The rain was relentless, but that didn’t discourage me from the marvelous plans I had. The evening would begin at Split-Rail, followed by an opening reception for Overbite Studio at the Martin. It’s so convenient that both venues are in the same building. I was immediately attracted to the structure, and it photographs nicely even in the rain. I fancy the gray walls paired with black accents and vintage rustic lighting.

A cozy sitting area at Split-Rail

A great first impression

I felt extra safe going to these venues since vaccination is required (don’t forget your vax card). I have nothing but admiration for businesses that go the extra mile to keep their employees and customers safe. I was also impressed to learn that the restaurant and art gallery are female and LGBT-owned. On top of that, they are business and life partners. What an incredible story!

Delicious food and drinks

I originally planned to order the Spicy Caesar Salad but changed my mind after seeing the Grilled Dinosaur Kale on the menu. Admittedly, this is the best kale dish I have ever had (it’s dino-mite!). The kale is grilled and tossed with Valbreso feta, yellow onion, and lemon. While hard to believe, I wasn’t in the mood for beer. A Movin’ to the Country cocktail was a good choice, made with peach-infused vodka, basil, lemon, and chamomile. My drink was just as yummy as the food.

Ready to meet Mary

It was time to head next door to the opening reception of “The Watcher,” a solo exhibition by Mary Fedorowski of Overbite Studio. I arrived the minute it started to take photos while hoping to catch Mary to say hello. I have been a fan of her work for a while now, so I was excited.

It was wonderful to see so much of her gorgeous art up close. I love her color choices and use of shapes. And, I think the landscapes are SO dreamy. Mark your calendar for the closing reception on November 13th from 6-9 pm. You can RSVP to the event here.

An art gallery for the people

The Martin is such a cool space and ideal for art shows. I appreciate the exposed ceiling and hanging light bulb fixtures, perfect for displaying artwork underneath. Whitney LaMora, curator and founder, gives emerging artists top priority here. The gallery can host just about any type of event including performances and private dinners. Do you have an idea? Ask away!

The West Town neighborhood is fortunate to have these two businesses. The gallery and restaurant are ADA accessible, including the restrooms. I can’t recommend Split-Rail and the Martin enough, and I look forward to another social call soon.