Pikk's Tavern

I'm only giving it three stars instead of two because I had one good lunch experience here almost two years ago. A friend and I stopped by for some drinks and lunch during Valpo Homecoming 2011 and had a great time. I thought the ambiance was perfect- not divey but not overly highbrow- they poured stiff drinks and had good beers and the sandwich selections, including my fish tacos, were really interesting, well made and convenient. Cut to yesterday when my husband and I arranged to meet with some friends we had not seen in awhile after the Valpo b-ball game. We all arrived shortly before three and were seated immediately. Then I noticed that we were given the dinner menu. My husband asked when they switched to the dinner menu and the waiter said 3:00. (Later, when we discussed it with the host, he told us 2:30). Normally, I wouldn't care but the dinner menu at Pikk's has a dearth of sandwiches and is way too fancy for a bar. Also overpriced. This just isn't the kind of place where I would want to get a $27 entree. Sorry. Anyway, we did ask if we could order off the lunch menu, seeing as it was only 3:10 but were denied. OK, we were going to make the best of it and ordered drinks. Then I noticed the "Weekly Specials" on the menu and we decided to get an appetizer that looked interesting off of it while we pondered what else we were going to eat. The waiter (who by the way was really pretty dour and douchey), informed us that NONE of the specials listed on the menu were available. At all. Period. Are you kidding me??? I asked why we were given the menus in the first place if that was the case. He freaked and made the host/manager, Aaron, come over. Aaron was super cool, I'll admit. But he wasn't really able to answer our questions. He apologized for not informing us when we were seated that the specials were not available. But then we got conflicting stories as to why that was. One version was that they "just switched over the menu" and the second was that the chef had a "family emergency." I'm really not sure what the truth was, but both seemed pretty dubious. We asked again if we could order from the lunch menu (wouldn't sandwiches be easier to produce than non-existent specials?). Once again, we were denied. Aaron was very apologetic and offered to comp our drinks before we went elsewhere. We really appreciated that and took him up on it. After leaving a decent tip for the waiter who never returned, we put on our coats and were walking out the door when Aaron stopped us to say that as a gesture of good will, he had taken the liberty of ordering us a couple signature appetizers. He said he really wanted us to come back another time. So, we stayed for those- the fries and the hot pretzel. I have heard good things about the pretzel and it was very tasty. Did not try the fries but they looked good and our friends said they were. I would very definitely come back here-- for lunch. And I would also very definitely recommend that they consider lengthening the lunch time, particularly on weekends. I just don't know too many people who want $27 lamb shanks at 3pm after a basketball game. But maybe I'm the weirdo! Three stars for the past experience and Aaron's valiant efforts yesterday.

On the rocks. Take note: this is not a watered bourbon. How generous they are here!

Fancy bar in Valpo and I heard their lamb dish is good. Too bad I didn't get to try it cuz we already had dinner when we came here.

Fresh and homemade with just enough culinary creativity to separate Pikk's from the rest of the pack. Love the Friday lunch especially with the homemade soup.