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Categories: Gastropubs, Bars [Edit]
Neighborhood: Washington Square WestMonday, December 14th from 9pm - 2am
10th and Spruce
One hour open bar …
Mon. 4:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Tue-Sun. 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 a.m.
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Stopped in to meet with some old friends and found a new hangout.
Upscale corner bar with 1940's pinup-girl and art deco ambience.
Good beer selection, and quite a few nice wines by the glass.
Service was good, and I'll be stopping in again to try their menu.
We were the men (and Blake) who stared at goats, and afterwards we were in need of a spot to drink good brews, have a bite to eat, and watch the Phillies game (next year is ours!). So since we all heard good things about Varga, and Christopher R.'s phone call was able to confirm the presence of a TV, we decided to give it a go. And although our last minute entry gave us the booth that overlooked everything else, Varga delivered in a lot of satisfactory ways.
As Blake so eloquently summed up, staring a Boobie bingo, then staring up at George Clooney and oats from the front row of the Ritz already led to an interesting theme of events. and staring up at the pinup decor of Varga made for the perfect way to cement that theme even further! But I also managed to make time to starig into Varga's complex ad well rounded beer selection, and pulling out the delectable specials of the evening. overall the list catered more to the fans of dark brews, which I could see being a flaw to most people. But who knows it fit well enough with the theme of the surrounding fall weather to make me suspect that it might cater a bit to their surroundings.
The food selection was so impeccable that it made it nearly impossible to choose from. Especially since the game hooked up 1/2 off wings and cheesesteaks! But in the end my craving for shellfish made the combo of mussels and clams a pretty damn impossible thing to pass up. and not only were the selection of each plentiful, it added on chorizo sausage, onions, and a delectable broth for good measure. since we were all curious enough we decided to split one of their bowls pickled vegetables, and it delivered some pretty interesting offerings, even if it did provide a few to many cucumber slices.
Over all I have to say that Varga made for a pretty solid place. even more so considering the fact that it's domain used to house a pretty shady and crappy pizza spot. So overall, I definitely look forward to making here more of a standby.
Oh Varga Bar... Why won't you just let me love you?!?
I mean it. A vintage pin-up theme, truffle mac-and-cheese, outdoor seating, a snooty beer list, an awesome Aussie bartender... there are so many reasons that Varga and I should make beautiful babies together. And those (coupled with the fact that it is stumbling distance from my apartment) are the reasons I keep coming back, time and time (and time) again. Unfortunately, frequenting this place as often as I do, I've also learned that the other "hit-or-miss" reviews on here are well-earned.
I've been experimenting with the idea of pescetarianism lately, so on our most recent dinner trip here, their special of a seafood pot for two seemed the obvious choice - I mean, a generous helping of lobster, prawns, scallops, mussels & clams, plus veggies for about $16 per person - how could you go wrong? Well, I'll tell you how: give us partially-cooked, completely unopened shellfish, and then when we mention this, take it into the kitchen, pry open all the shells, and hand it back to us, pretending that you actually cooked it. Nice job.
Also, y'all are right on about the "cocktail selection", which is essentially non-existent. The one time I've actually ordered something that was not wine or beer off their list was a Bellini from their Sunday menu. Expecting a gorgeous peach-ified flute of bubbly deliciousness, imagine my dismay when the bartender handed me a glass of cheap sparkling wine with a pile of bizarre orange-colored pearls in the bottom that tasted vaguely like...nothing.
That all being said, we've had some great meals here as well, with the Kobe hot dog, truffle mac, and Varga Salad being standouts. I've found that the staff tends to be friendlier and more on their game during the day and on weekdays, as opposed to their busiest weekend nights, which is odd, but since I'm there most often for lunch, I don't mind. I love the idea that you can take home a Growler, and that there are always fun new beers on tap to try. I'm learning to take the good with the bad.
Please don't get me wrong, Varga, I really think you and I could have a future together, and for that reason, I'll keep showing up at your door. But if this relationship is going to continue, you might need to take some time off to work on "you" for awhile...
First off, I've been hearing Varga has been getting some beef about their "pin-ups" theme. Yes it may be a bit tacky but I realized now why it's called "Varga". It's named after Alberto Vargas, a famous pin-ups painter from his era.
He lived quite a long life from 1896 to 1982 and has lived in the USA from 1916 living through a good great deal of American History. Wiki this guy, he's pretty awesome besides painting women in suggestive positions. He even did one of the covers for "The Cars" album a few years before his timely death. So no retirement for artists. YIPPY! Not to mention some of his works in 2003 were sold for more than he probably made most his life. Oh the irony!
