As college students, most of us are well-versed in the arts of how to pump Bud Light out of a keg and how to shotgun PBR (complete with the perfect key-hole opening). And we have all done our fair share of word-puzzles on the caps of Lionshead bottles (can you say conversation starter?). Unfortunately (or really, fortunately), those skills are useless at Varga Bar. The newly opened gastropub introduces students to beer drinking and comfort food beyond frat houses and Copa Wednesdays. Boasting an extensive draft menu complete with both local and West Coast brews, the restaurant appeases novice and expert beer drinkers alike.
Located on the corner of 10th and Spruce, Varga is a charming addition to the Washington Square neighborhood. Although slightly small in size, its quaint atmosphere is conducive to an early dinner or a late-night drink. The masterminds behind Valanni and Mercato, George Anni and chef R. Evan Turney, are switching styles to bring us a genuine bar. The restaurant, reminiscent of the 1940s, is decked in black and white and dotted with wall paintings of Varga girls. The restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor seating in its corner location.
Entering the restaurant we were warmly welcomed by the friendly staff. Looking at the user-friendly beer menu divided into four sections (session golden, strong golden, session dark and strong dark) we both decided to try a beer from the Founder’s Brewery, based out of Michigan. We got the Cerise Cherry Ale ($6) which has cherry flavoring and the Double Trouble IPA ($6), both of which were very tasty.
The dinner menu boasts several comfort foods, but there are also options for those looking for healthier offerings. The menu additionally includes a nice cheese plate if you are just looking for something small to accompany your drink.
As an appetizer, we selected the highly recommended Kobe beef sliders ($10) with applewood smoked bacon, shallots and Vermont cheddar. Cooked to a perfect pink medium rare, the tasty sliders came with a delicious side of onion rings that could be eaten with the provided dipping sauce or the ketchup made in house (they make their own mustard too). The sliders are definitely a must-try when visiting the restaurant.
For our main course we ordered the Slyfox Hellas Braised Kobe Hot Dog ($8) with chili and the healthier Herb Roasted Organic Chicken Breast ($16) with a side of lemon shallot potatoes, sugar snap peas and natural jus. While both plates were savory and satisfying, the chicken breast was not quite worth its 16-dollar price tag. Although seasoned well, there wasn’t anything particularly extraordinary about the dish. The chili dog, on the other hand, was a great value. With such large portions and a side of onion rings, I was stuffed halfway through. I would also suggest trying the Kobe Burger ($12) which recently made the list of “Notable Burgers” in Philadelphia on GrubStreet.
We ended the meal by ordering the Breakfast Cereal Ice Cream Trio ($7). Since ice cream and Cinnamon Toast Crunch are two of my favorite foods (yes, I am five years old), I was extremely excited about this dessert, and it did not disappoint. The dessert menu offered other classics such as a brownie sundae and a root beer float. If you aren’t an ice cream lover, this might not be your dessert place, but I felt perfectly at home. I would readily stop in solely for the beer and a dessert.
Frequenting the restaurant for happy hour on a nice summer afternoon is also a must. With $4 drafts, $5 margs, and $2 cans between four and six on weekdays, Varga provides the perfect setting for outdoor relaxation after a long day of work.
Varga Bar is definitely worth a visit — the dishes are delicious, and the price is right. And if for nothing else, a trip will give you a leg up next time you want to contribute to the conversation when people are boasting about their beer expertise. Washington Square Park provides a much nicer view than UCB at 43rd and Walnut.
