Archive for the ‘Bars’ Category

TEN STONE BAR AND RESTAURANT

Thursday, August 4th, 2005

ten stone
Ten Stone is a loud, smoky pub/sandwich place that seems to cater to young people. The menu offers some nice variations from typical pub fare, with choices like fondue and 3 cheese risotto fritters. We tried the fritters, and they didn't really taste like anything– but we give Ten Stone props for originality, and we both enjoyed the accompanying tasty horseradish sauce.

Their sandwiches were good, but both of us were desperately trying to recreate an orgasmic past sandwich experience – and Ten Stone's portabella mushroom and goat cheese could not live up to the similar sandwich at Sotto Voce on Seventh Avenue in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Similarly, their pulled pork came up short when compared to other juicy masterpieces Picky has experienced.

The main bar area is spacious. A good sized U-shape bar with a slab of slate displaying the daily brews on tap. Tables line the main room which can get crowded quickly. During the nice weather, tables are set up all around the exterior of the building. There's a seating area directly behind the bar which is good for a gathering of twenty or so. To the side, there's a darker room with a pool table and a plasma flat panel television. This deep room which runs the length of the bar is a great spot to watch sports or get a little space between the more hectic bar area and yourself.

On its face, however, the food is pretty good. And they always have a good selection of local brews on tap and bottled.

Messy **1/2
Picky **1/2

The final word: Good, if you don't make comparisons.

Ten Stone Bar and Restaurant
2063 South St.
Philadelphia, PA
215-735-9939
Mon – Sat: 11:30am-2am
Sun: 10am – 2am (kitchen closes at 1am)

NODDING HEAD

Thursday, August 4th, 2005

nodding head

Can it be? Is it possible we found the perfect restaurant this early in our adventure? We had only dreamed of such a place, where Messy could have a vegan burger and baked brie while Picky gobbled on ribs and beer-battered onion rings. Nodding Head boasts an extensive menu that could satisfy anyone from, well, Messy to Picky. Make sure to order fries, or something you can dip into the highly addictive signature bourbon mayonnaise.

We've been to Nodding Head with as diverse companions as Picky's carnivorous college buddies; our vegan couple friends; and Messy's diabetic dad, low-cholesterol-dieting mom, and notoriously picky brother. The food has been consistently good all around. Even though the food there is great, on two subsequent visits, we've come across some serious Philly 'tude from the hosts at the top of the stairs. But that hasn't stopped us from going back, the food is just too good to pass up and the service is almost always great (always accomodating requests for extra bourbon mayonnaise!).

Nodding Head is a brewery as well. Award winning beers flow from their taps. They usually have about five to choose from each day, Picky's favorite is the Grog – a dark beer falling in between a Newcastle and a Guinness.

Messy ****
Picky ****

The final word: Bound to please everyone.

Nodding Head
1516 Sansom St, Second floor
Philadelphia, PA
Mon.-Sat.: 11:30 am- 1:30
Sun.: 11am-Midnight. (Jazz brunch and Quizzo at 9pm)
(215) 569-9525

NICK'S ROAST BEEF OF PHILLY

Thursday, August 4th, 2005

Nick's is like a piece of South Philly in the middle of bougie Olde City. We enjoyed some fairly-priced pub food while we were entertained by the Eagles game on several TV's, wing-guzzling frat boys at the next table, and an attractive-yet-hardened waitress with no time to be charming.

Picky's cheesesteak was too dry, but that didn't discourage him- he's going back for the famous roast beef. Otherwise the food was pretty good. With all of the options in Olde City, Nick's might not be a top choice. But, then again, if you're short on cash and craving beer and cheesefries, Nick's is the place to be. Especially since there is a "French Fry Gallery" section on the menu, with thirteen choices available. It starts off with the normal golden french fries and golden cheese fries, but then the gallery expands. Maryland crab fries, cajun fries, chili fries, gravy fries, pizza fries, chajun cheese fries, curly fries, curly cheese fries, curly crab fries, curly cajun fries and curly cajun cheese fries.

Nick's kitchen is open until 1am all week and the bar closes at 2am, so if you find yourself craving grease while you're out at a club in Olde City, break out a little early and head on over to Nick's.

Messy **
Picky ***

The final word: We'll be back for the namesake. Well, one of us, at least.

Nick's Roast Beef
16 S. 2nd St.
Philadelphia, PA
215-928-9411

GOOD DOG CAFÉ

Thursday, August 4th, 2005

good dog cafe

This bar/café is not, as Messy's sister hypothesized, a place where dog-lovers can enjoy meals side-by-side with their canine pals. It is a pretty cool bar, with a jukebox full of early-nineties hits, and restrooms labeled "sires" and "bitches." Unfortunately, we were seated in the bar during our dinner, which meant we were subjected to Philly's bassackwards smoking laws, causing most of our food to taste like second hand smoke. We started off with the tomatillo dip and flat bread which was. . . eh, okay. Messy had a surprisingly-small-for-$12 mac and cheese served, bizarrely, with a blueberry muffin. Holy carbs, Batman! It was. . .eh, okay. Picky had overpriced baby-back ribs (and we do mean baby, when we're speaking of portion size) with sweet potato fries which he deemed. . . .eh, okay.

Messy **
Picky **

The final word: You guessed it . . . ok.

Good Dog Café
224 S 15th St
Philadelphia, PA 19102
215-985-9600
Mon- Fri 11:30-2 AM Sat. and Sun. 4:00 PM-2:00 AM