So now you know why there are tacky pin-up girls up on that ceiling. It's not just to get horny business types or rich Penn jocks to get a bonus with their burger, which by the way was quite tasty! My friend had the lobster rigatoni in a white sauce and it had a great aroma.
We sat outside, it was a pleasent October night ( Thank you Philly humidity! ) and normally I'm against outside seating taking up pavement for city dwellers who commute through but Varga is in a section of town unlike some Rittenhouse Park places that set up tables on both ends up the sidewalk, leaving a small walk-way, which is a pain in the ass to go through, but don't get me started on that.
There beer selections were pretty fair too, it's no South Philly Taproom or Standard Tap or even Monks but they do justice for some of the more beer snobs.
Varga may not be for everyone and the pin-up thing might not go well for some and I wouldn't call this a family spot either but for a good time around the Jewelry District it's worth a peek.
The place is cool in concept and decor, but the food is just meh. I enjoyed my strange crab fries (like fries with crab chowder thrown on top) and the mac and cheese (although I could have done without the truffles) but the sliders were just ok and my friend's portion on the special was way too paltry. They have an excellent beer selection and a limited cocktail list, but I quite enjoyed the sidecar that I had. Their cocktails run on the strong side, which is never a bad thing. It's a cool place and all, but I just think there are better places for food in the area (like Kanella directly across the street!).
I hate so many things about this bar. I hate that it's the closest bar to where I live. I hate that they have those stupid 'be a Varga bar gal' flyers that they put on your table...it's sort of a gross rip off. They ask you to be a semi-nude model for free (but you get to keep the photos for your portfolio). Sort of skeezy if you ask me. Then again, they're just praying on pretty, young and dumb Jersey girls to be free PR. I hate the food. Sliders? Are you Chili's? Am I a frat boy? No.
Whatevs.
I like the night bartender and I like that when the Phillies are playing, no one is there. It's awesome. Keep it up. I'll keep coming.
I have mixed feeling on Varga Bar. First, where are the great cocktails?! I mean c'mon, they have a perfect little niche to have a great cocktail list and yet, none. They do have a pretty great beer selection but sometimes a girl wants a cocktail.
I did have a pretty fantastic veggie burger but I thought their crab fries with real crab were kinda 'eh (I must admit I will crave Chickies and Petes fake gooey cheese over Varga Bars any day). My dining partner raved over his kobe beef burger but I can't speak about it personally. Basically their food is just fancied up pub food which bars have been doing all over Philadelphia for awhile now.
The ambience though, like most people prior have pointed out, is major fail.
a few weeks ago i embarked upon a guys nite out. yup, you read right. a nite on the town for yelpers christopher R, yuri, bill mcthrill...and me. being the lone girl (tho one with a guy's name, for whatever that's worth), i was along for the ride while the majority ruled our various destinations.
i first met up with the boys for a drink at the irish pol where i was, um, fortunate enough to witness the wonder that is boobie bingo. we then headed to the ritz to see 'the men who stare at goats' of which, coincidentally, the starring cast was all men and one woman. after staring up at the screen from the very front row for what seemed like an eternity, we all agreed that more drinks and some eats were in order, and, in hindsight, it seems only fitting that we then ventured to pinup girl themed varga bar to close the nite.
the varga girls are far more demure than those one would find at a typical last stop on a guy's nite out (or, er, so i've been told...) and were way less in your face than i was led to believe from other reviews i've read on here. and really, we hardly paid them the attention they were seeking, as all eyes were focused on the phils v. dodgers game on the single screen at the bar (volume on, fyi).
whatever beers we drank escape me now...but i can further attest to the fact that the beer menu is stellar. the food menu was a lot more limited, at least for vegetarian me, but i already knew what i was ordering before walking through the door: the veggie burger, which comes topped with tomato, cucumber and a [not-so] spicy avocado creme fraiche and served with a deliciously simple side salad. chris advised that he'd had this burger before, but found it fell apart rather easily making for difficult and messy consumption. good to know...so i cut mine in half before eating and had no problems. i recommend you do the same! as veggie burgers go, this one was homemade and with uniquely refreshing toppings - i'd easily order it again. the guys enjoyed their meals as well, plus we all shared a tangy pot o' pickles that, tho heavy on the cuke, was quite good and a steal at just 4 bucks.
the nite was capped with j-roll's 9th inning, game-winning double....high fives, hell yeahs and hiney slaps all around. guys nite out, indeed.
