My spouse and I dined at the Red Owl Tavern for brunch on a Sunday afternoon in late December 2017. We had reserved tickets later that afternoon to visit neighboring Independence Hall, so we looked for a nearby restaurant where we could enjoy lunch first. We booked our table online using the Open Table reservation system; when we arrived 10 minutes prior to our reservation time, the hostess informed us that we were early and that she could not seat us until our appointed time despite empty tables (including the one that she eventually led us to) and even though she continued to seat walk-ins while we waited. We could accept her policy if the restaurant was full, and if she had not seated those without reservations, but it appeared that she penalized us for pre-booking a table. The Red Owl Tavern is open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, although it closes for a brief time between each meal. The Red Owl Tavern is associated with restaurant Square 1682 at the Kimpton Hotel Palomar.
The Red Owl Tavern opened in fall 2012 as the hotel restaurant for Old
City’s Kimpton Monaco Philadelphia. The hotel occupies the former Lafayette
Building at the intersection of Chestnut Street and South 5th
Street/Independence Mall East, directly across the mall from the Liberty Bell
and diagonally from Independence Hall. The Tavern occupies the street level and
mezzanine corner space of the building.
The Tavern enjoys high ceilings and large windows. Sadly, despite those
architectural features, tables do not benefit from great views. On the street
level, a long zinc-topped bar, semi-open rear kitchen, and exhibition cooking area/bar
provide focal points among the table seating, some of which shares a banquette.
A second-floor mezzanine (stair access only; no elevator) provides overflow
seating at either tables or booths. Décor elements include exposed brick, reclaimed
wood walls and floors, an interesting pulley system, and industrial lighting.
Although there is no elevator to access the mezzanine tables, guests can use
the main hotel elevators to reach the restaurant’s restrooms located on the
basement level of the hotel. Reportedly, al fresco sidewalk dining is available
in warmer months.
Red Owl Tavern serves modern American pub food. We had heard about the
restaurant’s charcuterie, but unfortunately, it is not available on the brunch
menu. Instead, we shared the deviled eggs, which we find impossible to resist.
Next, we ordered a delicious cheesesteak (“when in Rome!”) and a burger, both
of which were accompanied by a side order of fries. For dessert, we shared the
sticky toffee pudding, which was disappointing. It arrived cold, presented as a
sort of muffin topped with a small scoop of ice cream. (A few months
previously, we had savored the amazing sticky toffee pudding dessert at
Pittsburgh’s Kimpton Monaco hotel restaurant, The Commoner, so we had high
hopes for this version, which could not compare.) We also ordered a Bloody
Mary; the restaurant offers a make-your-own bar on weekends, but because we
dined upstairs and the fixings were downstairs, we asked the bartender to
prepare our drink rather than walk up and down the stairs. Although our
waitress promised a fancy presentation, it was regrettably ordinary. (Our
advice: If you want a Bloody Mary, make it yourself!) Although our experience
with the food and drinks was subpar, the restaurant/bar has won awards from
local magazines, including best burgers, best summer cocktails, and best
martinis.
Our meal at the Red Owl Tavern was acceptable; however, with so many
other nearby choices, we would not return for brunch.
