Fine Eating at the bar in Philly

[GordonCooks]

Will be visiting over the Memorial day weekend to unwind. Looking for better food/wine and bar seating. Not so much about culinary gymnastics but more about R&R. Have done the Osteria thing, Brasserie Perrier, Bec-Fin, LaCroix, The Continental, Morimoto, etc. Looking for opinions on LeBar Lyonnais, Does Vetri has bar seating?

 

thanks

[Behemoth]

Will be visiting over the Memorial day weekend to unwind. Looking for better food/wine and bar seating. Not so much about culinary gymnastics but more about R&R. Have done the Osteria thing, Brasserie Perrier, Bec-Fin, LaCroix, The Continental, Morimoto, etc. Looking for opinions on LeBar Lyonnais, Does Vetri has bar seating?

 

thanks

 

Vetri does not have bar seating. Have you considered Amada? Xochitl also has bar seating, IIRC.

[GordonCooks]

Will be visiting over the Memorial day weekend to unwind. Looking for better food/wine and bar seating. Not so much about culinary gymnastics but more about R&R. Have done the Osteria thing, Brasserie Perrier, Bec-Fin, LaCroix, The Continental, Morimoto, etc. Looking for opinions on LeBar Lyonnais, Does Vetri has bar seating?

 

thanks

 

Vetri does not have bar seating. Have you considered Amada? Xochitl also has bar seating, IIRC.

 

I've been to Amada twice, good both times but looking for something diff. I thought Xochitl is pretty mundane after the chef's departure.

[Squeat Mungry]

Even though unfortunately I haven't yet had the opportunity to visit it in its current configuration, I can and do wholeheartedly recommend this place, Southwark Cafe and Bar, because I have the highest confidence in the proprietors*.

 

Kip is the best bartender I've ever had the pleasure to work with, and Sheri is an exceptional chef, who trained here in San Francisco at the California Culinary Academy. Even though I haven't been myself, I can practically guarantee you'll have an enjoyable experience, should you decide to go there. (If you do, tell them Neil says 'Hi!')

 

*They are personal, dear friends, but they have in no way sponsored this recommendation. In fact, it's been far too long since we've been in touch.

 

ETA: And oops, I got it wrong: it's South Wark Restaurant & Bar. D'oh!

[fentona]

Southwark is indeed awesome; one of the best-- maybe the best-- cocktail + food combinations in the city. And they have a lovely and comfortable bar. Chick's Cafe (only about three blocks from Southwark) is also very good.

 

Do I remember right that your girlfriend is a pescetarian? If so (but even if not), another great place for eating at the bar is the Oyster House (1516 Sansom), which features very good seafood and drinks. If Katie Loeb is at the bar, be sure to say hello to her.

 

ETA: And oops, I got it wrong: it's South Wark Restaurant & Bar. D'oh!

 

You had it right the first time: the restaurant name (like the neighborhood name) is "Southwark"; one word.

[jas.]

Will be visiting over the Memorial day weekend to unwind. Looking for better food/wine and bar seating. Not so much about culinary gymnastics but more about R&R. Have done the Osteria thing, Brasserie Perrier, Bec-Fin, LaCroix, The Continental, Morimoto, etc. Looking for opinions on LeBar Lyonnais, Does Vetri has bar seating?

 

thanks

 

Vetri does not have bar seating. Have you considered Amada? Xochitl also has bar seating, IIRC.

 

 

xochitl recently had a chef change and a menu/concept revamp; it's more casual and cheaper now.

 

amada and tinto both are nice places to eat at the bar.

 

i've enjoyed le bar lyonnais the couple of times i've been there; however none have been more recently than about five years ago, when i was with a guy who had the money to buy a bottle of some ungodly expensive first growth bordeaux (thinking 1985 or 86 haut-brion) that was so bretty we could barely drink it. the sommelier thought it was delightful, of course, and thanked dude for letting him taste it. haha.

 

for the wine part, you might also consider panorama restaurant, with its 120-bottle cruvinet.

[GordonCooks]

Southwark is indeed awesome; one of the best-- maybe the best-- cocktail + food combinations in the city. And they have a lovely and comfortable bar. Chick's Cafe (only about three blocks from Southwark) is also very good.

