Rate-A-Restaurant #386: Imperial Western Beer Company (Downtown)

Restaurant: Imperial Western Beer Company

Location: Union Station: 800 N. Alameda St. (Downtown)

Type of restaurant: Brewpub/Oyster Bar

We stipulated: For our 16th anniversary, Maria and I decided to return to where we first made it official: Union Station's Former Fred Harvey restaurant. It's where we held our wedding reception on Oct. 26, 2002, and now it's the site of the Imperial Western Beer Company.

They stipulated: "The new brewpub captures the glamour of 1940’s train travel while, in true beer hall fashion, also boasts custom game tables, pool tables, and shuffleboard. At the heart of Imperial Western lies the main bar, providing service for eighteen custom beer taps featuring Head Brewer Devon Randall’s selection of craft beer brewed in-house with light and refreshing options; such as a Mexican Lager and Cucumber Saison; and “hoppier” varieties, such as a Session IPA and India Pale Ale; dark and broody Oyster Stout and Vienna Lagers. LA-based chef David Lentz curates an extensive oyster and raw bar program, with daily fresh oyster selections available based on seasonality, as well as market driven American classics."

What we ordered: Crispy fried chicken (chipotle, chili vinegar, buttermilk) $12; chorizo and mussels (Spanish chorizo, romesco, sofrito, grilled bread) $16;  fried mushrooms (sauce gribiche) $9; cauliflower (brown butter, parmesan breadcrumbs) $7

High point:  What can I say -- being back in the Fred Harvey, home to so many great memories of that magical night, was wonderful. And seeing what they have done to fix up the place was amazing. It's classy, and a tasteful reuse of a space that had been woefully underused (well, except for events like our wedding!) in recent years. I love that the bar portion is also active now as the Streamliner. Really well done.

Low point: We're not big on oysters, which means for a bit of a more limited menu, but we still found plenty to eat and enjoy.

Overall impression: What a great spot. Love the homegrown beer selection, named after trains and other terms relevant to Union Station. Well designed so that even the TVs at the bar are hidden and not distracting. And the fried chicken, our favorite dish, had a great spice to it.

Will we return:  Absolutely. Not only is it a great spot to meet friends, but this could be a new anniversary tradition. More pics:

16 Years Later, at Union Station's Fred Harvey Space

Press Releases of the Day: Fake Weddings and Lint Traps

"Dear Michael Schneider," the press release begins. "Who doesn’t love celebrity weddings?"

Um, a lot of people?

"Wouldn't it be great to be formally invited to one and also privy to what took place for the two lovebirds prior to their big day?"

Really? do I have to?

"Well, the closest anyone may get this year to something like that is the next best thing - the wedding of Gabriel and Tracee. Before you ask ‘who?’ please read the press release below to find out…"

Sigh. OK. I give up, I don't know who Gabriel and Tracee are. I'll read your press release.

Unusual Wedding Invitations Mailed; How You Made the Guest List

Raleigh, NC, June 11, 2012 – The wedding season has officially begun and if you received your formal wedding invitation by mail, then you already know Gabriel Washington and Tracee Andrews have plans of marrying soon. And everyone who's anyone is invited. With a hopeful number of one million or more in attendance, this endless guest list will make this literally the biggest wedding event in history - even though the two are NOT A-list celebrities. We should also mention…they're NOT actually real people either. They are characters in Second Thoughts (Pendium Publishing), a hot new tale by E. Dean Arnold, that explores what happens when you meet “the one” really meant for you…but possibly at the worst time ever; as in the very week you’re all set to say “I do” to another.

Wait, what just happened here? You're pitching a book?

Meanwhile, one more press release. Perhaps a bit more practical, although fully unrelated to what I write about for a living. Still, you got to admire the stretch the "Chimney Safety Institute of America" goes through in order to promote their safety recommendations. They've been waiting years for this, I'm guessing:

Chimney Safety Institute of America offers tips for preventing your home’s hidden fire hazard

INDIANAPOLIS – Robert DeNiro’s apartment fire this weekend is a reminder to homeowners of the potential hazards of dryer lint build-up. The Chimney Safety Institute of America recommends annual clothes dryer vent inspections and provides advice to homeowners to prevent such damages.

There are a number of things that you should do to protect your home from fire - and one of the most important (and sometimes ignored) starts with your dryer vent.

The secret? Clean your lint trap. There you go, your Press Releases of the Day!