Grace on Grays Ferry
by MelissaFebruary 18th, 2005 12:17 am
The area around 23 and South Streets, long a relatively inexpensive part of Center City appears to be gentrifying rapidly. A new development called Naval Square, sponsored by Toll Brothers (yes, an early proponent of the McMansion), will surely increase the existing property values and bring a demand for new eating and drinking establishments to that section of the city.
With that thought in mind, well OK, it was only a glimmer in the very back of my already information-packed brain, I met a friend for dinner at Grace Tavern. I’d heard about the place, particularly about the homemade sausages, and I’m always up for a new place to hang. And ever since my early drinking days, my love of cheap bars with decent food has been abiding. Witness the cheapolicious steak and a half sandwich deals at Oscars and the $.25 hot dogs at McGlinchey’s. Dirty Frank’s also used to have food, I think, but that was long before my time.
The menu is basic bar food, burgers and fries, with a Cajun twist and an occasional food oddity. I ordered the Blackened Green Bean appetizer. Yes, you read me correctly, I said Blackened Green Beans. If you haven’t tried such a thing, they’re spicy and wonderful, sautéed in a hot, blackening seasoning and served with a remoulade dipping sauce. My meal was an oyster po’boy. I’ve been eating lots of oysters lately, not sure if it’s the aphrodisiac properties or the fact that we’re in a month with an “r”, but they’ve really been hitting the spot. The only catch being that quality varies considerably. Usually when I order fried oysters, I say a few Hail Mary’s and rub my lucky Buddha’s tummy in hopes that the tender morsel has not been flattened into something unrecognizable. Tonight, my fears were without basis, the breading was light, maybe a mix of flour and cornmeal, and they were served, perfectly fried, plump, and juicy on a long roll, again with a remoulade sauce, lettuce, and capers. My friend had a basic burger, cooked medium well and seemed to enjoy it. (I know, I like ‘em still mooing too) Monk’s famous bourbon mayonnaise was served with the fries and both my friend and I enjoyed them tremendously.
We sampled a couple of local beers with the food. The chocolate stout by Nodding Head was pretty tasty, if you like stout. I didn’t really catch the chocolate flavor, but my friend said she could taste if on the roof of her mouth. I like the mouth feel of a dark beer, so I enjoyed it, chocolate or not. We also sampled an apricot lambic. As I lifted the glass to my mouth, the fruity smell rose to meet me. The smell was fabulous; I think I could have bathed in the stuff. I’m not always a fan of fruit beers, but the taste, for me, was only slightly less appealing than the smell. For fans of lambic, I’d definitely recommend this beer. Since I wasn’t taking notes, I have no idea who made the lambic or the name of my last beer, a bitter stout, which was only alright.
Maybe I’ll go back and sample the sausages next time, but I can promise you there will be a next time. I give Grace Tavern 4 flirtatious waiters out of 5, a glowing recommendation.
