Salad Chinois, diced chicken in ginger mustard sesame dressing, tossed with Chinese cabbage and lettuce, and sprinkled with crunchy noodles, at Daddy Jack's Restaurant & Bar at 9419 North Meridian Street in Indianapolis.

Bruschetta, slices of French baguette topped with marinated tomatoes, garlic, red onion, basil and sprinkled with Parmesan, at Daddy Jack's.

I've been to Daddy Jack's on the Northside before, and wanted to share it with INtake readers. This visit, however, wasn't as pleasant as those of the past. My husband and I met at Daddy's and were given a great meal . . . and lousy service.

Daddy Jack's is connected to Kona Jack's Fish Market and Sushi Bar, another fairly affordable lunch spot, and Apres Jack's, a martini and cognac bar, which is great for an after-work tasting party.

Servers come and go, but as long as you receive the star treatment on your plate, the Jack trio shouldn't be written off just yet.

The mood

The atmosphere is one of the reasons I was disappointed on this visit -- it's usually wonderful. I have enjoyed sipping my drink of choice or downing nachos in the dark, wood-heavy surroundings on lunch trips before. Both Apres and Daddy Jack's are rich with paneled walls, hardwood floors and substantial tables and chairs.

Typically, I would call it cozy, welcoming, but on this visit, I couldn't even get anyone to seat me. When I did catch the bartender's eye, she casually motioned to where I could and could not sit.

I plopped myself in a booth in the back corner and waited for Hayden's arrival. My unsociable server gave me some water while I was waiting, but no menu. Even when Hayden turned up and was given his water ration, I still had to ask where the menus were -- and get them myself.

The food

I wasn't in a great mood when we ordered, but the food really is tasty. Appetizers of fried mushrooms, potato skins, and shrimp cocktail tempted us. We picked the garlic bruschetta for $7.50. Slices of toasted French bread were topped with loads of tomatoes, onions and basil. Instead of the usual mozzarella, Daddy's offers a twist with Parmesan.

Hayden was him-hawing between the Reuben and the buffalo chicken on the sandwich menu, but the corned beef of the Reuben won him over ($8.50). It was a good-sized sandwich with sauerkraut and Swiss on crispy rye, served with a side of chips.

I wanted something lighter and focused my attention on the salad menu. Chinois salad ($5.50). Never had one. It was an interesting choice, and I enjoyed the divergence from my usual Caesar. Chicken was combined with lettuce, Chinese cabbage, those crunchy noodles, mandarin oranges and tossed with a ginger mustard sesame dressing.

Tangy! Good! And gone! I can honestly say there was more chicken than greens.

The drinks

Waters, no lemon.

The damage: $23.22

Oh, Daddy! You used to be so good to me. Maybe it was just the wrong server or the wrong day, but Daddy Jack's -- or any of the three in the vicinity are great food choices. And the bars are a good time after work.