Thai/Food/Gaga...Oh, My!

I've always thought that Center City Philadelphia could use a few more great Thai restaurants.  There are my go-to spots like Tamarind/My Thai/Aqua, and even though I'm always happy to go back for more, I still feel like there's room to add to the mix.  So, when I heard that Erawan would be opening a second location in Chinatown, I was thrilled.  Unfortunately, I have never been to their original spot on 23rd and Sansom (I really need to venture out to the Art Museum Area more), but I've heard great things, so walking the few blocks to 9th and Arch was a must. 

The gals and I checked it out for lunch on a weekday when they offer their fantastic lunch deal of salad/soup or app/entree for $7.95 +.  And this cute little byob with their super friendly staff and Thai Lady Gaga music (no joke, they have their own version of Bad Romance) hit the spot.  The peanut dressing on the Erawan salad was so rich and delish that I honestly sent the bowl back completely clean.  My veggie spring rolls and Holy Basil Supreme were completely satisfying as well.  The portion sizes were plentiful, easily allowing us to package up some leftovers to savor over later.  My only minor complaint was that the entree could have been just a tad bit spicier, however I'm sure they would have been more than happy to fulfill this request as the staff was oh-so helpful and pleasant throughout our dining experience.  With their options for take-out and delivery as well, I will definitely add Erawan to my go-to list.  Grab a few bottles and a few friends and check out Erawan and their version of Lady Gaga for a savory dish or three.

You Say You Want a Revolution...

After much wait, Old City welcomes Revolution House, the new bar/restaurant located on the corner of 2nd and Market Streets which was home to Snow White diner for oh-so, long.  I'm happy to report that the owners have put a lot of elbow grease into the new place.  Not a trace of the former diner has been left behind, which for those of us who have dined there before know that's a great accomplishment.  The only thing that nods at the locations previous roots is the diner-style breakfast that's offered on their menu complete with omelettes/pancakes/sides of bacon. 

The two-story spot is spacious indeed, providing a bar on the first and second floors with table seating for dinning as well.  The exposed brick walls/wood-planked bars/metal railings/chandeliers and hanging bottles give an array of textures adding much warmth to the environment.  The real gem of the space however, is the huge roof deck which faces Market Street and is surrounded by colorful plantings and wall sconces for night time diners. 

The beer list has a great mix of draft and bottle selections (any bar that serves Allagash White on draft is alright by me), and the wine menu allows winos to select their choice of glass or bottle (always bottle) for all sparkling/white/red/rosé.  And, in addition to the diner-style breakfast, the food menu is all about comfort;  burgers/tater-tots/meatballs/pizza.  I sampled the margherita pizza, as well as the tater-tots, and to be honest I've had much better of both, but dining al fresco, above Market Street, away from the typical Old City crowd is good enough to keep me coming back.

F&F

I was really excited to check-out The Farm and Fisherman for what I thought was going to be a sure to/hit the spot/lick my lips kind of meal.  Having heard great things from a few friends already about this BYOB and loving the farm to table concept, I perused their menu online while snacking lightly on lunch, making sure to save room for the many dishes I had planned on trying that night.  And, after all this build-up and hype, I was less than impressed with the mediocre dishes I tasted. 

The space itself lacked any sort of defining character. Previous to arriving, I had envisioned diners gathered around big farm-like tables, sharing platters of whole chickens and passing piles of wonderful greens and vibrant, delicious fruit.  Too much?  The lack-luster perception of the environment, I think, could also be applied to the food.  I tasted it, I ate it, but there wasn't any "Wow!" factor there.  Mind you, there wasn't anything horrendous to report about my experience. I just wanted a little something extra from my $27 entree, something besides the farm to table idea, which I couldn't quite get a sense of in the preparation of the dishes, that would make me want to come back to this spot over and over again.  Perhaps I set my hopes a little too high for this newcomer? 

