ProAbition on Main Street has always leaned into presentation, but returning after some time away made those flourishes feel more noticeable. The night opened with Kad ordering the Disgruntled Mai Tai, a drink that looks as dramatic as it sounds. The base is rum, Aperol, lime, sugar, orgeat, and orange curaçao, but the defining feature is the tiny bottle of Underberg turned upside down into the glass, slowly releasing its bitter, herbal notes. The combination is unusual but cohesive, the brightness from the citrus and orgeat meeting the Underberg’s sharpness in a way that lands better than expected.

The rib eye tacos were the standout of the evening. The plate arrived with four street taco style tortillas, each one filled with medium rare ribeye and topped with fresh guacamole, micro cilantro, and thin slices of watermelon radish. A side of avocado Serrano salsa added a gentle heat that enhanced the flavors without overwhelming them. The tacos were balanced, clean, and visually striking, especially with the radish adding a vivid burst of color not often seen in this kind of dish.

Kad’s next drink, the Goth Girlfriend, continued ProAbition’s tendency toward bold combinations. Elijah Craig bourbon served as the base for banana, pineapple, ginger, lemon, and a splash of Topo Chico. Despite the ingredient list, the drink remained surprisingly structured, with the ginger and lemon keeping the sweeter elements in check. Paired with the ribeye tacos, the brightness of the drink cut neatly through the richness of the meat.

We ended the night with martinis, a welcome shift into more classic territory. Kad ordered the Freezer Door Martini, a cold Roku gin dirty martini served with three blue cheese olives on the side. The chilled presentation let the gin’s botanical profile show through even with the olive brine. I chose my usual Tanqueray dirty martini with three blue cheese olives, a straightforward order that often reveals how careful a bar is with the basics. Both martinis were clean, cold, and properly made.

Taken together, the evening showed a version of ProAbition that still enjoys theatrical drinks but also demonstrates a stronger sense of balance behind the bar and in the kitchen. The ribeye tacos alone make a return visit worthwhile, and the well executed martinis prove that the staff can handle the fundamentals as well as the flashier creations. It was a more rounded experience than expected, and one that adds depth to ProAbition’s place in Riverside’s bar scene.

If you find yourself downtown for the Festival of Lights, it’s worth slipping into ProAbition at 3597 Main Street (near 6th & Main) for a stop that doesn’t demand ceremony to still deliver. Their hours shift depending on the day: Monday through Thursday they open at 3:00 p.m., Fridays they stay open late into the night, Saturdays begin with brunch at 10:00 a.m. and stretch into the early-morning, and Sunday sees a blend of brunch and dinner service. If you only have time for one meal or drink, let that late-night martini or rib-eye taco wrap your downtown wanderings in flavor and warmth. ProAbition delivers both spectacle and substance — it’s exactly the kind of place that benefits from a spontaneous detour while Riverside glows with holiday lights.