Rob Roy

Rob Roy used to belong to Linda Derschang until she sold it last summer to bartenders extraordinaire (and real life couple), Anu Apte and Zane Harris. That should explain the taxidermy and wooden tables strewn about this Belltown booze parlor. Northwest-hipster theme aside, Rob Roy has hospitality and bartending down to a science. Zane and Anu may be young, but they know how to treat customers. Regardless of whether or not they're tending bar, patrons are welcomed as new additions to the family and treated as such. Take a seat at one of the plush comfy couches near the entrance to breathe in the late Spring sunset or pony up to the bar if you want to see the talented cocktail slingers in action. The atmosphere is brooding, but the smiles and hospitality both behind and in front of the bar make this a bright spot in an otherwise gloomy Belltown corridor.

Zane's dad, Gordon Harris, does all the cooking. Why is that important? Well, because Gordon is a kick-ass chef. He used to own a wildly popular restaurant in North Bend called Gordy's Steak and Smokehouse BBQ. People still talk about it. Before Gordy's, Gordon was the executive chef at The Edgewater. We've never met Gordon, but his reputation precedes him. Unless you have a time machine and can go back to when Gordy's was still in business, the rest of us will take solace in the fact that Gordon is still available for catering. With that said, we were excited to try his famous pork tamale ($3). Zane talks about this thing like it's made from God's tears and solid gold. The night we went, however, the kitchen was out of pork (gasp!). That means, not only was the pork tamale off the table, so were the mini pulled pork sandwiches ($4). We ended up ordering the deviled eggs ($2.50), mac & cheese ($3.50) and meatloaf sliders ($4). The mac & cheese, described as a "super secret blend of four cheeses and French fried onions" was the best thing we ate that night. We've eaten a lot of mac & cheese this past year, and this is one of the best we've tried. It's rumored the Spur boys (Dana Tough and Brian McCracken) love this stuff and order it religiously. The meatloaf sliders, a mix of filet and veal topped with caramelized onion and balsamic marmalade, were tasty, but two jut wasn't enough. For just $4, we suggest ordering another helping.

Rob Roy isn't a culinary destination, but it's a cocktail destination that just happens to have really good food. You can order one of everything on the menu and not exceed $25. Plus, you're encouraged to devour all the Goldfish crackers you can stomach for free (they're usually two bucks). If you come to Roby Roy for happy hour, make sure you order the pork tamale and pulled pork sandwiches so you can, if for no other reason, tell us how they taste. Gordy would want it that way.