The Bar At the Ambassador

I have had both lunch and dinner here and was never impressed. Thought we’d try it again with a group of friends for dinner and that was a big mistake. Our waiter showed up to the table after about ten minutes dripping in sweat. After he took a towel from his pants and wiped his face he asked what we wanted to drink. Granted he was very busy, but there were 3 other employees just standing around doing nothing at all. The waiter went back behind the bar to make our drinks himself even though the bartender was doing nothing but talking to a friend at the end of the bar. Trying to order dinner was something else, my friend ordered the jambalaya and the waiter said, No you won’t, pick something else we’re out. That summed up the evening. They were out of several dinner items including a house wine. The dinners came out in shifts with several minutes between deliveries. (there was only 6 of us) They food was warm at best. Myself and the friends I brought decided we wouldn’t be back. The best thing I can say about the place, the drinks were good.

Visited this week for the first time, when I met a friend here for lunch. The atmosphere is pretty cool and the history of the Ambassador Hotel is pretty cool.
The food was not very good though. I ordered the Shrimp Po Boy sandwich. What arrived was four, whole fried shrimp on a grocery store bought hoagie roll. There were a few pieces of shredded lettuce and about ¹⁄₁₂ of a tomato on the side. Am I wrong or is a po boy supposed to be a little bit more than fried shrimp on bread?
This seems to be a place that is better suited to a drink after work than a destination to get a meal. There are probably fifty better places to eat within a half mile of this place. Go for a drink, but not much else.

We’ve been meaning to try this place and I was able to stop in recently for a beer.
The car’s dash read 99 degrees outside and it was probably only about 10 degrees cooler inside. I asked if their AC was broken and the bartender just laughed and said «how do you think I feel having to work in it?»
The draft beer selection was OK but as another review said, they need more local brews. I had a Stella for five bucks. I was sweating while sitting there drinking it so I decided to just have one and leave. Yes, yes, I know what you’re thinking: «You’re a big guy. Big guys sweat.» True, but this would have been unusual even for Shaquille O’Neal.
I’m sure we’ll be in here again sometime but there are other places that will probably be higher on the list.

Alright I typically don’t write negative reviews but I had to on this one. A group of us we’re planning a nice First Friday Art Crawl so we thought what better place to start at would be at the Amabassador. I thought things were going in the right direction when the bartender said they had Goose Island Summer Ale on tap. Great… then the bottom fell out. We ordered… I had the rice and beans appetizer which was like a half scoop of ice cream. Come on it’s rice and beans people… give me some food. It’s not like it’s rice and cracked crab. On top of that it wasn’t tasty at all. Then I tasted our friends shrimp app. It was basically shrimp saturated in hot sauce. Folks… Noolans food is about spice, hotness, and the right balance to bring out the flavor of the meat/​food. You might be able to fool some Midwesterns that this is from New Orleans, but not this savvy NOLA veteran. It was way off. On top of that it took our waiter and food forever. I wouldn’t have been too upset but we were the only people there. I think the staff might have taken off early for the holiday. That being said the Ambassador won’t be my destination for Noolans food or a cold adult beverage. I just hope my old girlfriend Yatz will take me back.

The Bar at Ambassador is unfortunately hit-​or-​miss. I’ve been in some nights and had amazing food and service, and other times the food has been questionable and it’s been too loud. Not sure if they’re changing management or chefs frequently, but it’s never a sure bet. Also, they have a tendency to run out of great local beers like Sun King and Flat 12. Gotta have those!

Oh the Bar, why did you not have Sun King? I was really in the mood for some Fresh*Local*Beer from Sun King and they were out! I asked what was on tap, selected a Bells Oberon. It too was out! BLAST! Upland Wheat? Dry! I got a flat 12 porter. It was ok, not what I was in the mood for. OH well.
I got the surf and turf special. It was a little over priced for a special. Especially when she came back and mentioned it would be $ 5 more than what was on the table tent because I wanted the filet over the prime rib.
The dinner was good, but not great. I’ll have to try it again when Sun King is back in stock.

I’d skip it. It was Fat Tuesday 2011 and the owner was behind the bar, drunk and soliciting the only remaining female customer for a peek under her blouse in exchange for the customary beads. Then he became confrontational when he overheard my negative feedback regarding my food order, the poorest po-​boy ever made. I’ve been to goat races and world fairs and this place was the worst dinning experiences I’ve ever had. No love in the food. No love at the bar. And yes… I got bounced.

