Yeah, we've heard it before. But it really has just been building up to this. There's been a lot of talk about the the return of the GPaK mojo. But today was the absolute proof.
It was somehow up to me to select the location for today's outing. And a special one it was supposed to be. But I just wasn't feeling it. Then SuperScrunch spouted "Stoneground" and suddenly all of us had it.
Some reservation crept in as we counted heads. Seven of us meant two cars and that meant two parking spots. That has been a problem at that downtown eatery in the past. ¡No Problemo hoy!
Stoneground is nice for a larger group because they have an open atmosphere and plenty of tables to push together. Yes!
As a vegetarian, there are lots of great choices from my favorite — House pasta — to the Eggplant parmesan sandwich. Plus creative salads, big sandwiches and veggie pizzas. There is a great variety for omnivores as well. Yum!
Our service was great. I've always noticed a casual and friendly attitude at this place, and I like that in a waiter. He handled our orders efficiently, split the checks, and although it might have taken slightly longer than expected, all our food arrived at the same time and in front of the right man. Sweet!
So that's the proof, parking karma, fun place, and great food. The mojo is back!
Carbonation report: Perfect! ;)
Food quality: I call the house pasta a 10.
Service: 9 (18% added as our group was larger than six)
Overall: 9
Notes:
Takes a bit longer than usual, so it's not a quick lunch place. May be a bit on the pricey side, as the House pasta is $12 (includes side salad), but it is very good. Serves pitchers of beer (I'll have to remember that for after work outings).
Quotes of the day:
Do you want your bum warm? Yes, I want my bum warm.
If you want to know where the GPaK Crew went for lunch today, there's an app for that.
Bring the haze.
I'm officially an a**hole. Welcome to the club.
2012 on what day? The end of 2012? No, Dec. 21. The end of the Mayan calendar.
Do you wanna see mine?
You must be like me: strictly porno.
He doesn't know how to use it.
Better than a warm tummy and a full bum.
Jonny got all excited.
To our fallen brethren.
I don't see it going anywhere but up.
If we all weighed 300 lbs we'd be screwed.
My daughter IS bacon.
It's all about the mojo, baby!
ReplyDeleteI, like GMaC, was happy to be visiting Stoneground today. In fact, I can't believe it has taken us this long to review the place. What were we thinking?
I was tempted by my usual, the meatball sandwich. And I'm sure that, had I ordered it, I would not have been disappointed. But I was sitting next to Brady, and we decided to avoid the usual suspects and, instead, opt (that one's for you, Scrunch!) for sharing a pizza. I'm glad we did.
We got a 12-inch Stoneground classic, which featured pepperoni, Italian sausage, green peppers, onions, mushrooms and olives. The 12-inch pie was just enough for each of us to have four good-sized slices. I was full, but not stuffed. The pizza was prepared perfectly, with ample toppings in the right proportions. Everything was fresh and tasty.
In other words, mmmmmm. Pizza.
And, unlike one previous visit to this particular eatery, I didn't get in a near-fistfight with SuperScrunch due to a combined check and my lack of math skills. So that was good. (I still feel bad about that, Scrunch, so allow me to apologize once again!)
All in all, a delightful lunch with some wicked mojo. The Crew is back. Long live the Crew!
Man-up possibilities: 9 (the meatball sandwich is ginormous!)
Food quality: 9
Service: 8
Fizz-o-meter of Coke: 7 (just a tad flat)
Overall: 9
Well done GMac. We'll miss your smiling face around here, but we know we'll see ya on Fridays, coffee Sundays, RSL games, concerts and patio-margarita-type-afternoons.
ReplyDeleteI also like Stone Ground.
Since I've been trying to lighten-up my load (so-to-speak)...so my favorite salad was the order of the day for me.
Nice and light, refreshing and very filling.
The sun-dried tomatoes with chicken salad is a perfect meal for me because it has MEAT! That in combination with olives, grapes, pine nuts and generous helping of greens all drizzled with their light house dressing that is delicious.
