Spinoff ’s wood-fired oven allows expansion of the original’s menu
Pat and Gracie’s in Clintonville — a neighborly destination serving elevated pub grub — charges reasonable prices, succeeds at most of the modest things it tries and, consequently, is generally packed. Unlike countless sequels and spinoffs, the new Pat and Gracie’s Downtown improves on the original model, primarily by adding more ambitious fare to a winning formula.
Similar to its overachieving burger-centric forebear, you can smell seared beef near the entrance of the Downtown Pat and Gracie’s. But you’ll catch a whiff of something else there, too: wood smoke wafting from the snazzy pizza oven inherited from its predecessor, Lomonico’s.
A casual and accommodating operation, where you’re as likely to hear Angel Olsen and Modest Mouse as Bruno Mars and John Legend, the restaurant inhabits an L-shaped room featuring brick, scarlet-and-gray accents, numerous TVs, red chandeliers and plenty of wood — some repurposed from barns. Overseeing the high-energy action are notably friendly servers wearing jeans and black T-shirts.
About a dozen craft beers are on tap, and they’re all half-priced during happy hour (3 to 7 p.m. weekdays). Local liquors augmented by other esteemed ingredients lend distinction to a solid roster of cocktails. The old fashioned ($10), made with Kentuckysourced Buffalo Trace bourbon and Luxardo cherries, is a bold and potent example.
Every item available at the Clintonville shop is offered here, including popular if passe dishes invigorated by fresh ingredients and The chimi burger and fries at Pat and Gracie’s Downtown location