Ale Al Fresco
Shacktoberfest at D-48 Bistro
Posted by: John Chandler on Sep 12, 2011 at 10:00AM
12 Comments
It was a most opportune evening to discover D-48 Bistro (48th & SE Division). Saturday night was fairly stultifying, with the temperature only grudgingly inching back down from its angry mid-90s apex of the afternoon. The prospect of sitting outside, sipping an icy cold pint of Burnside Oatmeal Pale Ale ($3, cheap!) whilst watching moths bounce off a naked bulb proved to be a biological imperative. Fortunately, drinking buddy Lucy was keen to try this place that she’d spied from the nearby Landmark Tavern.
D-48 Bistro is part of a food cart village that looks like it’s putting down some roots. In the casual courtyard setting, overheated patrons lollygagged at tables, the nearby gurgle of a fountain providing a cooling accompaniment. The rambling structure, comprised of a small bar, a covered sitting room with a couch and flat screen TV, and a charmingly slapdash back patio with ping-pong and pool table, sits betwixt 7 Hills Turkish cuisine and LeRoy’s Barbecue carts. The menu is basic burgers and pressed sandwiches (all $5-6) with three rotating taps ($3) and tall boys of Rolling Rock ($2). That’s it.
The back patio is spacious and resembles a reasonably well-kept SoCal junkyard, with plenty of long tables, a couple of conversation circles surrounding fire pits, and some random statuary placed at strategic points. During my visit, a flock of older folks in the covered portion of the patio hovered around a grey-haired gent playing oldies like “Autumn Leaves” and “As Time Goes By” on an electric piano, occasionally singing along. Aside from the statues, a Goodwill sofa, several strings of Christmas lights and an Elvis poster represent the extent of the decorating efforts. And I dug it. Sitting under the anomalous Yuletide glow with a cold beer, listening to gentle music, it seemed as if I could be in Spain, Mexico, or at least a friendly flea market at a nameless Southwestern cantina.
The owner (Larry? Gary? Jerry? Harry? Terry?) told me he plans to stay open year-round. I found it difficult to picture this same sultry scene during a furious episode of February wind and rain, but I’m willing to suspend my disbelief. I don’t want to be a fair-weather friend.
Tags: New Bar D-48 Bistro Outdoor beer drinking Pool and ping-pong
Speaking as someone who is always game for taking advantage of a bar’s outdoor space regardless of the meteorological conditions, I wish them well.
Speaking as someone who is always willing to take advantage of a bar’s outdoor space, regardless of meteorological conditions, I wish them well.
Have I mentioned that I really hate Captcha?
ping pong! that will keep us warm.
But you said it had a covered portion. So the real question is: How big is the covered part of the patio? If it can support a decent crowd, they’re golden. If it only manages to shield a paltry few from winter rains…troubled times are ahead.
Forgot to mention the indoor seating area! That’ll protect many from wintry chill.
I recant, ’twas mentioned, still it is cozy enough for wintertime.
Most of the outdoor patio is completely covered, maybe enough seating for 25 to 30 people. We also have several fire pits we will put out when it get cooler. The indoor will seat 15 people and has a fireplace.
The Venezuelan food @ Mami Coll’s will keep u warm enough…
In all Fairness
Who Wants to be
Anymore than he
Who wants to Be
anyway… this place is definitely grand
Stefan (the owner) is gearing up for an Oktoberfest Celebration on Saturday, October 8th. Breakfast/Lunch menu includes huge sutffed pancakes. They’re also booking more live music all the time.
FB page here: http://www.facebook.com/D48.Bistro.International.Food.Court
Forgot to mention that the burger is out of this world, and comes with a pint for a whopping total of 6 dollars. Great deal, and I’d put the burger up there with any other burger I’ve had.