Happy Birthday and Hour on a Saturday

Varga Bar

My family and I recently went to Varga Bar to celebrate my sister, Catherine’s birthday. Varga is one of our favorite bar/restaurants to go to in Midtown Village of Philadelphia because of its delicious food and wonderful staff. We went on Saturday at 5pm which was great because they offer Happy Hour (half off drinks) from 4pm-6pm. I don’t know of many places that do that on a Saturday.

 Varga Bar features All-American craft beers and comfort food in a casual, pin-up themed bar/restaurant. It’s nice because if you’re indecisive of which brew you would like to drink, the staff recommends an acquired taste and lets you try. Catherine didn’t know if she would like the Smuttynose Smoked Peach Short Weisse, so she got a sample and loved it! She decided to go with it. My dad got the Captain Lawrence IPA and I got the Susquehanna 6^th Generation Stock Ale. My mom got one the special drinks, “Miss March” which is a grapefruit margarita! Of course, my brother Matthew had water because he’s only 13!

To accompany our drinks, for an appetizer, we ordered the Beer Battered Pickles which come with a smoked paprika aioli. These pickles are so delicious that you could eat a whole serving yourself!

My dad ordered the sausage sandwich which was one of the specials for the night, my mom ordered the Varga Salad, Catherine ordered the cheese plate where you can choose your pick of three cheeses, Matthew ordered the Kobe Burger and I ordered the Eggplant Sandwich.

Since I gave up meat for lent, I decided to go with the Eggplant Sandwich. Now this isn’t your typical eggplant parmesan sandwich. This meal included: manchego, parmesan, sprouts, pickled red onion, organic greens, heirloom tomato, rosemary aioli, marinara, mixed green salad. I loved the twist of having manchego cheese and the sandwich being on a ciabatta roll. The bread really soaked up all the flavors.

Varga Bar never fails to disappoint. The atmosphere, drinks, food and staff are simply amazing. Varga is also great for brunch, so be sure to check them out!

Chicken & Waffles

Varga Bar

Varga Bar is such a great place to go to on any occasion. I've been for happy hour, brunch and now dinner & drinks while rooting for the Eagles during the play off game against the New Orleans Saints (sad to say they lost though). It was still a great time!

I went with my sister because we haven't seen each other since the new year came and Varga is always one of our favorite restaurants to go!

Varga Bar is a bar and restaurant that's known for it's craft beers and comfort food. The theme has a fun twist to it, which is pin-up girls! 

The biggest reason why I wanted to go there was for their entree, Buttermilk Fried Chicken & Pumpkin Spiced Waffles. It was a unique combination with such great taste! There was three pieces of chicken placed on top of three sections of waffles. The waffles were smothered in whipped butter, and cinnamon orange syrup. This has to be one of the best dishes I have ever had of Philly!

The biggest reason why my sister wanted me to come here with her is for their one dessert: Cereal Ice-cream! She's had it before and said I had to try! In three separate bowls, there are three separate flavors of ice-cream consisting of Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Cookie Crisp and Fruity Pebbles. Each had actual pieces of cereal on top. You would never think to have cereal as a dessert but I highly suggest you try it!

Varga does have a great list of craft beers as well. I had a Yards Centennial Dry Hopped IPA. This IPA was hand-pumped which made it taste so refreshing!

If you haven't gotten to Varga Bar yet, you should definitely get on it! Like I said it's great for any event or gathering :)

Center City Sips at Sampan

Sampan

Sampan has been on my list of restaurants to try here in Philly and I can finally cross it off my list!

If you haven’t heard every Wednesday night, certain restaurants participate in Center City Sips which is half off drinks and appetizers! Each restaurant has their own selection of drink specials: $5 cocktails, $4 wine, $3 beer and half priced small bites!

