A good lounge may be my favorite place to dine out. Most fine dining restaurants of a certain age feature a lounge, physically separated from the dining room. It is a place where patrons can relax, have a cocktail, maybe a snack while waiting for their table to become available. I am perfectly happy to never leave. Usually less formal and fussy than the dining room, the best lounges feature their own menus based around snacks, appetizers, and sandwiches. The food is casual, but prepared by cooks skilled in fine dining. The result? A cheeseburger that tastes good, and that is really all I need.

My all-time favorite lounge experience was at the now-defunct Chefs on North Avenue. My wife, Lisa, and I would drop in when our good friend Jody was bartending. She would set our places at the bar by first laying out cloth napkins like miniature tablecloths. Glasses of wine would arrive and we would enjoy a casual dinner of good food and conversation. Sitting at the bar, one should never feel pressured to order an entrée. Anyway, sharing two or three appetizers is a much more interesting way to eat.

The Winery is an institution in Grand Junction. Located in a breezeway off of Main Street, from the moment you open the hand-carved front door it exudes an aura of understated luxury and red meat. For me, the quintessential Winery experience is martinis and a Primo platter in the lounge. By the way, a martini is made with G-I-N. Drink your vodka if you must, but do not pretend it’s a martini! And a Primo platter is a steamed artichoke with butter, sautéed mushrooms, and fried popcorn shrimp. Some things should never change.

Last Wednesday night, Lisa and I went to Garfield’s Off Broadway. I haven’t been in their dining room for years. The lounge is another story. Longtime GJ bartender Mary runs the bar with authority. Mary, as well as anyone, understands the very essence of hospitality. She also doesn’t take any dirt off of anyone. When you are on Mary’s turf mind your manners and show respect and you will do just fine.

Anyway, we ordered Sam Adams drafts because that is the Wednesday night $2 beer. (Tuesday is Newcastle, Thursday is Avalanche.) Mary delivered our drinks and asked us what sort of dinner we were in the mood for. Lisa mentioned the Wednesday night fried chicken special advertised in the window and Mary informed us that they really have it every night, which is fortunate. It can be difficult to match up a food mood with the right day of the week.

The fried chicken is skinless and crispy. The serving size is ample, as in a whole fried chicken. When you consider it comes with soup (a delicious seafood chowder) or salad; baked potato, French fries, or rice; gravy and vegetables for $14.95 it may be one of the best food deals in the area. Bankers, lawyers, and land men can have the dining rooms. I’ll be in the bar.