Hop Sing Laundromat

**AbortedWalrus** · 03-01-2012, 02:15 PM

My wife and I were invited to attend a tasting party at Hop Sing Laundromat last night and we came away very impressed.

The decor itself was a delight. Lee and his team paid such meticulous attention to detail that it's really breathtaking. The bar was lit almost exclusively with candles and the atmosphere was incredible. We were ushered in and each shown to our seats for the night. My wife and I were seated at the bar, which was a real treat because we got to watch the bartenders in action. All of the drinks were made from fresh fruit juiced on the spot.

We had a drink that was fresh grape juice with 12? year old (may have been 15) El Dorado rum. After taking a sip I immediately flashed back to our vacation to the Bahamas this past fall. I turned to my wife just as she turned to me and we both blurted out "this tastes like the Bahamas!"

When I have more time after work this evening I'm going to sit down and write a full Yelp review, I'll post up a link in here.

**radiocolin** · 03-01-2012, 02:26 PM

I was interested until I saw the list of rules » Hop Sing Laundromat Has An Opening Date (Kinda), And A Bunch Of Rules Foobooz Philadelphia

Sounds like it's gone from "nice atmosphere" to "pretentious, controlling atmosphere".

Reminds me of when I was in Franklin Mortgage with a large group spread over 2 tables in 2 places. When some of us from table 1 stood over by table 2 to chat with our friends, they told us we needed to go and sit at our own table. No thanks, I don't go to a bar for that nonsense.

**AbortedWalrus** · 03-01-2012, 02:47 PM

Yeah, it's definitely a case of to each his own, and it certainly isn't the bar I would go to 100% of the time. At the same time, I get annoyed by people yapping away on their cell phones or the flashes from their cameras at almost every bar I've ever been to. He wants to create a bar experience that is akin to a fine dining experience. If you wouldn't yap on your cell phone at Vetri (and you shouldn't), you shouldn't be doing it there.

Given the quality of service and drinks it's worth it to me. Sometimes what I got at Hop Sing is exactly the sort of night out I would want. It is also probably the best post-date spot you could ever dream up.

Edit: I actually made the suggestion to him that he should have a separate private area exclusively for phone calls. I'm not sure if he had it planned from the beginning or not, but I am fully willing to take credit for it even if he did.

**radiocolin** · 03-01-2012, 05:03 PM

The difference is that the rules are essentially known for a fine dining establishment, they aren't a hard and fast list. If you talk on your phone, you'll be politely asked to stop.

Making a list like "no hats" and "no cameras" is something I'd expect at Cavanaugh's River Deck. It doesn't create a nice atmosphere to me, it creates a place where I'm afraid of breaking some rule and would rather just go somewhere I can relax and enjoy myself.

**AbortedWalrus** · 03-01-2012, 08:03 PM

Originally Posted by radiocolin

The difference is that the rules are essentially known for a fine dining establishment, they aren't a hard and fast list. If you talk on your phone, you'll be politely asked to stop.

Making a list like "no hats" and "no cameras" is something I'd expect at Cavanaugh's River Deck. It doesn't create a nice atmosphere to me, it creates a place where I'm afraid of breaking some rule and would rather just go somewhere I can relax and enjoy myself.

Or, if you behave like you're at a fine dining establishment while you're there you'll pretty much be following all of the rules already and you can relax just like any normal person would. I don't think that's too hard. I mean, all of the rules are basically based around common politeness and manners.

**NEMESIS** · 03-01-2012, 08:36 PM

Wait, is this supposed to be a fine dining restaurant or a bar?

**loveisnoise** · 03-01-2012, 09:40 PM

This whole thing just sounds like a well orchestrated foobooz craptastic ad campaign done with tmz flair.

**scotchrocks** · 03-01-2012, 09:54 PM

Originally Posted by loveisnoise

This whole thing just sounds like a well orchestrated foobooz craptastic ad campaign done with tmz flair.

This place sounds like it will get patrons that resemble its list of rules: obnoxious and arrogant. Pass!

