Hickory Lane American Bistro Review

Despite having lived in the area for the past four years, the GF and I haven't explored the North Fairmount area as much as I'd like. And after having recently visited Hickory Lane for a double date with Geo's Table (the Hickory Lane burger was ridiculously good!), I knew a return trip was in order! So when my folks were in town, we stopped by to enjoy brunch al fresco. 

Eggs Benedict [$12]

My dad went with a classic, cooked perfectly. The poached eggs oozed yolk all over the thick-cut Canadian bacon and toasted English muffin, with the acidic richness of the hollandaise bringing it over the top. Breakfast potatoes were spot on - hearty, well-seasoned, and interspersed with onions and peppers. 

Pork Belly Benedict [$13]

I'm only realizing this now, but why the heck would you not get the pork belly benedict when it's only a dollar more. Huge, hefty hunks were well crisped and yielded tender, unctuous pork within. Instead of English muffin, the poached eggs were atop brioche, which added a buttery richness to each bite, cut somewhat by the pickled red onion. Easily one of my favorite brunch dishes in the city. 

California Grilled Chicken Club [$15]

Smoked bacon, avocado salsa, honey dijon, greens, Heirloom tomato, Le Bus bread

My mom's tastes are simpler, but her grilled chicken club wasn't any less delicious. Juicy chicken had a good crisp and the avocado salsa and honey dijon worked really well to create a flavorful bite. She tends to eat healthy (how are we related?), so that just meant I got extra bacon with my meal. Accompanying fries were spot on - crisp, slightly greasy, and delicious.

Tex Mex Plato [$12]

Chilaquiles, spicy sausage, cilantro, salsa rojo, poached eggs, chipotle hollandaise, queso fresco

The kitchen's headed up by Chef Frank Martinez, who clearly executes New American well. The GF was able to enjoy some of his Latin American background with this perfect chilaquiles. The fried tortilla still had texture, but soaked up plenty of the salsa rojo, with bits of spicy sausage and queso studded throughout. And once the poached egg and hollandaise was dripping down the chilaquiles, I was completely sold. Hickory Lane has the perfect hangover cure. 

Stone Ground Bacon Grits [$7]

Likely mounted with an entire stick of butter, these cheddar grits were amazingly rich. And topped with crisp bacon, even the belly of this pig was satiated with the amount of bacon and pork consumed on this day.

So if you're looking for another brunch spot and definitely if you're in the Fairmount area, I'd head over to Hickory Lane. And in case you're interested in walking off the meal, it's right next to Eastern State Penitentiary! 

2nd Annual Philadelphia Restaurant Festival Review

This past Thursday was Philly's 2nd Annual Restaurant Festival. Sponsored by Cadillac, Modelo Especial, & Upcoing Events, local restaurants and vendors were brought together to provide bites and drinks for everyone to enjoy. 

The festival was held in the Academy of Natural Sciences, which is the ideal venue to enjoy art and science exhibits with a cocktail in one hand and a slider in another. Considering the summer heat though, the AC definitely could have been turned up more with the amount of folks that showed up for the event! 

Bank and Bourbon kept things cool with ahi tuna and jalapeno, which had a bit of heat that was tempered by yogurt. Aqimero had Mexican street corn and pork ribs, while Lucky Strike provided Sloppy Joe sliders. And who can say no to a slice or two of Santucci's tomato pies! 

Chickies and Pete's had crab cheese fries by the handful and Milk Boy Philly offered up moist roast pork sliders. And no one left without their sweet tooth satisfied when there's Insomnia Cookies, Dave & Busters' Brookie (brownie + cookies!) ice cream bowls, and treats by Hilary Banks on hand. 

Roy Pitz Barrel House Philadelphia Media Event

With an emphasis on crafting great beer while supporting its local communities and arists, Roy Pitz has expanded to the Arts & Crafts Holdings space at 990 Spring Garden. "A space for optimists" is Arts & Crafts' vision and Roy Pitz is emblematic of that mantra. I'd expect an instant revitalization to the area, with a gorgeously designed space where everyone can come to enjoy Brewing Company's "liquid art" as well as their kitchen's creative takes on bar food.

 Roy Pitz started off in 2008 as a small brewery in an underground back alley tap room. Their Liquid Art concept is an expression of craftsmanship, whether it's with their interesting beers or local artists creating murals for the walls at Roy Pitz Philly or their original location in Chambersburg, PA. 