First off, I think the whole pin up theme is straight up cheesy. There is an actual mural with pin up girls on the ceiling above the bar. I have to admit, when I got here tonight, I was excited to sit down and have a beer. But due to excessive overspending, my budget didn't allow me the opportunity to take advantage of their large beer list.
The service was fine, if not TOO attentive, which is actually more annoying than it is helpful. I ordered the pot 'o pickles. The menu promised pickled vegetables, but it was pretty much just cucumbers, onions, shallots and capers in a bowl of vinegar. My dad is a pickling master of sorts, and he could put Varga to shame. TO SHAME!
The lump crab fries were okay. My dining companions enjoyed them a lot, I just couldn't get down with the taste. Their fries are basically McDonald's fries, which is good thing.
So, Varga, you didn't wow me. But, that's not to say if I'm in the neighborhood and craving a good draft beer I won't be back.
I have not eaten here, but my initial response is FAIL. Yes, the beer list was decent, and the food looked promising. But I was in the mood for a cocktail. It does feel like a cocktail bar, right? And it is called Varga BAR after all. My choices? A Sidecar, a Margarita, a Gin Collins, and a Bubble Gum Cosmo all simply renamed after pinups--Miss October, Miss November, etc. Lame. Nothing new. No modern twists. There weren't even 12 choices for 12 months for crying out loud!
The decor is kind of boring, if not entirely cheesy. I don't think I will be back.
I stopped in here last night after wandering around the neighborhood wondering what to eat. I often find myself frustrated with the local options. But really, I'm just a baby, my neighborhood is rich with possibilities. Not feeling particularly inspired by any cuisine, I settled on Varga where they had exactly what I never knew I wanted: PAN ROASTED CHICKEN BREAST (organic free range chicken) with herb-shallot potatoes, baby carrots, and snap peas. Sweet baby jesus. This was good, great even. My friend and I split a bottle of Russian River Damnation and while her Kobe beef burger was delicious, my chicken stole the show.
Their ever-changing beer list is worth a visit alone, but if it's chicken you're after, check them out. I'm adding this entree to my growing list of main dish must haves around town.
I've been to Varga several times and every experience is a good one. I have yet to be let down by this great bar. Whether its for lunch, brunch, dinner or just for drinks. There is a vast beer list and several specialty drinks that are Pinup girl themed. I'm really liking the whole Pinup girl theme, its a nice change from slumming in the dive bars.
The pricing on everything is generous, even the cheese platters are reasonably priced. Considering how close Varga is to Tria, I would definitely choose Varga for cheeses even though the variety is smaller. I'd sacrifice my variety to save money. Also, The service has always been polite and accommodating. No complaints there.
So basically Varga is good if you're on a budget and don't feel like dealing with dive bars. Delicious food, vast beer list, good specialty drinks, nice atmosphere, and light on the wallet. I'd say that is worth five stars.
So, some comments made at the Pumpkin Beer UYE prompted me to finally give Varga another shot. While the rating remains the same, this experience at least gives me hope that I'll eventually grow to like it much more.
While all manner of delicious meat-based items are available on the lunch menu, I opted for the Veggie Burger since I'm trying to at least remain a weekday vegetarian. It was not a great choice on my part. The flavor wasn't exactly bland but the only things I could taste were the tomato and avocado slices on top. It also fell apart quicker than a Mets playoff run. I hate to say it but it was basically on par with a veggie burger from your grocer's freezer.
The side salad it came with, though, really surprised me. The combination of thin radish slices, red onion and spicy greens was excellent. This is a good sign.
The beer selection remains very strong. I could see myself coming back for one of their nicely-designed growlers (and coming back again to refill it many times).
I had high hopes for Varga based on my love of cheesy pin-ups and my appreciation of Valanni. I… Read more »
Being a lover of both interesting beers and interesting food, Varga was right up my alley. I had been to Varga once for drinks a few months ago and, after perusing the dinner menu then, knew I wanted to go back for dinner. Fast forward a couple of months to this past weekend when some friends from D.C. came up to visit; we wanted a low key dinner before heading out on the town, so I suggested Varga.
The first thing I loved about this place, which I discovered when I was there a few months ago, is the beer selection. There are multiple selections on tap for any type of beer lover; IPAs, stoudts, wheats, lagers. Each beer is described to a tee on the beer menu so, say you're like me and love hoppy, piney IPAs but are sometimes disappointed when you order one that tastes like too much alcohol or wheat, you can choose a beer based on the flavors you like. These guys know their beer and that alone makes it worth stopping by.
