Cock and Bull has been in the Lakewood area for many years and has gone through several owners.  It is a neighborhood bar but also serves non-bar food in the evenings and for weekend brunch.  Prices on the menu are very reasonable and they also offer a few nightly specials, two of which on the night we were there, were beef tenderloin preparations for $32 – so it could become a more moderately priced option.  They have a full bar but limited wines however on Wednesday night wines by the glass are 1/2 price and that makes them quite a deal.  Tables are set with nothing but lists of wine and cocktails and the flatware comes wrapped in 2 paper napkins.  Music plays in the background but the noise level was not bad however there were also lots of empty tables.  Service by the bartender was friendly, efficient and she was also willing to help with choosing menu items.

 

We started with an order of the spinach artichoke dip to go with our martinis.  Generally this  item comes with pita bread but our server suggested she preferred it with corn tortilla chips and that was a good call.  It was served warm and you almost tasted more artichoke than spinach.  It had a nice consistency and the chips were able to scoop it without breaking.  It was a perfect amount to share and tasty.

 

For an entrée we had the veal and mushroom meatloaf.  It was sliced, then browned on a griddle and topped with a bit of tomato sauce.  It was served with truffle white cheddar mac and cheese and haricot vert.  The mac and cheese was nicely runny and the pasta was perfectly al dente.  The haricot vert were crisp yet cooked but not bursting with green bean flavor.  The browning of the meatloaf was a nice touch to add a bit of crispiness to the slice.  It was a tad salty but that worked fine when mixed together with the mac and cheese.  It was a tasty plate of food for just $18.  Very satisfying.