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Comment from Frank J. Witt
Time: February 13, 2008, 4:22 pm

And I thought we had a quite opening…do they have hours posted?

Comment from Tina
Time: February 13, 2008, 4:28 pm

I noticed the sign was out, and had lunch there today with friends. Overall, it was a good experience. The food was good, as was the service. [Nice beer list too, although I had to go back to work so I didn't indulge!] I did not visit the restroom, but all of my friends did and raved about the experience… will have to check it out next time!

Comment from Josh
Time: February 13, 2008, 5:15 pm

Tina: Raved about the bathroom? That comment made me laugh out loud. :-)

Comment from Draegn88
Time: February 13, 2008, 6:06 pm

What is their cousine?

Comment from Emmy
Time: February 13, 2008, 7:02 pm

OK, so who is taking me? ;)

Comment from Christa Gitchell
Time: February 13, 2008, 7:56 pm

We might go tomorrow Emmy, wanna come??

Comment from Emmy
Time: February 13, 2008, 8:13 pm

Can’t tomorrow. I’m having dinner with my kids, my ex and his wife.

Comment from Tina
Time: February 13, 2008, 8:24 pm

I’m serious about the bathroom!

They had appetizers and salads on the menu, plus sandwiches, burgers, and wraps. Good stuff and not exactly typical, but not way out either - like a BLT with avocado, or a ham and pineapple sandwich. Prices for the sandwiches were $6-8, I think.

They had a few “dinner” options, but I didn’t look closely at what was offered or the prices.

Comment from danno
Time: February 13, 2008, 9:16 pm

If I had a bathroom like the one at Clementine, I would probably spend more time taking a dump every day than I spend watching movies, playing video games, and reading.

But seriously, I was impressed with everything when I went there tonight. My fellow Hburgnewser Dave had draft glasses of Delirium. He ordered an app plate of tuna which he was ecstatic about. I had one bite of that, and the flavor was very good.

The service from my bartender was also very impressive, and I will probably go back for drinks again soon. Probably this weekend, and I want to bring some people along.

Comment from John
Time: February 14, 2008, 8:15 am

I’m requesting a table in the bathroom when I go.

Comment from MAW
Time: February 14, 2008, 7:17 pm

We must have ordered the wrong stuff, because I wasn’t really that impressed, food wise. My mom got a Caesar Salad for $5, no meat, and it was smaller than a McDonald’s salad. I ordered what they call a Foccacia “sandwich”, which was more like a pizza with grilled onions, red peppers, and goat cheese. I’m not a potato chip person so the waiter suggested the pasta salad in place of the chips. He didn’t tell me the pasta salad would be $2 extra.

And of course, I thought the bathroom was very nice. I especially liked the sink. I just don’t like having to share it with strange males.

Comment from Draegn88
Time: February 14, 2008, 7:42 pm

How many students if any were there? I might just go sometime soon.

Comment from MAW
Time: February 14, 2008, 9:16 pm

We were there at lunch time. Not many students. A lot of professional business people. I think it’s going to be one of those places you go to just to “be seen”.

Comment from cook
Time: February 14, 2008, 11:17 pm

My wife and I enjoyed our evening at Clementine’s tonight, although primarily because of the couple we met for dinner. The food was decent, the service was excellent, the atmosphere was fun, but I must warn those who enjoy eating quantity: I left hungry. I ordered an appetizer, the steak entree, and afterwards another appetizer - all the while drinking numerous beverages. The portions were small; no wonder the prices were “reasonable” - which was our first impression once we figured out how to read the menu. The waiter’s explanation was that Americans eat too much.

About the bathroom: I was surprised they would open a restaurant with one large one-toilet unisex bathroom on the main floor. I didn’t ask, but I expect the explanation may be something like, “Americans are too private” or “Americans go to the bathroom too much.”

Comment from Frank J Witt
Time: February 14, 2008, 11:36 pm

Sounds like they will enjoy the “view” while watching their business go down the drain. I wonder just how much the downtown will put up with.

Well, of course, I will be honest when I get to visit soon.

Thanks for the “heads” up though.

Comment from Lowell Fulk
Time: February 15, 2008, 12:07 am

Hmmm… Americans DO eat too much. And Americans ARE too preoccupied with how other Americans go to the bathroom, and almost everything else that other Americans do in life…

I have only been there before it officially opened so I cannot therefore offer any informed opinion on what Clementine is, only on what it can become to the downtown experience.

