The Tannery Bar

Caleb McBee says Skin and Bones, his now-defunct restaurant, was a brunch and dinner destination, but before long, he realized that he wasn't necessarily catering to his North Tabor neighbors. Instead of fussing with what he had, he shuttered the spot, switched gears, remodeled, and has now reopened with a new name and a new direction. "We wanted a fresh start, offering more craft spirits and cocktails in a cozier environment." In other words, it’s "a neighborhood bar with really good food." Drinks include six signature cocktails like the XO Fashioned (a rum- and molasses-based take on the Old Fashioned) and the egg-flipped A Pear in the Forest (Clear Creek Distillery's pear brandy and Douglas Fir eau de vie). For the eats, McBee has conjured up a far lighter take on the Monte Cristo (it's fried in a pan rather than a deep fryer) and offers "elegant snacks," like duck wings with a cranberry gastrique and Oregon anchovies with pickled shallots and cornichons. The 34-seat spot is also equipped with a pair of turntables, so expect DJs spinning weekly too. Chad Walsh, 12/5/2012