Owner and Chef Schulson of Sampan loves to showcase Asian cuisine with modern ethnic techniques! Happy Hour starts at $2 and everything on the menu including drinks is under $10

I went with one of my good friends, Caitlin to catch up over a few drinks! It was a little busy and loud, but we were able to talk through it. The restaurant has an indoor and outdoor seating. We sat inside at the bar.

To start off, we both got the Sparkling Sake Sangria which featured ginger, peaches, sake and champagne! It was so sweet with the fresh fruit and champagne.

To eat, we split the Edamame Dumpling and Chicken Bao Bun! The edamame dumplings were swimming in truffle oil and sake broth so they literally melted in your mouth! The Bao bun had the soft texture of the bun but amazingness on the inside with crispy chicken in a chili sauce with sweet basil.

Sampan is located on 124 S 13th right in the heart of Midtown Village!

Need a new Philly local spot?

Milkboy

Milkboy on 11th and Chestnut is where it’s at!

Besides being a restaurant and bar, Milkboy is a music venue which brings in cool local bands trying to make it big! With all these combined, it’s a fun and relaxing atmosphere.\

I met up with my dear work friends for happy hour at Milkboy and we had so much fun! There was a great drink selection and the bartending staff was very friendly. It’s important to feel welcomed and have a knowledgeable staff that can get you to try the out of the ordinary and have a great experience to make you want to come back.

I started out with a Pimm’s Cup with spiced nuts. I got a little of the sweetness with my Pimm’s from the cucumber and lemon and then the savory from the spiced nuts!

To eat, I got the Meatball Grinder and the pomodoro sauce is what really did it for me. What’s great about the menu is all the items are comfort, American bar food, also vegetarian friendly! So there is something for everybody!

Happy Hour is served from 4pm-7pm. All drinks are $2 off featuring a great beer section, specialty cocktails and daily specials!

Happy Hour at an Unbeatable Price!

Cooperage Wine & Whiskey Bar

Cooperage Wine & Whiskey Bar which is “southern bistro” located right on Washington Square Park inside The Curtis Building, is a great place to go with coworkers after work or catch up friends! All food items are only $5 with great craft beers on draft for $3 or house wine and mixed drinks for $5!

got the BLT sandwich which was served on a 9 multi-grain bread with a special twist: pesto! I am not a big fan of mayonnaise, so the pesto gave the sandwich a fresher and better taste that really held the sandwich together.

Ever go to a bar or restaurant for happy hour where your hunger was not satisfied? I have a place for you where you’ll receive a great bang for your buck!

Cooperage Wine & Whiskey Bar which is “southern bistro” located right on Washington Square Park inside The Curtis Building, is a great place to go with coworkers after work or catch up friends! All food items are only $5 with great craft beers on draft for $3 or house wine and mixed drinks for $5!

I got the BLT sandwich which was served on a 9 multi-grain bread with a special twist: pesto! I am not a big fan of mayonnaise, so the pesto gave the sandwich a fresher and better taste that really held the sandwich together!

All items are served with potato chips so you are really getting a full meal! Happy Hour is served Monday-Friday so be sure to stop in!

Un-wined at Happy Hour

Tria

Have a stressful day at work? Come “wine’d “down at Tria Wine Bar! Tria, located in Washington Square West or Rittenhouse Square is a wine, cheese, and beer bar that has a knowledgeable staff to enhance your food experience!  They have an extensive menu of regular priced wines, beers and cheeses to choose from, but I tried the

5 great tastes for $5 each—white wine, red wine, cheese plate and two beers.  It’s part of  Tria’s  very reasonable Happy Hour served Monday through Thursday from 5 to 7 pm:

For my happy hour, I got Rosemary and Fennel Marinated Olives with Olive Oil Rosemary Potato Chips with Herbed Aioli with a glass of white wine! The rosemary and fennel in the olives really brings out the flavor if the olives. The herbed aioli beats any kind of veggie dip!

So if you’re looking for locally grown food with great wine and beer, Tria is the place to go!