Monday, April 1, 2013

Honey Whiskey Wings at Pub and Kitchen


Walking into Pub & Kitchen provides the warmest and welcoming of settings. The entire bar is made of old wood, making it appear as an old-world pub. Diners can be seated at pew-like-booths or at the bar. The staff is very friendly and energetic.

Happy hour is served Monday through Friday from 4 PM to 6 PM. The gastro pub serves $3 local drafts, $5 glasses of wine, $2 bar snacks, and $1 oysters. The draft list rotates seasonally and never disappoints. My favorite part of Pub & Kitchen’s happy hour is defiantly the bar snacks offered. The honey whiskey wings are truly to die for. These mouthwatering treats are made with Dijon mustard, sugar, lime zest, Chile powder, and of course, the two most obvious ingredients, honey and whiskey! I have brought many friends to try these out and everyone agrees that they are jaw-dropping-ly delicious!

Pub & Kitchen is great for a large group or solo, and everything in between. It can be romantic, mysterious, or simply fun with it’s darker toned bar area. Don’t miss the outdoor sidewalk seating during the warmer months! My recommendation is to indulge on honey whiskey wings and imbibe on cold, local draft beers. 

Pub & Kitchen is tucked away on a street corner in Rittenhouse Square, I almost missed it the first time I visited. Be sure to look for the rabbit logo and not to miss this gem. Located at 1946 Lombard Street (20th & Lombard), Pub & Kitchen can be reached at 215.545.0350. For more information, check out their website thepubandkitchen.com

*Note: Pub & Kitchen will be closed during the beginning of April for renovations. Chef Eli Collins will be the new executive chef. 

Monday, March 25, 2013

Happy Hour with History at National Mechanics


National Mechanics offers a very lively happy hour setting. The building is large, and has become almost packed on several of my visits. In 1837, the building was built by architect William Strickland and since then has housed banks, churches, clubs, and bars. National Mechanics is a wonderful bar to come to, especially with friends from out of town because of its history. It was originally dubbed “Mechanics National Bank”, which is where its current name is derived from. Located in Old City, National Mechanics is a great place to come to top off a day of site seeing or even just to indulge in the city’s historic bar scene after work.

Happy hour is served Monday through Friday from 5 PM to 7 PM. The bar offers $1 off most pints and $2.50 Lagers. There is an extensive draft list that changes seasonally. Amongst others, the draft list includes beers such as; Flying Fish, Bells, Yards, and Philadelphia Brewing Company. Also offered at happy hour are the $6 National or Veggie burgers. The National Burger is a true American style Angus burger topped with lettuce, tomato, red onion, and any choice of cheeses. The veggie burger is a secret homemade recipe made of real vegetables with the same choice of toppings.

I recommend National Mechanics as a spot to come with a group of friends, as the scene is geared more towards groups than solo drinkers. I always have a great time at National Mechanics and enjoy the food and drink selection thoroughly during happy hour. Indulge and imbibe on a beer and burger, a great American style meal, in a piece of America’s history. National Mechanics is located at 22 S. 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA. It can be reached at 215.701.4883 or at nationalmechanics.com

*Note: picture to come soon.

Monday, March 18, 2013

Half-Priced Drafts at Perch Pub


Every time I visit Perch Pub I am exceedingly pleased. The draft selection is vast, always changing, and always delicious. The pub snacks (and other menu items) are always delectable and perfectly filling. The front bar offers a lively setting, and there is a more quiet and relaxing setting in the back. With a pool table, dartboard, expansive draft list, and delicious food all at a special price, who wouldn’t want to make Perch Pub their next stop for happy hour?

