The greatest perk about driving in Denver is always knowing which direction you're headed just by looking at the mountains (hint for you flatlanders - they're always west). Take advantage of this easily navigable city and the affordable travel rates and do up Denver's dining scene in twenty-four hours.
Green chili breakfast burrito or pancakes at Snooze? If you're an early bird, definitely head over to Snooze to dive into the sweetest pancakes this side of the Rockies. On the outskirts of LoDo at 2262 Larimer, Snooze is a local favorite for curing a hang over and a destination for foodies from around the country. Need more street cred? The kiddies from the Real World Denver used to grab grub here, like, all the time.
Throw your salty desires out the window and opt for a towering plate of fluffy, sugary pancakes. Try the mini-flight sampler if you just can't decide between pineapple upside-down pancakes or the sweet potato ones.
Snooze is strategically located about 5 blocks east of shopping mecca Larimer Square, if you're in desperate need to walk off those carbs or buy bigger pants. And if the lines at Snooze send you running, try the Market Cafe in Larimer Square (1445 Larimer St). It's a decent substitute with cute outside seating, fresh coffee, and enormous breakfast pastries.
Adjacent to Larmier Square through the jagged Writer Square is the 16th Street Mall. Highly touristy and polluted with mall rats, think of it only as a bridge between meals. Walk up the mall towards the Capitol Building (away from the mountains), and turn on 17th Avenue for a quick stroll through the quaint Uptown neighborhood. In the midst of Victorian homes and craftsman-style bungalows, enjoy a refreshing mid-day meal at Watercourse, located at 837 E. 17th Ave.
Watercourse mirrors Denver's desire for clean livin' and heathly eatin' by rewarding environmentally concious citizens with a fresh innovative take on traditionally greasy comfort food. Overstuffed sandwiches, thoughtfully blended salads, and flavorful pasta dishes contribute to the impressive menu.
After this satisfying lunch, you'll be walking down the block licking your lips and suddenly you'll stop and think to yourself, "Wait, I didn't see any meat on that menu." You just ate at a vegetarian restaurant. And you didn't even realize, right? Watercourse is just that good.
Still not swayed on a hardcore vegetarian lifestyle, even just for lunch? Head back down 17th for about five blocks to grab at table at Steuben's, 523 E 17th Ave. Dishing out good ol' American meat and kitschy cocktails in a retro space-age decor, Steuben's is like taking a trip to a culinary county fair. They also really love bacon and cupcakes. Can't go wrong here!
For dinner, get in your rental and cross over Colfax for an authentic western experience at the Buckhorn Exchange, 1000 Osage Street. The Buckhorn Exchange is the type of restaurant for the I've-seen-it-all travelers. You haven't. Not until you've dined with a two-headed jackalope glaring at your Cowboy steak. "Jackalopes are a myth," you say? Then ask your server to point out the five-foot long whale penis dangling above your dinner salad.
You'll feel like Gustav from Beauty and the Beast in this truly over-the-top hunter's lodge of a restaurant complete with high backed Queen Anne-style chairs. Every animal you can kill and stuff is represented on the walls of the Buckhorn Exchange. Furthermore, every animal you can kill and eat is on the menu. Obviously, this place isn't for the staunch herbivore, so leave your animal-loving friends at Watercourse.
Even though it sounds exotic, skip the rattlesnake appetizer and order up some real western delicacies in the form of smoky buffalo sausage or, for the ballsy diner, the Rocky Mountain oysters. For those feeling a flight of adventure, try the poultry sampler with ostrich, yak, and quail. If you want to cut to the chase, snag a buffalo and elk combination entree for the best buttery cuts Colorado has to offer.
If more standard fare is what you seek, I guess you can score a spot at Table 6 at 609 Corona Street in the Capitol Hill neighborhood. With a decidedly East Coast feel, Table 6 enchants patrons with exciting entrees and a seasonal focus. Be sure to make reservations as the tiny bar gets cramped at peak hours.
