The historic Niles district has become a destination, all its own, with quaint antique stores, family-friendly treat shops and comfortable eateries all within a very walkable, several block strip. People young and a bit older can enjoy seeing the vintage train car, as well as restored, vintage vehicles parked hither skitter along the road.
Ambrose Butchery is now one of the eateries that's on my local favorites list. Their menu may change a bit with the seasons, but every ingredient used is fresh and wholesome. Located at 37683 Niles Blvd., it's steps away from an ice cream shop, so a sweet treat right after (or right before) a great meal can be easily accomplished.
https://www.ambrosebutchery.com/
Here are some of the things I've enjoyed.
Hilma Double Gulp Triple IPA. A refreshing beer by Omnipollo. I did not quite get the fries and burger notes that was suggested in the description. I did, however, detect a mildly sweet fruity aroma that finished clean. The zesty carbonation left a nice tingle in my mouth, and I would say this beer paired nicely with fried food.
Katherine's Vineyard Chardonnay. A full-bodied wine by Cambria in Santa Maria Valley. It was lightly tart, with notes of apple and a mildly floral, crisp finish. Very nice.
Pork Rillette. Perfectly seasoned, tender hand-chopped pork shoulder. This was slow cooked in its own fat with a bit of ginger and thyme. Not too gelatinous, excellent texture that was firm enough to slice but soft enough to spread on the crusty grilled bread. The fig preserve enhanced the savory flavor with a mild, earthy sweetness. I will definitely come back for this dish.
Fish & Chips. Fresh cod that was beer battered, fried until the interior was steaming and flaky and the exterior was golden and crispy. The fries still had a nice crunch and the dill tartar sauce and cornichons gave just enough acidic balance to each bite.
Kasekrainer & Mash. This was an Austrian-style pork sausage, soft but still snappy in texture with chunks of creamy, slightly oozy Emmenthaler cheese studded throughout. The whipped potatoes were buttery and light as a cloud and the sauerkraut and whole grain mustard tied everything together exceptionally well. If it was available, I would have bought a jar of the house-made grain mustard.
Tiramisu. A very nice finish to a delicious meal. This dessert was gently sweetened with Italian mascarpone, espresso-dipped lady fingers and fresh raspberries.
I will absolutely return to Niles for this restaurant and for a nice stroll through the antique shops afterwards. The quality of food and friendly service will bring me back time and again.
