Lou "C8H10N4O2" P.'s Profile

Big brand light beer; yes!
Easy to get to, but why?
Don't go here. Ever.

An expensive and not very good selection of drinks. Food comparable to cellophane wrapped microwaveable fare. Time it takes to get a drink is longer than the time it takes to drink said drink. Terse servers and bartenders. Filled to the brim with dudes who think two hoop earrings, a v-neck and a few tribal tats are cool, and who want you to know it.

Feel free to jam in here for an event and enjoy your Bud/Miller/Coors light in a plastic cup. I wouldn't consider coming here socially. Like ever.

Great for larger groups
Don't ask for the general
Go hot or go home

I won't pretend to be an expert on excellent Sichuan cuisine, but I will tell you that the food here is amazing. Every meal here is the type you revisit in your mind hours, days and weeks later. Thoughts of Dan Dan Noodles can cause a one to break into a sweat all over again in the wee hours of the morning, their slight crunch and spicy punch echoing through your mind.

This is the kind of food that takes hold of you. The spice moves easily from mouth-hot to whole-body warm. Each dish arrives at your table having been tipped out of the pan less than a minute prior, the fat on the lamb with cumin and hot peppers still crackling in the oil. All the flavors mix perfectly and balance out the heat.

If you're a glutton for spicy punishment, this isn't the place for you. It's not a Fear Factor situation with ghost pepper wings and gallons of milk. It's a masterful blend of flavor, texture and spice in every dish. And yeah, it'll probably clear your sinuses; you'll love it.

Anytime you get tired of whatever new culinary trend has taken over the city, spend the night with a few friends trying the tasting menu at Han. It's a meal that you'll excitedly talk about with those who weren't seated around the table for months to come. Or until the next time you just can't stand it anymore and get takeout Dan Dan Noodles and spicy cucumbers just because.

Hitting Rock Bottom
Takes on a different meaning
Solid happy hour

Over the past year working in Valley Forge, Rock Bottom has been the go-to spot for myself and my co-workers for happy hours, welcome/going away lunches for new/departing staff, and general Friday mid-afternoon beer drinking.

Being from the city, this place has a Fox and Hound sort of feel. If Fox and Hound weren't filled to the brim with bro's and Redskins/Steelers fans. It's a great place to catch a game, and there's plenty of room for any size group. It gets busy during the half-price happy hour, but we've generally been able to sit anyway.

The beer here is decent, with a good mix for all palettes. I'm partial to the Red Ale, but the wheat beer is also delicious. Most of their drafts are 5%+ ABV, but there are always at least two 'session' beers worth drinking. They have a mug club too, and offer growlers for cheap (and half price on Mondays.) Definitely a great spot to spend the late afternoon. I like to go here after work before driving back to Philly to let the traffic on 76 die down a bit.

The food isn't anything terribly special, but most of their appetizer plates are made for sharing. The nachos come on a slab about as big as a twin bed, for example. Half price apps and beers for happy hour is such a good deal though it's not really important that the food is amazing.

On the downside, there are always mall lunchers in here. Lots of business casual, which is about par for the course. The wait staff is hit or miss. Some folks are good, and with that knowledge we always scope who's working before sitting to grab a good section. The more you know...

Holy crap the beer!
A menu for all hungers
If you don't know, ask

First, my one overarching experience that crossed every aspect of Tapestry: just how damn helpful and friendly the staff is. That says a lot, and covers a lot of shortfalls in most places. Here, they weren't covering much so it was a nice added bonus.

Came in here with a group of about 6 on a Friday night and snagged corner bar seats. Everyone in our party got different beers, and these folks (except myself) were all hockey players and really appreciate good beer in great volumes. And we did. Their selection is bordering on the unwieldy, but fortunately as I said before the bartenders and staff are more than happy to help you decide on what's palette perfect at that moment.

Decided on some food too. As per usual for the first time out at most places I'll opt for the hamburger. It's my benchmark of sorts; if you can't do a good burger, I'm probably not going to like your other offerings. It's just been my experience and hasn't led me too off course yet. The burger with bleu cheese and caramelized onion was one of the better ones I've had recently. It was cooked perfectly as requested (medium rare). My only complaint was the bun. It was pretty plain, not buttered or grilled as I could tell. I also had the spicy pickles, which were damn good, crisp and thick and not over the top on the heat level.

After beers and food, cocktails were decided upon after talking with the bartender. I mentioned I like old fashioned's and she suggested a rum old fashioned. It wasn't on the menu but she said it's a favorite to make. Damn! It was delicious, and I wish I knew the ratios so I could make it again at home. Better reason to go back I suppose.

Tapestry is a great neighborhood spot to replace the much loved Adsum. I can definitely see going back here for drinks especially, and likely a few small plates next time.

Let me state this fact
Best sushi in the city
And the best price too

There's a ton of little sushi spots in the city, most of which offer some derivation of the 2 or 3 roll special for $9-14. Vic is right in the mix, but will always be my go-to spot for a variety of reasons.

Reason #1: They deliver. Lots of places do too, but they're super swift about it, and will deliver anywhere you can get to by bike. Up the back wheelchair ramp of our downtown office to an unmarked door? No problem.

Reason #2: The price. It's $10.95 for 3 rolls (the regular not the special ones). That breaks down to about $0.60 per piece. And they're pretty big pieces. One of the better prices in the city for sure.

