The minimal decor and the haphazard layout of tables suggest that the food is just a preliminary to some upcoming event. The tables stay put. And appetizers are a strength, if the two we ordered are a fair indication. The accompanying cocktail sauce has been sweetened with pineapple juice, but it has a fine tart counterpoint. Other noshing possibilities include hummus and bruschetta, as well as the ever-reliable chips and salsa, which the 1800 Club makes with chipotle peppers.
Presentation is in wide, deep plates dressed up with a scattering of chopped herbs around the rims.
Beyond that, the base is pretty much the familiar canned vegetable soup taste. The entrees we tried could be very good with a few changes. Each grain of its bed of rice is dry and distinct. The high ceiling and a thin crowd the night of our visit meant that cigarette smoke wasn't a problem, but the atmosphere had thickened considerably on a later visit. The dinner menu has several entrees that exceed Cheap Eats limits, and the club is doing away with its lunchtime hours and an array of sandwiches, but you should still be able to put together a reasonably priced meal.