My favorite dinning experiences are the ones where I really don't notice the service. When a server can get your drinks quickly, take the orders, refill the drinks, bring extra bread all without disturbing the mojo-packed conversation, I'll give the service high marks.
I also love the atmosphere of Stone Ground and hope someday we'll take the time to shoot some stick (pool).
Food quality: 9
Service: 9
Man-up factor: 9 (my salad doesn't count...but Jared, the GPak guest-of-the-week, bellied-up with the mean meatball sandwich...I love that too!)
Overall: 9
-wingnut
As Greg already recounted, we split a 12-inch pizza. The center of the crust was a tiny bit underdone, but that really didn't affect my enjoyment of the meal. I found the edges of the pizza perfectly cooked, with an appealing flaky texture. With only water to drink, I got out of there paying only $9 and felt satisfied.
ReplyDeleteToday was the last day GMac and his cohort Jared (who also joined us) will be working in our building. Yes, it's sad to see them go, but they are moving on to much nicer digs. I understand that each office has a Jacuzzi, a wet bar and a big-screen TV mounted on the wall. The work weeks are only four days and you get to show up whenever you like. And 30-percent raises across the board! Woo hoo!
Man-up possibilities: 9
Food quality: 9
Service: 8
Overall: 9
what a great outing, on so many levels. and bittersweet at that.
ReplyDeleteas has been noted, the mojo found its way back to the group. the times, as bob, also noted, they are a changin.' but that doesn't always mean in bad ways. 'tis true that today is gmac's last day in the dnews building (never saw that coming, alas). what a great lunch to celebrate a milestone. (or is it millstone?)
stoneground never disappoints. great pizza, sandwiches, salads, beverages. the place is great for dates, boys' night, fhe, pajama parties, post-softball gatherings, long goodbyes … you get the picture.
i had a hard time choosing what to have (caprese or sausage sammy, pizza, salad), but ultimately settled on the eggplant parm sandwich. i went with the house soup as a side, an amazingly rich and hearty tomato-basil. great flavor, a bit on the salty side, but that's fine by me. the eggplant parm was wonderful. perfect baguette, very good marinara and the eggplant indeed tasty.
note to self for later visit: i imagine a locally brewed pitcher of kölsch would complement this lunch nicely.
and it was nice to have the full crew plus one. thanks for being there, jared. godspeed, brothers.
man-up possibilities: 9
food quality: 9
service: 9
fizz-o-meter of coke: uh…n/a
overall: 9
-big.red
Definitely solid work from the DNews building departee. Thanks for writing today, man. Nice to have your content.
ReplyDeleteI knew it was going to be a good lunch outing when after suggesting Stoneground, nobody hesitated and looked at me with that constipated look or that are you kidding me stare. GMac repeated it, and we were off.
Then the outing got really exciting when I got to sit in the front seat of Brady's ride. This never happens. It's usually Wingnut riding shotgun and I probably should have given the seat to Greg, but I jumped at the opening when Chuckles said he was sitting in the back. I felt like Morgan from Good Will Hunting when Will finally goes to "see about a girl," and Morgan gets to move up in the pecking order to front seat stardom.
Anyway... I really enjoyed our trip to Stoneground. We've always had a good time there and the infamous "almost-brawl" I had with a man a little bit bigger than me ranks right up there with any lunch we've ever had (you are forgiven oh great one, again!).
The menu options are definitely plentiful and I had a tough choice between the salad Wingnut already described and the Turkey Cran Pesto sandwich. I went with the prior (notice the word I avoided), which was accompanied by a warm, crispy roll. This, chased by a very solid glass of watery water ended a satisfying meal.
The ride back produced some dandy quotes and I think the GPaK crew was about as jovial as I can remember. It must be the excitement of Halloween or just a solid "sort-of sendoff" for GMac. At least you'll still be able to join us for lunch, man.
man-up possibilities: 9.5 (it is a pub, right?)
food quality: 9
service: 9
water: watery
overall: 9.235
For those curious, I just found the clip I am referencing from Good Will Hunting. Shocking, that you can find something like this on the internet.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gs3gxpUonSw