Chris Leonard has pulled the plug on 6-month old Tiedhouse in Fairmount and he goes out with guns blazing. The General Lafayette Inn remains open.

Update: The blogging continues at Lafayette’s Escape.

Closed [Lafayette's Escape]
Tiedhouse [Official Site]

In this week’s review of self-proclaimed cozy gastropub The Tiedhouse, the City Paper’s David Snyder first tries to define the difficult-to-define word itself:

It may be hard to pin down exactly what constitutes a gastropub, but as Justice Potter Stewart said in his famous U.S. Supreme Court opinion about pornography, “I know it when I see it.” At the Tiedhouse, unfortunately, I just don’t see it.

Although he sees potential in some dishes, he finds some serious flaws in the fare:

Ultimately, though, what solidifies Tiedhouse as a gastropub in name only is poor execution. Ever wonder how dry a meatball can be without turning to powder? Try the albondigas, Mexican-style meatballs. Think it’s impossible for french fries to be burnt and soggy at the same time? Tiedhouse found a way.

The bigger plates show that Tiedhouse is capable of coming up with truly good ideas, but an apparent lack of concentration claimed many of these dishes, as well.

On a related note, maybe it’s time to bring back that old discussion about creating a new term to replace gastropub? We still like Fooboozerie…

Low Tied [CityPaper]
Tiedhouse [Official Site]

Is it ever a good sign when a restaurant cuts its hours? Savona in Gulph Mills cuts back to Tueday through Saturday and dinner only. [The Insider]

Speaking of shrinking hours, Old City’s Prive has scaled back to just Wednesday through Saturday.

You can never have too much barbecue, so we’re happy to see Holy Smoke is looking to open next month on Leverington Ave in Roxborough. [Table Talk, Philadelphia Inquirer]

In vegetarian dining news, Kingdom of Vegetarians has been sold and there are big changes at New Harmony. [Meal Ticket]

Joe Sixpack has the impressive for Jersey beer list of The Taproom & Grille in Haddon Township. [Beer Radar]

Elsewhere in Jersey, we learn that the Whitman Diner in Washington Township is reopening February 9th as The Whitman. A diner with an upscale martini lounge.

A La Maison has opened as “a rustic French BYOB” on Lancaster Avenue in Ardmore. [Table Talk, Philadelphia Inquirer]

The Tiedhouse in Fairmount has added Sunday brunch.

Caution: do not look at Philadining’s photos of Chick’s mini beignets with Nutella and raspberry dipping sauces on an empty stomach. [Philadining]

Uncle Jimmy weighs the “Yays” and “Neys” of dinner at Kanella. [Uncle Jimmy Eats]

Dish & Bitch is pretty cool. They have a brunch club and invite a guest along each Sunday whom they interview. Most recently they were at the Royal Tavern. [Dish & Bitch]

PhilaFoodie tips us off that Wine Spectator’s Sam Gugino is in love with Daniel Stern’s (Gayle and Rae) apple pie. [PhilaFoodie]

Collin Flatt dines on the “All Pork Menu” at Cochon with mixed results. [Phoodie.info]

Blogalicious is partial to the flagship in the Primo Hoagies chain and rarely varies from ordering the Chicken Suprimo on a seeded Sarcone’s roll. [Blogalicious]

Mac & Cheese gets some Egyptian and Mediterranean bites at Mazag Cafe in South Philly. [Mac & Cheese]

Our beer runs are much shorter (from wherever we are to the Foodery or Food & Friends) than the one Bryan Kolesar and Chris Leonard are preparing for this Saturday. They’re doing 13.1 miles from the General Lafayette to the new Tiedhouse. [Brew Lounge]

Foodzings has only a mediocre time at Mantra. [Foodzings]

I Am Beer Wise was also at the opening of Earth Bread + Brewery and files a complete report. [I Am Beer Wise]

David McDuff enjoys a “fantastic” meal at Zahav and chronicles the Italian wines he paired with it. [McDuff's Food & Wine Trail]

Philly Grub went to brunch at Lacroix feeling skeptical but come out throwing around superlatives like genius and spectacular and unbelievable. [Philly Grub]

Foodaphilia visits Ekta, the most talked about takeout spot in the city. [Foodaphilia]

The Beer Lass comes up with a concept the only concept that can rival Oktoerfest, Porktoberfest. [Beer Lass]

Mac & Cheese finds that it’s slim pickings for the vegetarian at Parc but like just about everyone else she finds the people-watching bountiful. [Mac & Cheese]

Living on the Vedge won’t be back to Hummus at 40th and Walnut but if you work or go to school nearby it might be worth a look. [Living on the Vedge]

I Am Beer Wise visits Kite & Key and the Tiedhouse in the Art Museum area. [I Am Beer Wise]

Mac & Cheese heads to the self-proclaimed “originator of the veggie hoagie,” Chickie’s on Federal Street and discovers the fried tomato hoagie. [Mac & Cheese]

Planning a trip to the Pacific Northwest? Then you might want to check out Foodzings who review everything including the food at the airport. [Foodzings]

The Tiedhouse officially opens tonight and although beer will definitely be the star, we shouldn’t forget about the food.

Check out the initial menu after the jump.

Read the rest of this entry »

Finally! Earth, Bread & Brewery is opening to the public this Thursday on Germantown Ave. The Kleinsider has the details on what will be pouring from the four taps. [The Insider]

Rejoice again Mt. Airy. Come spring time, Mt. Airy will be home to the 4th Capogiro. [Blogalicious]

Jack Curtin has the opening beer list for Fairmount’s Tiedhouse. [Liquid Diet]

The bar at Alison two is now open with the dining room opening for dinner on October 16th.

Mi Lah Vegetarian is the name of the new vegetarian retaurant set to open on October 10th at 16th and Chancellor. [Living On The Vedge]

Sakeya has opened as an izakaya in the Academy House. We wish them luck in that tough space. [Table Talk, Philadelphia Inquirer]

The former Ecco Qui is being turned into a sports bar but it won’t be the Yardhouse, it’ll be Mikey’s American Grill & Sports Bar. [The Triangle]

It’s looking like Thursday, October 9th will be the official opening of the Tiedhouse at 2001 Hamilton Street. The General Lafayette affiliated gastropub will kick off with 19 taps, 14 pouring beers from the General Lafayette. Sounds like a good start to us.

The Beer Lass has an update on progress of the Tiedhouse at 2001 Hamilton Street. The Tiedhouse is linked with the General Lafayette Inn and will have at least ten of their beers on tap and is hoping to open within a couple months. Ms. Woods will be following the progress on her site and we’ll be following that.

The making of a Tied House [Beer Lass]

Just got word from Chris Leonard – owner/brewmaster of the General Lafayette Inn. We reported exclusively last week that he was looking for a Center City location for a second project, the General Lafayette Tiedhouse, and now we can confirm that he has an agreement for a space and is working out the details. You’ll find it at 2001 Hamilton Street on the ground floor of the CityView condo.

Looks like Fairmount won – our commenting Restaurant Yentas were right on the money! More info to come…

General Lafayette Inn [Official Site]