We’ve had many months to mourn the loss of the lesbian bar Sister's and it's time to welcome something new to the neighborhood. Hello Franky Bradley's and welcome to Chancellor Street. One of the first questions I asked was "So is this a gay bar? Lesbian Bar? Straight Bar?" … and the answer I got made me happy, very happy. Everyone I asked the question to told me that Frank Bradley's isn't any of those kinds of bars… it's just a bar. A bar that welcomes anyone and everyone that wants to have a good time.

They've been open for just 7 days, but you'd never know it based on how smooth the restaurant was run. I had a chance to try a slew of Chef Kane's original creations, but more on that later.

My first impression was of the atmosphere, and it can be best described as "Poseidon's Lair." I knew I was in for a great adventure. The hostesses were polite and full of knowledge, did you know this is the second reincarnation of Franky Bradley's? The first closed years ago to make room for Sisters, and now the restaurant is back with a new owner.

This is Mark Bee's third Philadelphia restaurant, he also owns the super successful Silk City, and North Third, both in North Philadelphia. I had a chance to actually meet Mark during a "backstage" of the soon to be opened upper level, and trust me, that's where the fun is going to happen. The upper level has a built in DJ Booth, TWO bars (hello no waiting!) a raised stage, seating and tables. I got a chance to talk to the Assistant General Manager (Dave Morreal) about the intentions for the space. He let me know that they have some awesome stuff booked for their "opening night" – Valentine's Weekend! He also let me know they're looking forward to everything form Cabarets and live bands, to Drag Queens and Stand Up.

But back downstairs I had food waiting for me, and the fat kid in me couldn't wait.

I started with a Roasted Beet Salad that was one of the most perfectly balanced dishes I have ever tasted. The Pistachio Brittle was an awesome addition to the dish that gave the soft nature of a Beet a bit of a crunch.

Next I tried the Lobster Pierogies, I'm not a huge shellfish fan but I'll try anything twice. I found the pierogies to have subtle enough lobster taste that I enjoyed them immensely, I actually finished the plate.

After the Pierogies, I took a bite into a dish that I had been eyeing up since I first saw the menu, Potato and Celery Root Latkes with Smoked Salmon, This dish reminded me of my Jewish Grandmother, you know, if she had access to a more complex spice rack, and fresh salmon…

When I was seated my server Gina, who was AMAZING, told me about 1 of 2 chef specials. A white bean and ham soup. I couldn't turn it down, and I'm almost sad I ordered it. It was a heavy dish that was amazing, I totally over indulged and started to get full, but I still had two dishes to conquer, and next was the one I was looking forward to most.

Zagat recently nominated Franky Bradley's burger as one of the top 9 new burger you "need to try" and after my first bite I could see why. Their "Comeback Sauce" paired with a thick hunk of Muenster cheese is a better pair than Oprah and Gale. At this point I told myself I did not have the stomach room to finish burger, but I couldn't resist.

I thought I had survived a meal made by a god himself (I'm still sticking with the "Poseidon's Lair" metaphor here) and that I could pay my tab and go home to slip into a food coma, but then the dessert menu appeared. I saw a Mudslide option, had an external debate with my serve and before I knew it the dessert had appeared in front of me. Three bites was all I needed to be more than satisfied and happy.

Do yourself a favor and head to 1320 Chancellor St, they're open at 5pm every day!

Franky Bradley's
1320 Chancellor St
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107
215-735-0735
www.frankybradleys.com