If Franz Ferdinand singer Alex Kapranos can pen a book on restaurants, Iggy Pop can demand fresh taramasalata on his rider, and Dave Grohl can freely admit to his love of “stinky cheese,” then perhaps a “rock n’ roll bar & eatery” isn't as ridiculous as it seems.
The Hideout attempts to be two things at once: 1) a showcase for local rock/blues bands and 2) a dining destination. The ambition is admirable and almost successful.

The lounge/bar area is certainly rock n’ roll, what with its comfortable black leather couches, a small stage, a giant plasma television broadcasting carnage, and a busy bar. The crowd varies, depending on the band playing, but consists mainly of people in bands, forming bands, formerly in bands or friends of the band. The vibe is friendly and the booze flows swiftly. Squeezing between the end of the bar and an abandoned upright piano one reaches the dining room tucked in the back. Tasteful black and white photographs of the rock n’ roll pantheon, Hendrix to Harry, stare down from the walls.

The main source of movement is pool playing and smoke sojourns. Since heroin-chic emaciation is as much a part of the rock star aesthetic as tattoos and black clothing, food sales are not apt to top bar sales.

However, both bartenders, without prompting, enthuse about the chef and menu. The food is well prepared and nicely presented but is, alas, not destination fare. With a Donegal Fisherman's Chowder ($8) billed as "market fresh fish and shellfish with a freshly baked cheddar scone," the menu emphasizes ingredients. A Triple Decker Club ($9) is composed of quality components and well executed, though it's still just glorified pub grub. The eager to please server apologizes that the fries will take a few minutes: the deep fryer has not been "fired up," as no one has ordered anything. The substituted salad, while healthy and crisp, is bland. Though not spectacular, the menu fills the requisite pre-pint/pre-performance sustenance need, despite not being a draw in and of itself. As the weather warms and the Hideout's expansive patio attracts a larger crowd, perhaps the busier kitchen will become more inventive. Already, the taro root nachos ($9) and Iranian flatbreads with white bean dip, hummus, and roasted red pepper ($8) are perfectly suited for al fresco dining and Queen West people watching.