What was even more upsetting was that after sharing the Tartare Salad, Grilled Pork Belly, Quail, Rib Eye, and Chicken Breast with Wood Mushrooms (although I have to say they looked more like Oyster to me), true to form this fille saved some room in her appetite for the course that I feel is never to be missed; dessert. And, after hearing my two options to choose from I wasn't even tempted to lift another fork and indulge.  I passed on dessert!  I just about turned my head and gave it the cold shoulder!  And anyone who knows me is aware that this is not an easy feat.  But, then again, I wouldn't really call turning down dessert an accomplishment for any party involved.  Hopefully, F&F's constantly changing menu will become a little more inspired as the season brings us some great ingredients and flavors to have some fun with in the kitchen.

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.

...Ella, Ella, Hey, Hey

Two words immediately come to mind when I think about the brunch I recently had at Kanella; f'ing fantastic.  And, yes, the "f'ing" is necessary because it puts that much more emphasis on how fabulous the food and experience was.  We only had to wait a few minutes to scoop up a table for two on a Saturday afternoon without a reservation.  The Greek/Cypriot kitchen is BYOB, with a friendly waitstaff, and a simple/well chosen/mouth watering menu.  Everything we tried hit the spot.  From the greek yogurt presented with honey/spices/nuts to the Cyprus Breakfast complete with fried eggs/halloumi/lounza....should I stop teasing you?  I couldn't be happier with this gem, and I am eager to head back ASAP to check-out their dinner menu.  If you're considering trying Kanella, (I strongly encourage it) and, if you're up for a little Opa! (always), snag a bottle (or two) of champagne on your way over, and they will gladly bring you flutes and OJ to accompany the bubbly. 

The End of Al A Carte

Gasp!  Marc Vetri has finally done it.  Yesterday marked the start of a new era for Vetri; no more al a carte menu.  Vetri will only be offering the tasting menu Monday - Thursday at $135 per person and the Grand Tasting Menu, Friday and Saturday.  As an admirer and fan of Vetri's delicious dishes, I personally do not find this to be troublesome in the least bit.  If you've been to Vetri in the past, it doesn't matter if you order al a carte or the tasting menu because you're spending mega bucks either way.  You don't go to Vetri to order a side of pasta.  You go to experience some of the best dishes you could imagine tasting, and one is never enough.  Don't let this new change discourage you from trying possibly the best restaurant in Philadelphia; embrace it!  Mangiamo!

My Big Fat Greek...

My gals and I checked out Opa last night for a few cocktails and some bday celebrating, and let me just say,  I am loving it!  The location/decor/crowd make it a perfect place to grab a drink any night of the week.  The cocktails, while they are tasty, are a tad pricey at around $11 a glass, but they also offer a great beer and wine menu as well at a more moderate price.  The food, oh my...the delicious smells wafting from the plates alone was enough to fill me up.  And, the food menu, despite the cocktail list, was surprisingly reasonable in price.  The bartenders were super friendly/attentive/talkative, and the wrap-around bar is just right for mingling with your favorite company or making new company.  Lively/busy/bright/sexy, the interior space was fabulous and presented just the right amount of Mediterranean flair without going over the top.  It is safe to say that Opa will be a sure, go-to spot for food/drinks, especially with my impending move to the neighborhood!  Opa!

Do You Serve Espresso?

I've been wanting to check-out Audrey Claire for a while.  Living in Philly for over 7 years now, and being the big foodie that I am, it's almost sacrilege that it took me this long to visit!  As we know, I am such a big fan of Twenty Manning, that my expectations for Audrey Claire were already set pretty high; perhaps they were set a little too high...

