As an industry worker zipping around on your feet all day, the best part of the day is enjoying a shift drink: a post-work alcoholic beverage to decompress, take a load off, and yes, enjoy a nice buzz before heading home. In our “Shift Drink” series, we explore the many fantastic bar programs of Philadelphia where you can treat yourself after a hard day’s work. For this edition, I visited Le Caveau.
Tucked above its sister restaurant Good King Tavern in the Bella Vista section of Philly, Le Caveau (which translates to “the vault”) is appropriately named. Its dim lighting and exposed brick interiors harken feelings of descending into the underbelly of French vineyards to scour their hidden treasures. Rest assured no misfortune will befall you here; you’re only in danger of having a good time. Owner and wine aficionado Chloe Grigri and her staff are gracious, knowledgeable and warm.
The small but thoughtfully-curated food menu features something for everyone – from a naturally cased beef and pork French hot dog served on a warm baguette to charcuterie and cheese boards. I treated myself to a little plate of triple-creme Pierre Robert and New York-made mortadella while being gifted peppery saucisson and a subtly briny olive tapenade.
While there are beverages like mezcal and house made amaro for sipping to go along with draft negroni, vino rules supreme here. The by-the-glass choices are comprehensive and rotate on a weekly-ish basis. Four reds and four whites of varying body types and profiles accompany three sparkling or rosé selections on the one-page list. You’ll also see a featured glass that changes regularly. I opted for the Domaine Julien Cecillon Syrah “Les Graviers” 2017, a Rhone-produced vintage that is blended from three sources. Despite the grape being known for being robust, this iteration presents with quite a bit of minerality and tart red berries – perfect for drinking with the aforementioned board of bites. As a cap, I enjoyed one of those sipping drinks. The amaro, made by one of the managers, offers little in the way of sweetness but tons of anise, cinnamon, lemon peel and chamomile.
