Review 2 - Chamberlain's Cigar Room - Addison, Texas

If you review the website, you're left with the impression of a room as part of a steak house. Arriving in the parking lot, with an abundance of valet parking, your thought is not challenged - then it catches you - the sign for the restaurant is blazing for all to see on Belt Line, but around the corner is its own dedicated sign for the Cigar Bar with its own entrance. Personally, I had pictured having to burst past the wait staff to get to the cigar lounge part of the business. Luckily, I was wrong - dead wrong...

Welcomed by piano playing music we had a reserved table and good thing we did, otherwise no dice, room filled. We wouldn't normally focus on the crowd in the place, but it does strike you as the after dinner, have a cigar and a port kind of crowd with the occasional trophy wife. After a period of time it will also strike you as a place with serious regulars, easily half the crowd. The cigar display is surrounded by lockers; however, there are only 12 lockers total, with ego plates to mark their space. I can't say this would be my destination if my only goal was to enjoy a smoke, but absolutely would be a welcome spot after a nice meal. Since this is a cigar review, our focus was not on the(a) meal, so we didn't have dinner beforehand. Wish we had, or more to the point, our next visit will include the steak before. Maybe with some trophy wives... wait - jk - R E L A X, we're all happily married.

We had a chance to meet Christine, the manager of the room. Energetic, passionate and a surprise to see her and her staff of women provide top notch service. I only mention it because my vision of a cigar establishment is enshrined by the elderly gentleman sitting behind the counter with the facial expression of "this is my life - how could it get any better". Personally, the best service is a service that doesn't stand out or raise concern. Sounds easy, but it takes tremendous attention to pull it off. I can't stand a staff who asks every 5 minutes, nor doesn't ask at all. Almost felt like baby bear, in that, it was just right.


Anyway... Christine, has been managing a cigar room for 12 years, having started at Del Frisco's in Addison. She moved to Chamberlin's 5 years ago, because of the smoking laws (see, we knew the smoking laws were having their effects on establishments - time to return to Grapevine for a second discussion with Tom). Turns out Chamberlin's is tucked into the most western part of Addison not affected by the smoking ban in Dallas. It's hard to describe, but her quick pace of talk with energy to boot spoke volumes as to her commitment to the cigar bar. Why would someone move from Del Frisco's to Chamberlain's simply to manage a cigar bar? The answer was surprising. Community. She had literally grown up with the regulars. She knew them, their wife’s, their children, successes in life, disappointments and achievements. She cares. It very apparent, even within a short conversation.

The Cigar Bar is open 7 days a week with a piano player Tuesday through Saturday. If you want a very quiet relaxing environment, Sunday and Monday are your days since those are the days without live music. The clear majority of encounters are business discussions. Unfortunately, they had the customary tv screens, two if I remember correctly. About the cigars, the selection was impressive, mostly top brands. The case was only 3 bays wide (see photo's), still you can have a lot of choices available from the cigar menu. The prices of the cigars reflected the attachment to an eatery. Meaning, if you want ambiance on a budget, bring your own. We did order one appetizer, a lobster deviled egg. Very unique, very delicious and topped with bacon – how can you go wrong with bacon?

We had the pleasure of Dennis's company this evening. Dennis is the consummate gentleman. Literally, if you were to look up gentleman in the dictionary..., well you get the picture. Recently retired, kids grown and almost gone - his youngest is a senior at University. Trees trimmed, house in order and surprised his wife gladly pushed him out of the house for our event. Clearly, she married him for life, but not for lunch. He enjoyed an Ashton - Kevin's favorite. Dan had a Davidoff and remarked "It was one of the best cigars I have ever had". Yours truly had a Monte Cristo (Dominican) #2. When they draw, there awesome, but I must be a rookie, because after minutes it clogs. The only thing I know to do is to recut and enjoy the new draw. Makes me wonder, do I need a class on how to smoke a cigar?

Next up, Pop’s Safari in Ft Worth on the 16th. We’re looking forward to this one since Pop’s is near the top of several lists.