Welcome to this month’s edition of Dining Al Fresco, where we spotlight some of Fort Wayne’s locally owned restaurants offering an outdoor dining experience.
This week’s spotlight is Club Soda, an upscale restaurant and cocktail bar whose reputation precedes itself in this article. The restaurant is located on Superior Street in downtown Fort Wayne. The building itself gives a great first impression. The all brick, industrial façade of the old Indiana Textile Company building pairs well with the vintage-styled neon sign to really make Club Soda stand out. The industrial feeling carries through to the interior with brick walls and an open setting, complimented with white tablecloth placements and intimate lighting. An outdoor courtyard, as well as a second story, covered balcony offers some of the best summertime fine-dining in the city.
Club Soda offers a robust lunch and dinner menu with something special on every menu section. Lunchtime offers light soup, salad, or sandwich options as well as a few entrée’s for those with a more willing mid-day appetite. For dinner they offer impressive appetizers, including the Fort Wayne famous Smoked Gouda Dip, as well as a wide selection of entrée’s. Whether you are hungry for a perfectly cooked bone-in ribeye or sashimi grade tuna, Club Soda offers it prepared delicately by their skilled kitchen staff.
A night at Club Soda is not complete without sampling from their expert martini menu. Their martini list offers everything from fruity to the classic dry. They are expertly poured and even the menu notates shaken, not stirred. I can’t be more honest when I say that Club Soda is my favorite spot to satisfy a good martini craving. The bar also offers a great selection of beers for those who prefer it, from drafts to bottled imports, crafts, and yes, even domestics. And let’s not forget to mention their wine list, which comes paired with an educated server who is always very helpful when navigating it.
One of the best things, and my personal favorite keynote about Club Soda is the live music. Every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday expect to see some of the city’s best live acts from the Blues and Jazz genres. TheTodd Harrold Band nights are a must-not-miss evening!
Club Soda is a perfect fit for any occasion whether it’s a girl’s night out, celebrating an anniversary with that special someone, or just a mid-week dinner whim. As the summer dwindles, now is the time to get your reservations and enjoy Club Soda under the Fort Wayne stars!
Suggested Drink
Espresso Martini: Hands down my favorite martini. Did I say hands down? It’s freshly brewed espresso with a mix of hazelnut and vanilla vodka. Always the perfect pour. After typing that, I may head over to get one of my own!
Suggested Eat
Tuna Sashimi: Whether it’s the appetizer or the entrée, you have to try it. It’s light, which I love, and always delicious. It’s difficult for me to order anything else as long as that remains on the menu.
