The Liberty Tavern

“I can die happy now.” Rae’s eyes were closed, mouth smiling with such satisfaction that you could completely believe if she fell over dead, it would have been because her life was totally complete. What else could there possibly be beyond a warm chocolate custard and gooey marshmallow S’mores dessert?

The Liberty Tavern, located in vibrant Clarendon, offers a variety of tastes and dishes that may not give you the total Rae experience, but definitely make you realize that life is good. Great actually. Why cry over the economy, your car repairs, and the fact that no one takes you seriously because you are in your twenties when there are cocktails with names such as the Pursuit of Happiness or The Hemingway Daiquiri?

We started the night outside, sitting in the little bistro chairs taking in the perfect fall evening on Wilson Blvd.  Being suckers for new experiences, the three of us, Rae, Katie, and Me, decided to each try different items in order to try as many different things without completely breaking our budgets. Rae ordered the LT G&T- a refreshing twist of gin, lime, tonic with a refreshing cucumber essence. Katie started with the Hemingway Daiquiri (mainly because it was called the Hemingway Daiquiri), a delightful twist of rum with ruby red grapefruit juice. I went with The Pursuit of Happiness was pure strawberry decadence with a sharp bite of basil.

Half way through our drinks, we were escorted up a long flight of wooden stairs to a corner booth table big enough for a party of eight. The three of us squeezed in together in the back of the bench, tossing our purses on the empty chairs. Our waiter, Tony with crazy curly hair and a chunky, colorful beaded choker, took a seat next to Rae, half poking fun. Ordering 2 more Pursuits of Happiness and glass of the Powers Syrah, Columbia Valley, Washington 2006, we devoured the menu, debating, planning, coordinating our meals to reach optimum tasting opportunity. By the time our drinks arrived, we were ready and hungry. Rae ordered the Amish Chicken, tender chicken piled high on a bed of creamy mashed potatoes, rapini, and sweet onion gravy. Katie sticking with the Octoberfest feel of the month, decided on the “Pittsburghese.” Tender, flavorful house made Bratwurst and Frankfurters served with spätzle and sauerkraut. I ordered the Vermont Pizza. The combination of prosciutto, tart apple, and fontina cheese perfectly balanced the flavors of salty, sweet, and savory. The crust was thin, was deliciously smoky from the wood burning oven. We got what little was leftover boxed…and contemplated dessert.

As you know, there was the life-completing Bruleed Chocolate Pot de Créme Smores, topped with a toasty marshmallow goo, under which was a thick, dark, warm chocolate custard with a little grainy bits of graham cracker that slowly melted in your mouth. The Black Forest Cake was a little stack of dark chocolate cake, kirsch cherries, and sweet cream covered top to bottom with chocolate shavings. Next to it was a little scoop of cherry ice cream, perfect for cutting into the sweetness and cleansing the palate. And the last part of the dessert trifecta, the Jenkins Orchard Pear Cobbler. Unlike the other two desserts that were decadent and sweet, the cobbler had spicy kick of clove and cinnamon that warmed you up inside. Paired with spiced rum vanilla bean ice cream, this cobbler is why autumn was invented.

While the food may be incredibly inspiring, the best part of The Liberty Tavern was that they expected you to enjoy your meal. Unlike so many restaurants that rush you to your table, through your meal, and out the door, this wait staff was a relaxing change of pace.  During our meal, we all realized that we had only been checked on once or twice. Looking around the room waiters were there, observing, waiting for a questioning look or small signal to get their attention, but other than that, they let you dine in peace and enjoy your company.

Maybe you can have your cake and eat it, too.

The Amish Chicken

The Pittsburghese

The Vermont Pizza

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