Only 7 days ago, The Stained Glass, a classic wine-lover’s outpost in Evanston opened a lower priced, beer intensive annex called The Cellar. And in five days, I’ve already been there three times, tried nearly half the menu, a Dirty Bird martini and of course, hand crafted artisan beers from around the world.

The Cellar has a great thing going. The menu has three parts, Europe, America and Other Worldly. On my first meal, my compatriots and I hit every category with a drink to match.  We started with three mini burgers: lamb, beef and salmon with shoestring potatoes.  Each meat was succulent in its individual “meatiness” and the softer flavor of the salmon was not overpowered by the lamb. Along with a glass of Leffe Blond Ale from Belgium, I was a happy camper.  I also tasted a little bit of Orrechetti Pasta with kale, white beans and veal meat balls as well as the muscles in ginger beer.

On my second visit,  I got my mouth on a few fish tacos ceviche style with avocado and red onion,  a smoked salmon flat bread with arugula and goat cheese and lastly, the increasingly popular soft shell crab Jibaritos.  This is an interesting dish-  two “buns” made of fried plantain house the crab, flash fried in his shell, with mango mayonnaise and onion.   Though it may become the signature dish,  it does need some work. A bit heavy and a mouth full of chewing, but a great idea.

Wednesday night was the grand opening.  A perfect Evanston evening: great staff, great food, delicious wine.  They were pouring a 2008 Alta Vista Torrontes and a 2006 Old Vine Malbec, both out of Argentina. From passing trays of appetizers, I sampled the bacon wrapped-chorizo stuffed dates, Cubano and Tramezzini sandwiches, tempura vegetables, more tacos and of course, more burgers.

At the end of the night (yes, I stayed the whole time) they brought out a huge bottle of liquid, a totally sexy 2 feet of something delicious.  Instead of the cliche champagne, a liquid the color of burnt carmel poured into my glass.  Smooth, rich and slightly sweet, this Belgian temptation was a tribute to the greatest beer menu I have ever seen.

Things to eat right away: Fish Tacos, mini burgers and salmon flat bread
Maybe take a pass: Orrechetti pasta (not as interesting as other things and you have to LOVE mussels to like the ginger beer steamed flavor dish (I do)
What I’m trying Next Time: Maryland Crab Cake, Braised Short Rib (with marrow potatoes!)
Other Note Worthy Crumbs: Killer date spot, the location every budding college romantic has been waiting for.

check back for photos soon!

Cheers Evanston!