The bar offers happy hour from 5 PM to 7 PM on Mondays through Fridays. This includes half-priced drafts, $5 Sycamore Lane Cabernet & Chardonnay, $5 Vodka-infused martinis, classic gin & tonics, and well drinks. Pub snacks are also specially priced at $2.50 to $5.50.  In addition, Perch Pub offers a Wednesday lunchtime happy hour from 12 PM to 2 PM and Sunday evening happy hour from 8 PM to 10 PM which both serve the same priced specials.  If you’re looking for a great spot to watch the big game, the bar offers $15 buckets of domestic bottles, $2.50 bourbon shots, and $4 Jager shots.

Pub snacks include Deviled Eggs with Sriracha, Philly soft pretzels ale fondue and chocolate stout mustard, spicy peanuts, warm Malanga chips with garlic aioli dip, French fries with house spicy ketchup and garlic aioli, and onion rings with ranch dressing.  If you have read my other posts, you can probably guess that I love the deviled eggs!  The pub uses a more classic recipe that delivers a mild kick. The Malanga chips with the garlic aioli dip are also delicious. Malanga is a vegetable similar to a potato that is used in mainly South American and Cuban cooking.  The Philly soft pretzels served with the ale fondue and chocolate stout mustard have an interesting and flavorful taste that serve as a great accompaniment to all of the draft beers offered.

Perch Pub calls their happy hour, “A Brew with a View”, and that it certainly is. The bar is located on Broad Street & Locust Street and is located in the upstairs location of Vrailli restaurant. Its large windows offer beautiful views of the buildings around it, including The Bellevue, the Kimmel Center, and the Academy of Music. There is a large bar to sit at, with small tables located behind them, making it comfortable and not too crowded. In the back area of the bar, where the pool table is located, there are tables for larger groups to indulge and imbibe upon.

 This happy hour spot has treated me well both in small and large groups. The service is quick and efficient, and the bartenders will even let you sample a brew if you’re unsure! Be sure not to miss Perch Pub’s wonderfully written draft list, the descriptions are both entertaining, creative, and very informative. Perch Pub is located at 1345 Locust Street. It can be reached at 215.546.4090 or at www.perchpub.com

Monday, March 11, 2013

Make time for Time


Time is a special bar in Philadelphia that truly offers something for everyone. It is split into three sections, which include a dining room with a large bar, a whiskey bar and taproom, and the lounge on the second floor that hosts a DJ every Friday and Saturday night. The dining room’s large bar offers a classy experience to dine, snack, and sip on cocktails. It often offers live music for guest’s entertainment. The whiskey bar and tap room offers a more lively scene that would be perfect to watch the big game while imbibing on cocktails and bourbon with friends.

Happy hour at Time is served from 5 PM to 7 PM every day of the week with live jazz at 6 PM on Thursday- Saturday. The drink specials include $3 Yards Thomas Jefferson Ale Draft, $1 off all other drafts, $5 Dark and Stormys, Presbyterians and Champagne Cocktails. The bar bite offerings are $3 mini French fries or onion rings, $5 mini mac and cheese, and a $6 crostini of the day. My personal favorites are the champagne cocktails and the mac and cheese to indulge on, although all of the beverages and bites are mouth watering.

The venue’s Dark and Stormy is comprised of Gosling’s dark rum, Jamaican ginger beer, and a lime. The Presbyterian consists of Jim Beam rye, ginger ale, and bitters.  There are several champagne cocktails that are sure to get you feeling bubbly. The mac and cheese is made with smoked brisket, cavatelli, white cheddar and fontina cheeses. Any of the crostini’s offered are sure to take your taste buds on a ride!

“The Foobooz Top 50 Bars for 2012” included Time, and the voters were certainly not wrong. It can cater to almost any scene that a consumer is looking for because of its diversity and options. If you’re looking to have a quiet and relaxing drink alone or with a small group, the dining room with its center bar is the place for you. If you’re looking for a more animated and bustling scene, the whiskey bar is perfect for a group of friends or coworkers to come together. I have enjoyed the bar in all of its capacities and have never been dissatisfied.

Time is located at 1315 Sansom Street in Philadelphia. The restaurant/ bar can be reached at 215.985.4800 or at http://www.timerestaurant.net/