Finally, let's get down to business. When deciding on a nightlife destination, unless you're stuck on re-living the Real World Denver highlights, steer clear of LoDo. With the long lines, expensive parking, and weak drinks, LoDo is just like every other party district in any other city - unremarkable. Instead, I recommend East Colfax. Park right on Colfax around the Bluebird Theatre and have multiple hoppin' bars to choose from with easy access, and even a 7-11 to stop at for cigs or Red Bull.
To ease into the night, hit up the Goosetown Tavern at 3242 E Colfax Ave, directly across from the Bluebird. A popular dig for local servers after work, the Goosetown offers a dozen beer on tap, standard bar food, pool tables, and a huge patio.
To step it up a notch, cross back over Colfax for the Atomic Cowboy for a rowdy good time. To make up for a severe lack in mechanical bulls, the Atomic Cowboy has generous drink specials, cushy booths, and old school board games in a retro cowboy themed space. Grab a PBR and a stool on their outside patio for a front row seat to the spectacle that is Colfax Ave.
Next, be a part of the action itself at Rock Bar, located a few doors down at 3015 E Colfax Ave, in the Hotel. Infamous for having totally unpromoted but fully embraced theme nights, Rock Bar isn't a club - it's a bar with a dance floor. Furthermore, Rock Bar is a completely untouched, untainted bonafide rock-n-roll hang out from the 70's. Can you say velvet booths, gold foiled wallpaper, and secluded lounges?
With no drink specials, no food, and non-request-taking DJ's, Rock Bar is usually a hit or miss with first-time party goers. To avoid walking out and wondering what all the fuss is about, try to go over the weekend. If you are a mid-week rager, however, pop into Senger's right across the street for classy drinks on a lush garden deck.
It's 2 a.m., the bars are closing, and you're desperate for something to sop up the alcohol swishing around in your belly. Stumble one block west to the Shoppe at 3103 East Colfax Avenue for some sweet relief. This little gem shines brightly over Colfax with neon pink signs, serving up moist, buttery cupcakes and cold, crunchy cereal. Open til 3 a.m. on the weekends, I bet dollars to donuts, the Shoppe has what you're looking for.
If something salty is what you crave, drive down to Pete's Kitchen, open 24 hours at 1962 E Colfax Ave. A true Denver landmark, Pete's has the feel of an East coast diner, dishing out American standards and Western traditions. Still mad you chose the pancakes over the breakfast burrito this morning? Here's your chance! Topped with peppery, meaty green chili, a true western burrito will definitely complete your day dining in the queen city of the plains.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Sunday, November 8, 2009
The Dueling Oysters
An old adage warns foodies to never eat oysters during months ending with an "R." On a recent trip to New Orleans in October, this warning was backed by a scare from the FDA alerting ostraphiles of a potentially deadly bacteria raging through Gulf oysters. In 2011, all oysters hailing from the warm waters of the Gulf may have to be subjected to a sterilization process depriving the heavenly mollusks of all their flavor, texture, and appeal. Lucky for me, however, I have a thriving immune system and one week to indulge in all the slimy, salty, gooey oysters the French Quarter has to offer.
A newbie to New Orleans is always inundated with dining suggestions. For the best raw oysters in town, Brennan's on Bourbon was given to me before I left. The locals said "overpriced and overrated." Felix's at 739 Iberville of Royal was another one but reputation aside, it was small, dirty-looking, and lacking any atmosphere. Digs outside the French Quarter (Drago's, Pascal's, Cooter Brown's) also came highly recommended, but as my belly growled with hunger for the salty creatures, I lacked the wherewith all to catch a cab. Instead, I barreled through the French Quarter looking for a name I overheard a handful of times since touching down in the airport: "Acme."
The Acme Oyster House, at 724 Iberville Street between Bourbon and Royal, is rich in history... kind of. In 1910, the Acme Cafe opened on Royal Street and served locals traditional New Orleans fare. In 1924, after a disastrous fire swept through the Quarter, the restaurant moved to its present location and started serving their famous char-grilled oysters. The bar also boasts a "Poet's Corner" a la Westminster Abbey. Allegedly, this was a niche for famous wordsmiths of the Quarter wanting to gulp down oysters in seclusion. Today, patrons who choose to sit in this section are subject to ridicule from the servers while being surrounded by quirky quotes and idioms.