I took a group of five there on a Thursday night and we were literally the only food customers. After eating I could see why. First, the bread was stale tasteless white bread, next the jambalaya was just rice and red sauce, none of the sausage or shrimp as advertised. The entrees were delivered right on top of the salads, and the salads were poor quality. This is nothing like actual cajun food and I was embarrased to have made this choice for my friends.

Heartbreaking. This is how I describe our most recent experience at The Bar. I compare this to my first girlfriend breaking up with me, just devastating. The Bar and I had a great relationship. The food was wonderful, beer was great and prices were absolutely reasonable. I have been to The Bar several times and for the most part it was an above average experience. Then comes the break up part…
Our most recent experience was, for a lack of a better term, atrocious. We stopped in the bar last Friday around 9:30pm. We wanted to get a bite to eat and a drink. The service was lackluster at best (more to come on why). We inquired about the soup d’jour and found it was a soup that had taken off the menu (corn chowder) so we were delighted. The soup came out not tasting the same as our previous experiences. We ordered our entrées, my wife ordering the jambalaya (which we were happy was added to the menu permanently (could not figure out why it took so long to add such a staple of canjun food to the menu of a canjun restaurant) and I ordered the fried shrimp po boy. I have to admit that my po boy was pretty decent, however, my wifes jambalaya was nothing like it was in past.
Then the drama happens. Which turned out to be why our service was lackluster. It was around 10:15pm when one of the servers, yes SERVERS, was absolutely tanked and demanding her car keys to drive home. All of the other servers, including ours, and the manager/​owner were trying to talk her out of driving home. Several cuss words ensued and doors slamming. I was absolutely embarrassed for this restaurant. Here is where the heart break sets in since I had a love affair with this place since its opening. I was devastated watching all of this drama develop in front of our eyes. The whole place cleared out with the exception of us since we needed to finish our meal. We sadly asked for the check so we could leave as soon as we completed our meal.
I understand now that the chef (who we loved) and owner couldn’t come to an agreement and decided to split ways. I understand the new chef needs some time to get up to par, however, from our understanding it has been a few weeks to month since the separation which is plenty of time to get things back in order.
As we were leaving the bar the manager/​owner (who had obviously been drinking a while himself) came up to us to apologize. It went something like this…“I apologize guys. Please come back to see us again sometime. This type of stuff happens in the booze business”. I could maybe understand if it was a patron, however, it was a SERVER and it was only 10:15pm. Sad.
We always try and support the mom and pop restaurants in town. I was more than happy to support this one until our recent experience. Just like getting over my first girlfriend breaking up with me… this one is going to take a while.

I’ve been three times now, but the third was the charm. Previously drinks and food were just OK. I’m in New Orleans all the time, and I assure everyone, their food would certainly not pass muster there. It’s alright… just alright. Salty, reasonably priced.
The drinks are certainly strong, and yes, unique enough for Indy; however, it’s true, everytime you return, the drinks are mixed and tasted COMPLETELY differently. I always get the Sazerac, and it scales from dry and pungent to syrupy sweet and salty… yeah, salty.
But, the third time having gone on a Saturday night, we were utterly ignored. The barkeep dropped by to take and deliver one drink and food order, of which we saw the drinks, but NEVER the food. Lots and lots of food flew by us, but never ours. He said once dropping by they were slammed, but gave no ETA for the food. Finally caught a server 57 minutes later (no exageration), and she emphatically ensured me it’d be but a few minutes. She never retured, instead went to fraternize with her other servers. Needless to say, we left enraged and hungry.
Just another much anticipated but poorly executed local operation. Sad, because I live downtown. Try again. Merci.

Just visited this place for a friend’s birthday, and extremely disappointed! I have never been to a bar/​restaurant with such horrible service. Within 3 hours, out of 12 people who ordered food only 4 people actually received their orders. The waiter kept insisting that our food would be out in a few minutes but never came! Not one staff member took the time to apologize or give a legitimate reason for why we never received our orders. Would never recommend this place to any one!

I’m glad this place is a stumble away from home, but The Bar needs to up its mixological game. Indy’s got some places doing some pretty delectable classic cocktails these days – The Ball & Biscuit, The Brass Ring, Imbibe, to name a few – so the competition is stiff.
On both visits The Bar, I had a rum and grapefruit juice cocktail called the Hemingway because: a) grapefruit juice and b) HEMINGWAY. However, it was different each time and neither tasted quite right. My cohorts’ drinks had the same quality – they were just kind of off, though not terrible.
The Bar’s cocktails mostly have a New Orleans theme – a vestige, I imagine, of their aborted partnership with Yats. The décor is supposed to reflect the same ambiance, but the black painted walls, black vinyl booths and cheap black tables didn’t totally do it for me. I expected something a shade more elegant in one of the most gorgeous historic buildings downtown.
I know I sound pretty meh on this enterprise, but I do think it has a lot of potential. The staff is exceptionally friendly and the drink list does add a few unique options to Indy’s fancy cocktail landscape. And, hell, it’s a bar between the library and my house! I can’t argue with that.