**loveisnoise** · 03-01-2012, 09:56 PM

Originally Posted by scotchrocks

This place sounds like it will get patrons that resemble its list of rules: obnoxious and arrogant. Pass!

Exactly-it's kinda like when I walk up to a club and they have a sign that says 'no gold chains, no baseball hats, no oversized jeans, " I walk to the next club because if they have to post a sign like that, then THAT'S exactly what they attract! hahahaha

**qvgirl** · 03-01-2012, 10:16 PM

Ok, with all the privacy/no picture rules & warning to not approach a woman unless asked to, it sounds like a swingers or sex club to me. But one that's not much fun with all the other rules!

**annie** · 03-01-2012, 10:23 PM

I have a boozehound friend who belonged to a members bar in NYC with a similar rule where customers could not talk to other patrons they didn't know with the bartenders playing intermediary if someone wanted to be introduced. I am not certain Philadelphia has enough liquor snobs to support this business model.

**thoth** · 03-01-2012, 10:41 PM

Every post on foobooz about this place is like 1500 words long. It's creeping me out.

**AbortedWalrus** · 03-02-2012, 01:19 AM

You guys can go ahead and make fun of me for this, but I had a great time. I apologize for my extreme pretentiousness.

My review:

"Gentlemen you will admit that, when arrived at a certain degree of fortune, the superfluities of life are all that can be desired; and the ladies will allow that, after having risen to a certain eminence of position, the ideal alone can be more exalted. Now, to follow out this reasoning, what is the marvelous? - that which we do not understand. What is it that we really desire? - that which we cannot obtain. Now, to see things which I cannot understand, to procure impossibilities, these are the study of my life. I gratify my wishes by two means - my will and my money." These are the words of the Count of Monte Cristo, spoken to his guests as they sat down to partake in the feast which he had prepared. These were the words that coursed through my mind as I entered the candlelit bar at the invitation of my gracious host, the proprietor of Hop Sing Laundromat known only as Lêe, a figure shrouded by nearly as much secrecy as the Count himself. Unbeknownst to me he was about to guide all of his eager patrons into a journey to enlighten us as to what was truly marvelous, and how things thought to be unobtainable were actually at our fingertips if we were motivated enough to strive for them.

We were ushered into the metal gate and into the reception area. This was the nigh mythic room of copper coined floors and tales of shoe-shines that the media has spent so much time writing about. Regretfully we could not take in the room for long as we were whisked away toward the bar. We entered the common room and were greeted by light from candles dripping wax onto their ornate wrought iron sconces and bronze candelabra. The magnificence of the room was almost shamefully understated due to the dim lighting, but it provided so pleasant an atmosphere. My eyes were greedy for more light so that I could admire the details, but it was not to be had. This provided a benefit though, in that every space in which you stand in the common room allowed you to discover new details that had previously been hidden in shadow. It may be that you could visit the bar every day for a month and notice a new detail simply by sitting in a different spot.

In the novel the Count continued to address his guests explaining that he took as much interest in the pursuit of a whim as his guests did in their most serious endeavors. As I sat down at the bar I saw the fruition of such a passion. The bartop consisted entirely of nickels, turned heads up, like an army of Jeffersons marching marching in step across its surface. If you quiz Lêe about it he will explain that using the nickels alone was not enough to fulfill the aesthetic, but that if he had not taken the time to order them so neatly he would in the future look back with regret at the missed opportunity. The bar was stocked with a dizzying array of bottles against a wonderful backdrop of mahogany paneling. It seemed like even the most esoteric of spirits was represented in the selection.

As the other guests found their seats the sharply dressed bartenders sprang into action. Cutting, peeling, juicing, pouring, shaking, serving. The first drink presented to us was a simple screwdriver, hardly what I expected to be served at a place billing itself as a haven for cocktail snobs. As I recollect Ultimat vodka was paired with the freshly squeezed orange juice. The drink was deceptively smooth and creamy, the vigorous shaking having given it a slight froth. I could not help but quickly quaff the delicious drink, only to stare dejectedly into a glass that contained only ice shortly thereafter. The bartender was happy to make me another serving while we waited for the next beverage on the tasting menu Lêe had prepared.

