It took more than a year, but the transition — and bifurcation — of North Quarter Tavern into City Pub, a bar and restaurant, and Bitters & Bottles Cocktail Lounge is finally complete. The two new businesses opened with the New Year.
City Pub’s website describes itself as a “chef-driven gastropub” with Adam Dierks at the wheel. The menu features the expected burgers, flatbreads and other pub grub, such as fish and chips, cottage pie and roast chicken. Is there such a thing as an autonomously driven gastropub?
City Pub occupies the corner space, including the front patio, that North Quarter Tavern held.
Bitters & Bottles takes over NQT’s side bar. Its website lists “Orlando master mixologist” Ginger Otvos as the woman in charge of the beverages. (It also says it will feature chef-driven bar snacks, which may be a first in the area. That driver has not been named, but we can probably assume it will be the same motorman as City Pub seeing as how they share a kitchen.) I’d tell you more about the drinks and food menus but those links are not yet working.
A bitters-centric bar will be a welcome addition to the local drinks scene. I only hope it’s as good as New York’s Amor y Amargo but with friendlier bartenders and more seating.
I haven’t seen either place yet, but I like the look of the pub, as shown in the photo at top that I snagged off of the business’s Facebook page. Looks very clubby, especially the tufted booths. Probably looks even better in full color.
Both City Pub and Bitters & Bottles are from Church Street Entertainment, which also owns and operates Chillers, Embers and Latitudes, among others. The new venues are at 861 N. Orange Ave., Orlando.
