Phantom Gourmet: The Spot In Georgetown
GEORGETOWN – Sometimes you need a place that just hits the spot. At The Spot in Georgetown, they have the snacks, suds and sweets that will certainly do just that. It's the kind of neighborhood place you'd want in your own town.
"The Spot's just your local tavern," said General Manager Jason Ingemi. "It's a very comfortable atmosphere."
The cozy "come as you are" space makes customers feel at home the second they enter the doors, with exposed ceilings, funky industrial lighting and a friendly staff.
"I think when you walk in the first feeling you get is a warm feeling," said Jason. "I think the dark trim, the stone fireplace, the off white walls really give a warm homey feeling,"
So Phantom bellied up to Jason's bar in search of the Perfect Meal.
Appetizers at The Spot are supersized, which makes them great for sharing. There's the Spot On Nachos overloaded with jack and cheddar cheeses black beans, pico de gallo and plenty of guacamole. Or the fiery wings served with celery and bleu cheese to soothe your palate.
For something truly decadent, check out the mac and cheese bites - a crispy ball of mac and cheese that's breaded, flash fried and served with a luxurious garlic cream sauce.
"It's nice and gooey on the inside and cheesy with a good crisp fry on the outside," said Jason.
The perfect way to kick of your Spot experience is with a very unlikely menu item for a tavern - sushi.
"A lot people ask us 'Sushi?' And why do sushi here at a tavern? We found that it really compliments a lot of our dishes well," Jason explained. "People like to come in and get a sushi roll for an appetizer before they order their burger or their short ribs. And then others the come in and get whole sushi plates five, six rolls at a time."
Sandwiches shine at The Spot with juicy burgers smothered with bacon jam, and piled high with crumbled bleu cheese, pickled jalapenos and crisp onion strings. And then there's the tender short rib dip served with a rich au jus for dipping.
"It's basically the sauce that the short rib is braised in," Jason said. "It's a little thicker than your typical French Dip, but really delicious. And the ciabatta bread holds really nicely. It's a good absorber for that sauce."
Nothing beats the mouth-watering meatloaf sandwich. It's wrapped in bacon, smothered in a bourbon glaze and served open faced on mashed potatoes and griddled sour dough.
"Meatloaf is just another good home cooked type meal. It goes along with the feel that we want to have here," said Jason. "Hearty, home cooked, feel good type of food. People love it. Everyone has a Ma's meatloaf and you can come down here and get one too."
Entrees at The Spot are equally impressive like the creamy mac and cheese topped with blackened chicken in a wild mushroom Gouda sauce, or the house braised short ribs that are slow cooked and fork tender.
If you really want to chow down, wear a pair of loose fitting pants and order the Spot's BBQ plate. This dish has all your southern favorites like smoked chicken and pulled pork, along with steak tips, sweet potato casserole and a big hunk of cornbread.
"Come in hungry. Good thing is, if you don't make it all the way through, you wrap it up, heat it up and it's just as good the next day," said Jason.
And whether you have room or not, you have to order yourself apiece of The Spot's flourless chocolate torte, topped with sweet Dulce de Leche and vanilla ice cream.
"You get the creaminess of the ice cream, a little sweet caramel with the Dulce de Leche. And then of course chocolate - who doesn't like chocolate. Nice moist chocolate cake on the bottom to finish it of," Jason described.
Ultra fresh sushi, a bacon wrapped bourbon meatloaf sandwich, the BBQ Plate and a flourless chocolate torte make for the Perfect Meal at The Spot.
You can find The Spot at 19 West Main Street in Georgetown, and online at georgetownspot.com.
Watch Phantom Gourmet on Saturdays and Sundays at 10:30 and 11 a.m. on myTV38.