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! 

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.