Tasting Intown: Field Day in Old Fourth Ward

By Jacob Nguyen

The first thing you notice about Field Day is the cozy interior with its 1970s color scheme and eclectic décor that also describes the menu that includes a little bit of everything. Located in the former Across the Street Mexican restaurant, the new eatery is on a busy corner in the Old Fourth Ward that also includes Highland Bakery, Chef’d Up and Umai Sushi & Noodles.

When I visited with a friend on a cold Thursday night in February, we didn’t arrive until almost 9 p.m. and the restaurant was not quite full. The dayglow orange formica tables in each corner, the plastic green chairs and the fun racing stripes on the windows give the restaurant a casual feel.

The menu has 18 items to choose from such as duck and citrus salad, steak tartare, grilled cheese, chicken yakitori roll, steak frites, clam clowder, and two different burgers. There’s also a separate menu just for the cocktails and in the warmer weather there is an outdoor bar and patio space.

I decided to order the brisket potato ($12), which was a basic baked potato that came stuffed with shredded barbecue brisket, crème fraiche, cheese and scallions. The combination of flavors was good and the brisket was very tender and flavorfully smoked, but I wish there had been more of it. I also ordered the crab dip ($8), which has an interesting presentation. The lump crab mixed with pickled celery, dill and new bay is served in small blue jar on a plate with thick, buttered toast. I don’t know if this was meant to be shared, but it was barely enough for one person. It was delicious, however, and the mix of crab on the toast offered plenty of texture and flavor.

My friend got the classic burger ($12), which is a single patty with Tillamook cheddar cheese and “champ sauce” on sesame seed bun. When my friend asked what the sauce was, the server described it as Field Day’s version of McDonald’s Big Mac sauce. The burger was small and basic and while it was cooked medium as ordered, my friend described it as nothing special and overpriced. French fries were $4 extra, which even I thought was excessive.

The bill for the evening with tax and gratuity was $50, which just seems high for a small, neighborhood place. I wouldn’t call Field Day a “destination” restaurant that people will drive miles to eat at when they can get something comparable and for less in their own backyard.

My guess is that Field Day is a fun spot to hang out and have drinks with friends on warm spring and summer nights when the patio is open. I’ll probably go back and try it, but I might skip dinner.

Field Day is located at 668 Highland Ave. and is open from 5 p.m. to midnight (1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays) for dinner. For more information, visit fielddayeveryday.com.