After we moved on to the dinner menu, we settled on the Truffled Mac & Cheese as our appetizer (I would've ordered some more apps, because they all sounded delicious, but we were going out afterward and didn't want to be too full). What I loved most about this dish was how subtle the truffle and bacon flavors were. Truffle and bacon can too often overpower the dish they are being used in, but that was not the case here. The truffle flavor was nicely integrated into the cheese sauce (which was nice and light as well) and the bacon was limited to crispy pieces crumbled all over the top of the dish. It was a great spin on your traditional mac & cheese.
For dinner, I ordered the Kobe Burger. I'm not sure if the beef was actual Japanese Kobe or American kobe (I'm guessing the latter since it would've been more expensive otherwise), but, regardless, it was a perfectly cooked (I ordered it medium), melt in your mouth burger. I did not find the cheese (cheddar I believe) or bacon to be too much. My one minor complaint about the burger is that the roll was so soft and the burger was so juicy (that is not part of the complaint) that the roll got so mushy, I had to finish the burger with a knife and fork. Also, I wasn't really a fan of the homemade ketchup; it tasted like a fruit that I couldn't quite place...and it was just too sweet for me. The friends that I was with loved it though.
I can't really comment on any other entrees; one of my friends also got the burger (and had the same mushy roll problem)... my other friend got the hand made rigatoni, which I didn't taste. He seemed to like it though.
The other thing I love about Varga is that it is very reasonably priced... between 3 of us we had one appetizer, 3 entrees and 6 drinks (5 cocktails and one beer) and the bill was $100 (not including tip). When I can walk out of a place with a full stomach and a good buzz for $40, I am happy. Without drinks, it probably would've been half that.
I would highly recommend Varga to anyone who loves trying different beer and/or enjoys great food with a unique twist. I am really looking forward to going back so I can try some other things from the menu (like the breakfast cereal ice cream and the ribs). The only reason I am not giving it 5 stars is because I personally can't give any place 5 stars if I've only eaten there once. If it's as good next time as it was this time, I'll be updating my rating to 5.
One last thing...we went around 9pm on a Friday night and there was about a half an hour wait. However, you can also choose to sit at the communal table (a long table which seats about 8 or 10) in the front window if you don't want to wait. We did that and had the whole table to ourselves for the 1.5 hours that we were there. So, if you don't feel like waiting to be seated, it's not a bad choice.
I went there with a few friends after work. I wanted to try out a few new beers and Varga looked like it had a nice selection. However, and this is a big however, the food was terrible. Not only was it overpriced, it was overcooked. The roast beef sandwich was rubbery, the roll fell apart and I only got 3 onion rings with the dish. My friend got the ribs and they were so overcooked it was like eating a shoestring. The chicken wings had slimy skin like they boiled them. I like chicken wings to be a little crunchy. They have NO desert menu! The Kobe burgers were average, say on par with burger king.
Most beers on the menu say they are 16 oz. They must have measured the air surrounding the glass, the liquid inside was not 16oz.
If you are walking by it on Spruce, keep on walking. It was a real disappointment. The only one who made out on this was the person who collected the bill.
Get the sliders
i'm giving Varga a better rating for two reasons:
a) they're coming out with a classy/trashy calendar. can't wait.
b) i had the meatloaf. holy hell, people. go have the meatloaf.
I should preface every review and comment with the fact that I have high expectations. That being… Read more »
Varga Bar takes a normal bar and just cranks the snooty dial all the way up. That's not necessarily an insult, just an observation. Their beer list is top notch. The food is mighty nice. But really, it's just fancified pub fare.
The cheese fries have jumbo lump crab, the wings are duck confit with a pomegranate sauce, the chili cheese dog and sliders feature kobe beef. The sliders were good, but what with the boursin, caramelized onion, and bacon I couldn't really discern any particular kobe-ness to the meat. Wife enjoyed the veggie burger, which had some nice spice to it at the end. Service was friendly.
I liked it here and I'll probably go back every once in a while, but most of the time I'd rather be someplace with that dial turned down a few notches.
I went to Varga a couple weeks ago for small plates and some beer. I was attracted by the sexy Varga pinup decor. Perfect place for a date. The inside was cramped, which was fine because it was a beautiful night and we ate outside. Considering it was a Friday and definitely pretty hopping, we got seated fairly quickly.
The food was delicious--mussels, soft shell crab and a bit of goat cheese with some garnishes. I enjoyed all of the dishes, although there was an issue with the mussels having butter on them (no cow dairy for my delicate flower of a stomach!) I think that was mainly our miscommunication with the server so no points off for that. The cheese appetizer was good but they could learn something from Tria about portion size and garnish pairing. The plate the cheese came on was HUGE but there were a disproportionate number of garnish options for the wimpy serving of cheese. I thought the beer selection was fair to good. No real surprises but all bases covered.
