Bartini is just about two months old and is one of a bunch of new businesses popping up at the Suncrest Towne Centre. It's marketing itself as a more high-end establishment focusing on martinis, of course, and higher end appetizers.

One thing it already has going for it is plenty of parking. And it's on a side of town that could use a bar. So, positives all around.

It seems as though its aiming for an older crowd: read "wealthier," but the volume at which they play music had me leaving almost instantly.

We walked through the inside and quickly discovered we wouldn't be able to talk to one another, so we made our way to the outside at one of the furthest points away from the band that was playing.

It is a classier atmosphere, free of sticky floors and other things you would see at many Morgantown bars, so that was good. I just wish I would've been able to talk loud enough over the band to express that sentiment to the two friends I was with.

I ordered a French martini, which was Titos vodka, raspberry liqueur and pineapple for $8. And it was fine. I think if it was colder and had more vodka, less raspberry, I would've been happier.

I also convinced my friends that we should order the grilled mac 'n cheese tomato soup shoots, which is grilled mac 'n cheese, Texas toast and shots of tomato soup. Could it get much more comfort food than that?

We were actually pretty full from dinner earlier, but I wasn't going to leave without trying some food. So,  when it came out, we just started at it for a second.

When I pulled a small triangular macaroni and cheese sandwiched between two buttered pieces of Texas toast, the soup nearly sucked half the sandwich back in. It was incredibly soggy. Either they had been sitting at the counter before they were delivered to us for a while, or the shelf life just isn't very long on those bad boys. If that's the case, they should really consider maybe placing the sandwiches in between the shot glasses or maybe lay the sandwiches on top. Something. Because the sog just wasn't cool.

But for the half of the sandwich that doesn't get soggy, it's not bad. This is something I could totally do at home and it's super marketable. Macaroni and cheese AND grilled cheese? Uh, duh. Who does this not sound good to?

I think it's better in theory than in practice. The macaroni and cheese itself is basic - if it were homemade, that could make this dish amazing. But otherwise it's Kraft on a sandwich, which is really more nostalgic and comforting than fantastic dining. Grilled cheese with some noodle.

So, while it is more of a novelty item, it's tasty, too. It could be kicked up a notch with some really good mac and cheese, though.

Bartini is open Tuesday through Thursday from 4 p.m. to midnight, and Friday and Saturday from 4 p.m. to 3 a.m. For more information on the Bartini, visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/bartini.







Grade: B