From Top Left: Stubborn Irish Prig Porter | Best Blonde Lager | Bourbon Barrel Aged Barleywine | Rye Ginger Old Fashioned

The GF and I stopped by for a media preview event and were impressed by the eclectic selection of brews. The GF enjoyed the light, crispness of the blonde lager while I couldn't help but kick back with the chocolatey prig porter. I was especially impressed with the bourbon barrel-aged barley wine which had an initial levity that lent itself to a smooth and intense bourbon-barrel mouthfeel. Their cocktails are on point too, with the whiskey old-fashioned rounding things out for me, with a subtle ginger kick.

From Top Left: Bavarian Soft Pretzel | Prig Porter BBQ Pulled Chicken Egg Roll | Roasted Carrot Hummus | Meat & Cheese Board | Shrimp Ceviche

Not to be outdone, the kitchen has plenty on offer, from small bites like carrot hummus to more substantial beer-infused chicken egg rolls.

From Top Left: Stuffed Eggplant | House Cut Fries | Buffalo & BBQ Wings | French Onion Soup

I can see the stuffed eggplant being a hit, with its veritable garden of mushrooms, peppers, onions, and tomatoes, along with pecorino and bread crumbs. And who can say no to wings, crisp fries, and french onion soup!

From Top Left: Barrel House Burger | Chickpea Salad Sandwich | Curried Chicken Salad Sandwich | Mojo Pork Panini | Prosciutto Panini

Their barrel house burger is a blend of short rib and brisket, topped with porter caramelized onions, sharp cheddar, and "Liquid Art" sauce. Pretty much a must order in my mind.

From Top Left: Mac & Cheese | Crispy Trout | Flat-Iron Steak | Roast Chicken

And when your mac and cheese is topped with bourbon barrel barleywine house-smoked brisket, you know folks are going to be happy.

So what are you waiting for? Head over to Roy Pitz on Spring Garden to check them out and support the local community. If you need more incentive, head over to my Instagram and enter to win a $15 gift card!

FTC Disclaimer: Thanks to Roy Pitz Barrel House and Gloss PR for inviting us to the preview. Regardless, my opinions are mine alone and, therefore, unbiased. 

Drury Beer Garden Review

In the past year or so, beer gardens have been popping up all over Philly. Heck, we even have traveling ones! And if you're a Philly Happy Hour regular, you already know that Drury Beer Garden is one of the OGs. Located in the back of Opa, it offers a relaxed environment where you can post up at the bar or have some drinks while playing ping pong. All the while, you're able to enjoy the tasty Mediterranean offerings from Chef Bobby Saritsoglou.  

Bottom Right: Chef Bobby Saritsoglou holding court

Owners George and Vasiliki Tsiouris were right to bring him on a few years back. Chef Bobby's an awesome dude with an amazing personality (check out that stache!). Even more impressive is his dedication to his craft, making pretty much everything in house. As such, the GF and I were excited to stop by to try his new Drury Beer Garden menu.

Mango Tango [$8]

We started off with some summery drinks. The Twisted Tea was obviously an easy drinker - essentially a spiked Arnold Palmer. Drury Beer Garden's also got specialty cocktails pretty much on tap, along with a rotating slushie! We opted to try the mango tango, which was fruity, sweet, and hit all those seasonal notes. 

Beer Mussels [$6]

P.E.I., garlic, grilled baguette

PEI's were plump, meaty, and immersed with a light, garlicky broth that was perfect to sop up with the grilled bread.

Pita Flatbread [$7]

Ground beef, harissa, onions

The pita flatbread was housemade (of course!) and crisp, with a bright depth coming from the harissa paste. It was topped with seasoned ground beef and red onion.

Corn Dog [$7]

 

I was a big fan of the corn dog, which was deftly fried and had a wonderfully spiced sausage within. Hefty in its own right, you can also opt to go Moroccan style, topped with sauce and cheese!

Loaded Fries [$7]

Brisket, cheese sauce, fried egg

The loaded fries are a must. Crisp fries are well-seasoned, with a cheese sauce dripping between the spuds and a fried egg ready to ooze its yolky goodness. 

Chef Bobby also sent out the octopus, which was a stunner. Hours go into the prep, which resulted in an incredibly tender cephalopod. It's then charcoal-grilled to provide savoriness that was amped up by the accompanying black garlic chips. 

Cherry Chocolate Ice Cream [$4]

If you need to satiate your sweet tooth, do try the housemade ice creams, which were paired with a spiced shortbread. The cherry chocolate was light, subtly sweet, and easily enjoyable.

Honey Vanilla Ice Cream [$4]

The honey vanilla was deceptively simple, but reminded me that sometimes all a good dish needs to shine are quality ingredients. The clean, sweet flavors helped to provide the perfect bite to end our Drury Beer Garden experience.

So if you're never been, be sure to stop by before summer lets out! And you'd be remiss not to stop by Opa itself to check out all that Chef Bobby has to offer.