My mom and I had just finished some shopping on an absolutely perfect Saturday, when we decided it was time for lunch. We made our way towards Tria, which I have always raved about, and I was surprised to find that they do not open until late afternoon. Varga Bar immediately popped into my mind so we continued down Spruce. We opted to sit indoors, since the large windows were open anyway and we had all the benefits of being outdoors but with slightly more comfortable seating and more table space.
My mom ordered a glass of the viognier, which she enjoyed. I asked our server the difference between two white beers on the list and it was pretty clear that he had no idea, so I figured I would just try one first and the other later (turns out, they were pretty similar).
We ordered the pickled vegetables, a Varga salad and the sliders. My mom loved the vegetables and said that they reminded her of the ones she used to eat with my grandpop when she was growing up. We'll have to bring him with us next time.
The salad was delish. Large slices of beefsteak tomato were doused with oil and vinegar and topped with different lettuces and slivers of onions. In the center of the pile, hidden from plain view at first, was a surprisingly large hunk of cheese. I loved the presentation and the cheese was fantastic- like a creamier, tangier mozzarella. The salad was an excellent accompaniment to the sliders, which were far superior on this day than on my first visit.
When I told my mom that I had only rated Varga Bar at three stars, she was shocked and said that I had to update my review and my rating. I will definitely return and I know I won't be the only one. Say hi to my mom if you see her in there!
Varga Bar is a laid back place that is perfect for a weeknight drink or bite with a friend. The beer… Read more »
I live right next to this place so when it turned from Azul to Varga bar i was pretty excited. We went to Azul's brunch a lot last year so i was hoping they'd keep a good menu. When it initially opened as Varga bar i was disappointed in the menu. It seemed disjointed and i just couldn't wrap my mind around the concept.
I've since gotten over trying to figure it out, and i think the menu has filled out a bit as well. It's just a strange selection of really good dishes, with no rhyme or reason that i can tell - other than that they're all good. Which is fine for me!
Can't slap the 5th star on, as I've not had the beer here, yet.
Hit it today for lunch. The menu is very short and not much stands out I must say. They really need to work on the menu.
That being said, we had the Kobe Beef Burgers. Unlike Kobe Bryant, our mouths were dribbling as we slam dunked this perfectly prepared portion. You might say it surely is raping the competition when it comes to great burgers in this city. The fries and homemade ketchup both were slightly salty/spicy.. also must haves.
This joint has a great vibe..nice location, and terrific for ppl watching. Service was quick, prices are respectable.
I recommend coming when you can have a beer (not have to go back to work like me). Speaking of beer, their list looks impressive (craft brews, local potations).
Go now, go hungry.
Nice work Varga, can't wait to come back.
Lactose intolerance!
Varga is headquarters to most meals served with cheese. No complaints out of me because cheese is my number one food group and I have had many a night with just a wheel of brie and trust me, it's never pretty. But seriously speaking though, Varga isn't a place to eat when you're watching your waistline - most of the stuff on their menu is very rich.
Jumbo lump crab cheese fries, Truffled mac n' cheese, cheese fondue with grilled veggies, wings with blue cheese dressing, kobe beef sliders with, yes, you guessed it: cheddar cheese. Perhaps my group of friends and I should have been more varied in our selection but it was a Friday night indulgence, we were sharing and we ordered to please the crowd.
Service was great, fast, attentive. Food was your average decent fare, with generous portions and expected bar food selections.
Great corner property with huge open windows and a lot of outdoor seating. Good place for groups. The beer selection doesn't dissapoint (aside: I've found most new Philly restaurants are consistently good that way) and their signature cocktails are cute if not a little too sweet.
I didn't care for the shorter bar stools that accompany the seating by the tables and booths by the bar; they were positively lilliputian and uncomfortable. Also only two unisex bathrooms for the patrons? On a Friday night, there was always a line that was in the way of all the servers because of its position right by the kitchen in the bar.
The highlight our meal? Dessert. Be sure to try their Trio of Breakfast Cereal ice cream. They crunch up cereal to a powder and mix it into homemade ice cream! It was magically delicious. We had honeycombs, Lucky Charms and Count Chocula. All topped with a few pieces of cereal so we knew what was what. Now if they could bring that kind of creativity to their menu...
