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Cousin Carl called last week to tell me about Cavanaugh’s, a new pub just off Rittenhouse Square.
"It’s time for us to be fiscally responsible," he said.
The menu features half-price pub fare, $3 cocktails and pints, 5 to 7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.
Since I have not reviewed a pub in many months, I met Carl at Cavanaugh’s at about 5:15 on a blustery evening. The place is bilevel with a comfortable bar, friendly barkeeps and several flat-screen televisions. A soccer game was in progress as Carl ordered a pint of Yards and I sipped a well-made martini (both $3). These prices are happy hour specials. I will give the happy hour costs for each dish we sampled.
Carl spotted a roomy booth near the bar and we settled in. Just as we were discussing the menu, four men arrived and took a high-top table near us. Jesse, Tom, David and Ray are regulars. They have become part of my culinary entourage, but more about this later.
The regular menu also has very moderate prices; It is only the pub menu that is half-price. A good-size crock of onion soup ($6) was so well-prepared it could rival the soup at Brasserie Perrier. The broth was light golden, homemade and not a bit salty. It was brimming with slightly sweet caramelized onions and topped with Swiss and provolone.
Double-layer cheddar and Jack nachos ($5.50) was a Mount Etna-like pile of tri-colored chips topped with melted cheese, pico de gallo and slightly hot peppers along with a choice of pulled chicken or beef chili. Since I don’t like chili on nachos, Sarah, our delightful server, told us she would bring the chili on the side. It had the correct balance of cumin and spiciness. It was made with red kidney beans and chock-full of beef. The chili is also on offer a la carte ($7).
Next up were perogies ($4). I grew up on these half-moon pasta pillows filled with whipped potatoes or cheese. They are traditionally boiled and served with sour cream. At Cavanaugh’s, they are boiled, then pan-fried as Asian dumplings. They arrived on the cool side, so we asked Sarah if we could have them boiled. Six came with the order and the new batch fared better. Strips of caramelized onions and a dollop of sour cream also were on the plate.
I ordered a pint of Smithwick’s Ale ($3), which is one of my favorite libations. I knew it would marry well with the Buffalo shrimp ($4). You can order them mild or hot. We went mild and were glad as they packed the right amount of kick. There were eight mid-size shrimp, which is generous. The dish included a small ramekin of blue cheese dressing along with crisp carrot and celery sticks. I usually don’t go for Buffalo wings or shrimp but these were downright tasty.
Carl and I thought the chicken quesadillas ($5.50) fared as well as the shrimp. It arrived piping hot, layered with a combination of shredded cheddar and Jack cheese with pico de gallo and sour cream. We ordered a side of guacamole ($2), which lacked flavor.
It was at this point that Carl walked over to Jesse, Tom, David and Ray and wanted to know if they liked the nachos. I soon joined in the conversation and what followed was two hours of riotous laughter. We talked about the food and soon discovered they frequent the pub at least once a week. The fact they are computer wizards at a nearby law firm was a boost as I need advice about which laptop to buy. I quickly invited them to accompany me on future reviews.
The six of us agreed Cavanaugh’s is a wonderful find, especially during a recession. Even the a la carte menu is a bargain. Sandwiches with a choice of fries or Tater Tots are in the $9 to $11 range along with platters such as fish and chips ($12), chicken pot pie ($12) and roast turkey ($11).
I think the era of spending more than $200 for a steak dinner for two is rapidly dwindling, especially for what Bill Cosby calls irregular people. The happy hour drinks and fare at Cavanaugh’s fills the bill and is the answer when the craving a hearty meal strikes.
Two-and-a-half tips of the toque to Cavanaugh’s Rittenhouse.
Cavanaugh’s Rittenhouse
1823 Sansom St.
215-665-9500
Credit cards accepted
