Happy New Year! – With everything happening with the local beer scene, breweries expanding, great new watering holes opening, we have a great new year of beer to look forward to in Rochester. I went to the Tap and Mallet for the second time last saturday night with my parents while they were in town visiting. What more can I say- it’s true, this place is really great and it’s a perfect fit for the eclectic South Wedge neighborhood. From the house beer, McBane’s Bitter right down to waiters knowledge of the beer selection, the owners have really covered all there bases from my perspective. I always seem to assume I know more about the beer I’m ordering than my waiter/waitress, but I wouldn’t assume this at the Tap and Mallet. My dad questioned the waiter several times regarding the belgian beers on tap and how the on tap belgian beers compared to what they have available in their bottled selections. He found our waiter Paul quite knowledgeable when put on the spot. Not to mention he was always was willing to give us samples before we made our draught selection. The available bottled selections weren’t ones I’ve grown familiar with at Beers of the World either, they have carefully picked there selection of bottled beer and kegs which shows in the select varieties presented.. But my favorite thing about the this visit was that I got to try the Sausage and Mash entree. What delicious homemade sausage with little bits of charing on the outside, coated with ale gravy. Presented placed on a creamy pile of mashed potatoes sprinkled with parsley. I have never had a sausage this good. The taste was somewhat similar to a white hot if I had to compare it (veal and pork style) but taken to the next level flavor and quality wise with a lovely contrast between the texture of the charred casing and soft, course cut filling. Forget steak! I’ll take the poor mans filet anytime. I’m looking forward to my next visit already…
So I know it’s time I get my butt over to Swan’s Market or Hartmann’s Old World Sausage shop and see what other lovely delicacies I can find on my plate, sounds like a new years resolution to me.
