Hickory Lane Bistro in Fairmount Adds Drinks

Story and Photo by Danya Henninger

When chef Matt Zagorski and partner Jack Henderson launched Hickory Lane Bistro as a BYO back in December, they promised a liquor license was forthcoming. Just over eight months later, they’ve made good on their word, and the Fairmount restaurant now has a full bar. The solid beverage program was developed by general manager Daniel Elliott (returning after a stint at Rittenhouse Tavern), and concentrates on classic cocktails, food-friendly punch and easy-drinking craft beer. Read on to check out the drink menu and hear about our favorite sips.

“I work here because of Matt’s food, so I crafted the drink menu to complement his cooking,” Elliott told us, pointing to the chef’s resume, which includes time at Striped Bass, Lacroix and helming the kitchen at Rouge. “Punch is a cocktail that goes great with food - it’s refreshing and relatively low in alcohol,” he says, “I call it a 'session cocktail.’” Our favorite punch on the current list is the Commodore Perry, which carries a strong floral scent, full of cucumber and honeydew melon, held in place by the sharp flavor of gin and lemon juice.

Elliott is not a fan of fancy signature drinks with overwrought ingredient lists, choosing instead to feature several classics like the Manhattan (perfect) and the sazerac (made with rye). In a nice touch, all of the available liquors are listed on the drink menu, so there’s no need to run up to the bar if you’re a choosy drinker who enjoys specific brands. A list of 16 beers is mostly microbrews, and mostly American, with a few representatives from Europe. A concise wine list features a few of each of sparkling, red and white vintages.

Cocktails start at $9, beers begin at $4 and no beverage tops $14, so you can enjoy without worry of busting your budget. After sampling Zagorski’s food, however, we can’t promise the same for your waistline.

Punch $6
Watermelon & Rum Punch - fresh watermelon, mint, Don Q rum, velvet falernum, arrack
Honey Bourbon Lemonade - Wild Turkey honey bourbon, homemade rosemary lemonade
The Commodore Perry - cucumber and honey dew consommé with white wine, lemon, gin and club soda

Drink - house $9 or your call $11
Bourbon Manhattan, Perfect - bourbon, sweet and dry Dolin vermouths, bitters, twist
Rye Sazerac - rye whiskey, Peychaud bitters, sugar, absinthe rinse
Hemingway - white rum, maraschino, lime, sugar, grapefruit
The Corinthain - gin martini with Dolin de Chambrey dry vermouth, twist
Grapefruit Margarita - pink grapefruite, tequila, lime, orange, sugar
HL Classic - blood orange vodka and pomegranate martini with lime and orange

Beer
Dogfish Head Punkin Ale $6
Weyerbacher Imperial Pumpkin Ale $7
Elysian Brewing Night Owl Pumpkin Ale $7
Sierra Nevada Torpedo IPA $7
Paulaner Premium Pils $4
Twin Lakes Greenville Pale Ale $4
Hacker Pschorr Weisse $6
Stoudt’s Oktoberfest $5
Ayinger Oktoberfest Marzen (16.9 oz.) $7
Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout $8
Allagash Brewing Tripel (25 oz.) $14
Dogfish Head Indian Brown Ale $5
21st Amendment Back in Black IPA $6
Moreland Brewery Old Speckled Hen (16.9 oz) $8
Yards George Washington Tavern Porter $7
Magner’s Original Irish Cider $5