The Tavern: A Hidden Treasure
Between Midtown Village’s bustling streets of 12th and 13th, there’s a quiet stretch known as Camac. The road is barely wide enough for a horse and carriage, much less a car (as we walked down the street, the sedan coming towards us was halfway on the sidewalk!). There are mostly apartment stoops and small offices along the street, but keep your eyes peeled for a hidden treasure.
Ease into a seat at the well-stocked bar or pull up a chair in the cozy, modern dining room. We felt like we were guests in someone’s living room. You’d never know that parts of the building are hundreds of years old, including the portions of the basement used in the Underground Railroad.
Chef Mackenzie Hilton revamped The Tavern’s menu to feature fresh American bar fare. The offerings are refined yet approachable, with bites to tempt even the pickiest of eaters.
Geometrically arranged and vividly colored, the Lancaster Farm Pickle Plate featured a variety of bite-sized pickled items. Each vegetable–cauliflower, carrot, beet, cucumber (3 different ways), mushroom, green tomato, and onion–had a distinct pungency and unique texture on the tongue. The bright orange pickled carrots stood out on the plate and on the palate–slightly tangy, the carrots tasted light and airy. Earthly pickled mushrooms were smooth going down, while the juicy pickled green tomatoes had a satisfyingly snappy crunch. Most interesting were the three unique preparations of cucumber: standard “bread and butter” pickle slices, briny dill pickle spears, and spicy kimchi-inspired pickle slices. The latter with its Asian flair was a particular favorite, delivering a piquant kick to the back of the throat.
Next, we thoroughly enjoyed a heaping plate of the Escarole and Roasted Brussels Sprouts salad. The bacon-miso vinaigrette added a deliciously salty, meaty kick to the dish, while the crispy potato “croutons” and slightly crunchy brussel sprouts provided texture. A scattering of scallions and fresno chile rounded out the diverse flavor profile.
Topped with aromatic Great Hill blue cheese, applewood smoked bacon, and silky caramelized onions, the Blue Burger exploded with flavor–as did the crisp double-cooked garlic fries that toppled over the edge of the plate. Available in both slider and “normal-sized” burger forms, we recommend the latter for a more succulent patty.
Overall, we had a wonderful time at The Tavern. We felt as though we had escaped the bustling streets of Philadelphia and stepped back into time when we entered the wood-covered tavern. Perfect for an intimate date or a lively group, the tavern is sure to please.
— Katie Behrman & Nicole Woon