The Crimson House

The Crimson House

A New American restaurant and bar spread across three connected buildings in downtown Pottsville, with a menu and drink program more ambitious than most spots in Schuylkill County. It's the kind of place locals point out-of-towners toward for a proper night out, with multiple bar areas that make it easy for a group to spread out. A short drive from Locust Lake, it's a strong pick for the one dressed-up dinner during a stay in the area.

The cooking leans contemporary American with a pub-and-bar sensibility running alongside it, so the table that wants a cocktail and something at the bar and the table that wants a full sit-down dinner can both be happy in the same room. The mood is upscale but lively rather than hushed — sophisticated enough that you'll want to change out of hiking clothes, loud enough that a celebration doesn't feel out of place. That balance makes it a rare do-everything option locally: date night, a birthday or anniversary, or a group of friends splitting the evening between a couple of the bars.

Pricing sits in the moderate $$ tier, which is part of the appeal — the ambition of the place outpaces what you actually pay for it. For groups or a weekend celebration, call ahead — a downtown restaurant this popular in a small city fills its best tables early.

Hours, menus and prices change. Call ahead or check the venue's own site before you go.