Wednesday, May 23, 2012
From staff reports
When I think of Asylum, I think of local bands and nationally touring rock bands. In fact, the venue has recently completed some snazzy renovations. But I always forget that across the hall from the performance space is the Asylum sports bar, so when a friend posted on Facebook recently about wanting to go there for lunch, I promptly invited myself to join her.
Asylum's smoked turkey and pancetta panini, left, and a grilled Angus beef burger
Asylum kitchen manager and cook Chris Mikesell seasons chicken wings before baking them. Then they’re quickly fried and coated with sauce.
Gordon Chibroski/Staff Photographer
ASYLUM
WHERE: 121 Center St., Portland, 772-8274; www.portlandasylum.com/eat
HOURS: 11:30 a.m. to 1 a.m., seven days a week
CHEAPEST GRUB: Rem Dawgs (spicy relish and onions over two all-beef hot dogs), $5.99
WAIT: 15 minutes
PARKING: On street
HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBLE: Yes
RATING: ***
Based on a five-star scale
It was actually pretty busy when we arrived, and had I been in the mood for sports updates, there were almost as many TVs as we have in the newsroom from which to choose. Note to self: Go back to Asylum for a Red Sox game come April.
As for the food, the menu was surprisingly comprehensive and covered, if you'll pardon the sports pun, all the bases: an array of sandwiches ($6.99 to $7.99, served with chips or fries), salads ($4.99 to $8.99), burgers and dogs ($5.99 to $7.99), calzones ($8.25) and entrees including a 10-ounce New York strip steak ($12.95) and blackened grilled chicken alfredo ($9.95).
The appetizers list was full of expected fare, although one notable is the Asylum Sampler, which contains chicken fritters, steak fries, onion rings, chips and mozzarella sticks ($10.99).
After I ordered my bottomless Diet Pepsi and my friend procured her $3 draft, we decided on the Reuben panini for me and the grilled veggie quesadilla for her ($6.99). Fifteen starving minutes later, I sunk my teeth into the Reuben, and what I like to refer to as the "crunch factor" was through the roof.
The corned beef, thousand island dressing and sauerkraut loved being grilled panini style, and I devoured the thing. As for the fries, I have to give them a solid so-so for the same reason the sandwich rated so high: The "crunch factor," or in this case, the lack thereof.
During a brief pause in my panini lovefest, I asked my lunch date for the lowdown on her quesadilla, which came with sides of salsa and sour cream. She appreciated the spiciness and the fact that it wasn't absolutely smothered in cheese. The veggies inside were red peppers, onions, olives and mushrooms, so not all that many of them, she noted. She did, however, find redemption in the grill flavor of said quesadilla.
Was this a gourmet odyssey of a lunch? In two words: Not really. But will I go back? Another two words: You bet.
The staff of GO anonymously samples meals for about $7.
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