Trying to find Ormsby's, one of the newest additions to the Westside district is like trying to find one of those cool underground clubs that everyone talks about but no one knows exactly where it is.
I am driving back and forth in the rain trying to find this new restaurant, and I'm sure I'm in the right place, but I can't see a sign anywhere so I decide to park and investigate further. As I walk by the shop fronts, I finally see it at the end of the row: a nondescript wooden door. I know I'm in the right place because there are people milling around outside and I can hear the noise of boisterous conversation on the other side of the wall, but I wonder if I need a special key or a secret handshake to get in. Looking more closely, I spy a small blackboard by the door with the name, Ormsby's, written in chalk.
Entering Ormsby's in the White Star Provisions complex (beneath Room + Board) is an experience. Here it is, a freezing cold, rainy Saturday night, and the place is jam packed. Don't these people know it's miserable outside? Don't they know that the economy is bad and that this might not be the best time to open a new restaurant? If the customers are aware of these facts, they certainly don't care.
Ormsby's is really two different places. Upstairs, where exposed brick and poured concrete columns meet wooden booths and gleamings bars, Ormsby's is a restaurant and bar that offers comfort pub food. Downstairs is an adult playground complete with pool tables, bar shuffleboard, arcade machines, a photo booth, checkers, backgammon, darts, and a bocce ball court. There are also tables and another bar to match the one upstairs if you prefer to dine while watching the gaming action.
The menu at Ormsby's is an upscale twist of classic pub style. There are onion rings, pickled things, fritters, burgers, and sausages that you would expect. Most of them though have something that makes them a little different. The onion rings for example, come with your choice of two of 11 dipping sauces (the horseradish sour cream was excellent).
A warning: the onion rings are enormous. Make sure you bring a friend or three unless you plan on making them your meal. The corn dogs, which were my particular favorite, come with a sriracha mayonnaise dip that was spicy and rich. The baked oysters with bacon and Parmesan cheese were surprisingly savory. My bruno burger was respectable, but not fantastic. For the beer lover the menu promises a diverse array of craft brews from around the world, by the bottle or on tap.
Because the place was so busy, calling ahead and putting my name on the list was definitely required. Had I not, I would have been cooling my heels at the bar for a good while. The front desk seemed a little overwhelmed with all the traffic, although I have to give kudos to my waitress for keeping my drink filled.
Overall, I highly recommend Ormsby's for its relaxing atmosphere and delicious starter plates. The owner, Michael Goot, told me that with business doing so well after being open a month and a day, he'll “Just have to let it ride.” The entertainment aspect of Ormsby's sets it apart. It is destined to become a classic hang out spot for the Westside crowd with its long bars, multitude of games, and quality pub food offerings - no password or secret handshake needed.