One of early summer’s most eagerly anticipated restaurant and bar openings is Varga Bar, which is going into the former Azul Cantina space at 10th and Spruce. Why all the hype? Well, besides all the usual thrill over a new opening, it’s the latest restaurant from chef R. Evan Turney, of Valanni and Mercato. Varga Bar officially opens next Wednesday, May 20, but we got our mitts on the menu a few days in advance — nothing’s final, but it’s a very solid sense of what to expect. Check it out below!
Cheeses selection of 3 / $11 or 5 / $17
san andreas, bell wether farms, ca ……………. 4
sheep, smooth, creamy, mild
clothbound cheddar ………………………………………. 5
jasper hill farms, vt
cow, hard, buttery flavor with caramel undertones
crater lake blue ………………………………………………………. 4
rogue creamery, or
cow, complex, sweet, and creamy
midnight moon, cypress grove, ca …………….. 5
goat, firm, hint of salted caramel
up in smoke, rivers edge, or ……………………………… 5
goat, maple leaf wrapped, misted with bourbon
and smoked over hickory
appetizers / bar snacks
classic tomato soup …………………………………………… 7
foccacia crostinis, crabmeat, fresh oregano
pot o pickles …………………………………………………………………..4
house made pickles
buffalo wings …………………………………………………………….. 7
steamed mussels ……………………………………………………… 9
smoked chorizo, fennel-garlic herb broth
fried oysters ……………………………………………………………… 11
crab cheese fries …………………………………………………….. 8
jumbo lump crab, white cheddar, parmesan
kobe beef sliders ……………………………………………………. 10
applewood smoked bacon, shallots, vermont cheddar
grilled brussel sprouts ………………………………… 5
lemon, pecorino, olive oil
hickory smoked baby back ribs ……………. 8
tangerine-chili barbeque sauce
truffled mac n cheese ……………………………………. 8
bacon, gruyere, fontina, mascarpone
Salads & Sandwiches
varga salad ……………………………………………………………………. 7
mixed greens, pears, walnuts, shaved brussel spouts
beets, blue cheese, white balsamic vinaigrette
breakfast salad …………………………………………………….. 8
bacon, frisee, watercress, endive, poached egg,
foccacia croutons, crispy potatoes, white wine vinaigrette
crabcake sandwich ………………………………………….. 12
rocket lettuce, lemon-caper aioli, fries
slyfox hellas braised …………………………………………. 8
kobe hot dog
house made chili, fries
pulled pork sandwich ………………………………….. 10
truffled provolone, broccoli rabe, fries
kobe burger ………………………………………………………………….. 12
boursin cheese, caramelized shallots, fries
Plates
rigatoni with meatballs & sausage ……………………………………. 15
broccoli rabe, garlic parmesan, olive oil
fish and chips……………………………………. 14
housemade tartar sauce, malt vinegar
herb roasted organic chicken breast ………………………………………………….. 16
lemon shallot potatoes, sugar snap peas, natural jus
steak and fries ………………………………………………… 22
not my moms’ “spam in a can”……………………………………………………………………………….. 18
country time farm ham, fries, braised cabbage, orange-bourbon brown sugar glaze
Cocktails
miss may - cadillac margarita …………….. 7 1/2
100% blue agave tequila, grand marnier, fresh lime juice
miss june - whiskey collins ………………………. 7 1/2
bourbon, club soda, fresh lime juice
miss july - daiquiri ……………………………………………….. 7 1/2
white rum, simple syrup, cranberry juice
miss august - sugar daddy……………………………. 7 1/2
vodka, brown sugar, muddled lime
Beers
Allagash Tripel Reserve ……………………………………. 7
9.0% ABV The beer is thunderously fruity, Just the right amount of
clove and white pepper enhance the flavor of this brew.
Bell’s Oberon …………………………………………………………………. 6
5.8% ABV Plenty of citrus notes up front, followed by some doughy
yeast, nice acidity, and a hop-based tingle at the end.
Dogfish Head Aprihop…………………………………………. 6
4.9% ABV Fruity, citrusy, cedar, thirst-quenching.
“A fruit beer for hop heads.”
Dogfish Head 90 min IPA ………………………………….. 6
9.0% ABV “Perhaps the best IPA in America.” A big beer with
a great malt backbone that stands up to the huge hopping rate.
Dogfish Head 120 min IPA ………………………………… 7
20% ABV Hints of molasses and toffee, then an explosion
of ale fruitiness, with peaches, currants, and chocolate.
Flying Fish Cask Conditioned Ale ……… 6 1/2
Flying Fish Farmhouse Ale ………………………………. 5
4.6% ABV A truly great session beer. Easy drinkin’ with
mild spiciness and citrusy notes.
Flying Fish Imperial Espresso Porter …….. 6
5.6% ABV Malty richness followed by chocolate, coffee,
spices and perhaps even some licorice character. Mmmmm.
Founder’s Backwoods Bastard……………….. 6 1/2
9.2% ABV Expect lovely, warm smells of single malt scotch,
oaky bourbon barrels, smoke, sweet caramel and roasted malts.
Founder’s Breakfast Stout………………………… 6 1/2
8.3% ABV Brewed with an abundance of flaked oats, bitter
and sweetened imported chocolates, Sumatra and Kona coffee.
Legacy Hoptimus Prime ……………………………………….. 5
9.0% ABV The balance of the citrus and earthy hops and caramel
malts is awesome. Never overwhelming, yet completely satisfying.
Ommegang Hennepin…………………………………………… 6 1/2
7.7% ABV This hoppy, farmhouse style ale has a
champagne-like effervescence with a crisp but light finish.
Rogue Hazelnut Brown Ale …………………………. 6
6.2% ABV Dark brown in color with a hazelnut aroma,
a rich nutty flavor and a smooth malty finish. Go nuts.
Rogue Imperial Pilsner ………………………………………… 6
8.8% ABV Golden in color with a hoppy floral aroma and
intense hop bitterness supported by a big malty backbone.
Russian River Damnation ………………………………6 1/2
7.0% ABV Extraordinary aromas of banana and pear with
flavors of sweet malt and earthy hops. Very smooth.
Troegs Hopback Amber Ale …………………………….. 5
6.0% ABV Bold and spicy with a slight floral character.
Balanced with caramel malt, an up-front floral spice and sweet finish.
Sly Fox Helles Lager ………………………………………………. 5
4.9% ABV A great beer to try if you’re new to the beer scene.
A German style Golden Lager that is light, crisp and refreshing.
Sly Fox O’Reilly Stout ………………………………………….. 5
3.6% ABV Silky smooth and creamy with a finish that doesn’t linger.
Black in color, light bodied and roasty dry.
Stone Ruination ……………………………………………………… 6 1/2
7.7% ABV Huge hop flavor and a good caramel
sweetness for balance. Perfectly executed.
Victory Prima Pils …………………………………………………….. 5
5.3% ABV Heaps o’ hops under in this elegant Pils.
All German malt subtleties linger beneath a long dry finish.
Victory Root Beer ……………………………………………………… 4
Executive Chef: R. Evan Turney
