10/10/2012 Update:

I immediately took advantage of my newly defined Quad Cities area borders to add the Corner Grill in Blue Grass and Belly Up (formerly Sarge’s) in Orion.  I also hit the Grotto in Rock Island, and, dipping again into the desperation bucket, Rudy’s Tacos on Elmore in Davenport (there’s still nine more Rudy’s to hit, but I’ll still need help getting to 500).  This brings my total to 459.

The Grotto occupies the front half of the Black Ram restaurant, which has been open for a couple months but had their grand opening two weekends ago.  It’s owned by the Gendlers, wine sellers in town for the past 90 or so years.  The area around 14^th Ave and 30^th St is becoming quite a little Augustana enclave, with the Black Ram / Grotto, Cool Beanz Coffee House, Against The Grain Nano-brewery, and Cavanaugh’s Hilltop.

The Corner Grill in Blue Grass (formerly Cliffhanger) has a feature unique in the Quad Cities, as far as I’ve seen – in between the bartop and the well was roughly a six inch strip, covered in a substance that made it look almost like it was unfinished.  I finally got up the nerve to touch it, and found that it was frost.  I’d heard of these refrigerated strips to keep your drink cold, but didn’t expect that if one showed up in the QCA, it would be in Blue Grass!

So Sarge’s, The Corner Grill, and The Grotto come of my “What’s Left” list.  I didn’t have Edje in Jumer’s Casino on the list, even though I do count casino bars (which are typically unnamed), as long as I sit at the bar.  The What’s Left list is decreased to 19.

Patios and Decks

If I’m in a bar, I’m usually sitting at the bar.  If I’m sitting at a table, it’s usually only because I’m waiting for a couple stools to open up at the bar.  Occasionally on a pleasant day, though, it’s a nice break to sit on the patio, if the surroundings aren’t too – ahem, Muddy Water’s – depressing. 

I’m a fan of patios / decks with a view of the Mississippi or the Rock, natural features I think, due to the small number of drinking spots along them, are underutilized by the area.  One of the best examples is the Freight House iteration of Front Street Brewery, with views of Modern Woodmen Park, the Centennial Bridge, and Rock Island across the Mississippi.  TGI Friday’s in Moline sits perched next to Sylvan Slough, with a view of the I-Wireless center and, occasionally, some pretty impressive yachts.  The North Shore Inn sits beats out Martini’s for the best deck along the Rock River, and the Boat House, directly across from Arsenal Island, is great when the sailboats from Lake Davenport Sailing club are out. 

Go Fish in Princeton has maybe the best river view from its second story perch at one of the wider points of the river.  It’s On The River not only has a great back porch but a dock with four picnic tables, and live music when weather permits.  The Oasis, in the marina at the Isle of Capri, is the only floating bar in the QCA.  It would make my top ten if they could thin out the shadflies a bit.         

 

Not that the Quad Cities in any way resembles New Orleans, but I also enjoy patios that give more of an urban courtyard feel.  Barrel House 211 in Davenport is one of these, as is River House in Moline, which is also a great place to see a band on a warm summer night.  Backwater Jack’s at the Stoney Creek Inn is more like a porch than a deck, and overlooks Bass Street Landing.  The most surprising patio is the one at Connections, as the shabby exterior would never lead one to believe that a courtyard filled with palm trees (rented from the same guy I rent mine from) lies behind and to the right.  The scenery around Toucan’s in Milan (I still can’t bring myself to call it Skinny Legs) is nonexistent, but some raised platforms, fake palm trees, outdoor bar and barbeque grill, and a nice stage make it the best dressed parking lot in the area. 

When I was a kid, I always liked overlooking the highway from hotel rooms and thinking about the places it was taking us.  That’s the reason the back porch at Mulligan’s Valley Pub in Coal Valley makes the list; the miniature golf course is a bonus.

TOP TEN PATIOS / DECKS

Backwater Jack's (Stoney Creek Inn), Moline

Barrel House 211, Davenport

Front Street Brewery (Freight House), Davenport

Go Fish, Princeton

It's On The River, Port Byron

Mulligan's Valley Pub, Coal Valley

North Shore Inn, Moline

River House, Moline

TGI Friday's, Moline

The Boat House, Davenport

Honorable Mention:

Connections, Davenport

The Oasis, Bettendorf

Toucan's, Milan

Not much else to report, except I’m finally seeing some activity at what will be the Moline location of the Barrel House, and training has begun for the staff of Pepperjack’s, the old Cheddar’s on Kimberly Rd.

Finally, congratulations to Mackenzie at The Blue Iguana for making my Favorite Bartenders list.