I welcome their venture, and I wish them success.

Comment from Frank J Witt
Time: February 15, 2008, 12:25 am

Lowell, I hope I didn’t come off as crass…I wish them well also.

BTW the woman from the Post Office ( I think her name is Sarah) said “HI”. We sent the last packages for the troops this week because they will be packing up soon and she remembered the huge box drop from Christmas time. We will be in touch when Wendy is on her 30 day leave because we will be having a gathering at the local AMVETS and would love it if Diane and you and 7G could stop by so we can think you all again.

Comment from Lowell Fulk
Time: February 15, 2008, 12:53 am

Frank,
I don’t think you could be crass if you tried.
I believe both you and your family to be what more should aspire to emulate.
God bless you my friend.
And please do keep us in the loop as to how things are going, and how we may help your very thoughtful and valuable efforts in the future.

Comment from Draegn88
Time: February 15, 2008, 1:47 am

By law per health codes a restaurant is only required to provide a means to wash one’s hands.

Comment from compassless
Time: February 15, 2008, 1:12 pm

The service was excellent, the atmosphere is to die for. I can’t wait to see what live music they start booking. Kudos to the owners who really are breathing new life into downtown.

There are a couple things they could definitely work on. I agree with the small portions problem. I felt too silly ordering another appetizer after dinner so I went home and had dinner part II (and I happen to be a very skinny American). Another strange thing is that you can’t just go to the bar, grab a drink and hang out - you have to be SEATED there by the hostess - she sets you up with napkin & silverware even if you’re not eating. That definitely dashed my hopes of having a cool new happy hour location . . . maybe their downstairs bar will be less restrictive.

And for those of you sharing the bathroom on the main floor with ’strange males’, I’m pretty sure you’re supposed to lock the door behind you.

Comment from Draegn88
Time: February 15, 2008, 2:51 pm

So I dropped in today. It was nice, until the crowd rolled in. I am not fond of hearing 20 different conversations at once. It was a surprise not to see any televisions. At least on the main floor and loft.

The people were very nice, and friendly. The food wasn’t anything to die about. Slightly overpriced, I’ll put that off on VA law requiring a percentage of sales to be food based items and not alcohol. The bar made one faux par, if you’re going to display expensive blends of alcohol, use them in your drinks. Don’t pull out some cheap brand from under the counter.

Comment from Josh
Time: February 15, 2008, 3:58 pm

Draegn88: Using rail liquors is standard operating procedure at most bars. Hence that whole “top shelf” concept.

Comment from David Miller
Time: February 15, 2008, 4:31 pm

I enjoyed my first visit to Clementine Cafe. I had some great tap beer (Smithwicks-i think that’s the spelling and Delirium Tremens). I also had an appetizer of Tuna Medallions. It was just ridiculously good, small but really good. The crowd was small, it was their first night of being open to the public. The tables needed some rearranging to allow for traffic but the owners are well aware of the problem and I’m sure will address it. The bathroom was cool; I didn’t think that it was a multi use bathroom. There was a lock on the door and the down stairs bathrooms are plenty large and multi use (two bathrooms, one for the women and one for the men). I’m glad for the place, its 8 steps from my store! :) I can’t wait to try the rest of the menu. I’m ok with not leaving fatter, as long as the portion sizes don’t change. My friend had the po Girl and loved it, shrimp, avocado thick bacon and cheddar I think. It wasn’t small or expensive. One note on this is to point out that the majority of the cost of your dinner isn’t related to the food at all. It’s infrastructure, personnel and electricity. Food isn’t cheap but the difference between an 8 ounce steak at wholesale and a 12 ounce steak is miniscule compared to remodeling a building. And all of the owners and seemingly the employees are American. Hell, the owners also own Hank’s and that’s about as American as you get (I’m sure they serve apple pie). Rail Liquor subnote-they have the best rail lineup of any bar in town. Period (I’ll be honest, it might match Cally’s but I don’t drink much liquor anymore so it just seemed great when I asked). I’m looking forward to a crowd in the downstairs bar, it should really step things up down here! We’ve got a great restaurant scene and great nightlife. It’s only up from here, Go Blue Nile!

