Definitely going back for seconds!
Allow me to provide a compliment sandwich about my first visit to Forty B&G.
This is a new place, so everything was still shiny and new. The place was very clean, which is important when it comes to dining. Four of us went for my father's birthday and we had a very enjoyable experience. The food was top-notch, the service was good, and the ambience was unique (in a good way).
This may seem silly, but I enjoyed the flatware, glasses, and plates. I like over-sized knives - big enough to drive through a man's chest, albeit without the pointy tip. I ordered a 24 oz. draft beer and it came in a huge Ball canning glass. Maybe that's not your bag, but it's definitely mine. The coffee cups were clear and kinda square - definitely different.
We visited at a time that was expected to be slow (3:30-4:30), but people started filling in halfway through our meal. It wasn't busy, but I felt like our service could have been a little better. It's no fun when your server is intrusive, but it's terrible when you need something and they aren't to be found. I ordered a second beer when the entrees were served and wasn't sure it would arrive before we finished our meal. It did arrive, but I was beginning to wonder....
Otherwise, the service was very good. Our server was friendly, engaging, and knowledgeable, but she didn't seem to remember who ordered what when it looked like we were her only table at that point. Not a big deal, but so it goes.
The only other 'complaint' I could have had about the place was the menu. It was one page, front and back. There wasn't a wide range of options, but there was a little something for everyone. Perhaps once they have continued success down the line, which I feel is likely to happen, they will expand the menu.
Now for the coup de gravy, er... grace: the food.
We ordered the poutine appetizer after having previously tried it once at a different restaurant. If you don't know what it is, the simplest explanation is "fries with gravy". The gravy is only half of it, though. Melted curds top the fries and it becomes a gooey, wonderful mess. I would highly recommend the poutine.
Although it wasn't a menu staple, I ordered lobster bisque (the soup du jour). Of all non-seafood places I've ever visited, it may have been the best bisque I've had the pleasure of eating. There was real lobster in it, not langostios. Yum-o.
Our party ordered Pasta Aia, the Meatball Sandwich, the Cheesesteak sandwich, and Chicken Parmesan sandwich. The Chicken Parm was a daily special, but they should certainly put it on the menu. I up-charged to the Onion Rings and they were very good. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed their meals. The portions were fair - not too little, but not so large you needed a to-go bag.
Parking seems to accommodate @ 60 cars, but I could be very wrong about that. The bar area is separate from the dining area(s), which was also nice. I did not notice any overflow noise while we dined.
I don't get to the far side of Washington very often, but when I do, Forty will likely be my destination of choice.
PS - I checked in for the first time with Yelp! and received 5% off the food bill. Yay! read more