The bar at Yardhouse is a gargantuan island situated in the middle of the restaurant. That’s a good note to start a restaurant review on, isn’t it? The beer selection here is mind-numbingly awesome, with page-upon-page devoted to it in the menu. Servers know to leave at least one menu at the table in case diners want re-strategize their selections.
Speaking of the menu, ordering at the Yardhouse is a pretty safe bet. I have never had anything here that I didn’t love. For this occasion I decided on the ahi salad, and Dave sided with a soup and sandwich lunch special.
So, let’s start with my salad. We’ve got a nice plate of crisp, verdant greens. Lots of great texture here, it’s all very crispy and wet. Fresh is the word that keeps popping into my mind. The Ahi itself is stunning. These are thinly-sliced little jewels of goodness. They have a deep ruby color, and the outside has a generous coating of spices and seasonings. The flavor is mild and delicate, as good Tuna should be. Overall, the fish and salad come together to make for a very light, satisfying lunch. The dressing is a soy-based, vaguely Asian-tasting invention that would work in a lot of dishes.
Dave’s sandwich was a crab cake hoagie, with bacon and crusty bread. Accompanying it was a cup of hot clam chowder. The sandwich was crisp and flaky from the bread, which balanced the richness of the crab cake nicely. Bacon just makes everything taste better.
Overall, Yardhouse provides an open, inviting place to eat with a great selection of beers and a diverse menu. It’s one of my favorite restaurants.
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