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Trends can bond people of all ages, backgrounds and economic standings, and can change the direction that society is going in. Are you wondering why your kids are doing the things they do or have you noticed that your co-worker has a new, intriguing hobby? Find out if everyone is doing it. If you notice something that you think people should know about, contact me at: NHRasanders@gmail.com or you can message me on Twitter @asanders88 or @citizenscraze.

Monday, May 14, 2012

Kitbars: part kitchen, part bar

First of all, and this is off topic, welcome to the new Blogger! I know, it was a shock to me too. It looks like not too much has changed except now you can share all of my posts that you find, witty, wonderful or inspiring in some way with all of your friends on Google +!

Now, onto better and more delicious topics.

I traveled to Washington D.C. for a wedding this past weekend and stumbled upon various eateries that were like nothing I have seen before and nowhere I have eaten. But one stuck out in particular.

Stone's Cove in Herndon, Virginia. It is the first Kitbar I have ever been to. It seems that they are scarce, so my pitch here is that Kitbars should be a trend.

First, let's start off with the employees there. They are all cross-trained in working as chefs, servers and bartenders. And to top it off (literally) they all wear unique, stylish hats. Oh and they are all wonderfully friendly to the customers while not being overly-pushy or hovering too much.




Now for the best part: The kitchen is in the middle of the restaurant as a bar would be. (Oh and the bar is too.) That way, everything stays very organized, you can watch them make your food and see that they are wearing sanitary gloves, etc. The whole time, they are chatting with you and you will never run out of water or wait for dessert because the furthest your server(s) will be is five feet away. 

I went back to eat there twice because I couldn't get enough of it the first time. That's how good it is.


(See above: those are lobster cones. Are you smitten yet?)

While on the topic of food, I have to add that the portions are the perfect size and the menu has such a wide selection that nobody - even those just-grilled-cheese-or-a-hot-dog-for-me-thanks people - won't be disappointed. 

If you are looking for a recommendation, I would vote for the tilapia over a bed of coconut rice accompanied by a mango mojito. The burger is stellar as well. I will emphasize that you cannot miss dessert. I don't care if you are counting calories or are rushing off to go somewhere else. It is more than worth it.

So, in an age where everyone wants everything to be more transparent and people grow impatient even while waiting for a text message to send, I think this restaurant is a perfect balance for the instant gratification, want to know the information behind the information world we live in.

Now for the pitch: the servers told me they were looking to expand and I think they should. So I encourage everyone to find a way to bring this restaurant with reasonable prices and taste-bud tingling food or another, similar Kitbar to New Haven.

Oh and remember that whole more business = more jobs and more visitors = more parking revenue, especially now that parking meters will be extended to 9 p.m. thing. 

Cheers!