Hopleaf, the Belgian pub in Andersonville, expanded last year to include a beautiful, non-smoking restaurant in back. The menu is primarily Belgian pub-food, and it's clearly a cut-above your normal bar menu. Grilled steak frites, mussels, rabbit, duck, and daily fish and vegetarian specials are included along with nice salads and sandwiches.
I've been to Hopleaf for dinner twice now, most recently last night. First of all, the beer list is outrageous, with over 200 to choose from. There are many Belgian beers on tap, with nice descriptions to help you choose. I love the fact that they carry every variety of Samuel Smith's ales (from Yorkshire, England).
The menu is nice, not huge, but big enough to find something for everyone. Beyond soups, salads, and sandwiches, there are nice appetizers and entrees (usually only one dessert, which they ran out of last night). I've tried a few of the apps now including the tasty endive tart and duck confit patties. The duck patties, like crabcakes, were a bit of a disappointment, dry with a thin sauce which was advertised as "rich".
In both of my dinner vists, I've ordered the rabbit. It's bigger than you'd expect, in a rich herb-wine sauce, served with spaetzle and "carmelized" brussel sprouts. The sprouts aren't actually carmelized, more of a sautee, but still good. The spaetzle is perfect for soaking up the delicious sauce, but last night it was a little overcooked and way too mushy (the first time was perfect). The rabbit itself is meaty, but the breast meat can get dry. I've also sampled the grilled ribeye and frites and a vegetarian stew. Both very good.Hopleaf can get crowded, but we've never waited too long for a table in back. It's an easy place to wait; put your name on the list, the go read the beer list for the next 20 minutes. By the time we chose beers last night, our table was ready. The service can be a bit aloof, so speak up (polietly).
While my rabbit and spaetzle weren't perfect last night, they were nearly perfect on my first trip a month ago. This reinforced the notion that you shouldn't give up on a place right away. If my dinners had been reversed, I might not be such a big fan of thise place as I am. Last night might have been an off-night for the cooks.
Hopleaf is a unique place with an interesting menu and an impressive beer list. I'm anxious to see what they're serving over the summer (I hear they'll change the menu seasonally). I'll be back for sure.
Check out Hopleaf at 5148 N. Clark (near Foster), 773-334-9851, no reservations, and street parking is not a problem.
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