FTC Disclaimer: I was invited as a guest of Opa-Drury Beer Garden and Bondfire Media. Regardless, my opinions are mine alone and, therefore, unbiased. 

Kimmel Center Balcony Pop Up Happy Hour

Philly is definitely place to be during the summer. You have PHS Pop Ups, traveling beer gardens, and of course, Spruce Street Harbor Park. Now, the Kimmel Center and Garces Events have partnered up to provide you with the Balcony Pop Up Happy Hour - the perfect perch to view Broad Street's cultural hub. 

The GF and I stopped by to preview the Happy Hour and appreciated that there was plenty of seating throughout the balcony. Easy to post up with a drink and sample some small bites before heading off to dinner, a show at Academy of Music, or perhaps the most obvious, a Kimmel Center concert. 

They had two drinks on offer at the preview event. The pictured Terrace cocktail was easy drinking, featuring Effen green apple vodka, with the citrus being more pronounced from lemonade and a smooth undertone from almond liqueur. They also have The Balcony, which highlights Effen's blood orange vodka, with the addition of pink peppercorn for a subtle kick and enhanced spice from the ginger beer. Both are perfectly refreshing for a summer happy hour. During HH (5-7PM), house specialty cocktails are priced at $7, house wines are $6, and draft beers are $5. 

And you know you're going to be indulging in some great bites because after all, this is a Garces Events production. If you're like me and simply adore heat, you'll need to try the Iron Chef's take on hot chicken. The Nashville hot chicken slider is crisp, juicy, and with a lingering burn that is somewhat tempered by the sweet bread and butter pickle. The meatball sliders were just as juicy, with a sweetness from the red sauce and a gooey provolone fondue. Vegetarians rejoice for there are black bean burger sliders - hefty in their own right, with pickled red cabbage, avocado, and thousand island dressing. And you can opt for all three for a reasonable $10! The pierogies will satiate - deftly fried, featuring potato-cheddar within and accompanied by fried pickles and ranch. Other available bites include seasonal pickles, a margherita pizza, and shoestring fries! 

So if you're looking for the new spot to bring your HH crowd, look no further. The Balcony will be open on Wednesdays to Fridays, from 5-9PM. Pro-tip: They'll also be participating in SIPS! 

FTC Disclaimer: Thanks to Gloss PR and Garces Events for inviting us. Regardless, my opinions are mine alone and, therefore, unbiased. 

The Deck Philly Review

A few weeks back, I stopped by the Moshulu to preview the opening of The Deck. I was blown away by the recent renovations. The topside of Penn's Landing's venerable ship was beautifully done, with plenty of comfortable seating to enjoy Philly's sunsets while sipping some summer cocktails. And what better venue to enjoy brunch, perhaps after working in some on-the-deck Sunday yoga? This past Thursday, the GF and I popped in to try some of The Deck's dishes and indulge in their shakes!

Tuna Tartare [$18]

Citrus lime marinade 

We started off with the tuna tartare, which was spot on. I appreciated that the tuna wasn't so finely diced so that I could appreciate the quality of the fish. The marinade didn't overpower, but imparted a nice citrus-soy bite, all atop a California king-size bed of creamy avocado. Crispy onion strings, radish, and jalapeno added some texture, along with the accompanying buttered crostini.

Spanish Octopus [$17]

Preserved lemon

The octo's a must-order in my mind. Lightly charred on the outside, it cut like butter and was incredibly tender. Clearly a lot of time went into the prep of the cephalopod, not to mention the dish itself. Plated with root vegetables for some heft as well as preserved lemons for some acidity, I especially enjoyed the bite of the black garlic paste, which was tempered by the aioli. Do get this!   

New England Lobster Roll [$27]

Butter poached lobster, cole slaw, Old Bay potato chips 

Summer in the city means it's the perfect time for a lobster roll. And The Deck's got you covered with plenty of sweet lobster piled high atop a pillowy, buttered roll. The Old Pay potato chips were homemade and transported us right to Maine. The surprising standout? The cole slaw! I know I'll be adding dill to all my slaw moving forward. It was so good that the GF had to slap my fork away from her plate.

Prime Burger [$24]

10 oz. patty, bacon onion jam, cheddar, mustard aioli, sesame brioche, fries 

For my main, I went with their burger, which boasted 10 oz. of Prime beef, though I have a feeling mine was a full pound. Along with a beautifully salty crust revealing juicy beef within, the wall of cheese cascading over the patty was unreal. Housemade bacon-onion jam sealed the deal by bringing each bite over the top. Make sure to ask for an extra napkin! The crisp fries were well-seasoned and the mustard aioli was addictive. In fact, if you get a standalone order of fries as a Happy Hour snack, I'd ask for that aioli!  

