Freestone's Bar and Grill

The fourth bar on the Barflies' hit list. Disclaimer: Mr. Draft has a long relationship with Freestone's, as he started going there when it first opened over twenty-five years ago, when Mr. Draft was an impressionable young art student. Mr. Draft brought a number of art-school hotties there with hopes of impressing them with his good taste. Sometimes it worked, more often it didn't. Mr. Draft enjoyed many evenings there with friends. Mr. Draft had a post-college graduation dinner there with his parents. Mr. Draft spent many Saturday afternoons there, nursing martinis, reading the New York Times, and swapping jokes with Norm the bartender. Mr. Draft first date with the future Mrs. Draft was at Freestone's. When Mr. Draft moved away to Vermont, and returned to New Bedford for periodic visits, he always visited Freestone's, usually with wife and offspring in tow. Mr. Draft loved the Syrian nachos, the stuffed quahogs, the cheese fondue, the carrot cake...

But now, when Mr. Draft visits Freestone's, he feels as if he is visiting a dear, old friend...that is not doing very well. The decor, which seemed vibrant and exciting and sophisticated in the early 80's now seems...dated...and stale. The food is not what it was...even my old stand-by- the aforementioned Syrian nachos- were over-cooked and unappetizing. A change of ownership is probably partly to blame, but it seemed like it was growing old even when the original owners were still there. It may be that New Bedford has so many more interesting options than it did back in '84 when Freestone's was a hotspot. Or maybe, it's just tired.

The draft selection is good (not excellent) and the staff is as hospitable as always, but until Freeestone's takes a leap forward, and shakes up the menu and brings the decor into this century, I can only give rate it a 6. I want my dear, old friend to get better...

And, yeah, the Sam Adams was fine.