The Empire Room Bistro & Bar

My friend and I were in search of a good place for Happy Hour and decided to try the Empire Room. The place itself is cozy, cute, and somewhat romantic. We went during a time when business was slow, so the service was fairly fast. I ordered a lemon drop and felt it tasted a little watered down. My friend ordered the Butter Pecan which I thought was much better. We ordered artichoke dip and quesadillas. I thought the quesadillas were very tasty, however the artichoke dip was just so-so. We had a good time, the atmosphere was great, but it wasn't the greatest food/drink I've ever had (at least as far as Happy Hour goes). Maybe I just ordered the wrong things. Pros: atmosphere, fast service Cons: food was average, lemondrop was so-so more

Great meeting place! 3 sisters own this quaint and relaxing bar. They are extreamly nice and helpful. The $3 martinis are outstanding as well as the other items on the menu. When I'm here, I feel as if I'm at a friends house. This place offers great customer service and a friendly atmosphere! Pros: from food to service everything is great Cons: a tad small more

I don't consider myself a wine snob, but if I'm paying for wine at a wine bar then I think I should be drinking from a proper wine glass. Instead, what you get is a very thick, ""Denny's Grade"" wine glass. Hope you love the feel of heavy worn glass on your lips as you drink that special bottle with your mate. I've had better glassware in sports bars.\r \r The food is mediocre to acceptable for a wine bar, but is that what this place is? \r \r Pros: Music ok at times Cons: Thick wine glasses more

After reading the other positive reviews we were looking forward to a tasty meal, nice bottle of wine and a wonderful experience....talk about being disappointed. We arrived at 7:00 on a Saturday evening and almost every table in the place was empty...and dirty....not with dishes, just crumbs, water rings and other vestiges of previous diners. In the front of the restaurant was a group with kids who seemed to think they were in their own backyard....yelling so loudly it reverberated off the empty walls. The menu was meager, if you weren't interested in pasta. I found this restaruant by doing a search for tapas so I was confused when there wasn't much in the nature of small plates. We ordered a bottle of Pinot Gris from the wine list, were then told they weren't carring that particular wine, but it had been replaced with a better vintage. Ok, we went with that. After watching both ladies search in vain in the cooler I watched our waitress go to the wine display and take out a bottle. She then went behind the bar, opened it, put some ice cubes in two wine glasses and poured our first glasses over the ice. So much for ambiance and good wine. On to the food. I ordered a Lebanese Salad and chicken skewers, my companion orderd spinach salad and chicken quesadilla. Salads were nice, but the chicken dishes were horrible. The skewers were dry, barely warm and served with a bizarre creamy peanut sauce. The quesadilla was too cheesy with very little chicken. The best thing I can say about the place is that the waitress was very pleasant. Needless to say we will never be going back. Pros: nice waitress Cons: the food more

My boyfriend and I tried this place for Happy Hour and it was great! We tried almost all of the martinis and they were wonderful as well. We ordered three or four of the small plates and enjoyed each one. Happy Hour was just starting and no one else was there, so we got to chat with one of the sisters for a while. She told us all about the restaurant, that it can be rented out for special occasions, shared a couple of stories, etc. There was no music that night but she let us know when there would be, and welcomed us to come back. I am already looking forward to it. Pros: Friendly service, fresh, yummy food and great martini drinks. Cons: That we don't live closer to it-I'd go all the time! more

We ventured into SE and weren't disappointed. It's a very cozy, open and clean space with good food and good ambiance. The happy hour was awesome--good cocktails and yummy food at very cheap prices. We stayed for the live jazz and sipped wine. Service was a touch slow for how many customers were in the restaurant, but employees were very friendly. Try the spinach salad!\r We'll definitely be repeat customers! Pros: Ambiance, happy hour, street parking more

