Raising the Bar: Gordo's

Becky and Phil Pointer of Norwood at Gordo's Pub and Grille in Norwood.

Ray Gordo was a chef de cuisine for the Jean-Robert Restaurant Group, so it's no surprise that he opened his own establishment.

It's Gordo's Pub and Grill, a place that's a cross between a sports bar and a nice diner.

THE EXPERIENCE

Like the two guys sitting alone in the pub before we arrived, we were ready to watch Sunday night football on HDTV. The 20-something bartender noticed my friend's Indianapolis Colts jersey and asked if we wanted to watch the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. (How do you think he responded?)

Though the Bengals' futile efforts had frustrated me earlier in the day, I drank a Hudy Delight ($1.50 on special that day). My friend started with a Coke, but, like me, ended with a Bengals Bomb, a shot of Jägermeister mixed with orange soda ($4). Try this if you like Jäger bombs without the caffeine rush.

It was near dinnertime, so we asked for menus. Good thing we did: Gordo doesn't kid around with pub food, a testament to his Jean-Robert influence.

We split the baked mixed mushrooms appetizer - mushrooms, mixed herbs and Parmesan cheese served with thinly sliced baguettes ($5.75). It just might take the place of my latest bar-food obsession, spinach-artichoke dip.

DID IT RAISE THE BAR?

Yeah. I've found my Sunday football haven. It's only a matter of time before many more do.