Mikro

henorl

Connecticut

4.9/5  rDev +10.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5 | $$

Went to Mikro on Friday, November 19th with my wife. We were very pleased. The beer selection is very good, and the beers we had were all fresh. The food was exceptional for bar food. In fact, it was very good even if this were not a bar. My wife had a half a chicken (it is a small bird so it is actually a reasonably sized portion - not too big) with white beans. I had the wild salmon and pearl barley with mushrooms. The salmon had a glazed top which had almost turned to shellac - very different and not overcooked. The pearl barley and mushrooms was very savory. My wife loved her chicken and the white beans were cooked to perfection - again not overcooked.

It was a cold and gusty evening, and we were seated right next to the door. I now understand the function of those heavy curtains over the doorway. They prevented us feeling the chill as people came and went. My wife, who is normally quite sensitive to cold, had no problem sitting there.

The place was full but not over crowded when we were there. The noise level was moderately high, but we were still able to hold a conversation. The service was attentive but not overbearing. Given that the place was hopping, I has pleasantly surprised.

Thanks to the memorable food and beer I am sure we will be back.

11-22-2010 21:39:56 | More by henorl

erosier

Connecticut

4.75/5  rDev +7.2%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 5 | $$

Stopped in for some food and beer 11/20/10. Upon walking in through the door, there's an interesting cloth curtain that keeps the cold breeze down for the patrons near the door. It is dimly lit to promote an intimate atmosphere and is actually quite inviting. The music is a good mix of stuff that isn't the same stuff you hear at every bar and it is at a lower level so you can have a conversation with the person without having to scream into their ear. It is a small bar with about 8 tables or so and another bar in the middle that separates the seating area from the rest of the bar. It is a good use of the space. Also excellent was the ring on a string game, I can't wait to play that when the bar isn't so crowded...

The beer selection was excellent - they had some local stuff by Cavalry Brewing, some stuff by Captain Lawrence, Southampton, Berkshire Beer Co. (on nitro tap), Great Divide Chocolate Oak Aged Yeti, Delirium Tremens, and much more, there's about 20 taps and an even more extensive bottle list. The service at the bar was great and the bartenders all knew about their beer, along with the waitresses, and especially the owner, Mike. The wait staff was friendly, fast, and knowledgeable.

The food was outstanding, I can't say enough about it so I'll just say this: Anything on that menu is going to be a good choice; you can't go wrong with any of it. The best part is it is reasonably priced food too, stuff that costs less than $20 a plate here would be close to $35+ at most other restaurants around the area. The beer was also priced fairly.

Overall a great friendly atmosphere that is a great place to stop and have a beer (or a few).

11-22-2010 12:12:08 | More by erosier

Gambrinus1184

Connecticut

4.25/5  rDev -4.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$$

Stopped in Mikro with my girlfriend and another couple on Tuesday night 11/16/10. We've been wanting to go since the place was doing their soft opening. My buddy is working on the website for Mikro, Mike, the owner, was talking the place up to me at the Salisbury Brew Ski Fest in October, and since I'm a big fan of what Prime 16 does, I figured this place had to be fried gold.

Mikro has a very cool, beercentric bar vibe to it. You walk into through thick, velvet curtains into a small space with a beautiful, vaulted wood ceiling, 7 bar top dining tables, a central, wooden bar table with stools on either side, and a bar long enough to seat 12-15 people comfortably. A TV is angled towards the door, making viewing a little tough if you're up against the wall closest to the kitchen, but I'm not coming here to watch the game anyway. The focus is on the beer, as evidenced by the massive chalk board against the wall perpendicular to the bar displaying all draft and cask options. It is a little tough to see the board if you're seated far away or especially if people are sitting at the table directly in front of the board, which we were. It would be better served as a mounted displayed above the bar between the two A/C vents, but there are probably logistics to this scenario that don;t make it ideal. A more reasonable spot might be in the corner by the bay window facing the small, strip mall parking lot.

The quality and selection of beers on tap were pretty damn good the night we went; about 18 in all plus a cask of NEB Gandhi Bot and featuring the likes of Ommegang, Avery, Cpt. Lawrence, Old Burnside, Blue Point, Weyerbacher and even Oxford's very own Cavalry Brewing Co. Food was good as well; we shared the roasted, mixed nuts, a potato flatbread and a pulled chicken and mushroom flatbread, the steak, a burger, which I thought was great, as were the accompanying fries, and even the brownie sundae for dessert, sporting a unique caramel popcorn garnish. Service was excellent, very chatty, knowledgeable, friendly and attentive staff. Mike greeted everyone who walked in the door, also circled the room often and was even clearing tables himself! The menu seems a bit limited, as does the space, but everything is done nicely and will probably expand as much as opportunity allows it. As a warning, prices on drafts vary from $5-10 and are served in glassware reflective of the ABV of your beer selection. That said, you can expect to pay for the good stuff and around $50-$80 per couple if you're taking advantage of the selection. However, all of this information is clearly marked on the beer board and in the menu, which is more than I can say for Delaney's draft prices; so it's buyer beware!

As a graduate of Quinnipiac, I know what a desolate area Hamden can be, particularly for good beer bars. Those of age need not go into New Haven any longer or feel compelled to go solely to Side Street. If you;re looking for a relatively upscale, unique and professional quality beer drinking experience, Mikro will be a welcome addition to your list. I wish Mike the best and look forward to stopping in as frequently as I can to take full advantage of the ever-changing, high-quality beer list. Flights for everyone!