As I round the corner of Bourbon and Iberville clutching a grossly sugary daiquiri, the line cinching around the building could only mean one thing. "Forty-five minute wait," mumbles the hostess who could barely look me in the eye while delivery this blow. I couldn't do it. No way. Not when it's a busy Friday afternoon and I have a full week's worth of time to hit this place up after a lunch rush. However, I was now officially intrigued with Acme. The sign in the window reading "Waitress Available Sometimes" reflects the restaurant's charming appeal and the place is bursting at the seems, so a return effort is most certainly called for.
Time to execute plan B. I need a roomy space to enjoy these oysters. I want a restaurant with sweet Louisiana winds blowing in through large open french windows. As I turn the corner at Royal and St. Louis streets, my desires are met at the Royal House restaurant, located at 441 Royal St. For what seems to be a no-name spot, the Royal House has it all, boasting a large granite oyster bar, spanning half the restaurant with a grand mirrored backdrop. A well-lit, spotless, and cozy dining room embraces the tourist and local alike, bestowing authentic creole cuisine and fresh Gulf oysters at a moderate price. Not bad for having a location one block off Bourbon Street.
After settling in at the oyster bar with a fizzy gin and tonic, I ordered a dozen raw. The oyster shucker was fast, friendly, and talkative. After showing me how to properly shuck an oyster, he presented me with an icy plate of the slimy suckers. One after another, I dressed them with a tiny bit of cocktail sauce and a dab of horseradish, and slid them down my gullet. The salty dressing and ocean water coated my tongue. The wet, tangy flesh wrapped around my teeth. The cold, sweet oyster dropped down my throat and my experience was complete. I left the Royal House feeling accomplished, please with the service and delighted with the oysters.
Sleeping in on Saturday morning allowed me to wake up with an oyster craving at a decent, decidedly less busy hour. Bourbon Street the morning after a big party night is lousy with pools of beer, beads crunching under your feet, and sleepy strippers still trying to lure in guests in A.M. hours. However, a beacon shined over this mess as I turned down Iberville to find only a handful of patrons in line for Acme Oyster House.
After only about ten minutes, I found a seat at the bar and was reading over the large menu which boasted standard creole fare - po' boys, etouffee, and fried seafood platters. Having my raw desires satiated yesterday, I ordered up a dozen of their famous char-grilled oysters on the half shell. Supposedly, Acme was the first to char-grill these pillows of salty seafood. Many oyster houses in the Quarter followed, including the Royal House, and tried to perfect the recipe.
Showing up on a glossy black tray, shells resting in stones of salt, the char-grilled oysters bubbled in buttery pools, topped with melted, crispy Parmesan cheese. One doesn't need lemon, cocktail sauce, or horseradish for these already flavorful bites. Obviously, the butter and cheese cover up the briny oyster taste for those not willing to take a dive into the world of the raw. For the oyster purist, the real taste is in there somewhere toward the end of the bite, but after a dozen of the char-grilled, the raw wonders will beckon one back.
Acme's char-grilled oysters are yummy, warming, and satisfying, but not the show-stoppers I anticipated. Still hungry after my serving, I asked for a crawfish po-boy and another round of drinks. Feeling rushed by the nosey servers, I vacuumed up the sandwich (the Tabasco-infused mayo is clutch) and grabbed a plastic cup for my drink.
After a few hours of wandering around the Quarter, taking pictures of houses I want to live in one day, I waited for my belly to growl with hunger again for I knew what I must do. At five in the afternoon, I waltzed into the Royal House and ordered up a dozen of their char-grilled beauties. They were bigger (key since their plump bodies seem to tighten up during the cooking process), the cheese was mightier, and the buttery sauce was more tangy and infused with herbs. Feeling relaxed in the Royal House's casual atmosphere, I lounged around all night, switching between raw and char-grilled.
