Will You Be My...

Valentine's Day is just a few weeks away, and for some of you that may or may not be a good thing.  Sigh.  Whether you're single and cursing this blasted day or happily slurping up some pasta Lady in the Tramp style, everyone can enjoy the It's a Kegger event at Verde.  Marcie Blaine will be whipping up sexy/tempting/love themed chocolates for the holiday as well as serving a complimentary glass of Yard's Love Stout while you browse the shop.  I will be celebrating Vday this year with the Parisians, but for those of you staying local check it out on Sunday, February 13th from 12 pm to 6 pm for last minute gifts or even just a free beer.

One Potato, Two Potato...

Three Potato Four, a mom and pop shop in good 'ole Manayunk is having their end of the month barn sale this Saturday and Sunday.  Need a cool, reclaimed wood bench to place near the front door or a unique/vintage/inspiring gift for a friend or neighbor?  I plan to be hoarding and hunting through the heaps of collections bright and early Sunday (pending the severity of damage done for my birthday celebration the night before).

Blizzard/Barbuzzo/Buzzed

What better way to celebrate a snow day (for some of us) than by getting together with a few friends for a long/filling/bubbly lunch at Barbuzzo.  My favorite new restaurant from Marcie Blaine has amused my appetite once again.  If you haven't been, put on those snow boots and take advantage of their Restaurant Week menu, which is still being offered and features a few, pleasing plates like Vegetable Antipasta, Pork Ragu Rigatoni, and Homemade Brick Oven Pizza large enough to share with the rest of the table.  And, if that doesn't fill you up, try the moist and creamy, orange/almond tiramisu for dessert (or get it to go and have a treat later!)  Whether you're visiting for lunch or dinner, you can't be disappointed with what Barbuzzo has to offer.  Not only is their menu of Mediterranean delights a success, but their bar is fully stocked with a great beer/wine/liquor selection and the cocktails are impressive, a first for this 13th street restaurant owner extraordinaire. For table or even kitchen counter seating, reservations are a must for lunch and dinner.  Although, with the option to wait at the bar and get your buzz on, there really isn't an excuse not to pop over and check it out.

A Bottle of Red

Mondays suck!  Getting out of bed in the wee hours of the morning after having a great weekend is just torture.  Combine that with 20 degree weather, snow/wind chill factors, and the fact that the sun is barely rising, and you have got yourself one miserable morning and one grumpy girl.  How does one get through a case of the Monday blues?  By drinking.  And what is even better than drinking?  Drinking for half-off.  Luckily, every Monday, Bar Ferdinand serves its guests half-off all bottles of red/white/sparkling wine.  Bottles range from $40 - $65, and with the special applied it's quite a tempting offer.  My Mondays just got a little perkier.  You'll know where to find me.

What's Going On?

DJ Ed Blammo will be spinning and mixing his Solid Good Times dance party at the infamous ML, and he usually gets the night started around 10pm.  If you can brave the ML, it's the perfect way to get your dance on a little earlier in the evening before moving on to the next destination.  Solid!

Manning it Up

20 manning, fka Twenty Manning, has been a favorite of mine ever since I tried it a few years back.  I revisited this somewhat transformed goody just recently and it still has yet to let me down.  The new dandelion  yellow banquet seating that has been splashed around the dining area adds great function/flexibility/color to the space that I could easily see it transforming to a chic lounge in the later hours.  Besides some new pendant fixtures and artwork though, the restaurant has pretty much remained unchanged.  And, that's a good thing!  It's simple/quaint/cozy and has the perfect level of intimate lighting that I easily find myself not wanting to leave.  The menu has also altered slightly (both dinner and drink) but still no complaints are to be made.  The cocktails are just as good as ever; TMG Old Fashioned is sensational.  And, the food is so very fun/creative/scrumptious! that trying everything on the menu would not be a problem for me.  The butternut squash ravioli and Ahi tuna, either served as an app. or entree, are a must order.  It's always packed during the week and weekend so reservations are a must.  And, with 20 Manning's excellent location in Rittenhouse, it's a superb way to start off an evening of fun in the city.

Franklin vs. Ranstead

Franklin Mortgage and Ranstead Room are two bars that have very similar concepts.  Both play on the 1920s prohibition/speak easy era, neither serve vodka, and the drinks are marvelously inventive and delicious.  I’ve been to both recently adding to the handful of visits in the past, and while I am never disappointed with what my bartender is serving, I have come to the conclusion that I do prefer one bar over the other.  So, let’s break it down.

