Quad Cities Bars

The J Bar in the Holiday Inn in Davenport opened Sep 8, and when we and our friends Dave & Robin (rare thing to have company when I add a new bar to my list) hit it for the first time, it was too busy to sit inside.  The patio was heated and very cool, with a fire feature bisecting it.  Unfortunately it was still too cold to hang around too long, so I went back the next day and sat at the bar.  Good food, unique menu, and a $40,000 argon filled wine cooler.  All very hip, and I think will make a really nice hotel bar, but really very corporate. The Field House (same owners as the original one in downtown Iowa City) occupies what used to be Habaneros in North Park Mall.  This place is Hawkeye heaven with its gold and black décor and 20+ flat screens, and the food is good enough to be a draw even on non-football Saturdays.  They opened 9/2, but I didn’t even notice it until over a week later. We also hit the first of the three Market Cafes...

In Port Byron, the Riverbottom Chop House formally changed hands from G’s Riverfront Cafe on August 1, and stayed open through Tugfest during some light remodeling.  They then closed for the remainder of August and began their two day invite-only soft opening Sep 3.  We are RSVP’d for the 4th, and are looking forward to see the changes, though we’ll certainly miss G’s.  Not only was it a top notch restaurant with fare every bit on a par with Duck City , Le Figaro , and Bass Street Chop House (though priced a little more reasonably), you could count on some of the finest musicians randomly taking the stage after Jeff Miller (the dinner time entertainment, and a great musician in his own right) finished up at 9.  While the remaining lineup varied with who was in town, you’d usually see owner and chef Dave Killinger, veteran of Tortilla Flats and the 70’s QC/Clinton music scene, taking the stage around ten with sous chef Paul Mikles on bass, son Graham Killinger on ...

I was pleased with my progress last post when I added three bars in one month – I managed to add four in four days for this post, due in part to good timing on new openings. On The Rock in Rock Island has a new owner and a very slight name change (formerly Martini's On The Rock ), so stopping in allows me to chalk this location up again.  Fortunately, there is more than a name change: great new menu with a killer rueben, and they enclosed the patio area, allowing bands to play out there rain or shine. Broken Saddle Saloon is now open on 5th Avenue in Moline, making the north side of the street wall to wall drinking and dining from the Barrel House down to Brix .  While a little tiny, the décor is very western and looks like it would be fun for some live country music, if you’re into that (I have to admit, I’m getting there).  Looks like there is a small but, as of yet, unused kitchen. Waterbar is what The Boat House on River Drive in Davenport has become...

After plodding through a mere three new QC Bars between March, April, and May, I’ve equaled that in the first 10 days of June.  Los Portales II (first one is in Iowa City) opened in what had been Carlos O’Kelley’s in Davenport.  I’m sure there was a little remodeling and painting, but with my somewhat spotty memory, it doesn’t look much different.  What is different is the menu, which is now ‘authentic’ Mexican, vs. what I considered the much tastier “Americanized” version that was O’Kelley’s. Ubriaco’s Trattoria in the Village of East Davenport, on the other hand, has dressed itself up considerably compared to Mound Street Landing , with a new back bar, paint job (although I can’t say I like the color all that much, a little to the yellow side of peanut butter), and a good looking menu.  I’ll report back when I actually try the food, but great reviews from those that have eaten here.   Brix opened 6/9, and I was there for lunch the next day.  T...