I really had no idea what to expect at The Bar at the Ambassador. Let’s just say I was pleasantly surprised. The only negative thing happened as soon as we entered. We waiting nearly five minutes before someone saw us and seated us. With that being said, when they did get to us, they were so nice and very apologetic. The host sat us at a nice cozy little booth. After we were seated our waitress asked us to move because a larger party was coming in to the restaurant. She moved us to the same booth on the other side of the bar and bought us all a round of drinks for moving. She didn’t have to do that. She had recommendations for us and told us what she enjoyed on the menu. I really appreciate when the wait staff are knowledgeable about their menu and drink list. The service was fast and the entrees were inexpensive. The cocktails are a little bit pricier, but it totally won’t break the bank. Overall, great experience here with a great staff and fun entrée items. It seems like it can get crowded, which is fun to see for a newer venue.

Love! Love! this place! cozy atmosphere, Great food! Ask for Jessie, she’s a doll! Wonderful personality and fab service! I went here with my Hot Man and we really enjoyed our visit! For starters we had; pepper butter shrimp, texas toast next mixed baby greens & tomatoes main dish I had the grilled marinated flank steak with whiskey peppercorn sauce, mashed potatoes and sauteed vegetables. The Hot Man had pasta primavera tossed with fresh vegetables and alfredo sauce. Lat but not least we shared the bread pudding with hot carmel sauce! Yummy, we shared everything and it was All Great! The price was right too! Next time We go we’re going to try the jumbo lump crab cake with remoulade sauce, red beans and rice with smoked ham & either smoked or hot sausage with potato salad or house slaw just too many choices! and for dessert we’ll try, with high rec commendations the pilar’s mud pie, chocolate cake filled wit chocolate syrup andcarmel sauce, whipped cream and a cherry on top! Maybe we’ll have that first! When you tell Jessie «Brenda says Hello!» Enjoy…

Memory 1: Oh the place that’s suppose to be Bar Yats
Memory 2: Oh the place that’s not Bar Yats
Memory 3: Oh the place that had a Santa leaning up against the wall hitting on a Blonde
The Then Reality: Oh the place that’s new that has entrees at $ 8.
Oh. Okay. I can get into this. I’ll admit it: I avoided this place based solely on it not being the Bar Yats it was planning on being — because, well, I’m pretty committed to supporting Yats as really one of Indy’s top five commodities that the rest of America might just care about. So, finally, the cards were dealt in just-​the-​right-​way for us to visit The Bar at The Ambassador.
Classy joint. Oh, well, despite the view of the Ambassador lobby past the bar where you can watch residents schlep up laundry. And, then, there’s Miss March 1964 centerfold above the urinal — not. that. classy. However, I don’t need everything as classy as it can get — especially if it’s quirky like seeing laundry schlepping.
So. I don’t think I’ve ever been greeted by a rather large gentlemen just sitting at the bar. And, now I have. And, I feel like more of a man than before, more Joe Pesci than Spider. Especially since that place has dark booths and dim red lighting and red leather.
There’s just something fun about being plebeian and out-​of-​touch or place, and existing in a place that’s wanting so bad to be really classy. It’s dark, dim, masculine décor and the waiter is in all black, shirt & tie, same as the bartender, and everyone sitting at the bar looks like construction workers. And, well, I probably look like a dock worker, too. That’s what the upper middle class is all about though, isn’t it?
Special: Oyster po’ boy. In! French roll, butter, oysters individually deep fried & served with marinara & lemon. Fries with a glass bottle of 57 on the table (this may sound average… it’s not). Here in Indy, Red Tomato rules the local roost, so a bottle of Heinz is a real treat.
I could sit here all night. I don’t care when my order comes. Our waiter was far more concerned that he’s on time. I don’t care. I’m hoping we sit here long enough that mafiosos show up, that a jazz band sets up, that the construction workers at the bar turn into people that would use cigarette holders.
Alas… the night winds down; not before, the food was remarkably good but simple (including the stewed turkey sandie my LP had, the crab cake in December in Indy was fulfilling).
A classic muffaletta is on the menu. A midday muffaletta is in order! I’ll be back!

Looking for wow factor? Try the red beans and rice, it really is as good as it gets! The muffaletta sandwich is also fantastic. Great relaxed lounge atmosphere, awesome cajun food, and friendly service!