Add Sum of this to Your Dining Experience

My experience at Adsum, like a Campbell's soup commercial, was Mmm, Mmm Good!  I have so much praise for the menu/food/ambiance/service, and it was hands down one of the best dinners I have had in quite some time.  Where to begin....

I was surprised (and thankful) by how easy it was to snatch a reservation for 9pm on a Saturday only a day in advance, especially considering how packed and lively the restaurant was when we arrived.  Our table wasn't quite ready when we showed up, but no worries, we were able to enjoy cocktails and wine at the bar with the delightful bartender while we waited briefly.  I was impressed with the cocktail menu which offered an interesting mix and pairing of spirits, but I opted to order my Sapphire Martini with St. Germaine and a twist that I had been craving, and I was even more elated when the good sir made it perfectly.  The upbeat mix of music was just right for the scene and added a balanced liveliness to the space.The lighting was well played and casually seductive.  So far, so good.

At our table we shared and sampled dishes like Chorizo/Grilled Octopus/Oaxaca Cheese Flatbread, Lamb Ribs with Pepper Kimchee, Delicious Diver Scallops served with an equally delicious Meyer Lemon Sauce, and Fluke/Grilled Snails (yum!)/Mushrooms/Garlic Confit....oh, yes.  My only complaint was that the Fluke was a bit overdone, but nonetheless, the food was bursting with flavor and inventiveness with every bite.  For dessert we tried a new addition to the menu, the Tres Leche with Foie Gras Icing and an Oil-Based Sauce was oh-so magnificent (I'm having cravings just thinking about it).  The texture and flavors complimented each other in a superb and fascinating way that I could not have been more satisfied.  The waiters were all too eager to receive our feedback on the dishes, and happily, I shared my favorable opinions making me feel even better about the experience.

I would be very willing to head back to Adsum to sample more of their desirable menu.  We couldn't help but stare at our neighboring tables with big eyes and watering mouths, constantly saying, "Oh, we should have ordered that too!"  Everything smelled/tasted/looked wonderful.  Philly should be proud to have this gem of a restaurant and Matthew Levin's excellent talents.