BobTown #13 - Opening of Bluebird Tavern

If you're one of the many who have anticipated the opening of the Bluebird Tavern - it's been worth the wait.   Thanks to the Seven Days Bite Club, I was invited to a "soft opening" of the new gastropub occupying the space that used to house Tortilla Flats on Riverside Avenue. 

So the first question is... What's a gastropub?  According to my good friend Wikipedia... A gastropub (or gastro pub) is a British term for a public house which specializes in high-quality food a step above the more basic "pub grub." The name is a combination of pub and gastronomy and was coined in 1991 when David Eyre and Mike Belben opened a pub called The Eagle in Clerkenwell, London.

At the soft opening on Tuesday night, owner Sue (right on the right) welcomed the crowd to her "public house" and provided solid proof that we can expect a LOT more than common pub grub.  And General Manager Laura (left on the right) has a great staff working the place, too. 

While the menu will change day-to-day depending on what's available (think local), you can check out the possibilities on their website.  Two of the things that were offered to us that you have GOT to try... a corn dog (you ain't gonna get NOTHING like this at the Fair... they make their own dogs), and... their burger.  The place isn't open yet and I'm already naming it the best burger in town.  Seriously.  Seriously. 

The remodeling of the place has been extensive - and you can see more pictures of the progress on their website's blog. 

The bar offers a lot of great tap beers - including locals Magic Hat Circus Boy and Switchback - and an extensive wine list.  There was no other alcohol offered the night I was there, but a full-bar should be available soon. 

The Bluebird Tavern opens this Saturday (July 4).  It's the place you'll want to take people to.

 A LOT of our pictures/posts come from Burlington and our good friend Bob, so we've decided to let him loose on his favorite city and give him his own section of our blog... we'll call it BobTown.   Most of the time it won't have anything to do with drag or gay stuff or even him... just stories about... BobTown.   We get a lot of hits from all over the world - probably from people who want to know more about Vermont's Queen City.  Maybe they're future tourists or they're thinking about moving.   You locals may learn something, too!  Enjoy!!

tags: gay vermont  bluebird tavern  burlington  tortilla flats  gastropub  gastro pub  seven days bite club  magic hat  switchback  burger  

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