their beers. While the markup is a bit ridiculous, especially for the Belgian stuff, you do have to realize that it is on tap, so there is (or, should be) a difference in quality. I only wish they had a stout other than Guinness, the world’s most overrated bear. If I wanted to get a few pints of Guinness, I could get anywhere else in town for $4-4.50. Hehe, Lilith, I can’t help but chuckle at you waffling over beer prices when last week you gave me a lecture about expensive wine + age = sophistication.
On a separate note, does anyone know where I can get Hoegaarden on tap in this town? There was a bar back in college that had it at $5.00 (!!!) a pint, and it was the nectar of the gods. There’s no way I can get it for $5.00 a pint in Charlottesville though, but I’d still like to know where I can get it.
$5.75 at zinc bro , right down the street for H&H
Ethan, I clarified! Way to call me OUT! Ha ha. I love this site and everyone on it for keeping me on my toes.
I think what I’m willing to shell out has to do with the number of ingredients in a drink. The more complicated or the more obscure the ingredients, the more I’m willing to pay. I’m not going to go home and press a watermelon or buy melon and cassis liqueurs just to make a fun cocktail at home. But I do buy good beer and wine for company (okay, and myself) and don’t like paying for a glass what the six-pack or bottle cost. Am I weird?
No, I drink fine wine and beer alone all the time.
If you like the Leffe Blonde, have you tried the Wittekerke? It’s next to the Leffe and only $9/six pack.
Thanks, Jim, I love you. $5.75 is still pretty awesome.
Tried that hoegaarden. Wow, that’s some good stuff.
I am a fan of this place, especially the burgers. (The onion rings could use some help – it’s obvious they are just using the fish and chips batter.) That being said, has anyone else noticed how terrible the music is on the patio? (I haven’t eaten indoors yet, so I can’t make any claims regarding the indoor atmosphere.) I mean, I’m as big a Billy Joel fan as most people are willing to admit, but it just isn’t something you play at a pub, let alone interspersed with musak.
Pub = $6 cheeseburger
Gastropub = $10 cheeseburger