  

Franklin Mortgage                                                                                          

The entrance is off the street, down a set of stairs, and guarded by a man dressed in black.  With no windows or visible sign, it is easy to pass up or probably never notice; true speakeasy qualities!  The décor is handsome/cozy/true to the 1920s, and the lighting is perfectly balanced, providing a subtle and appealing sexiness to the environment making everyone around seem mysterious and intriguing.  The wait staff is attractive/witty/charismatic wearing stylish attire that has hints of that old world glam while still being modern.  While there is not a food menu, the cocktails more than make up for any appetite that would be cured with a fork and knife.  The little black book of drinks can be overwhelming with its ingredients and combinations, but you can easily rely on the fact that any selection made will be divinely pleasing.  Whether I am gathering with one or five friends, I have never been disappointed by Franklin Mortgage, and honestly there isn’t one bad quality I could find there.  The concept and its offerings are quite a success! 

On to the next one…

Ranstead Room

The entrance is located in the middle of a dark alley, and the only light provided is shown dimly on the front door that is labeled with an “R”, making its appearance temptingly forbidden.  The décor is straight out of the 70s, complete with questionably themed paintings and photos of pirates/hookers/driver’s licenses/porn stars, and the lighting is dim, so that reading the cocktail list by candlelight is actually necessary.  The wait staff carry tea lit candle holders creating an eerie, glowing orb of light reminiscent to scenes from Are You Afraid of the Dark?.   And the outfits , they remind me more of a 1950s saloon keeper than chic 20s speakeasy.  I am not quite sure what the intention is behind the music.  The volume is usually a little too low creating that weird, awkwardness where your voice is in between a whisper and a normal tone trying not to be the loudest person in the room yet also wanting what you’re saying to be heard by those sitting next to you.  And, there also happened to be one too many disco beats for my liking.  Food can be ordered from El Rey’s menu, since Ranstead Room shares a wall with the kitchen.  And although it’s appealing to be able to order a few small plates while at the bar , I am not quite sure how Mexican cuisine ties into the theme?  The cocktail menu has about a dozen drinks to choose from, and a “bartender’s choice” option for the adventurous.  I have taken the bartender up on their offers numerous times and I have never been disappointed.  Cheers to you, bartender!  But, excellent cocktails aside, overall the appearance(from what I could actually see) and vibe of Ranstead Room can be  quite confusing and sometimes uncomfortable.  It is not a place to gather with more than one or two others without feeling like all eyes are on you (and not in a good way).  However, if you want a smashing drink and pirate hookers are your thing, you might find this spot to be rather appealing.   No judgment!

The Conclusion…

While I’m not one to turn down a good drink, Ranstead Room has a discomforting and crazy, randomness to it that leads me to cast my vote towards Franklin Mortgage.  I enjoy the atmosphere and crowd, and the bar, overall, just seems a bit more sane than its contender.  Franklin Mortgage all around! 

She Drinks a Whiskey Drink...

After discovering my new found love for bourbon and scotch (still shocks me!) I decided it was time to order my very first whiskey drink, and what better place to celebrate than Village Whiskey.  I’ve been to Village Whiskey several times, but I have always stuck with my favorite spirit of choice; gin.  The cocktail list has a superb selection for the non-vodka drinker, and the whiskey list is something to be marveled.  Divided into five categories, bourbon, rye, blended, irish, and scotch, there are over 100 names to choose from, and prices range from $6 to $60 for a 2 oz glass.  Although the list was super impressive, I decided to keep it simple and ordered an Old Fashioned which was delightfully, delicious and mighty, strong.  I was impressed and pleased to bits.  I will definitely be back soon to pull up a stool and show off my newly acquired skill; drinking whiskey. 

View other posts mentioning Village Whiskey here.

Sunday Morning Tunes

Listen to some live tunes while eating brunch and sipping on your favorite caffeinated beverage at the new One Shot.  Now starting every Sunday at noon, One Shot will be offering live performances from their new singer/song-writer/guitarist/Rainn Wilson look-alike on the second floor lounge.  Where else can you get free live music on a Sunday morning?  And, this guy is good!  His voice and music are soothing and very fitting for the environment.  Check him out!

The King

Mexican cuisine; who doesn't love it?  Easy to eat, always tasty, and never breaks the bank, it's perfect for a quick bite or to indulge in with a group of hungry amigos.  And, that is exactly what I had on the brain when I ventured to El Rey, the latest restaurant to occupy the former Midtown Diner (20th and Chestnut) owned by Stephen Starr.  As with most Starr restaurants, the place was crowded/eclectic/lively, but unlike past dining experiences, I was  provided with a foggy memory of eating french fries and grilled cheese sandwiches at 3 am after a night of heavy drinking.  And what I mean by this is that El Rey is basically still the Midtown Diner, same booth seating/counter/flooring/ceiling/fake stone wall, but it has been mildly transformed with some added artwork/mix-matched light fixtures/wallcovering into a grimy, old Mexican shack.  At the counter, where shots of tequila and margaritas of varying flavors were being poured, I thought I could still detect the smell of coffee that brewed for way too long some time ago.  I didn't happen to mind the minimal transformation, however.  If I had never been to that particular Midtown Diner, I probably would not have even picked up on this fact because it somehow works with the overall varied environment.