11-19-2010 03:57:05 | More by Gambrinus1184

naproxen

Connecticut

4.13/5  rDev -6.8%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 3.5 | $$$

I've been to Mikro three times now, including twice during the soft opening. I waited until they were officially open and I had more experiences there to write up a review for CT's newest craft beer bar.

The atmosphere for me is the winning detail of this place. From the outside, Mikro is a unassuming anchor to a mini strip mall in the hills of the Quinnipiac University area. Once you enter and pass through the heavy curtains (awesome idea to block extra light and those big breezes from the door opening) you are in another world of low soft lighting, exposed beams, and "family". It reminds me of a converted barn interior, lots of wood and wall sconces with a few clothe beer flags and framed pictures. There are around 7-8 tables for 4, the bar, and a middle "bar" that seats another 8-10 a la Armsby Abbey. The clientele so far has been late 20's-early 40's, more grad students than undergrads I would say given it's proximity to Quinnipiac.

Service has been top notch as well, from the servers and bartenders to the owner as well who so far is always there helping out and mingling.

The beer selection here has been above average, there is always at least one beer that I'm excited about drinking. The only downside I feel are some of the prices. A Rastafar Rye rings up for $7, but even worse is that it was not a full pint because it was "over 7%". I'm sorry, but that's not reasonable. Then again, some other beers from other breweries that one would expect to be higher and price were actually lower, between $5.50-6.50. Not sure if it is ABV driving the price or what, but to me the pricing just didn't seem on track with the selection.

From the menu we ordered the cheese curds, chop salad, another salad I don't recall, and the Mikro burger to share between 3 people. The cheese curds are not what I consider "cheese curds", but maybe I'm spoiled with my Wisconsin travels. It was more mozzarella tasting, 5 pieces the size of bonbons, and $8. The chop salad was delicious as well, but for a salad with no meat that comes in a bowl again $8. The burger was worth it though, for $11 it was mighty in size and came with really good fries.

Mikro is a welcomes addition to the desert that is CT's beer bar scene, but I fear that some will be deterred from frequenting this place, especially the younger college kids in the area, due to pricing. I'll be frequenting Mikro, but in my particular situation traveling from Hartford I may find myself saving gas and money by hitting Eli's.

11-09-2010 16:13:44 | More by naproxen

Hautacam

Connecticut

4.55/5  rDev +2.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4 | food: 5 | $$

Our first visit to Mikro last night was great.
Located in a small strip mall on rt 10 in Hamden, they did a great job designing the space. The entire place IS the bar; there is no restaurant side vs bar side. It's a very cool bistro style interior with open rafters above the bar and fabric panel walls, which I assume helped keep the volume down even with a good sized crowd. Very conducive for enjoying beer, food and conversation. The music was kept at a reasonable volume.
We were met by the owner, Mike who is a really nice guy. His entire staff reflects his commitment to offering friendly, knowledgeble, service along with really good food. Our waitress was very cool.
Beer selection was very good. We had BBC Lost Sailor, Southampton Alt, NEB Wet Willy !!, DFH 90, North Coast IPA, Weihenstephan Korbinian ,Stone Smoked porter....there were lots of other good choices.
Food was very good. The Poutine was awesome !..best we've ever had. Roasted, spiced nuts were very tasty...and hot. I had the mushroom and carmelized onion flatbread and my girlfriend had pulled chicken ( free range ?) apple, aged cheddar, pesto flatbread....both were outstanding.Our friends had the Mikro burgers with belgian style fries...which they shared...very good.
So, cool atmosphere, great service ,food and beer. What's not to love ? Goes without saying that we will frequent this place for sure. A great addition to the CT craft beer scene.

Update 11-18-10
I have been back a few more times and have been eating my way through the menu. The bistro steak is awesome ! and a pretty good deal for $14. I'm addicted to the hot spiced nuts. Beer selection rotates often..always good. Supports local breweries: NEBCO, Cavalry,BBC, Capt Lawrence. Gandhi Bot on cask last week !

11-07-2010 13:50:15 | More by Hautacam

OatmattStout

Connecticut

4.25/5  rDev -4.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$

just stopped by for my first beer at mikro bar.

Upon arrival I was impressed with the design and bar. Impressive and rustic with large natural railroad ties framing it. Bar tables on left. Stool bar in middle and nice long bar to admire the tap selection on the right.

The tap selection was really great. DFH, BBC, North Coast, Stone, Rogue, Captain Lawrence just to name a few. 20 different taps to choose from. Real nice bottle selection and all the appropriate glassware for the different styles adorn the bar. The have a mug club available as well.

Menu looked great from what I could see but didn't eat. The smells coming from the kitchen were very enticing though.
EDIT: went back and ate and food was great, had two of the flat bread pizzas, cheese board and fire roasted nuts, all very tasty.

I met mike the owner who was a real nice guy and from the looks of it knows how to run an proper beer/food establishment.

It is great to have a bar like this in hamden and 5 minutes from my house with a parking lot. Gets a bit tiring pumping quarters in the meters in new haven at prime when you are now getting 10 minutes per. (love prime though)

Wish this place the best of luck but fully confident after first visit it will be a staple in hamden offering a unique beer drinking experience for years to come.

Cheers!

10-29-2010 21:38:35 | More by OatmattStout