I ate here this past weekend and had a very good experience. The homemade pickles were delish. Great beer selection, and the menu is not over priced. We also had a veggie burger which was homemade but not the best I've had. I love the fact that they make their own ketchup and mustard. I lalso ordered the mussels which were to die for. Among the best I have ever had, which says a lot. I am guessing they ake their own fish stock which makes this such a killer dish. I plan on going back for happy hour and when I am really hungry a lobster/ shellfish entree which sounded to die for.
I am going to start this review out by saying that frankly, I could have made a much better grilled chicken Caesar salad with my face with my hands tied behind my back after drinking a whole 5th of whiskey.
I went to Varga last night for the first time with my sister. The only two good things about this bar is that it features ample outside seating and the service is great. The food infuriated me, because as mentioned above, I could have made myself a better dinner with ingredients that I already had at home and for a much cheaper price. The chicken Caesar salad looked and tasted as if the chef simply overcooked a chicken breast, ripped open some bagged romaine, and set said dry chicken breast atop said bagged lettuce. For the sake of not seeming lackadasical about the dish's presentation, the chef then decided to add some "unique" fried polenta croutons to the mix.
I had heard good things about Varga's beer selection, but after experiencing it for myself last night, I would rate it as simply lazy. They could have a much greater selection than what they have both on tap and in cans and bottles, especially for a place that markets itself as a "gastropub". For the love of all that is holy, Skinner's Tavern in Old City surpasses Varga's beer selection by leaps and bounds. In fact, rather than wasting my money at Varga, I will go to Skinners the next time.
While returning to Philly for a couple of days, my boyfriend and I decided to try out Varga Bar on the recommendation of someone else in our party. First off, the location is quite easily accessible and we didn't have the slightest problem finding it.
The interior itself is pretty nice. There are a couple of pin-up gals on the walls, and the coasters themselves are of pin-up girls. Which definitely scored a few points in my book.
The menu is a bit too bistro-y for my tastes. Too small and nothing really stood out at all to me. I ended up ordering a gin and tonic, served in a midget sized glass and the tempura asparagus. The tempura itself was a little soggy so I ended up picking it off anyways. My boyfriend tried the chicken dish which was quite flavorful. I stayed away from the pickled pot but everyone else at my table seemed to love it. The fries topped with lump crab meat intrigued me, but I couldn't handle more than a few bites. It was a little too much for me.
The atmosphere was relaxed and the waitstaff was quite friendly. I liked the casual feel everyone had to it. Jeans and a t-shirt was pretty much all the ladies were wearing. Tattoos showing here and there.
I guess I went here with high expectations. The thing with Varga Bar is, while nothing is particularly bad, nothing is particularly great about it.
The best things Varga has going for it is its location....seemingly devoid of places for younger people with disposable income to hang out and pay higher than normal prices for things like "homemade pickles." (they are pretty awful by the way). The other good thing going for this place is its beautiful airiness which is perfect during the spring, summer, and i'm assuming, the early fall.
the menu is very limited. that's not necessarily bad, it's just that nothing screamed "order me." the menu items actually seem pretty similar. there are only a few sandwiches to pick from. one of which, the kobe burger, is also available as an appetizer in the form of kobe beef sliders. not a big deal you say? when the menu consists of 15 or so items, having 2 of the same dish, personally, i think is kind of stupid.
i only had the kobe burger for my meal. it came with fries, which i am assuming were frozen "fresh cuts." the burger was quite good. they give you home made ketchup (it was ok) and homemade beer mustard (tasted like poison...i'm not joking. it was b-a-d) i also had to sit on one of those stools. yes, you get to pay $13 for a burger and eat it on a stool.
i kind of feel bad for giving varga only 2 stars. location, service, atmosphere...all great. the menu (and stools) is such a downer. maybe if it upped its menu a bit, i would change the rating. until then.....2 stars it is.
Went with friends a few weeks ago. Two of us had the burger, another a special that was essentially a BLT but made with ridiculously soft and delicious pork belly, and the last of us got the sliders. Everything was solid. I got the burger medium and it was perfect - very juicy. I tried the pork belly sandwich and was sad that I did not have the whole thing to myself. Nice beer selection and thankfully a waitress who could describe them.
I will be back for sure....
I walk by Varga about 3-4 evenings per week and if it's not crowded at the bar, I like to stop in for a few beers. I like their rotating beer selection and I really like the fact that Varga tweets their beer changes, which is helpful to me because I will definitely stop in if they have something I really love or want to try. I've only tried a few food items - some apps on one visit and the burger on my last visit. Everything I've tried has been good and the burger gets mad props. It was tasty, but not salty. With most burgers, I end up tasting salt for days, so this is a major plus for me. The only downside to Varga for me is not getting a good seat at the bar (I have a favorite) and it can be a little loud in there.