While Acme had me debating between the two versions, the Royal House has me now enjoying both, all in the comfort of a low-pressure, breezy restaurant. Even though Acme was the big-name contender, their oysters proved only to be good enough for the mindless tourist, merely stopping in to see what all the fuss is about. The Royal House is for true ostraphiles on a hunt to relish in these treasures of the Gulf.
A newbie to New Orleans is always inundated with dining suggestions. For the best raw oysters in town, Brennan's on Bourbon was given to me before I left. The locals said "overpriced and overrated." Felix's at 739 Iberville of Royal was another one but reputation aside, it was small, dirty-looking, and lacking any atmosphere. Digs outside the French Quarter (Drago's, Pascal's, Cooter Brown's) also came highly recommended, but as my belly growled with hunger for the salty creatures, I lacked the wherewith all to catch a cab. Instead, I barreled through the French Quarter looking for a name I overheard a handful of times since touching down in the airport: "Acme."
The Acme Oyster House, at 724 Iberville Street between Bourbon and Royal, is rich in history... kind of. In 1910, the Acme Cafe opened on Royal Street and served locals traditional New Orleans fare. In 1924, after a disastrous fire swept through the Quarter, the restaurant moved to its present location and started serving their famous char-grilled oysters. The bar also boasts a "Poet's Corner" a la Westminster Abbey. Allegedly, this was a niche for famous wordsmiths of the Quarter wanting to gulp down oysters in seclusion. Today, patrons who choose to sit in this section are subject to ridicule from the servers while being surrounded by quirky quotes and idioms.
As I round the corner of Bourbon and Iberville clutching a grossly sugary daiquiri, the line cinching around the building could only mean one thing. "Forty-five minute wait," mumbles the hostess who could barely look me in the eye while delivery this blow. I couldn't do it. No way. Not when it's a busy Friday afternoon and I have a full week's worth of time to hit this place up after a lunch rush. However, I was now officially intrigued with Acme. The sign in the window reading "Waitress Available Sometimes" reflects the restaurant's charming appeal and the place is bursting at the seems, so a return effort is most certainly called for.
Time to execute plan B. I need a roomy space to enjoy these oysters. I want a restaurant with sweet Louisiana winds blowing in through large open french windows. As I turn the corner at Royal and St. Louis streets, my desires are met at the Royal House restaurant, located at 441 Royal St. For what seems to be a no-name spot, the Royal House has it all, boasting a large granite oyster bar, spanning half the restaurant with a grand mirrored backdrop. A well-lit, spotless, and cozy dining room embraces the tourist and local alike, bestowing authentic creole cuisine and fresh Gulf oysters at a moderate price. Not bad for having a location one block off Bourbon Street.
After settling in at the oyster bar with a fizzy gin and tonic, I ordered a dozen raw. The oyster shucker was fast, friendly, and talkative. After showing me how to properly shuck an oyster, he presented me with an icy plate of the slimy suckers. One after another, I dressed them with a tiny bit of cocktail sauce and a dab of horseradish, and slid them down my gullet. The salty dressing and ocean water coated my tongue. The wet, tangy flesh wrapped around my teeth. The cold, sweet oyster dropped down my throat and my experience was complete. I left the Royal House feeling accomplished, please with the service and delighted with the oysters.
Sleeping in on Saturday morning allowed me to wake up with an oyster craving at a decent, decidedly less busy hour. Bourbon Street the morning after a big party night is lousy with pools of beer, beads crunching under your feet, and sleepy strippers still trying to lure in guests in A.M. hours. However, a beacon shined over this mess as I turned down Iberville to find only a handful of patrons in line for Acme Oyster House.
After only about ten minutes, I found a seat at the bar and was reading over the large menu which boasted standard creole fare - po' boys, etouffee, and fried seafood platters. Having my raw desires satiated yesterday, I ordered up a dozen of their famous char-grilled oysters on the half shell. Supposedly, Acme was the first to char-grill these pillows of salty seafood. Many oyster houses in the Quarter followed, including the Royal House, and tried to perfect the recipe.