I was seeking a romantic wine bar that had musical entertainment that I could take my date to and was able to talk to her while the music played. I heard that the Empire Room offered all that I wanted. I found out that there is occasionally music on certain weekend evenings. So if you go you should call first to find out when there is music. Well my date and I visited and the music was nice. However, the service was terrible. They took order and did not see again until the food arrived and that was it. This is supposed to be a classy little wine bar cafe but the service resembled a truck stop. I had to go to the bar to get my own drinks. The food was expensive and not very good (bland). I don't recommend. . Pros: Clean upscale clinete, Musical trio great, Nice atmosphere Cons: Bad Service, Bland food, Pretentious more

They really just do it best. Decent priced drinks, friendly service, and a quiet place to chat. My favorite spot by far. more

The food at The Empire Room is fabulous! I haven't found anything that I didn't like. It is cooked as you order on a 1940's gas stove. The Alfrado is to die for, the sisters make it from scratch. The service is wonderful and the atmosphere is so friendly. They have wonderful Desserts. And great Martinis. If you haven't been there lately you've got to go back the 3 Sisters are doing a great job. Pros: Service, Food, Ambiance Cons: Busy on weekends, no dancing more

Such a cool concept: low lights, cozy chairs, mirrors, live music, antiques, exotic foods (figs with cheese is a 10!), the drinks are so fresh (get any that require the fresh juices; no sugar)........all in an atmosphere of an old historic hotel (no rooms, just fake lobby). Sidewalk seating is a huge score. Food options are very surprising and rich: fresh sauces make the meal for sure (get bread for soak'en it up). late night can be tight though then again, it's a great popular bar. cozy for lunch. Pros: food combiations, drink juices, decor Cons: tight at night, can be loud more

I very much enjoyed a first date that I had at the Empire Room recently. It was a great place and we will be going again soon. If you are looking for someplace romantic to take a first date or that someone special in your life I couldnt think of a better choice than here. Pros: Best food, Romantic, Good value more

Great menu, with lots of variety and balance for all tastes. The quality is excellent... and the desserts! Wow! Even the coffee is the best on Hawthorne (french press!) The Empire Room is one of the few places in town that takes the extra step to earn its great reputation. Great wine, liquor, menu, atmosphere, and even occasional live music! Perfect! Kudos to the owners. Pros: Quality, Service, Atmosphere more

My husband and I really enjoyed The Empire Room for our recent date night. The food was spectacular. I had a delicious spinach salad that reminded me of our time spend in France, and the gumbo was outstanding. It reminded us of bean with bacon soup, only with sausage and shrimp - such a comfort food! The wine selection was varied and top quality. Most of all, the service and ambiance was just what we were looking for: laid back yet professional and knowledgeable. A great find for a perfect date! Pros: Wine List, Food, Service more

If you haven't been to The Empire Room since the first of the year you will be in for a big treat, the new owners are so friendly and very helpful. There are 3 Sister that decided to take this place on a make it one of Upper Hawthornes favorite spots for everyone in the neighborhood. They have a great Happy Hour and I hear they may be starting a ladies Night very soon. I wish you the best of luck Sisters. Pros: Great food & drinks, Great service, Very friendly staff Cons: , any yet.... more

I haven't been disappointed with the desserts yet, especially those involving ice cream and liqueurs. I have little experience with their food menu, though so far, I'd say the appetizer/snack selection is good, but the salmon fettuccine was disappointing. The live music can be quite good. The performers work for tips only and often have CDs of their music available for sale. Pros: Great for late night, Excellent desserts, Good local talent more

The complainers that posted below obviously never tried the Armenian sandwich with soup. I go to the Emprie Room several times a month and always enjoy myself. I often have the same server and she is friendly, talkative and recommends whichever wine or food is the freshest or best. And I have been to the Saphire Hotel. Anyone who is fooled into thinking that their anemic wines and two or three food items are any better or worse than the Empire Room is a victim of their own silly delusions. Other than the decor and the fact the Empire Room has a larger wine selection, they are essentially the same. Pros: armenian sandwich, live music, cute servers Cons: food is above average, no smoking, not good for kids more