Chamber welcomes new martini bar
Friday, October 24, 2008 7:47 AM EDT
By DENNIS J. WRIGHT
PHOENIXVILLE —The Phoenixville Regional Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting at Fenix, a new martini bar located at 193 Bridge Street Thursday night.
Kim Cooley, chamber executive director, along with Mike Polin were a part of the ceremony that took place just inside the bar's entranceway Thursday.
Owners Declan Mannion and Conor Cummins, along with manager Michael Matarazzo, were flanked by employees as they cut into the ribbon.
Polin then handed the owners their ceremonial first dollar in a frame, as onlooked gave them a rousing ovation.
Formerly a Subway sandwich shop, Mannion and Cummins said they purchased the building on the heels of their success with Molly Maguire's Irish Restaurant & Pub, which they also own.
"We bought Molly Maguire's and we've seen the success we have there," said Mannion. "This was something we wanted to do. We just didn't like the sandwiches at Subway."
Cummins said they purchased 193 Bridge Street in 2007, and were trying to figure out what they wanted to do with it.
"We wanted a place that was different than Molly's," said Cummins. "It was a collaboration on what we wanted to do."
Matarazzo said they decided to open a martini bar, featuring a tapas style menu, with the martinis being unique to Phoenixville.
So Mannion, Cummins and Matarazzo did quite a bit of traveling in search of finding the right kinds of martinis to bring to Phoenixville.
"We did a lot of research in Philadelphia and in Manhattan," said Matarazzo. "We went to a lot of clubs. We wanted to see what the trends are and put a little twist on them. Everything has been creative and going well so far."
Their hard work enabled them to have Fenix open on the last Friday in August, and business has been steady for the new establishment.
"We're open Thursday, Friday and Saturday," said Mannion. "It's enough to maintain the place. We are ready to book private parties here as well."
Those who are interested in visiting Fenix will have their choice of over 14 different kinds of martinis.
Two of the more popular martinis served at Fenix, according to Matarazzo, is the Flirtini (Vox Raspberry Vodka, Chambord, and Pineapple Juice, topped off with Champagne - $9) and the Espresso-tini (Van Gogh Espresso Vodka, Grey Goose Vanilla Vodka, Dark Crème De Cacao, and fresh brewed Espresso - $10).
"The Espresso-tini is a buzz that wakes you up," he said.
Another popular drink, said Cummins, is The Cassidy (Bluecoat Gin and St. Germain Liqueur, shaken and served up, topped with Sauvignon Blanc - $8).
"We like him so we named it after him," he said.
Mannion said that along with the martinis, Fenix also serves premium bottled beer.
"It is the best in town," he said. "One of our popular ones is Peroni beer. We get rave reviews for it. It's good stuff."
Matarazzo said that with all of the fine beverages served at Fenix, the food is also comparable.
"We serve a rotating menu, depending on the needs of our customers," he said. "We will keep some menu items on for a month or two, and then make changes as necessary."
A crowd favorite, said Matarazzo, is the lobster nachos, and the crab and artichoke dip (Bombay curry dip served with toasted flatbread - $11).
On display at Fenix Thursday evening for attendees to sample was the Black and Tan Hummus.
Mannion said that he's been told by guests that their martinis and menu compare to places in Manhattan.
"We're reasonably priced for what we have to offer," he said.
The "Fenix" name came after Mannion, Cummins and Matarazzo deliberated on what to name the martini bar. The bar's logo is of a red Phoenix bird surrounded by black.
"We were trying to figure out a name for it," said Cummins. "We liked the Phoenix name, but we decided to change the spelling of it."
"We liked the logo and the red in it," said Mannion. "The red really stands out and it makes us different than Molly's."
As far as the future goes for Fenix, Cummins said that he looks forward to having the establishment open seven days a week.
"As the town grows, the Fenix will grow," he said. "We look forward to keeping it open seven days a week. It's good the way it is right now. We are still on the learning curve."
Fenix is located at 193 Bridge Street, Phoenixville Open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Private party bookings available.
URL: http://www.phoenixvillenews.com/articles/2008/10/24/news/srv0000003876249.prt
