The Gaslight Lights Up Old City
The Gaslight, the Jason Cichonski-ized do-over at Old City’s former Philadelphia Bar & Restaurant, has been operating under the the radar for several weeks now. But this week marks its official debut.
Cichonski, who co-owns the critically acclaimed Queen Village corner spot Ela and enjoyed a fleeting moment on season 11 of Bravo’s Top Chef, partnered up with PBR co-owner Charlie McMaster to bring new life to the Front and Market watering hole. While physical changes to the room and overall atmosphere have been minimal, Cichonski’s arrival brings a major upgrade to the food and drink offerings. The menu continues to cover barroom basics like burgers, fries, and wings, but takes a more sophisticated turn with things like whipped foie gras for dipping crunchy, housemade chips, bone-in skate wings, a lamb meatloaf sandwich, and braised beef short ribs.
For drinks, former Alfa barman Tim O’Brien is on the stick, turning out a playful selection of cocktails that draw inspiration from familair pop culture icons from the Hello Kitty, strawberry and green tea infused lychee martini; to the Sex Panther, Granny Smith apple and cranberry infused cosmopolitan; to Bootsy Collins, a Pimms cup with smashed cucumbers and mint. Drink Philly tasters found The Jawn, a weeks-in-the-making, barrel-aged-in-house cocktail that combines Bulleit bourbon with house-smoked port. The bar also boasts 16 taps dedicated to local and craft drafts, two regularly rotating casks, dozens of red, white, rose and sparkling wines available by the bottle and the glass, and ton of beers in bottles and cans.
The Gaslight, 120 Market Strret, 215-925-7691, www.thegaslightphilly.com
