Nick's Bistro - Bar # 82

This is Bar #82, Nick's Bistro, located in Marietta, PA, just a few miles from our homes and of course, still in Lancaster County.  Our objective for the end of the year is to have completed going to 100 bars without a repeat.  With 8 months left in the year, it is doable and we already have a list of places left to go to that exceeds the needed 18.  This is a very tough job but someone has to take the responsibility of sampling all of the local watering holes!

It was my turn (Garry) to drive today so I made the selection.  Nick's Bistro is a reincarnation of the very good french restaurant once known as Josephine's.  For a very short while the place was known as Wild Cherry's.  Our bartender today was a young lady named Vicki who was very outgoing and did a fine job of selling the establishment, encouraging us to make plans for a return to enjoy a meal for lunch or dinner in the near future.  As both Terry and I are in our 60's it's a safe bet that all bartenders will be younger than us and therefore "young ladies" or "young men".

We go out for the beer so here's what we found - 12 beers on tap 9 of which were "Craft" brews.  It seems that Terry is more adventurous than me so he tried a couple of beers that I felt I wouldn't care for based on the descriptions.  As no small samples were being offered, I chose not to have to force myself through 12 ounces of beer that was not thoroughly enjoyable. While what Terry chose were drinkable, he did not care for them enough to want to order a second.  The less adventurous one (me) ordered two beers that seemed like they would fall easily into the taste window that I enjoy and they exceeded my expectations. 

By today's standards, a selection of 12 draft beers is on the small side.  Nick's Bistro makes up for this by offering 53 bottled beers of which only 7 are from "major" breweries.  It was an excellent selection and anyone who likes beer will easily find something to suit their taste.

Overall, the staff we met was pleasant, the bar area was spotless, and the dining area was very clean.  There is definitely a real charm about the dining area with the very old thick timber walls and fireplaces.  Definitely suitable for a return for a weekend dinner!  Vicki did caution us that making a reservation for dinner on Friday or Saturday would be a very wise thing to do.

Funck's Restaurant and Bar, Leola - Bar # 81

Today the retirement road to beer heaven led the Beer Guys to Leola, PA.  Funck's, Leola opened a couple of months ago after extensive renovations to a former family restaurant.  The finished product is spectacular!  115 beers on tap with the complete range to please any style beer drinker.  There were only three beers that we would probably not consider, Coors Light, Miller Lite and Bud Light.  Possibly we are becoming beer snobs.

The interior reminded both Garry and me of the "Forklift and Palate" at Spooky Nook.  Lots of polished metal tables and palate wood on the walls.  A black granite bar top was a nice, rich looking touch that complimented the rest of the central room.  Everything was very tasteful.

The staff was plentiful and knowledgeable of the many, many selections of brews that comprised a potentially overwhelming wall of taps.  Our server, after taking our selection, turned and without hesitation walked directly to the appropriate tap handle on the aforementioned overwhelming wall.  That was impressive.

Overall, this is a place we would recommend and will probably return to sample the food.  They do not take reservations, but do take call ahead seating.  From what friends have told me, Funck's has been very busy during prime hours.  If you go, be prepared to wait for seating during the traditional dining hours.