FSH Bucket List of Best Bars, #39 Dandelion

I was hoping we’d be able to sneak another bar in before the calendar turned.  Since we had to hit center city during the day on Sunday, we were forced to – sigh – go out of order in our 50 best bars adventure.  We decided on Tria Café (#21), but the reality of an hour wait sent the resourceful Lisa across the street to Dandelion (#39).  We were thrilled when she waved us over and secured seating for 8.  Oh, I forgot to mention, FSH was joined by special guests for the first time, the gorgeous and charming Richie Hofmann and Ryan Hagerty, who had to catch a plane that evening.

Dandelion was amazing.  What was once two separate homes was now a beautiful traditional British pub. Part of the fun was going up the grand staircase to the second level into our own cozy nook. We felt like we were eating in a London residence at the turn of the century.

Todd and Richie raved about the Fish and Chips.  Kevin, Jeanne, Lisa, Ryan, and I had sandwiches and burgers and Rich had scotch pancakes with maple apples and cinnamon crème.  Hmmmm, ok, then.

Ratings: 

Vibe:  Euro fabulous.  Beautiful greenery outside beckoned us inside to a warm, inviting space. 

Server:  Pleasant, knowledgeable, friendly.

Drinks:   Lots of international beers were available in half pints.  I got my usual glass of Malbec, of which I’ve never had a bad one. Ironically, the Angry Orchard cider made Jeanne happy.

Food : A.  I once thought that tasty British fare was an oxymoron, but Dandelion proved that wrong. Everything was delicious and we all vowed to return.

Friendship:  A+.  At one point, it was surreal looking out the window to a beautiful Rittenhouse neighborhood, eating wonderful food with fabulous friends. If the dandelion is symbolic of clarity, abundance, happiness, and vitality, we proudly represented.

45 to go!

FSH Bucket List of Best Bars #4 The South Philadelphia Tap Room

Two Friday nights in a row we set out on our pub bucket list adventure.  Number 4 out of 50.  8% through. 

Like every journey, I’m having second thoughts.  Is this a crazy expense?  Is the FSH house sick of bar food?  Sick of each other?  Tired of rushing out of work only to fight the masses?  Kevin dutifully picks us up at 5 and we fetch Lisa from the streets of Philly.  What a beautiful sight to spot her among the crowds and have her jump into the back seat with me.  Right away, I’m reassured that it’s worth it.

We arrive at the South Philadelphia Tap Room after Kevin masterfully parallel parks on an impossibly narrow street.  It’s already packed at 5:45.  And there’s Jeanne in the back corner saving a table for six.  Somehow this is our new “welcome home” as we all enter our roles as empty nesters.

Burgers and pulled pork all the way around except for my grilled cheese and tomato lager soup and Todd’s muscles.  My grilled cheese was amazing. The ultimate comfort food and, honestly, probably the best I’ve ever had. And I know my grilled cheeses.

Ratings: 

Vibe:  Thriving.  It’s good to see a place so full of life.

Server:  Adorable and pleasant. And, she can rock a braided updo.

Drinks:  You can’t go wrong at a tap room, right? 

Food : A- to B+.  Food made the honor role, but not the principal’s list.  I would have been happier with virgin tomato soup. I know I’ll infuriate lots of lager lovers, but it turned my soup into a discomfort food.  Desserts were decadent, almost to the point of a chocolate coma. You can decide if that’s good or bad.

Not sure if we’ll squeeze in another bar before the holidays, but we’ll try.

46 to go!

FSH Bucket List of Best Bars, #3 The Industry

If we’re going to do all 50 bars in a year, we better accelerate our pace!

We hit #3 on Friday, December 5^th and are going for #4 next Friday.  We have to get our priorities straight and stop letting the holidays, family obligations, and careers get in the way of our mission.  Even Kevin admitted that we may have to start combining trips based on geographic location. 

Anyway, #3 was The Industry in Pennsport.  It was a cool part of town.  We all felt safe and parking was fairly easy to manage.  Easy for me to say when Kevin is at the wheel parallel parking.  My daughter thinks it horrible that we always mooch a ride, but someday we’ll make it up to the Fryars and Sheehans.  We promise.

