OVERALL: \nA higher-brow, alternative to it's cousin down the street (Meat & Potatoes) with inventive small plates, and a truly stellar selection of bourbon.\n\nSERVICE:\nGood, as expected for a place at this price point. Servers are friendly, attentive, and will bring you an iPad to browse their extensive bourbon list. We were seated at the bar while the rest of our party arrived and were seated as soon as our table was ready, so no complaints here.\n\nFOOD:\nI was here with a larger group (8 people) and would absolutely recommend doing it this way. Butcher and the Rye has a variety of small plates and the more people you have, the more you can try, without breaking the bank. Options run the gamut from French Onion soup, to sashimi, to pate, as well as more exotic game, like rabbit and quail. \n\nThe sashimi held its own against offerings from Umi or Penn Avenue Fish Company, and the ponzu sauce that came with it was different and delicious. On the meat front, the pate and pork terrine were tender and flavorful; the braised beef cheeks in the Shepherd's Pie and the flank steak were of high quality, but over seasoned. For a cheese course, we elected to have the baked camembert, which was forgettable, and would definitely have benefited from the addition of some honey. I did not sample, but heard good things from my fellow diners about the brussels sprouts and the mac n cheese. \n\nMy one general issue with the food was that a lot of it felt fussy and overcomplicated, with ingredients/garnishes/reductions for the sake of show rather than flavor. The quality of the ingredients is excellent, and I feel the food could stand on its own with fewer distractions. \n\nAMBIENCE:\nButcher and the Rye has a lovely rustic, yet modern/trendy feel to it, with a juxtaposition of wood and metal. The wall of bourbon is a focal point in the main area and wooden benches add a welcoming country kitchen feel. The semi-private room at the front is bounded by floor to ceiling windows. If it's cold out, it can get pretty chilly, so plan accordingly.\n\nFINAL VERDICT:\nSkip it if you are a picky eater, but for those with an adventurous palate, it's definitely worth a visit.