Hauntingly Good Eats at Broad Axe Tavern

You want old historic? The Broad Axe Tavern dates back to 1681. And most unusual, part of the building is the original stone structure of the Broad Axe Tavern, still standing today, more than 238 years later.

You want haunted? It’s got that too. It’s old enough to have a legendary ghost said to be that of the daughter of one of the early owners, Rachel, who fled from several inebriated men who were taunting her, into the first-floor bathroom, never to be seen again. Sightings of her in the third-floor window have been reported by drivers waiting for the light to change at the Butler and Skippack pikes intersection.

More importantly… you want good food? Well, my lovely dining companion, two friends, and I very much enjoyed our dinner there.

In 2001 a fire closed the Broad Axe for close to eight years. After thorough renovations inside and out, it reopened by friendly, quietly efficient managing partner Matthew Doman and his three partners. It looked refreshed and ready to resume its popularity as a reliably good inn/pub/restaurant. 

In the largest of the three dining areas, the main dining room, the most brightly lit room with the stone fireplace and open pass-through window to the kitchen, where we were seated, the ambiance was pleasant, and noise level not bad.

Most memorable and wonderful was the Mussels a la Mariniere appetizer ($10), ironically ordered as an afterthought. The fresh, succulent Prince Edward Island beauties, steamed in a good balance of white wine, garlic, lemon peel and butter, with leeks and crusty bread, were superb.

This was but one of an enticing list of “Tastes & Bites,” that includes deviled eggs with smoked salmon, chicken quesadillas, duck potstickers, calamari, and oysters.

From under “Soups & Salads,” Mid-Atlantic Seafood Chowder ($6) was a delicious choice, a tangy cross between cream-rich New England-style and tomato broth-based Manhattan, well-stocked with clams, salmon, and potatoes. A classic Cobb Salad ($12) was shared around, but could have been enjoyed as an entree for one.

We decided to keep it light, and chose from the “Burgers & Sandwiches." I went with an order of BBQ Black Angus Sliders ($8 for three, or $14 for six). The mini-sized burgers are griddle-cooked to medium-well, and served on slider buns with melted cheddar, sautéed onion, Kansas-style bbq sauce, and house-cut fries. The plate of three sliders, with good fries, was more than enough for me.

My lovely dining companion went surf instead of turf, and had a Chesapeake Bay Crab Cake Sandwich ($12), which also came with fries. It was nested in a toasted brioche bun with lettuce and tomato, and a spread of tartar sauce – (the menu said “Remoulade,” but it was tartar sauce). It was a quality crab cake: lump crabmeat, tastily seasoned, low breading.

Our friends ordered two more substantial dishes from the “Large Plates” listing, which includes steaks, short ribs, and fish. Hoisin sauce-glazed Salmon ($19), and Sauteed Tenderloin tips ($15), were tasteful and satisfying.

The bar offers an inspired cocktail menu at a reasonable $7 to $10 each, and a great list of bottled beers featuring many Belgians. My lovely dining companion loved her glass of the day’s special chardonnay, and I my bottle of Modelo Negra. A Bloody Mary with Absolut ($7) and a Cosmopolitan ($8), both well-made, were enjoyed at the outset by our tablemates.

At our meal's end, I was very pleased with the Cappuccino ($4) the bar also delivered.

I did miss the old screened porch dining room – now gone, which was always a delight, especially at twilight.

Overall Rating: mmm 1/2 (out of 5 m’s), to this refurbished, very historic landmark tavern.

Location: 901 W. Butler Pike, Ambler             

Phone: 215-643-6300 

Website: www.broadaxetavern.com                           

Cuisine: American 

Hours: Lunch and dinner daily 11 a.m. until ...

Prices: Appetizers, soups, salads $6 - $19; pastas $12 - $21; burgers, sandwiches $8 - $14;

Large Plates $13 - $32 (average $18)

Ambiance: Refurbished, historic stone-walled pub/restaurant. Lively; can be noisy.

Reservations: Yes                        

Credit Cards: Yes

Alcoholic Beverages: Full service bar, beer on draft, wine list 

Wheelchair Access: Yes

To contact Mitch Davis, you can e-mail him.