I finally went back to Varga for a sitdown dinner. All week I'd been craving their brussel sprouts and pulled pork sandwich. Alas, neither were on the menu!!! Bummer. But I did start off with the crab fries, which were smothered in tasty lump crab meat and a luxurious cheese topping. For dinner, I had the kobe burger, which was appropriately drippy and gooey and full of flavor. My guests had the fish and chips, which were fantastic, and a veggie burger, which she stated was one of the best she's ever had. For dessert, we split a brownie sundae which was not overly rich or sweet. It was delectable. I begged our server to not bring me a spoon for sharing, but she did anyway and I was forced to gobble down a third of the sundae.
My only problem? Capers on everything. Just like at Valanni, that odious little berry pops up in the most unexpected of recipes.
And if capers are all I can really gripe about, than that means my dinner was pretty damned good. Man, what a filling and satisfying meal I had at Varga. And the best part was that for 3 people, the bill came out to just over $80.
Another great restaurant from the owners of Valanni & Mercato! Varga is small, chic and sleek. The… Read more »
Good atmosphere. Attentive service. Great beer selection! Great food. Solid 4 stars!
What a perfect outdoor spot! i visited Varga a few weeks ago for lunch, and was blown away by ambiance, and delicious food!
First: ambiance. the restaurant is all done up in black and white, with Varga girl prints adorning the walls and copious outdoor seating.
The food ranges from tried and true comfort food (made better with gourmet touches) to fancy-schmancy -- my friend Sam and I tried the cheese platter, which for $15, came with 5 unpronounceable, but undeniably yummy cheeses (including hickory-smoked goat cheese...mmm) and a variety of accoutrements, including caramel, almonds, and fresh fruit. I'll definitely order this again!
Then there were the jumbo lump crab fries -- piled RIDICULOUSLY high and covered with jumbo lump crab meat. OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG. The kobe beef sliders were pretty delish too - and the homemade condiments! I don't know if I've ever ventured into the world on non-Heniz before that night, and I have a feeling I might never go back.
The beer list was small but well-chosen -- and word on the street is during happy hour (M-F, 4-6) there's $2 cans. Do I need another excuse to return? Dining al fresca, sipping craft beer, eatin' crab fries -- oh Varga, you're divine!
I have been to Varga twice for dinner and a few drinks, both times on a weeknight. Overall, I really enjoyed it.
The service was excellent on both occasions. The host, server and food runner were all courteous and engaging, and seemed happy that we were there, which isn't always the case these days. We had a miscommunication about which beer my friend wanted, and the server handled it smoothly.
The atmosphere is great, at least for the warmer months. The windows open out onto the street and the outside tables, making it a really nice place for evening summer dining. In the winter, I'm not sure how lively the bar will be, considering its small size. The pinup theme is cool, but unless you sit inside, you won't see much evidence of it (not even in the bathrooms). My only complaint was that our two-top table outside was about three inches from the couple next to us. It's understandable at a crowded place, but still not my favorite situation.
The food was pretty great overall. I ordered the pulled pork sandwich the first time, and was able to get it without mustard. It came with fries and was really delicious. The homemade ketchup is fine, a little sweet for my taste. Their hot sauce is awesome... although it may be Frank's Red Hot (or at least, that's what it tasted like). I also had a chicken cheese steak that was great and reasonably-priced.
Drink prices are lower than I expected, and the beer/wine selection was ample for my liking. I also LOVED that they offer Coors Lite, PBR and Schlitz cans for $2.75. Genius.
Decided to go on a rainy Friday night with a few friends. I will definitely be back. One of the better burgers I have had in the city. The service was good, the food was good, the drinks were good. No complaints and I would recommend this place to others.
I would like to see some healthier options on the menu but a good place if you want to splurge.
What does every major city need now? A pin-up girl themed bar!
After spending last Friday at Varga Bar, it's become one of my new favorite center city gastropubs. A combination of reasonably priced good food with a superior beer menu and a well educated staff is all you need for a good night and Varga Bar delivered. If I sense that a server has even the slightest understanding of good food/beer pairing, I leave the evening in their hands. Not to mention, I'm an overtipper because I used to wait tables so if they nail it, I won't make rent that month. At VB, I was pampered with "try this, it goes great with that" and "if you liked the last beer, you'll looooove this."
To me, that makes the experience that much better and that's why I'll go back.