Comment from Christa Gitchell
Time: February 16, 2008, 11:32 am

We went to Clementines last night for supper. I was impressed with the decor, the staff was awesome, the bathroom upstairs was very cool. We had about a 30 minute wait, but went downstairs and hung out. I ordered the steak dinner. It was excellent! Clay Clark, the owner, was there and we talked with him a while and gave him a few suggestions; mainly that he needed take out. He agreed and said they were working on many different things. I will definately go again!

Comment from eso
Time: February 16, 2008, 2:05 pm

I was at Clementines before it officially opened for the SpeedDating they hosted. It was very nice done and decorated. They were only serving a Merlot and bottled beer that night, so I don’t know about their selection.

Umm…. I guess the bathroom was nice. The one downstairs was pretty big. I’m surprised they only have one single sex toilet on the main floor. I would think with the bar there that might not be enough.

Anyway, now that they are open, I plan to go back soon.

Comment from MAW
Time: February 16, 2008, 2:57 pm

Does anyone know how the speed dating actually turned out?

Comment from eso
Time: February 16, 2008, 2:59 pm

Turned out good for me :)

Comment from eso
Time: February 16, 2008, 2:59 pm

MAW:
It was fun.
What specifically did you want to know about it?

Comment from Christa Gitchell
Time: February 16, 2008, 3:55 pm

Speed dating…..good grief, it must be hard being single these days. I’m sure some thought it was fun though.

Comment from eso
Time: February 16, 2008, 4:26 pm

Christa:

I think it is. Especially in Harrisonburg if you don’t hang out in bars or go to Church. The nice thing about speed dating is you talked to them a few minutes then moved on …. you weren’t stuck with somebody you didn’t like all night. Although I did like most of the people I talked to. And you met people that you wouldn’t ordinarily have talked to … far enough away from your social and job circles that you’d probably never have run into. A little different enough to spice things up.

In case you can’t tell, I had a positive experience. I’ve been dating a girl I met there ever since then. *grin*

Comment from MAW
Time: February 16, 2008, 6:38 pm

That’s awesome eso! Sounds like it was fun. I thought about doing it, but I just can’t make myself go out there. I’m so selfish. I’ve been on my own for 12 years and I’m still loving it. I don’t have to answer to anyone.

Good luck to you. I hope things continue to work out for you.

Comment from Laura
Time: February 16, 2008, 6:57 pm

I was at Clementine’s last night too. I liked the large bottled beer list and inexpensive appetizers. I liked that they left a large bottle of ice cold water on our table, too. Our waiter and the rest of the staff were great.

We were up on the little boxed-in platform next to the bar and there were too many tables wedged in there — several couples that were escorted to the wedged-in seats next to us asked to be seated elsewhere, so hopefully the hostess took note and will fix that.

The food we had was quite good and I didn’t notice the portions were small, but we had appetizers and sandwiches. It got quite loud in there as the night went on, but it was a fun crowd and everyone seemed enjoying this hip new place. Can’t wait to see live music there - I got to enjoy a few minutes of it at First Night (New Year’s Eve) and the sound system was fabulous.

Comment from Christa Gitchell
Time: February 16, 2008, 7:59 pm

Eso, how does it work exactly? Did you go to different places or everyone just stayed in one place? How many women and how many men participated? More women…men? Did they break it up into age groups?
Man, things sure are different than when I was dating.
And I think I saw you last night Laura. Were you talking to Clay at one point? I think he left your table then came to ours. I could be mistaken. We were sitting in front of the bar. I wished could have stayed longer but was just too wiped out.

Comment from eso
Time: February 17, 2008, 1:45 am

Crista:

There were ~160 people there so you couldn’t talk to everybody even if you wanted to. They broke it into groups of 10 men and 10 women, roughly divided by age. The women stayed put and the men rotated down the line when it was time to switch.

When you went in, everybody got a sticker with your first name and a id number. Then you got a small card with ten lines drawn on it. After you talked to somebody, you wrote down their first name and id number, and if you wanted to further talk to them. I think the “dates” lasted 6 or 7 minutes, they went really fast.

After the event, you turned in your card. If both you and a person “date” said “Yes- I want to see them/know more about them.” the organizers emailed you each other’s phone number or email address for you to contact each other. But, it has to be both people saying yes, they wouldn’t give your info to someone else who wanted it unless you had also said “Yes.”