Reason #3: The prep.  The rolls from Vic are perfect. They're tightly wrapped, with the perfect amount of ingredients. They stay together from plate to chopstick to mouth, with no mess. As well, all the fish they use is kept at temp, not warm like some other unmentioned spots in the city.

So yeah, you should go to Vic. It's affordable and tasty. Reason enough to go anywhere.

Pretty straight forward
Very approachable folks
Go ahead, just ask

Registering your car or taking care of any one of those overly complicated driving tasks is, most times, a complete pain in the ass. The folks at Laughlin made it pretty simple for my wife to move her car from a Massachusetts registration to a PA one without any hassle at all. They'll take care of the paperwork, including requesting your title if you don't own the car outright

They'll happily joke around with you, but also answer any questions you may have (you will have some) through their bulletproof glass window. The dude working the first time had that "I'm from South Philly don't mess with me vibe," and while that is probably a good idea in principle, he was super cool to interact with and made the whole process really simple.

The only thing they don't do for you is find you a parking spot. You're on your own there.

You have great beer. Nice!
Sad, that's about where it ends
Go to Iron Hill

Listen Quotations, I've given you the chance you deserve. I've eaten your food, drank your beer, come back and done it all over (and over) again and I still can't find a compelling reason to go back. Well maybe the beer. Yeah The beer I guess. But hear me out.

I'll start with the beer menu. It's excellent, beyond what you'll find anywhere else that isn't in the city. Their draft list changes frequently and is accessible to any palate, and the servers will definitely help you pick if you're at a loss. Which you might be because the various font sizes/accents on their menu make it pretty damn hard to decipher.

My thought: I can get good beer across the street at Iron Hill. What else you got? The answer is not much. The food has been beyond bland on every visit; nothing special, just exactly what it says on the menu cooked like it was made in a 7th grace home ec. class. It'll keep you alive sure, but it won't keep you coming back.

It also seems like the only place you'll get good service here is in the dining room. In all my visits I have had one server a few times (Maggie) who I would consider up to par, and always in the back. Whenever we're sitting at the bar tables, it's like pulling teeth to get another highly touted beer.

Look I'm not saying I wouldn't go here again. The beer list is good, and if that's all I'm looking for, then maybe. I'm just saying the next time I do, it won't be at my suggestion.

Ask for a sample
Knowledgeable coffee folks
Everything feels clean

This is the place to stop if you want a great cup of coffee but have an eversion to anything that's been sitting in a carafe. The baristas are helpful, especially for the indecisive or overly chatty, and will talk you through your coffee choices. They know their cups, and if they're brewing something will usually offer a sample.

If you're a coffee connoisseur you'll feel right at home here with all of the options. If you're just the occasional drinker but in the mood to be adventurous, you'll be fine here too with the help of the staff. It's pretty accessible for all levels.

The place itself is pretty clean, with long marble tables and wood benches that ar almost always occupied. I've never sat here to work (too far from my 'hood) but it seems like a great place for it. You're not going to sink in/get sleepy in any big comfy chairs here. It feels like a community work environment, with the sharing of tables.

Great spot for a cup for sure. Take your time, talk to a barista, and you'll leave satisfied.

A well thought out roast
Not just rot-gut truck coffee
Pay the easy way

Rival Brothers is some damn good coffee. I'm rarely around the park during the week, but caught them parked in front of Pub & Kitchen (go figure) last weekend. Downed a Derringer, a really smooth two shot cup with a little steamed milk mixed in. For two shots and just a hint of cream, it was damn smooth. They really put a good espresso blend together, strong but without the acidic bitterness accompanying a lot of the machine-pulled shots. Seriously this coffee is damn good.

There are some other little perks that come along with Rival Bros, mainly the pound bags of coffee to purchase. As someone who is up on the social media tip, I certainly appreciate that they broadcast their location on twitter (@Rivalbroscoffee) and on Facebook (https://www.facebook.c...) on a regular basis. It's how I knew there were at P&K. They also accept the Square card case, which if you don't use you should. Just look it up. No wallet required.

Oh yeah, and there coffee is GOOD. Go there.

Booze and sandwiches
Putting Point Breeze on the map
A neighborhood must

Got the chance to check out The Sardine a little before the opening, and damn am I glad there's an alternate bar in the Point Breeze area. Meaning an alternate to not going to a bar at all.

This place has an awesome atmosphere, very warm and inviting without the glow of a television bathing the whole room. The bar-length mirror reflects the candlelight as well as the street lights and really gives the place a friendly glow.

There are a few little accents in the room that really make the whole place feel accessible. The bar is huge, and there's standing room and small rail seats along the whole length of the windows, so plenty of room for any size group. The upstairs looks promising, and should mean the place won't be jammed to the rafters all the time.

The beer list is really well put together, with a good mix of local brews. I love talking about beer with people, and the fact that the list is numbered actually made it really easy to reference with out table. Something I hadn't considered previously but actually made a difference.

I'm giving the place 5 stars based on the ambiance, setup and beer alone. I can't wait to go back and try all the different sandwiches. It's a staple variety of food in my diet and the whole menu sounds really amazing. I didn't even notice that there's no burger until it was pointed out, because I was so focused on all the other delicious sounding items.

The Sardine really has an inviting neighborhood vibe. Couple that with a great selection on the booze and food, and you have a pretty spot on combination of what I'm looking for in a bar.