New Taproom For South Philly…

…Just don’t call it the South Philly Tap Room. We’re not talking about the Newbold bar that just chucked its game menu (and chef) after barely six month. We mean the Taproom on 19th, on the corner of 19th and Ritner in D.S.P. (that’s Deep South Philly, where the old Italian ladies still outnumber the hipsters). Nuisance bar The Spot is, after extensive renovations over the summer, is now a polished gastropub with a distressed brick front, pool table, flat screens and Yards and Magic Hat on tap. Compared to SPTR or Standard Tap, it’s not exactly beer heaven, but the Girard Estate/St. Monica neighborhood (some light Girard Estate reading here) has nothing even remotely like Taproom on 19th. Bakeries? Yes. Pasta? Yes. Beer? No. PhillyBloggers seem intrigued. Word is the owners also own the Green Room in Fairmount, and the chef is last of Django. Fancy! Monthly changing menu featuring mini corn dogs with tiny pickles, pork tacos, grilled corn on the rob with Parmesan and the awesome-sounding and “Chesapeake Bay crab fries with creamy Vermont cheddar, lump crab and green onions.” Wow. Might actually be worth the lawsuit Chickie’s & Pete’s will probably slap them with. Monday Night Football Special: $2 Yuengling bottles, $7 pitchers. It ain’t Dogfish, but it’ll do. Check the rest of the menu below.

From the Taproom’s Kitchen
September ‘08

SMALL
Grilled corn on the cob with truffle butter, Parmesan and sea salt $3
Roasted peanut with chilies and garlic $3
Marinated olives, fresh mozzarella and roasted peppers $4
Mini corn dogs, tiny pickles and honey mustard $5

MEDIUM
3 soft spicy pork tacos, queso fresco, avocado, red onion and cilantro, salsa verde $6
Fried mozzarella, marinated heirloom tomatoes, fresh pesto and balsamic $7
Chesapeake Bay crab fries, creamy Vermont cheddar, lump crab and green onions $7
Arrogant chicken wings, chunky bleu cheese dressing and fresh celery $8
Steamed PEI mussels, spicy Italian sausage, sweet garlic, roasted potatoes and white wine $8
Shrimps and crab cocktail, mustard and cocktail sauces $9

LARGE
Chopped salad- grilled chicken, shrimp and romaine lettuce, tomatoes, onions and balsamic $8
8-ounce fresh ground prime sirloin burger, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and onions, choice of cheese, house-cut fries $8
Grilled chicken sandwich “BL, T and A”- bacon, lettuce, tomato and avocado, house-cut fries $8
Tender porchetta sandwich with roasted peppers, wilted spinach and aged provolone, house-cut fries $8
Grilled filet mignon sandwich, button mushrooms, BBQ onions and horseradish cream, onion rings $10
Grilled garlic chicken breast, rustic fork-mashed potatoes, zucchini $12
Pork chop Milanese, spinach salad with red onion, tomatoes and Parmesan, aged balsamic and olive oil $14
Marinated and grilled prime hanger steak, green beans, roasted shallots, house-cut fries $15

Photo: UnitedNationsofBeer