The bar itself was beautiful.  Great décor.  I love the Edison filament lights. They instantly warm the space as well as my heart.  The Industry is apparently devoted to the restaurant industry itself and gives restaurant workers 20% off the bill when they show a pay stub from any restaurant or bar.  Love the concept to help one’s own.

Ratings: 

Vibe:  Good neighborhood energy. Pretty churches, cool houses. Nice airy open feel. 

Server:  Pleasant, attentive.  Put up with our nonsense.

Drinks:  Great.  Lots of local beer options. We sneaked in just before Happy Hour ended at 7pm. 

Food : B+.  Good, but not OMG amazing.  I do regret not getting the Mac and Cheese croquettes.  What was I thinking?  We were naughty and got the donuts with cream sauce for dessert. Well worth it!

Friendship:  It’s easier to get through a long week when I know these five are awaiting me.  Nothing is better than a bellyache caused by laughing with my best friends.    

47 to go!

#2 - FSH Bucket List of Best Bars from Philly Mag, American Sardine Bar

I admit it. I was skeptical when I heard sardine. It didn’t help to see that the menu was full of sardine-esque items.  Sardine soups and sandwiches with pickle dressing.  Not my food vibe.

What a great surprise that the food items we chose (non Sardine, thank you very much) were fabulous.  Chicken wings, egg sandwiches, braised beef, and biscuit with apple and cream.  Not something we get everyday, but a nice departure.

Point Breeze is a neighborhood in transition. The pull of decay and the push of progress. Right now it seems to be a draw.  Abandoned lots and vibrant hope comingled.  One reviewer of the neighborhood advised that we should keep on driving.

But the skyline was beautiful in the background. 

Ratings: 

Vibe:  Great energy.

Server:  Adorable and kind.

Drinks:  Fantastic.  Unusual choices made us drink outside the box.

Food : A-. 

Friendship:  Thankfully Jeanne and Todd got there early and grabbed a booth.  But, if you’re packed in like sardines, I’m glad FSH are my fellow tin mates. 

48 to go!

Bucket List of Best Bars in Philly. Starting with #1.

What we won't do in the name of friendship.

When Kevin suggested we check out all 50 best bars in the Philly Mag Foobooz list, what could we say but, “uh, okay.” 

And so the adventure began.  Last Friday.  Rich and I scrambled to be ready for a 5:00pm pick-up.  Our philosophy is to start the weekend early. It seems to last longer (as taught to us by the one and only, Marc P).

Met Lisa, Jeanne, and Todd at the Pub & Kitchen. Officially #1.  Oh, I guess we’re doing this in order?  Of course.  Kevin is ever organized.

Ratings:

Vibe:  Good energy. Friendly, neighborhood pub.

Server:  Hysterically funny. Danced. A lot. Camera shy, however.

Drinks:  Fantastic.  Love to see Lisa after two cocktails.

Food : Overall B.  Burgers great. Steak – meh…

Friendship: Sublime.

Stay tuned.  49 to go. This may take all year.

Two Cat-Cows

I noticed yesterday when I took a beginner’s yoga class that every so often the instructor would ask us to do two cat-cows to “recenter” ourselves.  To me, that was a fitting and beautiful metaphor for life.  

Before you embark on a new journey, return to the familiar to reestablish focus.  Take an inventory of where you want to go and what is best for you mentally, spiritually, and physically. 

Whether it’s a tough day at work or a new path you’re contemplating, allow yourself two cat-cows to restore your perspective.

Holiday Head Scratchers

Here’s to a happy new year, everyone!  I thought I’d share some of my favorite head scratch (otherwise known as wait, what) moments over the holidays:

I came upon this beautiful waterfall in the Poconos recently.  Amazing, right?

So why would someone put a dumpster smack dab in front of it?

Why, oh why, does this always happen to a string of lights?

I’m proud to use my mom’s cookbook from the 1940’s. I had to chuckle, though, when I spotted this ad for Crisco and its boast that “it’s digestible!”  Since you’re baking with it, wouldn’t that be a given?

 Happy 2014!