Showing up on a glossy black tray, shells resting in stones of salt, the char-grilled oysters bubbled in buttery pools, topped with melted, crispy Parmesan cheese. One doesn't need lemon, cocktail sauce, or horseradish for these already flavorful bites. Obviously, the butter and cheese cover up the briny oyster taste for those not willing to take a dive into the world of the raw. For the oyster purist, the real taste is in there somewhere toward the end of the bite, but after a dozen of the char-grilled, the raw wonders will beckon one back.
Acme's char-grilled oysters are yummy, warming, and satisfying, but not the show-stoppers I anticipated. Still hungry after my serving, I asked for a crawfish po-boy and another round of drinks. Feeling rushed by the nosey servers, I vacuumed up the sandwich (the Tabasco-infused mayo is clutch) and grabbed a plastic cup for my drink.
After a few hours of wandering around the Quarter, taking pictures of houses I want to live in one day, I waited for my belly to growl with hunger again for I knew what I must do. At five in the afternoon, I waltzed into the Royal House and ordered up a dozen of their char-grilled beauties. They were bigger (key since their plump bodies seem to tighten up during the cooking process), the cheese was mightier, and the buttery sauce was more tangy and infused with herbs. Feeling relaxed in the Royal House's casual atmosphere, I lounged around all night, switching between raw and char-grilled.
While Acme had me debating between the two versions, the Royal House has me now enjoying both, all in the comfort of a low-pressure, breezy restaurant. Even though Acme was the big-name contender, their oysters proved only to be good enough for the mindless tourist, merely stopping in to see what all the fuss is about. The Royal House is for true ostraphiles on a hunt to relish in these treasures of the Gulf.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Excerpts of Restaurant Listings from Ed Hitzel's Restaurant Magazine
Sea Salt - 8307 Third Ave., Stone Harbor, NJ
Mouths are buzzing about this new urban-chic seafood haven. The tailored menu has patrons raving over the South American-influenced cuisine and the flawless service. Not to miss is the Argentinean barbecue extravaganza complete with hanger steak, short ribs, homemade sausage, and potatoes, all at under $30. And of course, the fresh-of-the-boat seafood isn't that bad either.
Open for dinner 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Brunch served Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. BYOB. Visa and Mastercard only. Reservations encouraged. Average price for dinner for two, $40-$50.
Shamong Diner and Restaurant - 7 Willow Grove Rd., Shamong, NJ
Come on down Friday nights to enjoy some belly-busting family cooking and live Bluegrass music at this local's dig. Serving breakfast all day and boasting a kid-friendly atmosphere, this traditional diner serves up hearty American fare with creative specialties like crab cakes and veal parmesan.
Open 7 days a week from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m. Major credit cards accepted. Average price for dinner for two, $25 to $35.
Terra Nova - 590 Delsea Drive, Sewell, NJ
Bringing a distinct California feel to the area, Terra Nova proudly offers a unique array of Pacific Rim-inspired dishes - crispy lemon chicken, Sonoma skewers with jumbo shrimp, and an impressive pistachio-crusted rack of lamb. A wide range of fresh seafood dishes, sushi bar, and raw bar all add to this inventive establishment. Inside, patrons enjoy the clean, light, and architecturally pleasing dining room and a hip martini bar. Reservations suggested.
Open for lunch 7 days, 11:30 a.m. until 4 p.m., dinner served Monday through Thursday until 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday until midnight. Open Sunday from 12 p.m. to 11 p.m. Average price for dinner for two, $50 to $70. Major credit cards accepted.
Mouths are buzzing about this new urban-chic seafood haven. The tailored menu has patrons raving over the South American-influenced cuisine and the flawless service. Not to miss is the Argentinean barbecue extravaganza complete with hanger steak, short ribs, homemade sausage, and potatoes, all at under $30. And of course, the fresh-of-the-boat seafood isn't that bad either.
Open for dinner 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Brunch served Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. BYOB. Visa and Mastercard only. Reservations encouraged. Average price for dinner for two, $40-$50.
Shamong Diner and Restaurant - 7 Willow Grove Rd., Shamong, NJ
Come on down Friday nights to enjoy some belly-busting family cooking and live Bluegrass music at this local's dig. Serving breakfast all day and boasting a kid-friendly atmosphere, this traditional diner serves up hearty American fare with creative specialties like crab cakes and veal parmesan.
