Dark Horse Bar & Eatery

Caveat with this review: did not try food/drinks (read more on why). The revamp/Dark Horse 2.0 is something I think many will absolutely enjoy. The inside is bright and colorful, and we were seated next to a lovely plant display. Unfortunately, I have a gluten restriction and my partner has some dietary restrictions, and we had neglected to do our research beforehand (we had assumed good quality bar food would mean plenty of options for us, as the old DH had always had, and most similar establishments do these days). It felt almost as if my server was surprised when I asked about any gluten free options/substitutions. We did confirm that gluten free buns were available (not displayed on the menu), but the options were just too limited (not to mention, I did not confirm any information about the fries and their preparation). I believe the burger would have been my only option for a main (other than a salad maybe). We felt discouraged and did not feel up for forcing ourselves to make do with our limited options, so we headed out rather than giving it a go. Overall, the menu is small but manageable for many, but not all (noting, there were a good amount of indications and options for vegan and vegetarian). The dishes are a bit more elevated than DH 1.0, which I think many will enjoy, but definitely more specific dishes. I hope this place succeeds, as Lowertown needs some wins, and I also hope it can be as friendly for those with more dietary restrictions, including more gluten free options, in the future. That was what brought me back to the original so many times. The OG pizzas had a gf option, the wings were not breaded, and there were options like the seasonal risotto that made me feel like I didn’t have to settle for another burger with a sad gluten-free free bun up-charge if I wasn’t feeling it that day.