june hh thursday 6/28 at morgans pier

[MarketStEl]

See you when you get here, El!

This is a Philadelphia Speaks Happy Hour first, folks - I'm liveblogging from Morgan's Pier! (Yes, they have WiFi.)

The long table is already half taken, but there's plenty of room (but not much table space) on the cushioned banquettes on the terrace at the southerast corner.

Like this place already! Nicer ambience than Rock Lobster (was there something else here between RL and this?), and the only things over $10 are the bottles of wine!

I do plan to revive the Homo Happy Hour but am looking for a cooler outdoor space than the deck at iCandy. This is the second of two such spaces I've been in this week. Queer tavern owners: You really gotta ramp up your game.

[MarketStEl]

Space just opened at the long table. I'm claiming it now.

[annie]

Leaving from West Philly now but it'll take time to get there. Shouldn't stay too late as I have to wake up earlier than usual tomorrow to report for jury duty.

[MarketStEl]

Present: annie, eldondre, raider.adam, billy ross, Scoats, emoney and Yours Truly.

Playing on the sound system: Fleetwood Mac, at about 95 dB.

Discussion: Politics to the left of the umbrella pole (wrt where I'm seated): annie, me, el and Adam. Occasionally crosses the line. Can't quite make out what billy and Scoats are talking about, but there's politics there too.

Transit and train talk gotten out of the way early. We agreed the Northeast Spur subway was still needed but would never become reality.

This place performs the function it was created to perform beautifully. Several of us agreed that the Delaware riverfront would be improved with four more like it. For emoney: A place that served seafood with very low, soft (probably classical) music. For me: Decent Q and a jazz-funk music mix. You all are invited to create the other two.

N.B.: Fried tomatoes aren't as good as fried green tomatoes.

[BarryG]

Present: annie, eldondre, raider.adam, billy ross, Scoats, emoney and Yours Truly.

Playing on the sound system: Fleetwood Mac, at about 95 dB.

Discussion: Politics to the left of the umbrella pole (wrt where I'm seated): annie, me, el and Adam. Occasionally crosses the line. Can't quite make out what billy and Scoats are talking about, but there's politics there too.

Transit and train talk gotten out of the way early. We agreed the Northeast Spur subway was still needed but would never become reality.

This place performs the function it was created to perform beautifully. Several of us agreed that the Delaware riverfront would be improved with four more like it. For emoney: A place that served seafood with very low, soft (probably classical) music. For me: Decent Q and a jazz-funk music mix. You all are invited to create the other two.

N.B.: Fried tomatoes aren't as good as fried green tomatoes.

Really wanted to make this one, but stuck at the office. Sounds like emoney would like the deck at the Chart House--it's pretty much exactly what he's described, plus a pretty killer salad bar.

[billy ross]

This is what passed by us:

U.S. Shipping Corp - M/V CHARLESTON

Cargo? Maybe Dan can tell us.

[Dayman]

This is what passed by us:

U.S. Shipping Corp - M/V CHARLESTON

Cargo? Maybe Dan can tell us.

Chemical tanker, you'll see her at Tioga Marine every so often.

Transit talk - I'm typing this on a train going ~170 mph. It has WiFi. I'm also in a tunnel

[Alley]

OMG, I completely forgot you all were going to be at Morgan's too. I was there with Fisthown Beer Runners. Ugh, had I remembered I would have at least stopped by your table/bar and said hello! It was a fun night there last night. Most of us were in the corner near the slide and dj.

[MarketStEl]

Chemical tanker, you'll see her at Tioga Marine every so often.

Transit talk - I'm typing this on a train going ~170 mph. It has WiFi. I'm also in a tunnel

Then you're obviously not in the United States, then. My guess is somewhere between Calais and Dover.

[MarketStEl]

One more thing:

I commented approvingly in several places about how everything on the menu is $10 or less, save bottles of wine, and those are reasonably priced for wine by the bottle.

I should note, however, that it appears that the way they achieve this price point is by making the portions somewhat on the small side. The $7.50 burger I ordered was about the size of a Quarter Pounder, I'd estimate. For an additional $2 you get two of these patties, though.

However, since I should watch how much I stuff down my gullet, maybe I shouldn't complain too much. Nonetheless, Moriarty's manages to serve more ample sandwiches for about what Morgan's charges.

The quality of the food was quite good - but once again, fried tomatoes don't quite work. Fried green tomatoes do.

[raider.adam]

One more thing:

I commented approvingly in several places about how everything on the menu is $10 or less, save bottles of wine, and those are reasonably priced for wine by the bottle.

I should note, however, that it appears that the way they achieve this price point is by making the portions somewhat on the small side. The $7.50 burger I ordered was about the size of a Quarter Pounder, I'd estimate. For an additional $2 you get two of these patties, though.

However, since I should watch how much I stuff down my gullet, maybe I shouldn't complain too much. Nonetheless, Moriarty's manages to serve more ample sandwiches for about what Morgan's charges.

The quality of the food was quite good - but once again, fried tomatoes don't quite work. Fried green tomatoes do.

I agree. The food portions aren't good if you are hungry. They do work if you like to have something to eat when you drink.

[Naveen]

I wanted to be there but was out of town. Nice to know it's a good spot though. Will definitely check it out now that it's gotten the approval of the good people of PS!

[billy ross]

Then you're obviously not in the United States, then. My guess is somewhere between Calais and Dover.

I'm going to guess somewhere in Italy or the Alps (or maybe both).

One more thing:

I commented approvingly in several places about how everything on the menu is $10 or less, save bottles of wine, and those are reasonably priced for wine by the bottle.

I should note, however, that it appears that the way they achieve this price point is by making the portions somewhat on the small side. The $7.50 burger I ordered was about the size of a Quarter Pounder, I'd estimate. For an additional $2 you get two of these patties, though.

However, since I should watch how much I stuff down my gullet, maybe I shouldn't complain too much. Nonetheless, Moriarty's manages to serve more ample sandwiches for about what Morgan's charges.

The quality of the food was quite good - but once again, fried tomatoes don't quite work. Fried green tomatoes do.

I worked my way through the appetizer section and I found the fish (tacos) to be extremely good. I'd go back there to get them again. And regarding the tomatoes - fried tomatoes should be pan-fried, not deep-fried. If Morgan's Pier had prepared green tomatoes the same way they prepared their Jersey tomatoes, the results would have been equally disappointing, notwithstanding the type of tomato used. On the other hand, if they had tried to pan-fry 'Jersey tomatoes' of the type I had that night, it would have been a mess. This is why green tomatoes are the type that are fried.