The Automatic and Lamplighter Finally

After watching the fabulous La La Land at the Kendall Theater we headed over to The Automatic.  The Automatic recently opened up on Hampshire Street, near Kendall.  I watched the evolution of the restaurant on Facebook so I was definitely interested in checking it out.  After my cousin, who lives in Seattle, gave me the heads up about their blue margaritas I was even more interested.

We were lucky enough to get a table.  The space isn't huge but it's not small either.  The space is totally retro 60s, and reminds me something you would see in Palm Springs.  They nailed the decor.  The menu is eclectic but not off putting.  We got a few things to sample:  the chili, a nori skewer, pimento cheese, and the special of the night Greek gyro.  The pimento cheese was just so so but everything else was great.  The chili is more of a steak stew with chili flavors but deliciously warm with just the right amount of spice.  I could have drank the ponzu sauce that came with the chicken skewers, that's how delicious that was and the gyro was yummy!  My blue margarita was exactly what it should be and I loved that they also had mudslides on their menu~ hello patio drinks!  This place is definitely a great addition to that area and would be fun to go to with friends.

On our way home we decided to continue our quest to get into the new brewery that opened near us, Lamplighter.  We had tried, unsuccessfully, a few times prior and not been able to get in.  Much to our delight, there was no line and we were able to check this place out.  I love what they have done with their space.  It's not the super casual space that Aeronaut, Slumbrew, and Night Shift (which I love) are but it's totally not stuffy either.  There's soft lighting, a black, white, gray, and light blue color scheme with natural wood and white painted exposed brick.   During the morning and afternoon the space is home to a coffee and waffle shop so I think that's why they went in the direction they did with the decor.  It really works.  We got a flight so we could taste a bunch of different beers and they were all really good.  Some of them were a bit strong, and usually I don't like to drink stronger beers, but these were very smooth and drinkable.