Most places proclaiming themselves a "Bar & Grill" are too neither-here-nor-there to succeed at either mission -- and despite their iconoclastic cheekiness, the same holds true for those labeling themselves "Grill & Bar". Aiming to transcend the typical B&G, Stone Elephant.

Just opened by a Lake Highlands construction don, Stone's elevating itself above standard neighborhood joints through two key hires, an ex-Charlie Palmer cook, and, to firm up the bar end, the original manager of Lee Harvey's; the gray & black space also sports a blacked-out stage, plentiful flat screens, a rock-slab bar matched by bar-height, gloss-slathered stone tables, a pool table/video game-equipped nook, and free-standing brick walls with holes smashed through (so they won't be freestanding for long). The Connecticut-raised chef's installing a hybrid home cooking/East Coast deli menu, currently highlighted by "Fried Elephant Tusks" (pickle spears w/ chipotle ranch dip), a "Ragin Cajun" blackened chicken sandwich, and an Original Vienna hot dog w/ queso & Shiner-tinged chili; by Halloween, the lineup'll be filled out with more dogs (from Chicago to bacon-wrapped), pastas like zucchini/pepperoni manicotti, and rotating specials like meatloaf, pot roast, and Guinness Fish 'N' Chips, thankfully not served head-on. The cocktail program's purposely no-nonsense, but cans and bottles strongly range from Schlitz/Michelob/PBR to Strongbow/Maredsous/Negra Modelo, with the daily 4-7pm happy hour featuring $3 wells, $2.50 domestics, and $2.75 imports, incentivizing you to become a Modelo citizen.

Watching parties for local sports teams'll be a regular event, and the stage'll host both karaoke nights and live tribute bands from Swan Song to LeCure -- who sound so much like the real thing, it'll give you the Chili's.

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Junk up your trunk at StoneElephant.com