Iron Bar Delivers More Than Just Drinks

What's this? A new "" column? We would have been remiss if we didn't say something about one of Morristown's newest drinking (and, dining) destinations, so here we are.

, on South Street, opened a couple months ago after about a year of preparation. If you've strolled downtown, to , until finally, it was time to drink.

We say "time to drink" because at first that's all there was there. Consider it a very soft opening. The downstairs part of this massive destination isn't expected to be open until later this year. And, food didn't come for several weeks after the opening, which brings us to "Munchies."

Considering it was not the original priority for Iron Bar, I did not expect what I would get to be anything spectacular. But, I had already heard from several people surprised that their meals had been quite good. I had to give it a shot.

My first impressions of Iron Bar, at about 5 p.m. on a weekday, is that it's a large, spacious and somewhat classy place. This, despite and somewhat silly name. Seriously, Iron Bar? Yes, there are a number of iron and iron-like appointments throughout but, couldn't you have come up with a better name? Bygones.

Onto the meal. A lovely young female server (it seems that they're all lovely, young and female here) took my drink order (Coors Light pints are always $3. Not my first choice, but it's good to know there is at least one inexpensive standby available at all times). I looked around at the relatively quiet but not ghostly dining area. On first glance, it doesn't seem like the place is built for large sit-down parties. Parties, yes. But, if you and 10 of your closest friends want to eat here, you'll likely have to split up into different tables.

The menu has a surprisingly full selection, much of it your standard bar fare. Burgers, pastas, pizzas and ... sushi. C'mon, really? As if Morristown does not ? I didn't order it so I won't prematurely judge, but why would someone go to Iron Bar for their sushi when there are several highly-acclaimed Japanese joints within walking distance?

I ordered a turkey burger, with pico de gallo, cheddar and avocado. Instead of fries, I asked if I could get a side salad. My server wasn't sure if they could, since it's not on the menu as an option, but it turned out to not be a problem whatsoever (and, as the photos suggest, it wasn't just a handful of leaves slapped on the plate, thanks!).

Here is where I was most pleasantly surprised. First, presentation. What came out was much more than I would expect from bar food. Clearly, attention to detail was considered, as the aforementioned side salad looked lovely, the burger with all its parts in their appropriate places, a top bun resting casually to the side. The chunk of avocado on top of the burger was very generous.

There was good flavor to the turkey meat and its combination of ingredients. The salad, despite being a last-minute request, appeared like it could (should?) be a regular option. I think the sandwich, however, would be much more successful with some seared chicken instead of ground turkey. Imagine it with the avocado, pico de gallo and maybe some manchego instead of cheddar. My mouth is watering already.

Overall, I was very pleasantly surprised by my dining experience at Iron Bar. Although, at this early stage in their life, I think the owners and managers are trying to hedge their bets on whatever they think will catch fire first. It wants to be a daytime dining destination, nighttime hang out, sports bar (there were posters for an upcoming UFC matchup and multiple flatscreen TVs throughout), sushi bar and on and on.

Good luck to whichever direction you take, but as far as this merrymaker is concerned, you should look carefully at what has been done the best so far and scale your efforts down to focus on that. They can only get better.