Shore Leave - Ian's Pizza on the Hill, Rock Box, Hellbent Brewing Company

As our tens of readers may know, City Boy was deployed back to The Shit a few months ago.  From time to time, he gets a break from staying frosty and keeping his head on a swivel with some well deserved shore leave.  A recent trip back to the Emerald City took him and his favorite girl to a couple new places and an old favorite. 

Ian's Pizza on the Hill is a relatively new pizza by the slice locale that offers a range of interesting pies and a spacious, if a bit sterile, atmosphere.  Both our slices were tasty though the beer offerings left something to be desired.  The space is plenty roomy with an open kitchen along side the counter.  There's a handful of tables along with bar style seating along a wall and the front windows.  While wide open, it didn't offer much in way of atmosphere.  Though for a pizza by the slice place, eh, who cares?  As I said, the pie was plenty alright. 

Following our slices, the dynamic duo took it to the Rock Box to meet some wonderful friends and do some box rocking.  It was boat loads of fun. 

A few days later, we met a dear old friend of City Boy's who he hadn't seen in some time at a north end brew-pub, Hellbent Brewing Company.  Hellbent has an impressive tap list, as one would expect for a brewpub.  More surprisingly, they have a fantastic space, including a spacious patio area with picnic tables and couches as well.  Even better, some sort of animal charity fundraiser was ongoing the day we were there and several people brought their four legged friends with them.  Pints were murdered, laughs were had and yes, a few of pics were taken.  All in all, a smashing affair.