Open 7 days a week from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m. Major credit cards accepted. Average price for dinner for two, $25 to $35.
Terra Nova - 590 Delsea Drive, Sewell, NJ
Bringing a distinct California feel to the area, Terra Nova proudly offers a unique array of Pacific Rim-inspired dishes - crispy lemon chicken, Sonoma skewers with jumbo shrimp, and an impressive pistachio-crusted rack of lamb. A wide range of fresh seafood dishes, sushi bar, and raw bar all add to this inventive establishment. Inside, patrons enjoy the clean, light, and architecturally pleasing dining room and a hip martini bar. Reservations suggested.
Open for lunch 7 days, 11:30 a.m. until 4 p.m., dinner served Monday through Thursday until 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday until midnight. Open Sunday from 12 p.m. to 11 p.m. Average price for dinner for two, $50 to $70. Major credit cards accepted.
"The Cherry Hill Report" from Ed Hitzel's Restaurant Magazine
People all over the country have heard of Cherry Hill, New Jersey. "It's where that big mall is, right?" However, Cherry Hill has more to offer than ostentatious shopping meccas and pre-fab mini-mansions. If the idea of crossing the bridge into Philadelphia, paying $20 to park, walking around a freezing and tightly packed Old City only to go into an equally uncomfortable restaurant only to be laughed out the door by a snooty hostess sounds increasingly unappealing, designate a driver and head to Cherry Hill for some hoppin' nightlife.
The first stop is for cocktail hour at Zio's Bar at 7 West Rt. 70. Don't let it's location in a busy New Jersey diner scare you. Zio's Bar inside Ponzio's Diner is the type of classy, low-key lounge a celebrity would hang out at to go unnoticed. Upon my first visit, the unassuming diner bar reminded me of an old Las Vegas lounge: dark, private, and luxurious. The seats are low and cushy, the dim light is flattering, and the mood is mellow. I order a dirty martini and the crab cake appetizer and I was hooked. Sit at the handsome granite bar and order a specialty martini from their sizable list, then consult the newly expanded menu for a light bite.
The next stop is Swanky Bubbles at 482 Evesham Road for a sensual, exciting dinner. Imported from Old City in Philly, Swanky Bubbles has opened their second sexy location in a lovely renovated farm house formerly occupied by Olive. This new hot spot is due to become a popular destination in the warmer months when everyone comes out of hibernation, so make sure to check this place out before you can't get a parking spot outside.
Tip number one: please plan ahead and make reservations. Timing is everything and nothing is worse than looking like a chump in front of your friends when you can't get a table for your big night out. A later reservation, perhaps around 9 p.m., is the perfect plan because the dinner rush will be slowing down and your party won't feel so cramped. Also, the later time is more conducive to lingering around without any cranky servers glaring at you to finish up so they can flip the table.
Swanky Bubbles features a pan-Asian menu complete with a sushi bar, noodle bowls, and fine cut steaks until 1 a.m. The dishes at Swanky's are served family-style, so if it's a romantic dinner for two, a double date, or six friends catching up, the food will literally bring everyone closer. The spicy Spider roll and buttery Pad Thai are also sure to be ice-breakers if the conversation hits a lull.
Another tip: don't ignore the cocktail menu. These drinks come straight from a big city bar with big city creativity and proving power. Go ahead and try something new because the Cosmo and any variation thereof have gone the way of Carrie Bradshaw and her bosom buddies. Order a drink reflective of the menu like a Tsunami Sake Martini made with a plum wine or the Lycheetini. Swanky's also brings the bubbles with an impressive selection of champagne with all the usual suspects.
Swanky Bubbles plans to expand the entertainment options with DJ's spinning upstairs on select nights. Also, who knows what that huge deck will bring in the summer months, but word has it locals already made this late night dig the place for dancing with the bar open until 3 a.m.
