Restaurant Spotlight: Bar Louie

My first experience at Bar Louie happened in Chicago with a couple of great friends, drinks and food. When I found out this restaurant was coming to Greenwood, I was thrilled, to say the least.

One Saturday afternoon, my friend Kelley and I made the 35-minute trip down to Greenwood from Indianapolis in search of Bar Louie, which we found attached to Greenwood Park Mall. We were seated in a large black circular booth and handed menus. I began to take note of a few things: how extensive the menu was, the great number of people rushing to be seated as the crowd grew and the huge amount of space in the restaurant.

The manager came over and assigned us to one of his best servers. He also recommended a few drinks we should try such as “Diva” with SKYY Pineapple, PAMA Liqueur, pomegranate syrup, pineapple juice and fresh-cut pineapple, and “The Big Apple” with Maker’s Mark, Solerno blood orange liqueur, apple juice, cinnamon and Angostura Bitters. The cocktail menu alone listed 14 drinks; we had not even looked at the martinis, margaritas and mojitos list before both deciding on an original Angry Orchard.

Moving on to the food, our server recommended a variety of appetizers and entrees to help us decide what to order. Bar Louie’s appetizer section offers Meatballs Al Forno, made with premium meatballs, marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese and parmesan crostini, all served in a cast-iron skillet; Tempura Shrimp with hand-battered shrimp in Szechwan, Thai chili-lime and buffalo sauces; and traditional favorites like quesadillas, chicken wings, calamari and spinach and artichoke dip. A variety of flatbreads, salads, burgers and desserts are also on the menu.

During my first visit in Chicago, I ordered the Voodoo Chicken dish with blackened chicken, Andouille sausage, bell pepper, voodoo sauce and rice pilaf. It was amazing! This time, I wanted something simple, so I ordered the boneless Buffalo chicken wings and house salad. Kelley ordered the Crispy Chicken Melt made with fried chicken, lettuce, tomato, cheddar and sweet chili mayo on a brioche bun.

While my boneless wings were filling enough, I wished for more once I saw Kelley’s chicken melt and fries. She said it was very good and just enough to satisfy her hunger.

While scrambling through its website, I learned the restaurant has several specials throughout the week including half-price bottles of wine and $5.25 martinis on Thursdays; $5 burgers and fries after 5 p.m. on Tuesdays and half off select appetizers on Wednesdays from 4–7 p.m. and again from 10 p.m. to close.

I already have my next meal planned for my return. Well, mostly. I am looking to try the Blackened Fish Street Tacos, Baked Mac & Cheese or the Voodoo Chicken, and I’ll wash it all down with Strawberry Lemonade Sangria.