Babirusa

Sometimes you discover gems in your own back yard. This is the case of Babirusa. I walked passed this tiny establishment everyday since it opened and never went in, don't follow my lead. Go there as soon as you can. Their menu changes daily but expect a soup, fried potatoes and a gnocchi on the menu. As a vegan I was concerned that I wouldn't find anything but just ask and they can accommodate you. I had a squash soup that was rich and smoky tasting and a kohlrabi salad. Everything was fantastic. One thing to be aware of is things add up quick. It's easy to rack up a $100 for two.

Babirusa is the "more casual" sister bar of The Blind Pig, but it's much more than pub food. I frequent this place as I have a friend that lives close by. What is not to like here (well, I'll get to that in a bit)? The food is the main attraction, new menu daily and prepared fresh in front of your eyes. Rene is a cool cat and his staff is excellent, always, so expect great service. They keep each menu item under $20 and so you can sample a bit. Between my friend and I, we typically order about 4-6 plates, depending on how hungry we get. Their seafood is always good, meats are tender and juicy, veggie dishes creative and authentic. This isn't typical "bar food", Babirusa is a strong notch above more in the realm of quality tapas. Minor negatives: - You're not going to impress anyone pulling up to this place, which sits in an Eastlake strip mall next to a Subway. Please don't let the location deter you, this place is fantastic and the people are wonderful. - At $7 each, draft beer is simply too expensive. I'd expect more in the 5-6 range, but maybe I'm being cheap. - No seafood takeout, apparently this is some kind of safety issue but it's the only place I've run into this rule.