The Back Abbey

Reviews 4

LE

Lex Lewicki

Let me start by saying that I would consider myself a regular at the Abbey and I know there are many other people who are as well. If you are interested in a European pub feel, then this is a good substitute for the real thing. They dont take reservations and there is no hostess to seat you. If there is an empty table, have a seat. If not, a small line forms outside the patio fencing and it is first come, first serve. Once seated (and I usually sit on the patio) you are given a LONG list of beers that they offer on draft and in the bottle. Prices range from every day reasonable to celebratory. Also, a short list of wines that are all good choices and a menu of food. If the list of beers is intimidating, your waitress should be able to direct you to a beer that is in your palette range. There are no cocktails. I cant say that I have had anything bad here, although my favorite appetizer, the pretzel, which is not made in house did get too crunchy for a bit it is getting better and back to soft and luscious. The aioli dip that comes with it is delicious. If youre not into pretzels, Id recommend the Ploughman, but I love cheese and deli meats. Their almonds are addictive and the olive selection is great. Once youve chosen an appetizer, the favorite entrees in my group of friends are the Man salad (tri tip on a bed of green with a red pepper sauce), the Schnitzel salad (a huge delicious piece of Schnitzel on a bed of greens), the Back Abbey burger or the Seasonal (depending on the season) and the mussels. Always ask if they have a special because that is usually amazing and only lasts until they run out (sometimes same day). And order a basket of fries, you cant go to the Back Abbey and not order the fries (unless youre a vegetarian). They are double fried, once in duck fat, which gives them a delicious taste and texture and the dipping sauces are made in house. I cant ever decide whether I like the lemon or horseradish better and there is a ketchup also. For dessert, I never know what they have. I miss the deconstructed cheese cake as thats been gone awhile, but while I lament its disappearance, the beignets are yummy as well as the pannecotta. They did have a belgian waffle with apples and a vanilla cream sauce recently on special that was good also.

JO

John Ayala

In my opinion, this is the best bar/pub food in Claremont, hands-down! I am and was a fan of Belgian style beers/ales before The Back Abbey came into existence. So you could understand my excitement when I first found out about them opening in our town. To get down to it, the food is top-notch. Everything on the menu is great! I have not had a bad plate/meal here. Any of the burgers and "The Tip" sandwich is amazing. You really have to try their fries which are cooked in duck fat. I know those that are uninitiated in things cooked in duck fat would gag, but if you are not vegetarian or vegan, you have to try them. They are the best fries on the planet!!! The selection of Belgian ales on tap and or in bottles (bottle conditioned) is second to none. They have it all. Really good atmosphere as well. Very lively. The wait-staff and service people are good and usually nice. They are usually on top of things even when the place is packed to the gills. The problem with this place is - it is too small. The size of the place adds to the atmosphere and excitement, but you will usually have to wait a long time to get a place to sit on Friday and Saturday nights. To make matters worse, there is no seating system. Yup, thats right, you have to seat yourself - or more appropriately stated (at least on Friday and Saturday nights), fight for a table or seat with all the other hungry people waiting for a seat. Most patrons are polite, forming a line along one entrance and will wait but I have experienced that some customers will just bull-rush a table and/or sneak in from the other entrance and snag a table or seat from under your nose. When you complain to the wait staff, they will continually tell you that they are not responsible for seating and/or people snagging tables/seats while you are politely waiting with others in line. But these negatives are small in comparison to the quality, taste and look of the food; the atmosphere and the great Belgian beer/ale selection that they have. My overall opinion is: This is the best bar/pub food in Claremont. There has been some recent competition opening down the street, but they do not compare to the quality and taste of the food and beer served at The Back Abbey. As you can tell, it is my favorite place to eat in Claremont.

A

A Private User

A certified beer nut myself I had heard rumors of a small but extremely well done gastropub in the Claremont area. I can say after my visit this afternoon that the pub our area so desperately needed has arrived. One glance of the beer selections shows you that you are in elite company. The whos who of Belgian beers is featured both on tap and in bottles. Dont be hung up on price... the selection ranges from $6 p/glass to $24 p/bottle, but with this price tag you enjoy your chosen brew in the appropriate glass poured to perfection. Pairing the beers with a small but excellent selection of gourmet burgers and smoked meats is a stroke of genius. The Back Abbey Burger is not to be missed... worth every penny of the $13 it is hands down the best hamburger I have ever eaten. The staff was professional yet personal... striking up conversations and cracking jokes whenever the opportunity arose. I was even lucky enough to have one of the owners come over and talk beer with me for a little while. Its obvious in the attitude of the staff and the owner that this isnt just about the money, but a real love of food and beer. Its refreshing to see a local place treat beer to the same elevated serving as a fine wine rather than the frat house mass guzzling of suds that beer is often associated with. I highly recommend the Back Abbey to anyone who loves beer, good food, and a casual welcoming atmosphere. For those contemplating a trip to L.A. for beer and food at Fathers Office... skip it... the Back Abbey offers as good, if not better, food and atmosphere for the money.

A

A Private User

I have to agree to with Jills review. This place is a pub! A great one at that! The food is outstanding with only the very finest quality of ingredients used. If they do run out of something it is because it was so dam_ good!! They do not have a wait to be seated list and it is seat yourself. On a weekend night it can get really crowded but all of this is part of the charm of the place. The servers do their best to make everyone happy. Just be patient, take a deep breath and get ready to enjoy some of the most inventive and fresh food in Claremont! Not to mention the best selection of beers around. They are constantly adding new things to the menu. The head chef there is an amazing cook! Try the new seasonal burger that has a spicy (not too) mix of fine chiles on top of some of the best burger meat around!! YUM! Also, if you are lucky enough to be there when they make Chicken Curry as the soup of the day.......have 2 bowls!