Discover the spirit of Spear It at this addition to Bannerman Crossings
Watching so many Tallahassee eating places shut due to the pandemic has been a coronary heart-breaking expertise. That’s why it’s all of the extra uplifting when a restaurateur who has had to go away one web site can start anew.
That is the case with Mike Smith and Kyle Flowers. The 2 have been behind the working staff of the favored, Seminole-themed Spear It on Tennessee Avenue. Due to the affect of Covid-19, the restaurant closed in Might, simply earlier than its fourth anniversary. Now Smith and Flowers have launched one other enterprise known as Horizons Bar & Grille, which opened Dec. 14 within the Bannerman Crossings procuring middle, throughout from Blu Halo.
The new restaurant is enticing with a extra cozy setting than Spear It, but you’ll acknowledge sure touches like brick accent partitions, a separate bar space and 20 TVs all through — although it’s not a sports activities bar environment. The primary eating space is lined with rows of cubicles and there are extra tables and chairs in a aspect room.
It’s a classier, grownup area that works properly for households, mates or {couples} who would possibly desire a good dinner and a cocktail. There’s a snug outside patio for those who choose to eat exterior.
Positioned within the former residence of Dick’s Wings and Grill, Horizons will provide a few of the dishes that have been large hits at Spear It, like their enjoyable MacBites nuggets, rooster soup and ribeye. Not shocking given their new location, Mike and Kyle have dropped a few of their over-the-prime school-themed objects just like the mammoth Freshman 15 burger or decadent Sophomore Hunch sundae.
The new Horizons will proceed to concentrate on American fare, providing the kind of choice that’s interesting to the children in addition to grandparents. The menu is stuffed with standard selections nevertheless it’s not a guide. “We needed to have a smaller menu and provide extra specials so we will strive completely different stuff,” mentioned Mike. “It’s a manner to check the water.”
Each Mike and Kyle have lengthy careers in restaurant administration. Mike, an FSU graduate in hospitality, was at Carabba’s for 13 years, 4 as supervisor in Tallahassee, earlier than going to Spear It. Kyle’s expertise at Tallahassee eating places additionally led to Carabba’s and Spear It.
Dig in
Horizons has an extended record of appetizers so it’s simple to graze. We turned prompt followers of the Sundown Shrimp, a bowl of fried shrimp tossed in a perky candy/sizzling sriracha sauce, garnished with a flurry of scallions..
We additionally couldn’t resist their standard “Crispy MacBites.” These decadent fried fritters coat housemade mac ‘n cheese in a shell of panko, sure to make the children — and possibly their mother and father — completely satisfied proper off the bat
Different starters embody hummus, a charcuterie plate, Southern-model Caprese and wings. You’ll additionally discover a couple of bowls — together with a poké bowl — and soups and salads.
The menu includes a record of “Handhelds” like tacos, a pimento cheese BLT, grouper sandwich, shrimp po’ boy and burgers. It was a troublesome alternative however I went with The Decide, a hefty, eight-ounce Black Angus burger topped with three of my favorites — Swiss cheese and sautéed mushrooms and onions, served with french fries, a prime-notch combo.
My husband had the beneficiant Jimmy’s pork chop — 12 ounces, French lower, bone-in. The meat is slathered with an apple cinnamon chutney, which provides a barely candy taste. On the aspect, there’s a beneficiant serving of mashed potatoes, which have been simply the fitting texture, and herbed broccoli, additionally cooked good.
The pork chop is likely one of the entree choices except for steaks, Atlantic salmon, rooster tenders, pasta and shrimp. Additionally anticipate specials to pop up like Ma’s meatloaf or braised brief ribs with risotto.
We have a tendency not to get dessert with takeout dinners as a result of they don’t at all times journey properly however we determined to order the Chocolate Rumchata bread pudding RumChata is basically a mix of rum, cream, cinnamon, and vanilla. We didn’t notice the bread pudding got here with vanilla ice cream however amazingly, the ice cream survived the seven-mile journey residence intact. Our meal was packaged properly and so they didn’t go away something out.
The fries didn’t fare fairly in addition to the ice cream. I like fries sizzling at first chew so I zapped them within the Air Fryer for a couple of minutes after we acquired residence and so they have been tremendous, properly crisp.
The youngsters’ menu ranges from a $6 grilled cheese to a $10 steak. Horizons is sure to be a brilliant spot for Sunday brunch, with its interesting morning cocktails just like the Sunday Morning Turnup made with Absolut Vanilla vodka, La Goccia Prosecco, Dekuyper Razzmatazz and pineapple juice. How might you sleep by means of that?
Brunch fare brings again stuffed French toast in addition to rooster and waffles, Cajun shrimp and grits and biscuits and gravy.
Drinks
The bar menu provides regional craft beer from Deep Brewing Firm, Proof and Oyster Metropolis in addition to a considerate wine record. Horizons showcases a number of engaging cocktails just like the Pear and Elderberry Collins, Bleu Goose and Wildberry Lemondrop.
Backside line
Like the numerous Spear It followers on the market, we have been so unhappy when the restaurant closed. It’s nice to see Mike and Kyle open this welcoming, snug vacation spot with good meals and drinks and a classy vibe. Horizons, the title of their new restaurant, says loads about their enterprise, mentioned Mike. “It’s what’s subsequent, a new voyage.” My guess is, you’ll need to be a part of them on this journey.
Should you go …
Horizons Bar & Grille, 3427 Bannerman Highway, Suite 104; 850-329-2371.
Web site: horizonsbarandgrille.com/
Hours: 4 to 9 p.m. Monday to Wednesday, 4 to 10 p.m. Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday (brunch is 11 a.m. to three p.m.; the common menu is obtainable after that).