Besides the atmosphere, the menu was simple yet still playful with it's offerings so that it's not to be perceived as typical or boring.  With prices ranging on average between $7 to $15 for dishes that are large enough to share between two people, my amigos and I sampled quite a bit.  The guacamole which is large enough to order for a group of four or more was by far the best I have had in the city.  Another stand out item was the Steak Chilaquiles.  A few vegetarian options were offered such as Zucchini Blossom and Corn Quesadillas, which happened to be less desirable than anticipated, but still overall the menu was impressive given the appealing prices that I rarely find at Starr's restaurants.  And, the same held true for the drink menu averaging around $7 for mixed drinks and even less for a beer or glass of wine, which is at the complete opposite end of the spectrum compared to Starr's Ranstead Room, where drinks are typically $12.

Overall, El Rey was a great place to get some Mexican food, appealing, tasty drinks, and browse at the assortment of cultural, old newspaper and magazine clippings, as well as odd movie posters.  It took us about an hour to get a table, and the service at the bar was a bit slow (2 bartenders for the whole joint) but if you have yet to go and you've got tacos on the brain, it is worth checking out.

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.

What's Going On?

Restaurant Week is back!  Don't forget to make your reservations for lunch and dinner during the weeks of January 16th - 21st and January 23rd - 28th.  I will be making repeat appearances at 20 Manning, Amada, and Barbuzzo, as well as checking out Stephen Starr's new spot The Dandelion for a bday celebration with the boyfriend.  What new spots or favorite places to dine will you be checking out?

Also, this Saturday The Soup Nazi himself will be serving behind the counter at Doc's Gourmet Soup on Girard in Nolibs.  I have never tried the soup, but this seems like a great time to check it out and hear that all too familiar line, "No soup for you"!

All About the Dog

After a late night of dancing at 700 Club with my favorite ladies, I experienced The Dapper Dog for my very first time on the wobbly stroll home.  I don't enjoy admitting this, but hot dogs are one of my top weaknesses.  So, scooping up a few of these delicious dogs from the cart at 2 am after several drinks and hopefully after burning several calories from dancing, seemed like the greatest idea we had since we decided to drop it like it's hot.  A few words of advice however regarding The Dapper Dog, 1.  Do not wear a white winter coat while consuming 2. Flash those pearly whites ladies, those hot dog makers are suckers for giving out freebies 3.  It is okay to approach a truck with strangers inside as long as they have hot dogs (avoid strangers with candy), and lastly 4. As delicious as they are, try not to consume more than one.  Like most of the decisions you make the night before after a few shots of tequila, you will regret this in the morning too.

The Corner

No, not the one on 13th and Spruce outside of the Parker Hotel (not that kind of corner), but in fact, the new bar/restaurant that has finally re-opened where beloved APO, formerly Apothecary, once was.  Oh, how I've missed those $13 Immunity Idols.  The Corner offers 3 menus, dinner (a first for the location), desserts, and drinks, and everything is brand new; no repeat drinks whatsoever (bye bye, Idol).  What has also changed is the entire first floor with mild alterations to the second floor.  Let's start with the layout. 

Windows have been punched into the first floor facade creating a more light filled space than before, making the environment more suitable for dining rather than drinking.  Booth and banquet seating make up the majority of the first floor area now.  In the back, the open, narrow kitchen, which used to be the main bar, offers stool seating where you can experience the former chef of Buddakan whipping up dishes such as Masa Tots, Grilled Truffle Cheese Short Ribs, or Grilled Tuna, Eggplant Caponata with an Olive Tapenade.  Mmmm!  Venturing upstairs, the layout has pretty much stayed the same with the exception of an added booth for seating/snacking and some new decor.  Drinks and apps can be ordered upstairs, while the first floor is intended mostly just for dining.

The food menu is small and moderately priced, but it still offers a great array of items to choose from, and with the former chef of Buddakan working the kitchen you know it's tasty.  The drink menu, no surprise, is smashing/creative/inspired.  While happily munching on the Masa Tots, my friend and I eagerly sipped on 4 new goodies; The Final Pillage, Lady Belladonna, Hotel Nacional, and my personal fav, Corpse Reviver #2 which consisted of Plymouth Gin, Lillet, Combier, Lemon, and Absinthe.  It was sensational!

Overall, I was delighted and pleased with The Corner.  The long, narrow space certainly makes better use for dining rather than trying to gather around a tiny bar all the way in the back for those dangerously, delicious drinks.  In the past, the rest of the floor was always unoccupied, making the space seem less lively than it could have been.  My fingers are crossed that the new concept takes off without a hitch.  So, here's to the revival and transformation of my top fav place to grab a great drink (and food now too)!