PBR

A few new bars have been popping up in Old City over the past couple months, giving me hope that the neighborhood could possibly transform into something other than the underage/obnoxious/fist pumping crowd that it usually attracts.  A face-lift, something a little more grown-up and new is what is needed.  A few more great restaurants to go along with the already popular Amada and Fork, and a handful of chic/swanky/cozy lounges where enjoying an expertly made cocktail without getting constantly bumped and spilled on by the crowd would certainly be pleasing.  And, with the addition already of a few new spots I can start to imagine the gradual transformation, but I am not quite convinced that what they're offering is what Old City really needs.

Take Philadelphia Bar and Restaurant for example, a newbie that just opened a few months ago.  From the outside, the place looks great/rustic/charming and also reliable that what's inside is going to be worth the cab ride over to the east end of the city.  However, when I stepped inside I received a big open space, with a dozen or so tables, a few televisions, and a long bar with a handful of old men staring into their glasses.  I was turned off instantly by the scene, but I gave it the benefit of the doubt and took a seat and gave the menu a look.  The food was much more appealing, and the wine and beer selection was pretty decent, however no cocktail list was offered.  I ordered the Eggplant Fries and the Chickpea Burger and both pleased the taste buds favorably.  I also sampled the Fish Tacos which got a thumbs-up as well.  The service was nothing to complain about, and our waiter even entertained us (unknowingly) with a few "eeexcellents" that had an uncanny resemblance of the creepy Mr. Burns.  So, the food/wine/beer list was pretty great, the crowd was almost dead, literally, and the ambiance was seriously lacking on the inside.  The same holds true for other spots that recently opened in the neighborhood such as Crocodile.  I would have to say that a good burger and fries (or free pizza) is not enough to keep me coming back, when I could go to Village Whiskey and have a tastier burger, a cocktail made just for me, and enjoy the atmosphere and company as well (and keep safe from fist-pumpers).  My fingers are crossed however that somehow Old City will clean it's act up and in the near future make it enjoyable for the overage again.