Up next is dancing at the Coastline, located at 1240 Brace Road, just a five minute drive from your last dinner destination. If you're going out with a large group, the Coastline, located within JR's Woodfire Grill, is a proven crowd-pleaser. The DJ's are known for playing a variety of tunes that will get everyone shakin' it on the dance floor. Consult the club's website, coastlinerestaurant.com, for different themed nights and DJ's.
A few other key factors in a successful night out make the Coastline a no-brainer. The parking is abundant, the cover charge is minimal (under $10), the wait time at the huge bar is short and service is snappy. Most importantly, ladies - the bathroom is clean. The mood in the Coastline is relaxing and decidedly unpretentious, certainly atypical of other night spots in the area that may feel like a recurring high school reunion.
The first stop is for cocktail hour at Zio's Bar at 7 West Rt. 70. Don't let it's location in a busy New Jersey diner scare you. Zio's Bar inside Ponzio's Diner is the type of classy, low-key lounge a celebrity would hang out at to go unnoticed. Upon my first visit, the unassuming diner bar reminded me of an old Las Vegas lounge: dark, private, and luxurious. The seats are low and cushy, the dim light is flattering, and the mood is mellow. I order a dirty martini and the crab cake appetizer and I was hooked. Sit at the handsome granite bar and order a specialty martini from their sizable list, then consult the newly expanded menu for a light bite.
The next stop is Swanky Bubbles at 482 Evesham Road for a sensual, exciting dinner. Imported from Old City in Philly, Swanky Bubbles has opened their second sexy location in a lovely renovated farm house formerly occupied by Olive. This new hot spot is due to become a popular destination in the warmer months when everyone comes out of hibernation, so make sure to check this place out before you can't get a parking spot outside.
Tip number one: please plan ahead and make reservations. Timing is everything and nothing is worse than looking like a chump in front of your friends when you can't get a table for your big night out. A later reservation, perhaps around 9 p.m., is the perfect plan because the dinner rush will be slowing down and your party won't feel so cramped. Also, the later time is more conducive to lingering around without any cranky servers glaring at you to finish up so they can flip the table.
Swanky Bubbles features a pan-Asian menu complete with a sushi bar, noodle bowls, and fine cut steaks until 1 a.m. The dishes at Swanky's are served family-style, so if it's a romantic dinner for two, a double date, or six friends catching up, the food will literally bring everyone closer. The spicy Spider roll and buttery Pad Thai are also sure to be ice-breakers if the conversation hits a lull.
Another tip: don't ignore the cocktail menu. These drinks come straight from a big city bar with big city creativity and proving power. Go ahead and try something new because the Cosmo and any variation thereof have gone the way of Carrie Bradshaw and her bosom buddies. Order a drink reflective of the menu like a Tsunami Sake Martini made with a plum wine or the Lycheetini. Swanky's also brings the bubbles with an impressive selection of champagne with all the usual suspects.
Swanky Bubbles plans to expand the entertainment options with DJ's spinning upstairs on select nights. Also, who knows what that huge deck will bring in the summer months, but word has it locals already made this late night dig the place for dancing with the bar open until 3 a.m.
Up next is dancing at the Coastline, located at 1240 Brace Road, just a five minute drive from your last dinner destination. If you're going out with a large group, the Coastline, located within JR's Woodfire Grill, is a proven crowd-pleaser. The DJ's are known for playing a variety of tunes that will get everyone shakin' it on the dance floor. Consult the club's website, coastlinerestaurant.com, for different themed nights and DJ's.
A few other key factors in a successful night out make the Coastline a no-brainer. The parking is abundant, the cover charge is minimal (under $10), the wait time at the huge bar is short and service is snappy. Most importantly, ladies - the bathroom is clean. The mood in the Coastline is relaxing and decidedly unpretentious, certainly atypical of other night spots in the area that may feel like a recurring high school reunion.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
About Me
- Amy Cianfrone
- I guess I did things a little backward. After college, I traveled around the world, ate some great food, and truly experienced society and life. Now my adventures are winding down and I have a bright, optimistic view for my future. I'm looking for a creative outlet for my natural talents in the form of a rewarding career.