Midtown Lunch

Last week, we profiled Anthony, a manager at Perch Pub. Perch Pub opened in January, taking over the Upstares at Varalli space on the 2nd floor over Broad and Locust, which I think was a brilliant call. I never would have thought to go in there before, it seemed stuffy, but now it’s a pub with an awesome beer list and some great snacks to go with it. And it’s in a great location, whether you are playing pool or darts in the back or sitting by the window secretly watching people on Broad St.  Finally, they just started lunch hour service.

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When I heard that Chef Coates from the now defunct Bebe’s bbq was coming to Fergie’s pub, I thought – random pairing, but awesome. Anything that brings bbq closer to Center City is a win, as long as its good, of course. I already liked Fergie’s for the beer menu and the new menu gave me another reason to come by.

The pub setting provides for some crappy ass pictures, but what can ya do.

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When the gastropub Philadelphia Bar and Restaurant first opened up, my first thoughts were about how incredibly uncreative the name is. It almost turned me off completely, but then I checked out the menu, which was in contrast, pretty creative. I saw that a few sandwiches fell within the ML price range, so I headed to Old City to see if they put more time into  the food than they did in selecting a restaurant name.

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2 weeks ago, the Yelp Community Manager Michelle reminded me of a deal that I had been meaning to try but had slipped my mind- the Thursday Fried Chicken lunch deal at Meme that has been going on since the Summer of ’09. So, as proposed, Michelle and I made our way to 22nd and Spruce to check it out together. Meme is a small restaurant normally serving rustic fare for dinner and being able to sample Chef Katz’s food for lunch is a good way to skirt the price tag of the $25 entrees.  Thursday is the only day of the week that Meme is open for lunch, and only the fried chicken and sides are available. For $11, I was willing to go over the ML price range for a classy sit down lunch.

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Last April, Cooperage opened inside the Curtis Center. I had never been inside the impressive Curtis Center before, but choosing the wrong entrance allowed me to look around. The Cooperage has a disjointed, cowboy decor that at the very least, gives your eyes different things to focus on, whether it be the disco mirror wall panels or the wood chandeliers. For lunch, sandwiches, soups, and salads are on the agenda with a pick 2 option for $10.  Whenever given the choice of sticking to one thing, or picking the combo- I am going to go for the combo. All of the lunch menu was available for the pick two except the burger and the crabcake, since  a half version of those would look pretty weird. I had to look no further than the first sandwich listed on my clipboard menu- short ribs!

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Back when I was living in NYC I know I could count on one of the handful of restaurants that specialized in mac and cheese to satisfy the craving. While we may not have that Philly, Misconduct Tavern gets the job done just as well, while offering the added benefit of a lovely draught beer list. Besides the beer list and slightly upscaled put fare, this nautical themed bar has televisions for the sports lover and well prepared cocktails.

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How is it October already? While I am not excited about having to put pants on, fall food is something to warm my chilled bones. McGillin’s Old Ale House is serving up some Oktoberfest meal specials and I went to check it out.

Good Old McGillin’s. Oldest operating tavern in Philadelphia, Philly bar staple, brew their own beers, blahblahblah, you know all this- but let’s cut to the chase. How is the food?

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