I would actually give this place 2.5 stars, but I'm feeling generous.
First of all, the best thing about my whole experience at Varga was the Victory Root Beer that that have on tap. So dark, so sweet, and oh so syrupy.
There is also a good selection of other local beers and some good cocktail options, but it was really the food here that is bringing the rating down.
Simply put, the food was not good. It was like the people putting the menu together have a very skewed idea of what kind of flavors and textures go into make good sandwiches. We started off with the mac-n-chesee, which was good, but nothing special.
I ordered the Kobe beef burger and it felt like it was fried in a pan. My boyfriend got a pork sandwich that was so "off" that he couldn't even finish it. Nothing was really melding in the way one would hope it would. Each bite began to feel like work, just wanting to get it over with.
I did like the concept of their own house made ketchup and mustard, but like most of the things at this place, I liked the concept more than the execution.
Varga Bar is one of my favorite stops, in part due to the fact that it's pracitcally across the street from my lady friend's pad. Equally important is the beer selection and food. I don't know about any beer specials, but I like that I can stop in every few weeks and the beers are completely different than last time. I recently boasted to 2 friends from DC that I probably try 2 new beers a month. The food is very good too.
The duck confit wings aren't my style, but they are tasty. Jumbo lump cheese fries, also not my style, but my companion liked them. The Rigato was delicious and went well with the rye pale ale I had. The Pan Roasted Chicken Breast was amazing. Over the summer, lady and I tried the huge pot of seafood. I doubt it's still available, try back next summer, but it was good. Good sauce, good chunks of sealife.
I had a flank steak sandwich on ciabatta that was on their specials which was nicely done, but too hot and large for my mouth (that's what she....oh forget it).
Also had the homemade pickles, which were very good.
Drinks were decently priced, although $4 beers for happy hour isn't really that great. The waitress did extend the happy hour pricing to around 6:15 for us.
Brad's rating (out of 5):
Food: 4
Drinks: 3 (Happy hour from 4-6?)
Price: 3
Decor: 4 (pinup girls and dark wood furniture stolen from my living room)
Service: 5
Wild card: tons of outdoor seating
Let me cut right to the chase: NO HAPPY HOUR.
That's kind of disappointing considering the following:
1. Compared to other bars of similar offerings/character, the drinks are definitely overpriced by a buck.
2. Valanni, their sister bar/restaurant, has a terrific happy hour ($5 premium you-call-its that are nice and strong and worth every penny).
3. They have a terrific beer list, clearly making this a good spot for the beer drinker in all of us.
The food menu isn't as overpriced (certain items, yes) and is interesting enough. Kobe beef shaped into a hot dog, anyone? Cereal ice cream?! Oh definitely, yes. It's made in-house and changes regularly, last night's being Lucky Charms, Peanut Butter Cap'n Crunch and Cocoa Puffs. You better believe I tried it and it was DELICIOUS! But you know, I love cereal so ... score!
The Kobe sliders, served with bacon, shallots and cheddar, were also quite tasty. The addition of the house-made mustard and ketchup to the burgers is a smart choice. Yum! I would've preferred fries rather than the three gigantic onion rings that come with the sliders but mama tells me I can't always have my way. My main man, who had the mussels and cockles, reported back with approval. I guess I'm going to have to try those next time.
All in all, I could probably give this place another star if I were to come back for a real dinner, complete with entrees and a sampling of one of their cocktails (named appropriately Miss May, Miss June, etc.). Or if they decide to get with the program and add a happy hour.
I am a Philly transplant. In fact, I have only been here for a month and a half. That being said, I have not been to many Philly eateries considering I work and attend school. Now, so far what I have tried? Not bad Philadelphia! I'm a girl from North Eastern Ohio! Your food here kicks Ohio's asses in food! Okay so Varga Bar! My co-workers go here ALL the time and I'm slowly being coming a regular too! First off, the atmosphere is cute! I love the 1930s pin-up theme! I find it cute that they use Miss (insert month here) for their cocktails! I think they make a mean rum and diet for 5 bucks. Their cheese plate is so good and very affordable compared to other establishments. Purple haze? Where have you been all of my life? The board comes out on marble and has preserves and grapes and bread! There is a truffle caramel sauce that I was literally drinking! Also the Varga Salad was nice too! Smoked acorn squash! Yum! I also have had their veggie burger. Being a vegetarian I thought it was pretty good. It could of had more flavor and it was a little soft and soggy for my taste but the avocado and the green sauce (which I forget now what that was) was awesome! I enjoy their food and considering it is always open when I get off work, I'll be back!
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