Five More Outstanding Pubs Join "The Club"

It's a phenomenon that began just four days ago, and it's already picking up serious steam.

The P.A.P. Seal of Approval was first granted to the amazing Patriot's Crossing Pub in Titusville, NJ. Home of the best wings on the Delaware (and maybe in the state), Patriot's Crossing owner Mr. Wah was delighted to be the first pub named. He even sent a thank you note. Love a guy with class.

Then it was the Tiger's Tale's turn. That outstanding venue in Montgomery does nothing more than offer "phenomenal" food and an excellent collection of bottled and tap beer.

Manager Manolo pointed with pride to his Seal of Approval that strikes the eye as you walk in. Please note: this is not a "college" kids' bar. There are some serious seasoned citizens here, and they are all very friendly.

Today, FIVE more pubs joined the elite club.

The mainstay of the Metuchen bar scene, Hailey's Harp and Pub mounted its seal proudly in the foyer as an excited and fetching Ashley helped affix the prize. Hailey's, also known for its food and monster beer list (managed by Mash Monster Moshe) is especially deserving. Their monthly Beer Senates regularly provide all three ingredients to qualify for the seal--Good People in a Good Pub with Good Beers. But come to think of it, that happens pretty much every night with Captain Craic (Chris Flynn) in charge.

Heading north, The fabulous Station Bar and Grill in Garwood earned its bones by virtue of its food, beer, good folks and good deeds. Like most of those on the list, The Station is deeply involved in its community and often supports worthy causes.

Amanda, filling in for owner Bryan Cruickshank, selected the most appropriate spot for the P.A.P. Seal, and her nice fingernails easily helped separate the seal from the sticky back.

That Rob Hurewitz is one lucky guy. (He's Amanda's boyfriend.)

Barry O'Donovan, the garrulous Irishman (like there's any other kind?) at his famous place in Cranford known as The Kilkenny House, had a bit more difficulty with the sticker, but eventually got it apart and placed it in a prominent spot on his door.

Perhaps the poster child of community involvement, this guy wears his heart on his sleeve--and that means it's a big sleeve. You go into Barry's place as a stranger just once. After that, you're family. That's P.A.P.-worthy, for sure.

Then it was around the block (Cranford has a weird, powerful beer vibe) to the #1 Dive Bar in the state of NJ--Jake and Jocco's Riverside Inn. Perhaps the "Senior Citizen" of award winners, the Riverside has been doing its special thing for twenty years. Owner Pete Jacobs' famous quote, "I just wanna feed the world for five bucks and go fishin' " typifies the relaxed atmosphere of this classic dive bar.

The food that comes out of his kitchen--which is so small, you have to step outside to change your mind-- is not only reasonably priced, it's incredibly good. The decent, if not lengthy, beer list is outweighed by the friendliness of everyone in the place. Amanda (yes, another one) did the honors at The Riverside Inn.

Finally, it was up to my old haunts from my college days in Montclair, where Tierney's Tavern has been overseeing the meetings of friends since 1934. It certainly saw us Montclair State undergrads enough back in the late 60's. This piece of classic bar history was the scene of a Sopranos episode in addition to being the scene of many a spirited discussion of highly cerebral topics, like metaphysics, God, the time-space continuum and shapely, willing women during the heyday of the Gamma Delta Chi "Reign of Error" 1967-1969.

Solid pub-grub at very reasonable prices (we lived on their great burgers back in the day) and a very good , often changing beer selection earned Tierney's a P.A.P. Seal of Approval.

So what does it take to be a candidate for this prestigious award? Just three criteria. Be a good pub (welcoming, cozy, friendly) with good beers (and a staff that is beer-savvy) that has good people--on BOTH sides of the bar. The kind of place where everybody doesn't have to know your name, but the bar staff should.

There will be more awards going out in the next week or so. And after my new order of stickers comes in, maybe YOU want to suggest pub that deserves the honor. I'll check it out, and if it does, I'll give you print credit for turning me on to it.