I find xeaa's negative review a bit bewildering. I've only been to the Owl Bar once, but I had a pretty good experience. It's a little pricey, yes, but not exorbitantly so; there are plenty of items under ten dollars. The food is quite tasty, and the menu is creative enough to offer a few pleasant surprises - but not so creative that it becomes foodie-pretentious.
I had the Vegetable Tower - "asparagus, Chevre cheese, roasted red peppers, artichokes, and spinach between layers of phyllo" - and I thought it was delicious. I also shared the fried artichokes and beer-battered pickles with my dining companions, and we all agreed that they were scrumptious. (Incidentally, I'm a vegetarian, and though the menu isn't exactly overflowing with meatless dishes, there are enough to give you some options.)
The atmosphere is nice, too - just the right balance of classy and casual. I don't think I'd go just for the bar, but if you want a few drinks with a friendly dinner, it's perfect. It's a fairly roomy place, and when I was there, it was only about half full, so we had our corner of the restaurant to ourselves. The titular owls - which overlook the dining room from above the bar - date from the bar's days as a speakeasy, when their moveable eyes were used as a sort of code to warn that agents of the law were present.
In short, an enjoyable, ever so slightly upscale, but low-key and casual dining experience.
Pros: Atmosphere, interesting menu
Cons: Service was a little slow
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