Last Saturday, some friends and I checked out Mud Hen Tavern,
the new restaurant from Susan Feniger and Kajsa Alger. Located in the same
location as their previous collaboration, Street, Mud Hen Tavern has gourmet
pub and comfort food and it is maximum yum. Better yet, it’s maxiyum. Hey, look
at that, I created a new word. Go ahead and use it so it’ll sweep the nation.
Or, at the very least, the Valley.
The menu has a tempting selection of appetizers or, as Mud
Hen calls them, snacks. They can call them whatever they want. Just keep them
coming. The evening started off at the communal table with green eggs and ham. Don’t
let the name fool you. This
isn’t your Dr. Seuss’ green eggs and ham. These were spicy deviled eggs, green
chile salsa, and bacon bits. They were so good, they didn’t even last long enough to
take a picture.
When
we were seated at our table, the snacks continued. The Chicken & Waffle Croquettes
with bacon, and spicy maple
sauce will make your taste buds so happy, they’ll send you a thank you card. We
also devoured the Spinach Potato Pierogi.
They had roasted beets, mustard, and horseradish cream. I'm usually not crazy about pierogis but I loved these and would get them again. The horseradish cream
really added a nice zing of flavor.
 |
| Chicken & Waffle Croquettes. Get these. |
 |
| Spinach Potato Pierogi. Loved 'em. |
Then it was entrée time and what a delightful time it was. I had
their Classic Cheeseburger. The homemade pickles that came with it added a subtle
sweetness. I tried a bite of a friend’s Farmhouse
Mac and Cheese. It has a mix
of
artisan cheeses, sweet cream butter, and garlic breadcrumbs. It
was so melt in your mouth creamy, I was tempted to grab it and run. But I
figured by the time the valet brought my car, she would catch up to me and
resort to violence, so I decided to get it next time instead.
 |
| You can't have this Classic Cheeseburger. It's in my belly. |
Trust
me, there will definitely be a next time. There are so many enticing
things on Mud Hen Tavern’s menu that I want to try. Whatever you do, make sure
to leave room for dessert. I got the Cinnamon
Roll Bread Pudding. Talk about comfort food. It makes you feel all
warm and fuzzy inside.
 |
| Cinnamon Roll Bread Pudding. Wow. |
Not only is the food delicious but the place has a
great atmosphere. On the night we went, Chef Susan was there bringing out food,
greeting and chatting with everyone. Her energy and warmth is infectious. Instead of a restaurant, it feels like she decided to have a few hundred
people over her house for dinner.
Later that night, while I was waiting at the bar for
change, she came over and we talked for a few minutes. She asked me not only
what I thought of the food but the place itself. She said she wanted it to be a
cozy place where people can come, have good food and drinks and relax. I told
her she definitely succeeded.
Getting people to try Mud Hen Tavern isn’t going
to be a problem. Getting them to go home? Well, that’s a different story. (www.mudhentavern.com)
