Lansing State Journal from Lansing, Michigan • Page 61

barspotliqht Evergreen Grill at BOTES) HDD HH3 QfflM KEVIN W. FOWLERFor the Lansing State Journal Arty atmosphere: Evergreen Grill bartender Holly Ewing serves (from left) Kate Morgan, Autumn Pettengill, Lauren Brown and Mike Gadola. The walls of the East Lansing restaurant-bar feature work by local artists. 1MT By Sarah Schmid 1 Mm, I 1 3 a 3 UQ 0 Go green Location: Evergreen Grill, 327 Abbott Road in East Lansing, 337-1200. Hours: 11 a.m.

to 11 p.m. Sunday through Friday and 10:30 a.m. to midnight Saturday. I Admission: Free. err Ml ltUlM MH Lansing State Journal A touch of class: After moving into downtown East Lansing for the summer, I realized I had two bars within close stumbling distance: Crunchy's and the Evergreen Grill.

(Yes, the Evergreen Grill is technically a restaurant, but there is a nice little bar inside.) "Let's see," I debated on the night of my first foray into my new neighborhood. "I can walk over to Crunchy's, wait in a seemingly terminable line, fight my way through the crowd to get to the bar, and choke down a bucket of lukewarm beer as the newly 21 yell, scream and generally mismanage their alcohol consumption all around me. Or I can walk right up the alley to the Evergreen Grill and have a nice glass of Pen-folds wine served by a charming bartender and enjoy Crab Fondue off the tapas menu." Seeing as I get my share of rowdy twenty-somethings in my apartment building, the choice was easy. Your own private ban We visited on two nights one that had a decent crowd thanks to the East Lansing Art Festival, and one on a quiet Monday, when it was just the four of us, the bartender and a Pistons playoff game on the lone TV screen. With such a small crowd (the bar only seats ill about 11), the bartender could afford to be very attentive.

Staffers told us the Evergreen can be crowded at seemingly slow times, such as a Tuesday night, if the devoted patrons who work at the Capitol stop in, and it can get quite lively. Light, airy atmosphere: The walls at the Evergreen are loaded with lovely pieces of local art. High ceilings with skylights and a bevy of plants also add to the inviting atmosphere. However, one bit of curious decor is the smattering of large bottles of wine dressed in little tuxedo shirts. Buyer beware: One of the most luscious-sounding appetizers on the tapas menu is the Seared Scallop with Caper Remoulade and Frisee Tossle for $7.

Yes, that is a single scallop, but the bartender assured us it was one heck of a scallop. If the tapas menu sounds a little too light for your taste, you can order anything off the regular menu including beef tenderloin served with Potatoes Dauphinoise and grilled asparagus at the bar. Best snide comment: Said by my one of my companions (OK, said by my dad), as he surveyed the empty bar surrounding us: "Pick-up factor zero." Reasons to go: It's a sophisticated place to take visiting parents or a date after a show at Wharton Center. The selection of libations is impressive, with plenty of superb wine selections and single-malt scotches. Best of all, it's on the edge of the student drinking district but maintains a breezy aura of maturity for instance, the bathrooms do not smell like vomit Contact Sarah Schmid at 267-1302 or sschmidlsj.com.

For past spotlights, visit www.lsj.com thingsmusicout Read John Schneider column on page one of Local State. Lansing State journal www.lsj.com 2 Smokiness factor outofiol Nice, high ceilings 3 Hook-up factor out of 10 Maybe the bartender is available? 2 Noise factor outofiol Quiet background music.