We don’t do a whole lot of travel in Missouri, but when we do, it’s all you can do to avoid the misery. Hope that you have a car and can head out to downtown Springfield for a nice evening away from the hotel. Down on Walnut Street, just a few blocks from University Plaza Hotel, is a pretty good area for food and beverage. One night on the town with my presenter led us to the following two establishments: Ophelia’s Tapas & Wine Bar and Finnegan’s Wake/Revival.
Ophelia’s
This quaint little place specializes in wine and custom cocktails, but also serves hors d'oeuvres and tapas for your nibbling pleasure. Neither my presenter or I had any food here, but the patrons seemed to be enjoying themselves. We really stepped in for a little liquor to start the night right. I was in the mood for something strong, but sweet, so we stepped up to the bar and started chatting with the bartender.
After half-gazing at the menu and chatting about nightly specials, the bartender started asking me my liquor preferences and some flavoring ideas. Just a minute or two later, out came one of the best chocolate martinis I’ve ever had. My presenter had a similar experience and loved whatever he concocted for her. His name is Adam and is pretty damn good at his job. Ask for him if you decide to stop by.
Their nightly specials are pretty good from what I remember and the place has a nice Art Nouveau décor. Great service and a relaxing atmosphere are exactly what you need at a place like this, and they definitely deliver.
[ Yelp ] [ bartender Adam showing off his skills ]
Finnegan’s Wake, Finnegan’s Revival, and South Ave. Pizza Co.
Less than two blocks away on South Street, you can find a pretty decent Irish Pub called Finnegan’s Wake. Certainly not an original name or concept, but always a safe bet. After we left Ophelia’s, my presenter and I were in the mood for some real food and somewhere to sit down and relax. As soon as we walked past the front door, we knew this would be the next stop of the night.
It ends up that Finnegan’s Wake is strictly a bar, but attached next door is Finnegan’s Revival (a.k.a. South Ave. Pizza Co.). More great drink specials, really good thin crust pizza, billiards, dart boards, and shuffleboard were all in attendance at this place. We happened to catch the beginning of Trivia Night and settled in with some delicious pizza and some pitchers of beer. Certainly not anything you can’t find anywhere else, but it was a relaxing and fun evening when we otherwise would’ve been stuck in the hotel ordering room service or take-out.
No comments:
Post a Comment