"It tastes like the Bahamas!," my wife and I exclaimed to each other simultaneously after sampling the next serving. A simple concoction of freshly juiced grapes and El Dorado 15 Year rum had taken us back to our second honeymoon. This drink, by far the best of the night, had made me taste a place and time of fond memory. I realized then that drinking at Hop Sing Laundromat is as much about the experience of drinking as it is about the drinks themselves. The key to the experience was the freshness of the ingredients and the quality of the spirit, and it made me appreciative that Lêe had chosen such quality to fill his wells of his bar. I mentioned before that he would show how things thought unobtainable were actually at our fingertips, and this drink was the essence of that. It was so simple--it only required the effort of execution.

As the night drew on I saw familiar faces and made the acquaintance of new ones. We were served a variation of a martini made using Smooth Ambler gin. As I talked to the bartenders and the guests I appreciated that the sound level in the bar maintained a level that made conversation comfortable to carry out. At that point I was so lost in mirth and good conversation that it seemed like time flew by quickly. We were served a drink of fresh pineapple juice, muddled strawberry, and Patron Anejo tequila. For me this was the drink that fell the most flat as the fresh fruit completely obscured the flavor of the tequila, but that is not to say it wasn't a delicious beverage. It went over extremely well on my wife who much prefers sweeter drinks, and I must admit that the chunks of strawberry in the pineapple juice were a real treat.

The night ended with bourbon. I did not catch the brand, but I did note bitters, and southern comfort in the concoction. By that time my wife had been plied with enough alcohol that she eschewed drinking anymore and let me finish her serving, much to my pleasure. We didn't want the experience to end, but we knew we would have to leave what almost seemed like a fantasy world. We had greatly enjoyed the experience, the company, and the charming and very personal service that Lêe had provided for us throughout the night. After saying our goodbyes we left into the cold rainy night, carrying with us the warmth of a wonderful night at Hop Sing Laundromat.

Disclaimer: All drinks at the tasting party were provided to us for free, but they really were so good I'd gladly have paid.

**loveisnoise** · 03-02-2012, 01:25 AM

Originally Posted by AbortedWalrus

You guys can go ahead and make fun of me for this, but I had a great time. I apologize for my extreme pretentiousness.

My review:

**Towelie** · 03-02-2012, 01:30 AM

Does this place server Filet O Whale sandwiches?

**loveisnoise** · 03-02-2012, 01:33 AM

Originally Posted by Towelie

Does this place server Filet O Whale sandwiches?

Indeed. For all the rambling, this review doesn't tell me much. The reviewer could at least tell us if his wife's post dinner farts game him pleasure like her backwash in a used drink, and if they permeated of equivalent smugness.

**NE19149** · 03-02-2012, 01:34 AM

Why is a restaurant called a laundromat?
Can I get my shirts ironed there?
Launder my sex-soiled comforters?

**loveisnoise** · 03-02-2012, 01:37 AM

You wish you had sex-unless you're starting your uncle eddie empire up again.

Originally Posted by NE19149

Why is a restaurant called a laundromat?
Can I get my shirts ironed there?
Launder my sex-soiled comforters?

**Towelie** · 03-02-2012, 01:41 AM

Originally Posted by NE19149

Why is a restaurant called a laundromat?

Cause they ran out of ideas for new names for bars, so a laundromat was the next logical things

Can I get my shirts ironed there?

Only the back, front costs extra

Launder my sex-soiled comforters?

Oddly enough, the policy is reversed for conforters. Back is free, front costs extra

**AbortedWalrus** · 03-02-2012, 01:53 AM

Originally Posted by loveisnoise

Indeed. For all the rambling, this review doesn't tell me much. The reviewer could at least tell us if his wife's post dinner farts game him pleasure like her backwash in a used drink, and if they permeated of equivalent smugness.

Both, definitely both.