The restaurant is your classic Philadelphia rowhome with a long/narrow/open floor plan converted into a dining area filled with two-tops and a small open kitchen.  Like most smaller restaurants in the city, Audrey Claire is a BYOB, and like a lot of BYOBs the menu had many diverse offerings created for sharing.  My comrade for the evening and I tried our fair share of the menu starting with the Pumpkin Risotto, which was highly recommended by our waiter but fell very flat and lacked the richness I was desiring.  Next up was the Bosc Pear and Goat Cheese Flatbread, which was far better than the Risotto but still not the delightful treat I had hoped for.  For the entrees, the rack of lamb certainly pleased my taste buds; it was quite delicious.  However, the Paparelle with mushrooms was completely boring and tasteless.  And, lastly in the hopes of ending things well, for dessert we shared the lavender creme brulee which was so rich in lavender it tasted like I was literally eating a  bar of soap or a candle.  Tres mauvais!

Overall, the food was a big disappointment, but we made up for it by poking fun at our waiter (he deserved it) and amusing ourselves one way or another as best we could since our taste buds certainly were not.  Oh, and one more point of negativity to note were the wine glasses, which were actually shot glasses and had no shape whatsoever.  We spent more time refilling our glasses than we did lifting our forks.  Oh, one more, hence the title...they do not serve espresso.  Not my favorite Audrey of all time.

Fine and Dandy

My new favorite place in the city, The Dandelion, is highly recommended and worth checking out.  Stephen Starr has hit this one out of the ballpark and across the pond.  Having been three times already for drinks/dinner/snacks, I have yet to be disappointed with any selection, and I am continuously surprised by my findings.  The two-story, double wide restaurant and bar is handsomely sexy and yet still cozy and inviting at the same time.  The stately staircase, tin ceilings, dark wood fireplaces (that actually work), and wallpapered walls all play a major role in the old English charm that The Dandelion exudes.  Whether, I am sitting at the crowded bar and laughing with great company, snuggled up in a corner next to the fireplace with another, or gathered around a large farmhouse table that seats 20, it is a completely different experience each time and keeps me coming back for more. 

The beer and cocktail list is inspired/original/mighty delicious, and although I wouldn’t call myself a very big beer drinker, the Raison D’etre could easily convince me to become one.  The dinner menu is classic/warming/magnificent, and the Duck Bolognese is something to be marveled.  Other dishes like the Fish and Chips (the most incredible I have ever tasted) or the Rabbit Pie are certainly worth licking your lips over.  Smaller dishes like the Salmon and Trout Pate and The Cheeseboard leave no room for complaints either.  The portions are all a great size and can easily be shared.

In addition to the great fare, the crowd is a mix of old and young/very good looking/ oh-so Rittenhouse.  This is the perfect spot for a date or a night out with your favorite guys and gals.  I am anxious to go back and check out their brunch menu or even sit down for a spot of tea, which is served daily between 3pm and 5pm.  A true ace!

A Bottle of Red

Mondays suck!  Getting out of bed in the wee hours of the morning after having a great weekend is just torture.  Combine that with 20 degree weather, snow/wind chill factors, and the fact that the sun is barely rising, and you have got yourself one miserable morning and one grumpy girl.  How does one get through a case of the Monday blues?  By drinking.  And what is even better than drinking?  Drinking for half-off.  Luckily, every Monday, Bar Ferdinand serves its guests half-off all bottles of red/white/sparkling wine.  Bottles range from $40 - $65, and with the special applied it's quite a tempting offer.  My Mondays just got a little perkier.  You'll know where to find me.

Manning it Up

20 manning, fka Twenty Manning, has been a favorite of mine ever since I tried it a few years back.  I revisited this somewhat transformed goody just recently and it still has yet to let me down.  The new dandelion  yellow banquet seating that has been splashed around the dining area adds great function/flexibility/color to the space that I could easily see it transforming to a chic lounge in the later hours.  Besides some new pendant fixtures and artwork though, the restaurant has pretty much remained unchanged.  And, that's a good thing!  It's simple/quaint/cozy and has the perfect level of intimate lighting that I easily find myself not wanting to leave.  The menu has also altered slightly (both dinner and drink) but still no complaints are to be made.  The cocktails are just as good as ever; TMG Old Fashioned is sensational.  And, the food is so very fun/creative/scrumptious! that trying everything on the menu would not be a problem for me.  The butternut squash ravioli and Ahi tuna, either served as an app. or entree, are a must order.  It's always packed during the week and weekend so reservations are a must.  And, with 20 Manning's excellent location in Rittenhouse, it's a superb way to start off an evening of fun in the city.

