the hollow bistro and brew

very impressed. my husband and i were told by a few friends to try out the hollow bistro and brew. we were finally in the area last week friday. for a friday night it wasn't too busy, which was great for us because we got a great table in the front window. its a nice spot to sit on a sunny day. our waitress was very pleasant and attentive. we didn't know much about themenubut she let us know what was popular and informed us about the specials. we were in between a few things to start with, she recommended the hot banana peppers and i'm glad we got them they were amazing. my husband had the ahi tuna which was cook perfectly (which very rarely happens) our waitress also told us about the upgrade salads that we both tried, the portabella salad was fantastic. food, service and atmosphere was great-cant ask for much more. we will most definitely be back!!!

mixed feelings. the hollow bistro and brew is a small restaurant located where i call clarence hollow downtown. it is a clean restaurant with classic decoration. but it is not ready for people with babies, because the high chair belt was broken and they tried to do a quick fix to it. what it lost so many points to me.

stopping your car there could be a problem on a busy day because their parking lot is shared with other business. however when i went there on a saturday afternoon for lunch, there were a lot of spots to park my car.

we had no reservations. but that was not a problem, because the place only had 2 tables filled and during my stay only 2 more were filled. the senior waitress that received me was a very polite and charismatic and directed me to my table. unfortunately she was not our waitress. the noise level was very low, so i think this is a good place to enjoy intimate conversation.

the lunchmenuwas ok. not so many options to choose, but they have a good variety. i just recommend that they fix their lunchmenupage on their site, because i'm the kind of person that likes to see themenubefore i'm going to a place. and asking for options on the dinnermenuit was not allowed, where sometimes is possible from some restaurants.

we started our lunch with soda and a delicious bread basket. the soda taste was not so good, maybe a problem on the carbonation of the fountain. but kudos for the bread, they were delicious but very expensive ($3). for this price, i was expecting more bread pieces.

we asked for the hollow burger ($9.5) and a pasta with shrimp scampi that i don't remember the plate name. first and more important, i was impressed how quick our food was done. it did not take 15 minutes to have the plates on our table. very impressive!

the hollow burger pleased me so much. it was a delicious gourmet burger and the fries were crispy. until now, i did not find a so good gourmet burger like i found here! however, the pasta for my wife was not so good. we did not found the capers and the scampi sauce was more a plenty of oil than the sauce. i do not recommend the pasta.

another bad point of my experience with the restaurant was the young waitress that served us. she was not charismatic as the senior waitress and forgot to tell us the specials. i was only aware of that because i overheard the other waitress offering that to the other tables. we left the restaurant upset because the specials seemed to have better options that the lunch menu.

but even with the bad points, we enjoyed our visit to the restaurant. the burger was very good and the food delivery was very quick. if i plan to eat again at this restaurant? maybe... but it will not be my first choice, mainly because the unsafe high chair for my baby.

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good for babies? no
good for big groups? yes
enough parking spots to everyone? no

quality food and service. so happy the hollow opened up a couple years ago. i have to hold back from eating there every weekend. very friendly staff that really care about your experience. themenuhas some standards, but always with a great twist or addition - like the hollow burger. it's a great burger but becomes excellent with the fried egg and blue cheese. you won't be disappointed.

re: accident. i believe i witnessed the above incident. that is not how i took it at all. i felt the management handled it, in the utmost professional way possible. i have been here quite a few times now and have always enjoyed myself, and definitely will go back!!!!


-----06 jan, 2011-----

delicious. i was excited that a new place opened in clarence hollow, the town needs it! it is very warm and inviting. all the staff was extremely friendly and attentive! i got todays special of carrot pasta with chicken and baby bok choy, yummy:) i would definitely recommend this place to anyone. themenuhave a nice variety and something for everyone. can't wait to go back!

steamed asian fish. this is a wonderful fish option offered on the friday specials menu. i hear it was inspired by the chinese grandfather of the owners. when i ordered it on a friday evening, i saw several people around me eating it too.
i would definitely recommend this to people who are looking for an alternate to fried fish.


-----24 apr, 2011-----

veggie flatbread. i love this vegetarian option on themenuand have had it several times. the tomato basil flatbread pizza with fresh mozzarella is also wonderful.


-----24 apr, 2011-----

chicken panini. i love the chicken panini.the combination of the chicken and pineapple is perfect. the bread was grilled to perfection and this sandwich is a favorite of many of my friends who have tried it.

very enjoyable.. upon recommendation from good friends, i ventured to the hollow bistro and brew around dinner time. because of the well designed and lit signage i was able to find the restaurant straight away in the hollow area. at first glance the parking area seemed quaint, but i found plenty of parking on the street and nearby free public parking one block away.

entering the hollow bistro and brew i was visually greeted by white linens, candles, rustic exposed brick and a fireplace tucked nicely in the corner. dining solo this evening i decided to take a seat at the bar. with a warm greeting from the server i ordered a drink and was handed a menu. now being a non-alcoholic drinker i usually avoid the bar area from awkward situations; but my order of a ginger ale was met with a smile and no hesitation.

themenuhad a nice variety of choices. peppered with some different items while not compromising the favorites. it was feeling like a meat and potatoes kind of night, so i ordered meat and potatoes by way of the 140z new york strip steak and roasted garlic mashed potatoes.

while waiting for my meal at the bar i was able to have a good look at the details of the hollow bistro and brew. if i were so inclined to watch sports or television while dinning, there were 3 or 4 flat screen tv's positioned quite well around the restaurant, but not too overpowering to take away from the comfortable ambiance. overall nicely decorated with dark woods and exposed brick. with nice warm recessed lights and hanging/wall-mounted lantern lights, the lighting at the hollow bistro and brew lends itself to the growing comfort i experienced with my dine. lighting is important to me in places that i eat, as it effects my moods and experiences.

in less time than i realized my food arrived and the true review began. without hesitation cut into the strip steak. cooked to my requested perfection the steak is very tender and juicy. the merlot demi-glace added to the already great base taste of steak; not too overpowering. the roasted garlic mashed potatoes where a great compliment to the strip steak. as far as meat and potatoes this met my expectations and then some.

this was a very enjoyable meal and experience at the hollow bistro and brew, i look forward to returning and tasting more of the menu.

i love this place! what a refreshingmenuselection with healthy options. staff and owners are wonderful people, owner came to my table on a busy night to see how my meal was, which meant a lot to me and my husband. young owner, but does things professionally and efficient. great alternative to downtown dining. i cannot wait to go back, i finally found my favorite place in the suburbs!