Trina's Starlite Lounge
3 Beacon Street
Somerville, MA 02143
(617) 576-0006
trinastarlitelounge.com

Newest addition to Somerville's restaurant arsenal, Trina's Starlite Lounge, isn't your run-of-the-mill gastropub. Nothing about the restaurant is average. Conversely, you may drive by it without even noticing. But that's okay, because once you step inside, you will be taken in a time machine to the '50s.

The restaurant itself appears as many barrooms do with small, high set windows and a large metal door that leads into a dark lit bar. Beer memorabilia, from companies like Ballantine's and Miller, are scattered about in the black walled dining room. A large, very ancient refrigerator stands at the end of the bar with little letter magnets on it which our waitress says usually spells out the pie of the day, but it seems someone has mushed them around to make some nonsense. There is no pretention here.

The cocktail list is well balanced with some fruit based cocktails as well as more traditional spirit concoctions. Owners Trina and Beau Sturm and Josh Childs are all bartenders, which leads to names like "Bonita Applebum" (a song by A Tribe Called Quest), "The Gentleman" and "The Drunken Monkey." The "Brenda," a mix of vanilla chai-infused cachaca, canton, lemon and orange juice, was strong but delicious.

The menu itself is a pretty basic one pager with several appetizers, paninis and burgers. The best part of the menu: just about everything involves cheese or a frialator.

For appetizers, we ordered both the potato leek soup and the chili. The chili was excellent, with a dollop of sour cream on top and some shredded cheddar. The potato leek soup was okay, but needed some salt. Both were served in eclectic coffee mugs, giving them a sort of diner appeal. The spinach and arugula salad was tossed in a balsamic with a touch of goat cheese and toasted pepitas and had a nice element of crunch. The warm cornbread was an amazingly moist square, topped with melted butter.

Our server let us know that the dog of the day was called the French Fry Dog, and consisted of two griddled dogs on rolls topped with melted cheese, French fries and a malt vinegar aioli. Seriously, it was heaven on a plate. We then washed it all down with a healthy order of cheese fries. The pie of the day was a chocolate and peanut butter ganache pie, served cold. It was smooth and velvety and finished off the meal perfectly.

The service at Trina's was great. When we entered, there were no hostesses, but the bartender immediately came over to take us to a table, even though he was busy himself. Our server came over immediately and was friendly and helpful, making good suggestions without being overbearing. We were never without water or condiments and she promptly delivered the bill without being asked or rushing us.

All in all, Trina's is pretty much a huge delight in a little, hard to find, package. Nestled among some heavy hitters in the Somerville restaurant scene, Trina's totally holds its own and is worth a visit. Any place that has fried chicken and waffles and a Miller High Life sign deserves a chance, right?