Analog Bar

Oh my word, I was so hungry when I showed up at the Anal Log restaurant. I was excited to try it for the first time of course.

As you enter, you're immediately dismayed by the boiler plate copy of the oh-so-trendy "redneck" angle. You can select from a good list of 24oz canned beers. And there's a couple exotic sounding grilled cheese sandwich variants on the menu.

But at the same time, the other side of the menu boasts of bottle service for $300 or $400 and all kinds of other upscale eats.

I elected for the seared ahi salad, and it didn't disappoint. Well the server disappointed by waiting about an hour to go retrieve the cold salad from the kitchen. But then again, it wasn't the only service he was at a loss for delivering on.

As I waited, I was able to take in the entire decor. Some kind of awful mix of current style and retirement home yard saless. It's like the owner had two decorators. The first one just couldnt finish the job, so he brought in her grandmother for relief.

Anyway, if they offer takeout, then go ahead and take advantage of some good food. But don't linger too long in this VFW-esque confusion of trendy and traditional.

The Gaslamp Quarter in San Diego is not known for its restaurant portfolio. You've got a couple of gems surrounded by a surplus of crap. Analog finds itself perched firmly within the middle of the crap. In fact, it's a pretty good representation of its peers.

The service was whole-heartedly adequate...we ordered food and drinks, and received them. The food was a bit disappointing. I got the "dirty sanchez" A grilled cheese sandwich with bacon and jalapenos. What I don't get is how you take so many great ingredients and manage to make them virtually flavorless. At least the dipping sauce helped out a bit.

On the side, I got an order of shoe-string fries. Again, not bad and not great. In this case, however, the two sauces weren't able to save the day. Oh well...it's french fries. It's not like they were bad.

For beer drinkers...if your vessel of choice is a can, this is the place for you. They've got a huge selection of beer in a can (although their draft selection is limited to three taps).