The Deck Shakes [$16 each]

Chocolate Tasty Shake

Chocolate Ganache, Philly Candies, Soft Pretzel, Whipped Cream, Peanut Butter Tasty Cakes 

Wild Thang Strawberry Shake

Vanilla Buttercream, Pastel Candies, B'day Cake, Whipped Cream, Pink Caramel Angel Hair

Of course if there's anything you've got to try at least once, it's The Deck Shakes. When these bad boys came out, I noticed that all the patrons gaped and turned their heads in awe as it came to our table. The Chocolate Tasty Cake hit all the right notes between salty and sweet, featuring a cornucopia of Philly soft pretzels, Tasty Cakes, peanut butter cups, chocolate candies, and plenty of whipped cream. Beneath it all was a cool and creamy chocolaty shake that's perfect for a summer sugar high. The Wild Thang features an entire slice of birthday cake, pink caramel angel hair strands, vanilla KitKats, and a delicious strawberry shake, along with a rainbow of chocolate candies studding the body of the glass.

Beyond their ridiculous shakes, The Deck offers "Deck Jugs," which features their top cocktails mixed and served in a Jug dispenser for parties of two or more! Perfect for an after-work meetup with coworkers and friends. So be sure to stop on by - where else can you enjoy your Philly summer on a ship, by the water, and with great food and drinks! 

FTC Disclaimer: Thanks to the Fearless Restaurants and The Deck Philly for hosting us. Regardless, my opinions are mine alone and, therefore, unbiased. 

CO-OP Philly Preview Event

Ideally situated between Drexel and Penn's campuses, The Study is an upscale, boutique hotel concept from developer Paul McGowan. Marketed towards academic professionals, alumni, and parents, this is the second hotel, with the first having opened in 2008 near Yale University (a third is opening up near U. Chicago!). The Study also houses CO-OP, a modern, new American restaurant with Chef Craig Russell at its helm. 

CO-OP is spaciously designed on the ground level of The Study, with plenty of al fresco dining and doors that open out to the street.

I stopped by for a preview tasting and CO-OP's featured cocktails are perfect for easy summer drinking. The Doctor's Order was light, with the undertone of oak and floral notes from the gin and a subtly sweet spiciness from the ginger liqueur. The Weather Report was obviously a favorite - a smooth marriage of bourbon and earl grey syrup, with a nice citrus sweetness from the house orange-vanilla vermouth. 

Clockwise from Top Right: Crudite with Ash Roasted Eggplant Dip | Chicken Liver Mousse, Eggplant Crostini, Maryland Blue Crab Crostini | Potato Bread with Warm Ricotta Dip | Maryland Blue Crab Toast 

If you're looking to stop by for Happy Hour or indulge in a few starters, their crisp, cool crudite is paired with ash-roasted eggplant. The Maryland Blue Crab toast is a crowd-pleaser - its sweetness paired with sprouts and hearty whole-grain toast. The sweet and light potato bread was also easily enjoyed with the accompanying warm ricotta dip. 

Clockwise from Top Right: Blue Crab Fetuccini | Dukkah Spiced Cauiflower | Green Circle Rotisserie Chicken | Mahi Mahi with Couscous and White Asparagus

Chef Russell expertly executed the entrees, with his experience at Will BYOB clearly shining through. The cauliflower was surprisingly substantive and there was wonderful restraint from the dukkah spice that melded well with the pistachio and fennel. The fried cipollini onions helped to provide additional texture and some sweetness to each bite. The rotisserie chicken was moist, juicy, and had crisp, well-seasoned skin. Mahi mahi was gorgeously cooked, atop a bed of couscous, with white asparagus and roe adorning the plate. 

After enjoying some of CO-OP's drinks and dishes, I went on a tour of The Study itself. Relaxed and without pretension, there were numerous small touches that helped to showcase a brand seeking loyalty and trust among their clientele. Postcards were available in case you were seeking to sent a note (to be stamped and mailed by The Study!) and there was art on loan from local museums and galleries as well. If you're looking to book a room during graduation season, I'd reach out now - they're reportedly 75% booked for next year! 

And what better excuse is there to stay at The Study than having the delicious ease of stepping right down to the CO-OP? But even if you're not staying at The Study, I'd pop on in to try what Chef Russell's dishing out. As an aside, Marti from Mac Mart DM'ed me to let me know that she loved their onion rings as well as CO-OP's mac (it comes topped with brisket!). Quite the rec, considering we're talking about the local lady who recently got the nod from QVC! 

FTC Disclaimer: This preview event was hosted by Hospitality 3 and Philly PR Girl. Regardless, my opinions are mine alone and, therefore, unbiased.