On the menu
Rye is a southern American restaurant - read buttermilk fried chicken with mashed potato and pork belly with buttered grits. My number one piece of advice for going to Rye, American Kitchen and Spirits is go when you're hungry and don't wear tight pants. That's the only way you can make the most of the menu - comfort food which makes for some mighty tasty eating. To start there are a range of sharing plates or solo entrees ($10-14) or a food board for three, for times when you just can't decide between fried chicken, jalapeno poppers, BBQ pulled pork and spinach and artichoke dip. Mains are in the high $20s and burgers in the low $20s.
The buzz
My culinary partner and I dined on a Thursday night and the place was packed. Date night, family outing or a catch up with friends, it seemed the right place for any occasion. It was warm despite lofty ceilings. It was inviting, candles on every table and wood and brick décor. There was attention to detail - like the water jug on our table with lemon floating in it and fluffy napkins that certainly got a workout when the eating got started.
I'll have
We couldn't decide between the jalapeno poppers and spinach and artichoke dip - the owner's secret family recipe - so we got both ($12 each). The first bite of homemade corn chip with a generous helping of the dip and I knew it was going to be a struggle not to fill up before the main course. Worries the jalapeno poppers would be too spicy for my delicate white-lady taste buds turned out to be unfounded. Stuffed with cheese and other yum stuff and dipped in thousand island dressing, there was only a gentle spiciness. For main I had the spiced bean chili ($24), with cumin cream, lime onions and more corn chips to dip. The lime onions weren't for me but the dish was hearty and tasteful.
She'll have
Southern fried chicken - buttermilk and fried chicken thigh, with slaw, mash and gravy ($28). Crispy, covered in gravy, and definitely bigger than her stomach could handle, however I was informed what she took home made a great lunch the next day. It was served with a side extra of grits, which complimented the chicken to a tee. Dessert was very nearly abandoned because our stomachs were already straining but we found the strength and determination to order two pies: the banana crème and key lime pie (both $12). The banana crème pie was not sickly sweet, as banana-flavoured desserts can be, and was perfectly complimented by a dark chocolate cookie base. The key lime pie was sweet, slightly tart and delicious. Also on the menu was a 'Superbowl Sundae' - a two-person effort to eat.
