One of the biggest draws when selecting a great place to eat is the comfort you feel when settling into your seat and relaxing with the folks you came with.
Bringing this kind of an atmosphere to Philadelphia was the goal of owner Doug Hager and his wife Kelly from the start. Their new tavern offers visitors and locals alike a great way to to eat well while feeling like they're comfortable enough to be in a friend's home. He describes it as a cozy neighborhood hangout where people will feel comfortable coming in for just a few minutes or to spend and entire evening.
With so many wine and beer options at Whetstone Tavern, you may have to return more than once to sample them! — Photo courtesy of Lindsey G
With the quaint look of an old farmhouse, Whetstone Tavern at Fifth and Bainbridge Streets excels at being that friendly neighborhood watering hold you tell friends about, but you're not afraid to be seen in.
The folks who own and run the place, as well as the chefs here, are quite familiar with the area. They certainly knew the atmosphere they were going for when they envisioned the place.
They're from Brauhaus Schmitz and worked to get this venue up and running for more than a year through all kinds of delays and setbacks. It's looking good now, and it's busy serving dinner as well as drinks to locals, visitors, passersby and friends.
Stop in to sample a little something from the menu or the bar, and see how the place begins to grow on you.
Savor the plethora of delectable flavors available on the menu here — Photo courtesy of Prayitno
Menu items at Whetstone Tavern include delicious options like pan-seared Icelandic cod, rabbit tetrazzini, Mom's clam cakes, warm pork rinds, beef tenderloin, marinated olives and Philadelphia hot pepper soup. (The soup is one that isn't seen often and certainly demands a try from anyone looking for something a bit different.)
At the conclusion of your meal, indulge in some of their delicious dessert options; order a glass of wine from their extensive 60-plus listing of options; or enjoy a little something from one of their 15 rotating taps of beer.
Between the many food and beverage options, the comfortable and attractive seating and the cozy neighborhood location, this hotspot is sure to have something to offer you and your crowd.
Once inside this great new venue, be sure to take a gander at Chef Jeremy Nolan's admirable Wall of Knives. This attraction is composed of 45 knives that were presented to him from chefs in both the local and national scene. It's not something you see every day, and it's worth a glance.
The next time you and your crowd are looking for a terrific venue to grab a bite for dinner (or brunch, which should be available later in 2015), make the hike over to Whetstone Tavern.
Settle in and enjoy the experience, and relish the fact that such a friendly and comfortable tavern environment exists right here in Philadelphia.
