We visited The Brightside on Thursday, 4/25/2024, just after opening time. This is a relatively new bar/restaurant location, with the two areas separated by a low wall. The restaurant had multiple T.V. sets and a remarkable bar. The bar is described as “The Brightside is rooted in Manhattan corner-bar tradition, serving straightforward, stiff drinks and classic bar food. Come hang out with Michael and Bianca, and see why “Neighborhood Bars are Better.”
The Sandwich
The beef was rich and savory, cooked just as I like, and sliced thin. Perfectly tender and moist, it made for a good sandwich.
The cooked in-house bun was the right combination of crusty, fluffy, and flavorful. My only issues were that the toppings fell off too quickly and the salt crystals needed to be larger.
Horseradish was good and seemed fresher than most in Florida. Au Jus was solid with a nice umami flavor and a smooth texture. The Au Jus was served in a larger cup, so some dipping was possible. The sandwich was well presented and stayed together when I ate it. (There is nothing worse than a sandwich that crumbles after the first bite!) Score 9.6/10
The Side
The side provided was potato chips. On a personal note – Store-bought chips are not a side item to me, and I will give them a 0/10 if there are no options. Fortunately, my wife ordered a different menu item with fries. We swapped sides, and that gave me something to review! The fries were well-cooked, nicely seasoned, and fresh. I did deduct a point from the side score for lack of originality. Score 9/10
The Restaurant
The restaurant was clean, odor free, and pleasant to visit. The service and the care they gave us was incredible. At one point, the cook came to our table and asked me how I liked the sandwich and how he could make it better! We met the owner from Buffalo and had an enjoyable chat. I would call this a great upscale Bills Bar. I did deduct half a point as the sandwich was expensive- $16 – for a sandwich with potato chips. Score 9.5/10
SCORE: The overall restaurant rating is an A. We would certainly go again - often if we lived nearby.