"She Could be a Farmer in those Clothes"

That quote (from Clueless) really has nothing at all to do with this post except for the fact that they both have the word, Farmer, in common.  And, I guess if you were heading to The Farmer's Cabinet you would need to throw on some clothes...so, there's that too, but we might be stretching it here...

Anyway, I recently had the opportunity to check-out The Farmer's Cabinet, and I guess if one wanted to be rather difficult they would mention the fact that Philly already has a few Whiskey/Speakeasy type bars (Village Whiskey/Franklin Morgage/Ranstead Room), so it might be getting a bit overdone, but I say, who the hell cares (or, As If!)!?  Isn't it great that we have one more option to add to the list of great/stand-up/over-priced(but worth-it) bars where a fabulous cocktail is easy to come by without having to stand next to a group of fist-pumping, teens ordering cherry vodka with sprite, make that diet.  I think so.  And not only are the cocktails worth-it, but the ambiance and decor are appealing and transforming.  Who doesn't wish they grew up in the Roaring Twenties?  Flappers/Jazz/Illegal Liquor....my true calling.

Although it may not be the first of it's kind, The Farmer's Cabinet is A-Okay with me.  The mason jars, filled with glowing candles hanging from the ceiling and the live band of banjo/violin/old-school piano players makes the experience authentic.  The Cab. also offers up the option for a sit-down lunch or dinner which is something you can't find at Franklin Mortgage or Ranstead Room.  And, while I didn't try the food menu (it looked mighty tasty), I did drink enough calories to make it count as a meal.  The Whiskey Sour, my first ever, was simply divine.  Although, I must say, I think I slimmed my chances of finding another that's just as pleasing.  And word has it, they're mixing up a new cocktail list today, so you know I'll be popping over to try.

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.

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.