This restaurant opened in late 2008, taking over the circa 1909 firehouse building on North Avenue that had been made over into a deluxe, British-style pub dubbed the Spotted Dog. The new proprietors, Mat "Quickie" Tainow and Jose Navarro, own Sidebar on Poplar Street, where they managed to turn a tucked-away alley location into a popular downtown watering hole.
Firehouse valet
The biggest challenge for the Spotted Dog was an acute lack of parking. Tainow and Navarro have gone a long way toward remedying that situation by providing complimentary valet service after 5 p.m. The front patio, appointed with picnic tables and umbrellas, has become a busy lunch and after-work destination. Inside, there are a few subtle changes. The bar area has been opened up, and the pub theme has been toned down. But the high ceilings, exquisite tile floors, and dark wood and brass accents still come together to create an atmosphere that's solid and comfortable. Upstairs — where you must venture to find the restrooms — there's a large room for private parties and events.
Ma's meatloaf
The concise menu is mostly takes on contemporary pub grub, including the hefty Engine Burger, topped with bacon, cheddar, and onion straws, beef or chicken sliders on King's Hawaiian rolls, and wings. But Terry's Meatloaf (named in honor of Tainow's mother) has become the tavern's signature dish. It's a juicy blend of beef and pork, topped with sweet barbecue sauce and served with gooey Parmesan mashed potatoes. Less impressive is a priced-right ($12.49 with one side) but rather anemic skirt steak that can be kicked up a bit with a choice of blue cheese, chimichurri or queso sauce. Other interesting offerings can be found on a supplemental menu that changes every few weeks. Recently, "in celebration of warm weather," it was a selection of Mediterranean dishes, including tasty red pepper hummus with crispy pita chips, and tilapia smothered in a tangy blend of feta cheese, kalamata olives and pepperoncini.
Drink up, party down
Engine 11 features team trivia on Mondays, poker on Tuesdays and drink specials every night, including $2 house lagers and $5 Ketel One, with $2 house wines on Thursdays. The beer list has 16 draft and 16 bottled beers, with the usual Newcastle and Guinness, plus a few high gravity offerings, such as Flying Dog Double Dog Ale.
Signature dish: Meatloaf and Parmesan mashed potatoes
Entree prices: $7.95-$13.49
Hours: 11 a.m.-midnight Monday-Thursdays; 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Fridays; noon-2 a.m. Saturdays; 12:30 p.m.- midnight Sundays. Valet parking after 5 p.m.
Reservations: For large parties
Credit cards: Yes
Online: www.engine11atl.com
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