Sister to Imperial, Public House stands inconspicuously on Nine Mile in Ferndale. It opened up little more one year ago and since then the staff has been serving thoughtful cocktails, tasty sliders, and a small but scrumptious selection of appetizers. It's grown in popularity since its opening, welcoming with open arms the rebels, the rock 'n' rollers, and the folks that just like a good drink and a reliably good bite to eat at the end of the day.
The environs are enough to reel one in, and inside patrons enjoy the lofty ceilings, subway-tiled walls, a stretch of cozy booths, and a long bar outfitted with vintage-style stools. The kitchen is open, so one can observe as their deviled eggs and hushpuppies are being prepared. Much like Imperial, Public House has managed to create an interesting space that, rather than overpowering, compliments the food and drinks. Sliders and cocktails aren't playing second fiddle to Mark Dancey's enormous painting of Keith Richards wearing a "Who the Fuck is Mick Jagger" shirt and flipping the bird, they're performing right alongside it.
Stop into Public House on a weekday for lunch and you'll find a reasonable crowd and a record spinning. Saddle up to the bar and browse their drink menu, it's filled with names like Ike, Roy, Mavis, and Estelle and the drinks are just as classic as their monikers. Ike comes served up in a tall, green tiki glass, garnished with tropical fruit and a striped paper straw. It's sweet and, let' face it, fun to drink. While one can order from the paper menu, there is also a full bar and a selection of wines as well. Sure Mavis and Estelle are swell, but if you're looking for something else, the bartenders here are happy to make it, and we're not just talking about a rum and Coke. Ask one of the heavily-tattooed drink slingers to make you a "gin drink that isn't sweet" and they'll whip you up something in a jiffy.
Public House recently added more square footage to their pub as well. Just last month they opened up a patio outside their backdoor. Enjoy lunch or dinner under the shade of the wooden awning strung with twinkling lights and outfitted with dark wood and black metal tables, chairs, and benches. And don't forget to stop by for the tap takeovers the establishment hosts there – they've got them booked all the way through December. During the colder months, they plan to keep the patio open, using heaters and an enclosure to keep patrons warm.
With great food – shoot, we didn't mention the waffle sandwiches and Korean short ribs, did we? – Public House is of those rare places where you'll enjoy the food, the drinks, the ambiance, and (we're hoping) the company. And check out their patio now, before the next polar vortex. — mt
