Ross Isaac’s chef and owner Sean Keeley. PHOTO BY JOSEPH COPLEY
BEST CHEF Sean Keeley, Ross Isaac 1710 S. MacArthur Blvd., 744-7677 A consistent winner in the Best Chef category, Sean Keeley opened Ross Isaac after several years of best-chef-ing at other restaurants around town. Now owner and operator all in one, his work continues to rise to new levels. Keeley takes the art of cooking to a place of constant creation, truly raising the bar of creative cuisine to delightful heights. Other restaurants may pride themselves on “favorites” and “standbys,” but Sean and staff offer a refreshingly challenging menu that’s “new, fresh and changes daily with ingredients from local farmers.” Along with venerable entrees such as the Double Cut Pork Chop, Rack of Lamb, Ahi Tuna and Veggie Pasta, the classic, but ever-changing Ross Isaac menu includes interesting appetizers, tapas and sushi often paired with imaginatively marvelous martinis to make a meal and a night of it. Sounds like a recipe for savory success.
BEST BEER GARDEN Curve Inn 3219 S. Sixth St. Rd., Southern View, 529-5806 The Curve Inn has been around a long time and like many an old-timer just keeps getting better with age. When every joint in town tried to fabricate a beer garden to outwit the citywide, then statewide, public-places smoking ban (remember that?) a few years back, the Curve Inn took an extra step and made a special place of their out-of-doors space. And IT readers appreciate the effort as they made a preference loud and clear that the best beer garden around is at the Curve Inn. With plenty of room on several levels, easily accessible parking across the way and a consistent booking schedule of popular local bands every Friday evening, Amy and her top-notch staff created a pleasing place to be to accompany the above-standard libation selection and beyond-typical bar chow available at this local classic on the far Southside.