 

Do I remember right that your girlfriend is a pescetarian? If so (but even if not), another great place for eating at the bar is the Oyster House (1516 Sansom), which features very good seafood and drinks. If Katie Loeb is at the bar, be sure to say hello to her.

 

ETA: And oops, I got it wrong: it's South Wark Restaurant & Bar. D'oh!

 

You had it right the first time: the restaurant name (like the neighborhood name) is "Southwark"; one word.

 

I visited Katie at Chick's a while ago and had a great time. Yes, my flame is a pescetarian and Sansom is on the friday late/sunday early dinner list.

[GordonCooks]

Even though unfortunately I haven't yet had the opportunity to visit it in its current configuration, I can and do wholeheartedly recommend this place, Southwark Cafe and Bar, because I have the highest confidence in the proprietors*.

 

Kip is the best bartender I've ever had the pleasure to work with, and Sheri is an exceptional chef, who trained here in San Francisco at the California Culinary Academy. Even though I haven't been myself, I can practically guarantee you'll have an enjoyable experience, should you decide to go there. (If you do, tell them Neil says 'Hi!')

 

*They are personal, dear friends, but they have in no way sponsored this recommendation. In fact, it's been far too long since we've been in touch.

 

ETA: And oops, I got it wrong: it's South Wark Restaurant & Bar. D'oh!

 

Noted, THANKS! I love insider info

[GordonCooks]

Will be visiting over the Memorial day weekend to unwind. Looking for better food/wine and bar seating. Not so much about culinary gymnastics but more about R&R. Have done the Osteria thing, Brasserie Perrier, Bec-Fin, LaCroix, The Continental, Morimoto, etc. Looking for opinions on LeBar Lyonnais, Does Vetri has bar seating?

 

thanks

 

Vetri does not have bar seating. Have you considered Amada? Xochitl also has bar seating, IIRC.

 

 

xochitl recently had a chef change and a menu/concept revamp; it's more casual and cheaper now.

 

amada and tinto both are nice places to eat at the bar.

 

i've enjoyed le bar lyonnais the couple of times i've been there; however none have been more recently than about five years ago, when i was with a guy who had the money to buy a bottle of some ungodly expensive first growth bordeaux (thinking 1985 or 86 haut-brion) that was so bretty we could barely drink it. the sommelier thought it was delightful, of course, and thanked dude for letting him taste it. haha.

 

for the wine part, you might also consider panorama restaurant, with its 120-bottle cruvinet.

 

I'm worried about the stuffiness factor - if they let me drink Coche Dury MP in sneakers, then they're in the "maybe" pile. It's going to be a no jacket or tie weekend.

[jas.]

I'm worried about the stuffiness factor - if they let me drink Coche Dury MP in sneakers, then they're in the "maybe" pile. It's going to be a no jacket or tie weekend.

 

 

yeah that's a good point. the restaurant especially can be a bit stuffy.

 

however, i will say this in general: one of the nicer aspects of dining in this city is that there are very few places with hard-and-fast dress codes. nearly any restaurant will take you in nearly any outfit, so if you don't have a mental block against feeling underdressed, you're certainly not going to get turned down (and probably won't even get much, if any, attitude).

[GordonCooks]

I'm worried about the stuffiness factor - if they let me drink Coche Dury MP in sneakers, then they're in the "maybe" pile. It's going to be a no jacket or tie weekend.

 

 

yeah that's a good point. the restaurant especially can be a bit stuffy.

 

however, i will say this in general: one of the nicer aspects of dining in this city is that there are very few places with hard-and-fast dress codes. nearly any restaurant will take you in nearly any outfit, so if you don't have a mental block against feeling underdressed, you're certainly not going to get turned down (and probably won't even get much, if any, attitude).

I do appreciate that about Philly. Having been there 8-9 times, it's truly a city where I feel I could live.

[jas.]

i've enjoyed le bar lyonnais the couple of times i've been there; however none have been more recently than about five years ago, when i was with a guy who had the money to buy a bottle of some ungodly expensive first growth bordeaux (thinking 1985 or 86 haut-brion) that was so bretty we could barely drink it. the sommelier thought it was delightful, of course, and thanked dude for letting him taste it. haha.

 

 

quoting myself to point out this update about the revamped le bar lyonnais, which just showed up in my twitter feed:

 

http://citypaper.net/blogs/mealticket/2010...e-bar-lyonnais/