When you open up the menu and see roast duck, you realize Mac's is not just your average bar. And that's not the end of it; offerings here include homemade mac and cheese and filet mignon in addition to an impressive list of brews.

Exposed brick and dark, heavy wood set the mood right away. The booths are oversized (an underrated bar asset) and perfect for stuffing seven or eight people into. Chandeliers with soft globe lights hang from the ceiling, and the music (often wonderfully heavy on Tom Waits) stays at a nice volume for conversation. This is straight American decor and comfort food. Mac's knows what it's going for and hits it square.

The place can get pretty packed on the weekends, and when seats start getting harder to find, it loses some of its charm. This isn't a standing-around kind of joint. Also, during busy times, the service can lag to borderline comedic levels. Some old regulars advised eating at the bar, which more than did the trick.

Mac's is at its best in the after-work hours. It's got a warm, comfy sort of vibe, and a couple beers and some hearty food do a hell of a job scraping off the workday. Also, whatever you order, get the fries. They're the kind of fries that are so good you find yourself picking at them when you know you're full, and you're only making yourself feel awful, but man, you just can't stop.

Centerstage Reviewer: Jesse Jordan