A
night at the Neighbors & Company Restaurant and Tavern in North
Haven
MARCH 4, 2006
Brian Gillie
You wouldn’t call
Washington Avenue/Route 5 in North Haven a “neighborhood” even
though, by comparison to the whiteknuckletrafficgrid world of Route
1 in Orange, Washington Street north of Route 91 is brighter,
cleaner, neater and safer with plenty of room to breathe. At night,
the bright lights from the expansive rows of car dealerships shed an
inviting, theme-park glow on the small, protected island properties
of mom and pop retailers. It’s unlikely that Neighbors & Company
Restaurant and Tavern would survive among the competitive chain
eateries on Route 1 Orange, but here, tucked casually and
confidently beside the wide boulevard and nearby farmland, this
quaint pub-paradise not only thrives, but lovingly lives up to its
claim as “a neighborhood gathering spot, extraordinaire.”
“Extraordinaire”
ain’t exactly on the business card; it’s what the regulars freely
add to the claim. It’s true! You can’t help but feel the “positive
vibe” as you enter the tavern to a comforting, dark-wood, exposed
timber, mountain lodge décor and the sound of a cue ball sinking
another winner. Turning the corner, the “hub” of the room beckons
and immediately sucks first-timers into its comfort vortex via the
magnetic pull of a mammoth brick fireplace and blazing fire that
would have the staff at Sturbridge Village drooling to load a pig on
the spit. But, there’s little time to fantasize about a Grizzly
Adams’ mountain retreat, for instead of a moose head peering back
from the mantle above the flames, it’s the confused portrait of
Seinfeld’s, Kramer, whose goofy presence reminds that, sometime
before this night is over, there is gonna be some serious partyin’
here.
An “internet
jukebox” hangs from the wall. It mimics the same multi-colored,
fluorescent border of the old Wurlitzer boxes of the ‘30s, but
instead of inserting a “buffalo,” you can download a tune for a buck
with your credit card, then listen to the muffled result through
ceiling speakers which compete unsuccessfully against the roar of
the fire, four TV screens behind the bar and the belly laughs from
the pool room. Other wall hangings include a photo gallery of
stars: Elvis, Bogie, James Dean and Marilyn Monroe, all bathed in
the glow of a neon, Budweiser guitar. I’m getting into a playful,
retro groove and have yet to perch on a stool.
Petite and
effervescent, our waitress, Dawn, takes our order, calls me “honey,”
and in short order returns with our wine and appetizers. My tender,
bacon-encased scallops are swimming in a delightful lemon-wine
sauce, and Lisa’s Onion Soup is served in a crock with enough tasty,
stringy cheese to keep the Sturbridge folks reminiscing over looms
and strands of wool.
Yes, on this cold
March night my friend, Lisa, has invited me to enjoy and evening
with oldies’ band, Noizy Boyz, featuring her 60ish, architect-by-day
friend, Jim Baldoni and three other similarly careered and graying
musicians: Joe Hamel, Mike DeMusis and David LaMontagne. In
describing the band Mike replies, “We’re eclectic, playing
everything from Jimmy Buffet to Jethro Tull. We simply try to
offend everyone.” Turns out this line-up has been together for
about two years, but part of the group used to be known as Nite
Flyte, playing regular gigs at The Chowder Pot in Branford. “We had
big hair back then,” says Mike, “Today, we’re lucky if we have any
hair worth noting.” He’s right, of course. Jim and I are both
members of the “walking matchstick” club.
Precisely at
9:21, the band lays into its first tune. By the look of them, I’m
not expecting much in the way of pop and circumstance, but the first
chords of Orleans’, “Let There Be Music,” make the hairs stand up in
the small of my neck; and is that the fire that suddenly seems to
singe my face? A wooly wave of music combustion suddenly trumps the
heat from Kramer’s inferno. These guys can PLAY! Magically, every
face in the room is sporting a tune-induced grin, heads begin to bob
and several women immediately stand to shake some booty. Drummer,
Mike, plays with a driving smack on the snare, a sizzling hi-hat and
pulsing bass drum, and his lead vocals and have the same, clear
tenor ring as Orleans’, Larry Hoppen. Jim’s lead guitar solo is
crisp and full of invention that does the original proud. Joe’s
rhythm guitar hits the chicken scratch funk on cue, and David’s bass
guitar fills the room with unrelenting, subway punch. The harmonies
are a bit ragged, but close enough to be endearing, and the
occasional mistake gives permission for even the tone-deaf to enter
the fray in sing-along bliss. The party is ON and we are all
definitely part of the band.
The set evolves
with Van Morrison’s, “Wild Night,” a rousing, sing-along rendition
of NRBQ’s, “Get Rhythm,” the Eagles’, “Tequila Sunrise,” The Boxtops,
“Soul Deep” and convincingly funky versions of “Knock On Wood,”
“Ain’t Too Proud To Beg” and “Runaway” that jack most of the women
back to their feet. Couples congest the dance floor with the band’s
sweet versions of The Dave Clark Five’s, “Because” and a dead ringer
intrumentalizing on Santo and Johnny’s, “Sleep Walk.”
“What! They
can’t do that,” I exclaim out loud, pounding my fist into a wayward
scallop, as they announce their next tune to be Pointer Sisters’,
“Fire.” Lisa gives me a befuddled look as we both try to imagine
four, matchstick white guys pulling off enough soul to even remotely
remind one of the Pointers’. The crowd suddenly hushes in uneasy
anticipation. Guess what? It works - with more chicken scratch
precision, electric lead invention and three-part harmonies that hit
the mark. But it is Mike’s heavy-foot, stomp-chug tempo that keeps
the groove solidly on track for a credible mustering of soul; funky
and memorable.
The repertoire
was indeed eclectic in this set that lasted over an hour. By the
time it ended, the place was packed and satisfied, Dawn was weaving
in and out like a running back, Kramer’s smile had broadened, and we
had all bonded as a community of enlightened souls and good
neighbors. Noizy Boyz had winningly provided the catalyst for a
warming of both room and friendships. Lisa and I agreed that we’d
return here for another round of Saturday night rejuvenation.
You can
experience the joy at Neighbors and Company at 630 Washington Avenue
in North Haven. They serve lunch and dinner, offer a late night
menu and provide catering for gatherings on and off the premises.
Call them at (203) 234-9111 for more information.
Visit
www.briangillie.com
|
