by Mystery MouthWhen it opened in 2006, Bart & Urby’s on South Main Street was one of the first establishments to believe in the revitalization of Wilkes-Barre.
Since then, whether it’s for post-work drinks, dinner or to hear live music, the bar/restaurant has become a veritable downtown destination.
That point was driven home one recent evening when my friend Rebekah and I strolled in after a long day last week and settled ourselves into a secluded booth near the back. She promptly ordered a Weyerbacher Blanche from Bart & Urby’s ample draft list (we counted 24!), while I couldn’t help but try a Wyder’s Pear Cider. There’s also an impressive martini list that features flavors like cappuccino and lemon drop.
The summery brews came, and we perused the leather-bound menus, surprised at how many options we had. There’s bar food like Bart & Urby’s famous wings (with funky flavors like Guinness barbecue and Darth Vader) and burgers and fries to salads, pastas — how tasty does lobster macaroni and cheese with four cheeses, roasted tomatoes and mini lobster sound? — plus crab cakes, pork tenderloin and specialty pizzas. Our particular night’s specials were a meatball parm hoagie with fries and Grandma Michelina’s meatballs and sauce.
Unable to decide on an appetizer to split, Rebekah and I chose the sampler ($9.99), which features two each of chicken empanadas, chicken tenders, mozzarella sticks, cheddar poppers and cream poppers.
Once decision making out of the way, we sat back with our drinks and took the atmosphere. Even though the dining room was filling up quickly, there still was an intimate air, especially within the back booths. The small table lamps and gorgeous black-and-white photography hanging on the dark-hued walls only added to the great ambience.
Our appetizer platter soon arrived, accompanied by blue cheese, barbeque and marinara sauces. Rebekah went straight for the mozzarella sticks and tender chicken fingers. Surprisingly, the two cheesy versions of the poppers weren’t spicy at all, but the chicken empanadas more than made up for it with their tangy zip.
Delicious bread with fantastic herbed olive oil followed, and then our entrees made their appearance.
My garden risotto with chicken ($13) was heavenly. The parmesan risotto was rich and creamy and played off the artichoke, sun-dried tomatoes and capers nicely. Topped with juicy grilled chicken, this was one of the best risottos the Mouth has had. (Bart & Urby’s also offers a shrimp version for $14.50.)
Rebekah’s certified Angus beef shoulder ($13) gave tender cuts of perfectly medium-rare beef that had a fresh-off-the-grill taste with a light A-1-infused glaze that was delicious and surprisingly delicate. Her dinner was accompanied by crisp stalks of asparagus and her choice of roasted red potatoes. (Other starch choices were fries, sweet potato fries, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, a sweet potato or parmesan risotto.)
Stuffed, we pushed our plates away, both nearly licked clean.
Throughout dinner, our affable server Ryan checked back on us often without being intrusive. Bart & Urby’s owner Brian Urbanas even stopped by twice — once to let us know that the menu will soon be changing and the other to see how our dinners were. The Mouth absolutely adores when a restaurant owner takes the time to make the rounds. I think it just adds something so personal to a dining experience.
As Rebekah and I walked out, I marveled at how lucky Wilkes-Barre is. Yes, there’s a snazzy new RiverCommon and a lot going on now, but to have a place like Bart & Urby’s is worth noting, too. Being a bar and a restaurant, it’s the best of both worlds, and it has a comfortable vibe and reasonable prices — and of course, really good food.
The Mouth looks forward to what it has up its sleeve for the new menu … and hopes to still see that great garden risotto. …
• Bart & Urby’s
119 S. Main St., Wilkes-Barre
570.970.9570
Hours:
Monday-Friday, 4 p.m.-2 a.m.
Saturday 2 p.m.-2 a.m.
myspace.com/bartandurbys
