I haven’t been this excited about Friday nights since T.G.I.F launched in 1989 – and I lived for that program. For the last many, many years, every Friday night I worked a 3pm-10pm kitchen shift at Shirt Factory. While I didn’t necessarily mind it when Scott and I were flying solo as a couple, once Roux arrived on the scene it meant the boys were at home together while I worked. Scott took most Saturday night shifts at the bar so I could stay with the baby, and then Sundays we relied on the support of our family so we could both work brunch. The last two years with Roux, I dreaded Friday nights away from them.

Not anymore.

Now Fridays mean family adventures – whether it’s a home date with take-out pizza or a trip to the city to hit the zoo before exploring a new-to-us restaurant. Fridays mean something again, and maybe in more ways than ever before. We now have this vivacious 2-year old who is – at his core – a legit foodie. Homemade pesto? Sign him up. Spicy aioli on his roasted cauliflower? Mm hmm. Peppers straight off the plant in the garden? He’ll take one for now and one for the road. Give him any opportunity to try something new and he’s game. Which means that DC Minute date nights are about to launch into high gear…

Last Friday night we finally made it to a spot that has been on our bucket list since we moved home (ummm 6 years ago…) We tried to stop 2 other times – once we got to the door and we found a sign saying closed for a private event, and the other time I believe was a miscommunication on our end about their hours. Either way – we’ve been dying to go. We had tickets for the Botanical Garden’s “Creatures after Dark” at 7pm, so we arrived promptly at Hydraulic Hearth right at 5 o’clock – and SO glad we did.

Within 10 minutes, the entire place was full with a line 15 feet long at the bar to order. How we scored the most perfect window table before the onslaught was sheer dumb luck. To add a bit of character to the scene, it was a revolving door of Shania Twain concert-goers, which meant Roux got his fill of rhinestones, cowboy hats, and boots. Or, just another day in Buffalo, am I right?

Scott and I have always, since our earliest DC Minute days, judged a restaurant on a trifecta of criteria: atmosphere, service, and quality. One can lack a bit in one area, but be more than made up by an abundance in another area. A mediocre meal can be made the most memorable night ever with the right server, or the right atmosphere can save when staff are running ragged after a busy night.

I’m pleased to say that Hydraulic Hearth NAILED all three of our criteria. What I actually love about it is that oddly enough, Shirt Factory also has the same concept – seat yourself, order at the bar when you’re ready. No table service aside from meal delivery, and that arrangement has always made me feel more relaxed. No one is staring at your water consumption, following your progress through appetizers (I’m actually thinking this didn’t bother me as much until I just started writing about it…) you are simply invited to make yourself a part of the space and relish at your leisure.

With that being said, our interactions with the staff were lovely – the host saw Roux sitting in an oversized dining chair and motioned to me, subtly asking if he could get us a highchair (thank you sir!!!). Big win. All of the servers who delivered food were attentive and swift (food came out incredibly fast even when it was slammed) and those behind the bar were doing a lovely dance as the place grew busier by the minute.

We had one drink each (responsible parenting/driving, of course) and the drinks were good – mine was the clear winner of the two – I had Fall Far and Scott had Smoke and Mirrors #2, but we felt mine just had an ease and balance to it, though Scott did enjoy his. I guess if anything has changed since our DC dining days, it’s our knowledge of cocktails. ;) But to each his own and everyone has a different palate, so it’s important to always keep an open mind and take suggestions with a grain of salt.

The food? Incredible. I’ll say the one thing I noticed was that everything was a bit dialed up on the heat. I LOVE spice, the more the better. Roux loves spice too, but I was concerned momentarily that the Tabasco ketchup that came with the fries might be too much – rather, Roux licked it clean.

Of course we had pizza (the Hot Honey), and in another universe where Scott loves mushrooms, I think I would order differently so that I could get the Pesto Genovese. The standout item for me was the Crispy Cauliflower (definitely an easy pick for the table) and the Banana Pepper Dip was great, but made even better by the accompanying pita. All of this to say – I was beyond stuffed when we left and stayed that way for the better part of 24 hours.

The most important part of the experience? Feeling like the luckiest woman in the entire world looking across the table at my handsome husband and our incredible baby boy. We get to do this. We get to choose our weekends again, create memories from impromptu adventures and experience new places together. For those of you reading this in the industry who have forgotten what the term “weekend” means, we see you. And for the parents out there who are exhausted beyond belief and can’t imagine getting the energy on a Friday to go on a family date – do it. Life is short, time to make the most of it. Every Minute.

xo, Alix