Red Owl Tavern- Olde City

A long Saturday morning consisting of a half marathon and College Gameday at Independence Mall required a great lunch.  Just after we passed through the Gameday crowd we rolled into Red Owl Tavern on the corner of 5th and Chestnut.  This bistro-pub hybrid is situated in the trendy Hotel Monaco.  With large crowds come relatively large waits for a table for 4.  When we were given a 20 minute wait time we encompassed the bar to for brunch beverages and to watch the Phillie Phanatic stare down the soul of Lee Corso after he picked Notre Dame to beat Temple.  The bar menu included a fine selection of craft beers, ciders and a nitro tap (coincidentally the Yards Love Stout ran out when I placed my order).  I settled for a bloody mary that taste more like shrimp cocktail with a bit of a kick.  This is not a complaint, I suspect clam juice was added to the cocktail mix to bring out a briny flavor.  

50 minutes after we arrived and 30 minutes past our 20 minute wait time the four of us were seated.  The wait staff showed great hustle but was very informative and pleasant.  The food menu was very promising:  huevos rancheros, 3 meat hash, and egg benedict were amongst the brunch items.  The lunch choices included salads and their own cheesesteak, cheeseburger, and their BLTB (bacon, lettuce, tomato, brie) sandwiches.

Our table of four ordered eggs benedict, BLTB, the Red Owl Tavern Burger and breakfast eggs with apple sausage.  The eggs benedict and BLTB got good solid reviews.  The other items were room temperature at best when they were served.  The burger was very well assembled with sharp cheddar, thick bacon and onion marmalade.  The meat of the burger was well done but rather than have the dish delivered fresh it tastes like it was under heat lamp for 5-10 minutes.  Otherwise I feel the burger has high potential.

Red Owl Tavern was a quick stop for lunch but turned out to be an ordeal over 2 hours in the making.  Between the long wait for a table and the quality of the foods, we are not in a big rush to return.  However, I was impressed with the options of the bar and food menus.  With a few improvements and touch-ups, Independence Mall could have its first truly outstanding restaurant.