R Bar: Pig Out Like Never Before in West Bottoms

It’s almost too good to be true – I mean, literally…

That something as all together hip, upscale, wildly unique – affordable even – as the R Bar could splash down alongside the ruins of Kemper Arena in this economy is practically unthinkable.

And yet there it is – poised to open for both lunch and dinner Tuesday with a flurry of pre party action, including a kick ass pig roast Saturday – in a destination location to rival Knuckleheads Saloon in the East Bottoms.

One big difference between the two different-as-can-be bottoms dwellers: unlike Knuckleheads, anybody and everybody can actually find the R Bar.

And from the looks of things, lots and lots of people will want to.

For starters, it’s in the space formerly occupied by Sutera’s at 1617 Genessee, across from the historic Golden Ox restaurant.

Let’s start with some of the sexy stuff, as in former American Restaurant chef Alex Pope – and a dinner menu like no other that I’ve seen around these parts. A few highlights: menu items are grouped as “small,” “Medium,” “large,” and “sweet” – as in small appetizers, larger appetizers, main courses and desserts. That’s my take, anyway.

Small includes “Fried Olives,” ($5) “Grilled Berkshire Bacon” ($5) and “Manchego cheese and R capicola” ($7).

Medium starts with Grilled octopus ($10) and includes Chicken fried sweetbreads ($11), Roasted heirloom tomato tart ($8), Foie gras torchon ($12) and a dish described as “Watermelon, beets, kalamata olives (in a) bubblegum vinaigrette” ($9).

Large begins with Pork Belly ($16) and includes Wild wahoo ($17), Braised lamb ($19) and Smoked hanger steak ($22).

Sweet consists of a Rosemary honey semifreddo ($7), Peanut butter mousse with grapes, walnut cake and bannna consomme ($6) and a Dark chocolate brownie with smoked marshmellows graham cracker & cinnamon syrup ($7).

Now on to the fun stuff…

“We’re having a pig roast Saturday at 5 p.m.,” Pope says. “It’ll be 10 bucks and we’ll have 10 kegs of Boulevard and a 250 pound pig and 150 pounds of brisket, potato salad, cole slaw and barbecue sandwiches.”

As for the digs, think classic cool meets effortlessly trendy. Gold butter cream banquette seating runs the length of the rectangular room alongside “rustic, elegant” dark wooden tables.

“The bar is all old doors that John O’Brien from the Dolphin Gallery did all the work,” Pope says.

The R in R Bar is another story…

Something about thinking of calling it the Royal Bar – get it American Royal, Royals – but backing it off to just the R. Which by the way, hangs

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9 Responses to R Bar: Pig Out Like Never Before in West Bottoms

  1. Anonymous says:

    dimebag
    Don’t do jazz…you attract the spaz. If you wanna sell food and lots of booze you can’t go wrong just playin’ the blues.

  2. Anonymous says:

    ManDshagger
    Sounds like a joint Hannibal Lecter would visit. Interested Agent Starling?

  3. Anonymous says:

    DLC
    You mention three times that the place is going to be affordable but never once list the price of anything. What constitutes affordable in this day and age? Should we just take their word for it?

    Still, a very nice writeup.

  4. Anonymous says:

    JJ
    Yep, stick with the blues. I love the fact that you will be able to hear blues and get an amazing meal. Unique combo.

  5. Anonymous says:

    hearne
    Ask and you shall receive. I’ll go back and add in the prices. In general though, small is $5 to $10 – mostly $5. Medium is $8 to $12 – mostly $10 or under. Large is $15 to $22 – all but one under $20. And sweet is $6 to $7.

  6. Anonymous says:

    joy jacobs
    Thank you all for the kind words. We hope to see you at the pig roast.
    West Bottoms Up!!!

  7. Anonymous says:

    Lisa Morales
    Hearne-

    Great write up! You nailed the essence and aura of the R Bar, but why no mention of the proprietor and genius behind this sexy new establishment? Without Joy Jacob’s there would be no “hip, upscale, wildly unique, affordable, & too good to be true” urban haven.

  8. Anonymous says:

    hearne
    Good point, Lisa. Hey I tried. Left my card but didn’t get a call back yet and wanted to get the word out before the pig blowout tonight

  9. Anonymous says:

    Patron
    Had lunch at RBar on 9/16 with a friend. We were both were disappointed in the menu, price and portion sizes compared to price. It’s understood the menu is still developing, but it’s way too fussy for a fair priced quick lunch. A sandwich with a glass of water shouldn’t have cost $10.00. Golden Ox is a better deal for the dollar. I’ve heard the same from other area business employees. We’d hoped for better… hope you can work it out and make a go of it!

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