The bar didn’t close right after the event so you could mingle with someone who caught your eye, but wasn’t in your dating group.

I know it’s a little different, but I thought I needed to try something different. And I figured I could talk to a rock for 7 minutes if needed. $25 dollars for 2 hours of fun including two alcoholic drinks wasn’t too bad and it was kind of fun to dress up for a change.

And yeah, both me and my honey are happy with the outcome. :)

Comment from David Miller
Time: February 17, 2008, 9:02 am

Just thought I’d chime in one more time. I went to Clementine again last night and had a blast. The upstairs was to busy to get a seat (no complaints there, I’m happy for them to see a crowd ) so I went and hug out downstairs. I immediately ran into friends and hung out with them while they waited for a table. If you haven’t been you may find that their hosts are even capable of making a wait fun (insert fruit here). After they got a table I was overjoyed to find out that my 22oz Grolsch was only 3.90 after tax. Not bad at all. I am looking hoping that they will be able to start serving at least appetizers downstairs in the near future (maybe better that I didn’t eat at 11 o’clock at night but I would have spent the money if I were given the opportunity).

Comment from danno
Time: February 17, 2008, 9:26 am

Maybe put coat racks in front of the bar stools (not complaining, I just had my coat on my lap for a couple hours). The bar downstairs was really busy last night. A lot of the beer in the fridge was cleaned out when I left, so it was good to see that they were selling. Dave is right, good times and good people.

Comment from AC
Time: February 17, 2008, 7:07 pm

Danno ~ there are hooks under the upstairs bar for your coat or bag ; )

Comment from danno
Time: February 18, 2008, 12:07 pm

That’s cool, I just didn’t see them in the downstairs bar.

Comment from fuzzwell
Time: February 18, 2008, 3:09 pm

We had a nice time downstairs on Friday night. Neat folks, good beer, nice atmosphere.

I’m a fan.

Comment from seth
Time: February 19, 2008, 2:17 pm

insert fruit where?

Comment from jason
Time: February 19, 2008, 10:20 pm

I went to clementine’s and i couldn’t believe that i was in h’burg. It was great. The menu was so very diff to other places in town. It was simple but gourmet like. You’re right the bathrooms were amazing,love the deco. It seemed tight in the platform area. The water on the table is very classy. The portion varies on what you’re ordering, I had a wrap and it wasn’t smaller than most wraps i’ve seen. The bistro steak on the other hand is smaller portioned than most plates but it was delicious and we had foccacia starters and soup so i was thankful that the steak wasn’t humongeous. First time I went to Clem’s i spent less than 20 for an awesome beer, app, and a wrap and I couldn’t wait to go back and try another dish. Second time, i took bunch of friends and tried thier signature drinks, dark and stormy rocks by the way, apps, starters, dinners….we spent $300 and none of us complained about the food, service, and atmosphere. Then again, my girlfriend didn’t like the pita, she thought it was burnt but we told her it was just grilled… Does anyone know what kind of music they’ll have in the future.

Comment from Marty
Time: February 21, 2008, 9:55 am

It was alright; my fiancee loved it. I dig the beer selection and enjoyed the lounge downstairs for drinks while waiting for an available table.

I wasn’t a fan of being given a plastic pineapple and waiting for a hostess to come down to the lounge and yell “pineapple” to let me know my table was ready, though.

Food was good, small portions, but good. Prices were reasonable. I enjoyed my Delerium Tremens. I’m sure this won’t be the last time I have dinner there.

Comment from finnegan
Time: February 24, 2008, 12:13 pm

The Oscars will be on in the basement of Clementine this evening, starting at 8.

Pingback from hburgnews.com » Cally’s goes smoke free
Time: April 23, 2008, 9:54 am

[...] year ago, the Artful Dodger made the switch. This year, with the opening of Clementine and Blue Nile, smokeless bars downtown outnumber smoky bars almost 2 - [...]

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Time: October 3, 2008, 9:41 am

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Pingback from hburgnews.com » HburgNews - 2008 in Review
Time: December 31, 2008, 3:13 am

[...] in the downtown restaurant scene include the closing of Luigi’s, the opening of Clementine and Franklin’s, and the re-opening of Blue Nile as a new downtown hotspot. The Artful Dodger [...]