FSH Bucket List of Best Bars, #9 The Good King Tavern

Finally, a return to our quest.  After weeks of vacations, obligations, and commitments, it was time to resume our noble cause.  It was a perfect, clear day for brunch, so we sought out a place on the list that fit the bill.  #9 was The Good King Tavern in Bella Vista, and we only strayed out of order a little bit.  We’ll go back to # 8, A. Bar, next time. 

What a beautiful, quaint setting to watch the snow fall.  I took a sneak peek at the menu and planned to order eggs Benedict with a bloody Mary (my idea of heaven), but the specials board enticed me with braised short ribs and fried eggs over pomme frites.  That description also lured the lumberjack appetites of Todd and Rich.

Vibe:  Cozy, warm, charming.  Quintessential neighborhood pub. 

Server:  Adorable, friendly.

Drinks:  I forgot to take note of the ipa beers and the other drinks because I was so enthralled with my bloody Mary.

Food: A+ from us lumberjacks.  A thumbs up on Jeanne’s lobster omelet, Kevin’s strawberry French toast and Lisa’s scrambled egg and mushroom toast.

The best part of the day, though, was going back to our hometown and hanging out as the snow fell around us.  Our kids actually had to track us down.  Booyah.

42 to go!

My Dad Loved a Good Story

About 3 years ago, I shared one of my dad’s WWII stories on my blog.  One particular place he cherished was a little town in Sicily called Caltanissetta.  There in the burned out remains of the town were two Italian children, Maria and Geno, who would come out every evening and sing to the soldiers in exchange for a little piece of candy.  My dad recalled their voices echoing off the walls and he marveled at how they could sing so beautifully when their world was literally crumbing around them.

Soon after I released that story and his many others, he passed away. He had made plans to give his body to medical science so that researchers could learn something from him, even in death.  Fast forward 3 years, and his ashes are returned to the family. We decided to scatter his remains in his childhood home of Tuckahoe and planned a big family brunch at the Tuckahoe Inn before going to the river to say our final goodbyes.

My dad, never one to let anyone else have the last word, made himself known in a few ways.  First, on my way down to the brunch, I got an email.  From the town historian of Caltanissetta.  He found my blog from 2011 and said he translated it into Italian, hoping someone would know Geno and Maria. He called my dad a “noble soul” and hoped he was still alive.  Then, my in-laws were walking on the boardwalk the day of the brunch and were approached by an old man who just wanted to chat. He used to own the Tuckahoe Inn. Before parting, he said, “oh, and my name is Harp, like the angel.”

My dad was always a storyteller. Still is, apparently.

FSH Bucket List of Best Bars #7 Jose Pistola’s

Let me start by saying it was a strange, quirky kind of night. 

For once, we were supposed to drive Kevin over to the city (Gigi may have shamed us into it), but our town went dark about 5:15.  What that meant?  In addition to my car being held captive by the garage door opener, a big worry about Gigi coming  home from work to a twilight zone town and into a cold, dark, empty house.  OK, maybe I was projecting my own scaredy cat onto her.  So, we sent Kevin without us.  So sorry, buddy.  We owe you big time.

Once Gigi made plans with someone who had PSE&G service,  Rich and I decided to crash the party after all.  We hopped into the Jeep (at the ready in the driveway) and headed to Jose Pistola’s.  Apparently, Jeanne and Lisa had been there for quite a while and were enjoying the margaritas.  Saving a table for 6, they traded it for a smaller version upon hearing that we wouldn’t make it.  Then, quickly grabbed it again once we changed course.  Kudos to the patient hostess and waitress for putting up with 3 table switches.

Honestly, from there, it’s a blur.  Let’s forget about ranking the food because that was secondary to the fabulous, good natured waitress who immediately bonded with Rich because of her “13” tattoos (both of their lucky numbers).  Kevin loved the smutty nose beer (a little too much) and we had to plead with him not to head across the street to Howl at the Moon.  What could have been an ill-fated evening turned into one of our best.

You just never know.

43 to go!

FSH Bucket List of Best Bar #6 Khyber Pass Pub

When Kevin picked us up, Rich and I expressed our skepticism of a place called the Khyber Pass Pub.  After a quick Google search, I found the Khyber Pass connects Afghanistan and Pakistan through the mountains. Part of the trade route on the ancient Silk Road, the Khyber Pass saw invaders such as Alexander the Great and Genghis Khan.  Hmmm…we were all curious how good this place could be.  Then Todd stepped in the car and assured us that the food was amazing.  He works nearby and returns frequently with his coworkers.  Jeanne and Lisa met up with us in Old City.

Since we have a FryarSheehanHofmann (FSH) trip planned for New Orleans in a few months, we were happy to discover that this pub had a NOLA vibe.  Southern style foods including Po’ boys, mac n cheese, pulled pork, brisket, fried chicken, nachos, sweet potato fries.  Usually I hate smoky bars, but this smoke was intoxicating.  Todd had a burger, but the rest of us surrendered to the lure of the bbq aroma.

Ratings: 

Vibe:  What a pub should be. Maybe a bit divey, but, to us, that’s a good thing.

Server:  Kind, efficient, friendly.

Drinks:  The guys loved their American IPAs. I got my usual Malbec but regretted not getting the Bloody Mary. Next time, and there will be a next time.

Food : A+.  OMG, we were all blown away. Tasty, tender, tangy, done just right.  The Mac and Cheese was glorious.  I’m not even going to rank the friendship because Jeanne joked that this time the food trumped the friendship.  Kidding…I think.

44 to go!

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!