The Owl Cafe Tap Room!

Once again it was time for dinner in Apalachicola.  The first night we ate in the Owl Café.  It was exceptional… So why gamble on your only other night in town when you have already a great experience? The choice for us was easy!

After all, for us this is a ‘new’ restaurant.  The Owl Tap Room didn’t exist when we last visited Apalachicola 17 years ago.  The Tap Room is located in the next attached structure down from the Owl Café, our restaurant of choice and memory for our first evening in town.

I’d checked and noted that the menu in the Owl Tap Room was significantly different than the Owl Café…and that helped us make our decision.  Our waitress helped us choose a couple of pints to go with our dinner.  Laurie had a “Hooter Brown” while I went for something light…it was called a “Happy Pint”.   

The atmosphere in the Tap Room is definitely more informal than the Owl Cafe…and there is no doubt that it is a bar...which also serves food.  The room is nicely decorated and it has a warm welcome feel to it.  It was busy when we arrived for an early dinner and it was packed when we finished. 

We are sure that this appetizer must be ‘illegal’ in some places across the USA!  As per my bill, this starter is named the “Happy Duck Frites”.  It was a Happy Hour Special…normally $9.00 but only $6.00 on this occasion.

 

On the menu for this item it is listed as “Duck Confit Fries”.  Pulled roasted duck, crispy prosciutto, duck crackin’ and melted gruyere cheese with an unnecessary but tasty dipping sauce make this one of the most decadent and scrumptious appetizers we’ve ever had!   

For her dinner…trying to keep it light after that appetizer…Laurie ordered the Fried Fish Tacos. ($13.00) The fish was nice and fresh as would be expected in Apalachicola.   We love good fish tacos and these filled the bill!

Other options included Chargrilled Alligator Sausage over a fried grit cake, Chipotle and Cilantro Grilled Catch of the Day, a 12 oz. grilled Ribeye steak and Penne Pasta with either chicken or shrimp.  Prices were quite reasonable considering the quality and quantity of the food.  

As for myself, I just plain got lucky!  The menu at the Owl Tap Room is somewhat limited as is the norm in a bar setting.  I was struggling with a decision…trying to decide if I wanted a Cheddar Burger with a Fried Egg and Bacon ($10.50), a Corned Beef Reuben ($12.00) or Fried Jumbo Gulf Shrimp. ($14.00)

That’s when I heard a 'local table' on either side of us order a special…the Short Rib Dinner!  Alas!  The waitress told me that the last one I’d heard being ordered was the last of the short ribs… I slumped down and ordered the burger.  About 5 minutes later the waitress ran up to the table and told me that the chef said there was one order of short ribs left!  Hooray!  So I was served this plate of delicious short ribs and garlic mashed potatoes…and life was good! ($20.00) Just the delightful aroma of this dish was worth ordering it!

The Owl Café Tap Room is another great place to eat in Apalachicola Florida!  We will return!  This restaurant is located at 75 Commerce Street.  Phone: 850-653-1910.  Website: http://www.owlcafeflorida.com/tap-room.html.

That’s it for now… Just click on any of the photos to enlarge them.

Thanks for stopping by to see what we had for dinner!

Take Care, Big Daddy Dave