Franklin vs. Ranstead

Franklin Mortgage and Ranstead Room are two bars that have very similar concepts.  Both play on the 1920s prohibition/speak easy era, neither serve vodka, and the drinks are marvelously inventive and delicious.  I’ve been to both recently adding to the handful of visits in the past, and while I am never disappointed with what my bartender is serving, I have come to the conclusion that I do prefer one bar over the other.  So, let’s break it down.

  

Franklin Mortgage                                                                                          

The entrance is off the street, down a set of stairs, and guarded by a man dressed in black.  With no windows or visible sign, it is easy to pass up or probably never notice; true speakeasy qualities!  The décor is handsome/cozy/true to the 1920s, and the lighting is perfectly balanced, providing a subtle and appealing sexiness to the environment making everyone around seem mysterious and intriguing.  The wait staff is attractive/witty/charismatic wearing stylish attire that has hints of that old world glam while still being modern.  While there is not a food menu, the cocktails more than make up for any appetite that would be cured with a fork and knife.  The little black book of drinks can be overwhelming with its ingredients and combinations, but you can easily rely on the fact that any selection made will be divinely pleasing.  Whether I am gathering with one or five friends, I have never been disappointed by Franklin Mortgage, and honestly there isn’t one bad quality I could find there.  The concept and its offerings are quite a success! 

On to the next one…

Ranstead Room

The entrance is located in the middle of a dark alley, and the only light provided is shown dimly on the front door that is labeled with an “R”, making its appearance temptingly forbidden.  The décor is straight out of the 70s, complete with questionably themed paintings and photos of pirates/hookers/driver’s licenses/porn stars, and the lighting is dim, so that reading the cocktail list by candlelight is actually necessary.  The wait staff carry tea lit candle holders creating an eerie, glowing orb of light reminiscent to scenes from Are You Afraid of the Dark?.   And the outfits , they remind me more of a 1950s saloon keeper than chic 20s speakeasy.  I am not quite sure what the intention is behind the music.  The volume is usually a little too low creating that weird, awkwardness where your voice is in between a whisper and a normal tone trying not to be the loudest person in the room yet also wanting what you’re saying to be heard by those sitting next to you.  And, there also happened to be one too many disco beats for my liking.  Food can be ordered from El Rey’s menu, since Ranstead Room shares a wall with the kitchen.  And although it’s appealing to be able to order a few small plates while at the bar , I am not quite sure how Mexican cuisine ties into the theme?  The cocktail menu has about a dozen drinks to choose from, and a “bartender’s choice” option for the adventurous.  I have taken the bartender up on their offers numerous times and I have never been disappointed.  Cheers to you, bartender!  But, excellent cocktails aside, overall the appearance(from what I could actually see) and vibe of Ranstead Room can be  quite confusing and sometimes uncomfortable.  It is not a place to gather with more than one or two others without feeling like all eyes are on you (and not in a good way).  However, if you want a smashing drink and pirate hookers are your thing, you might find this spot to be rather appealing.   No judgment!

The Conclusion…

While I’m not one to turn down a good drink, Ranstead Room has a discomforting and crazy, randomness to it that leads me to cast my vote towards Franklin Mortgage.  I enjoy the atmosphere and crowd, and the bar, overall, just seems a bit more sane than its contender.  Franklin Mortgage all around! 

She Drinks a Whiskey Drink...

After discovering my new found love for bourbon and scotch (still shocks me!) I decided it was time to order my very first whiskey drink, and what better place to celebrate than Village Whiskey.  I’ve been to Village Whiskey several times, but I have always stuck with my favorite spirit of choice; gin.  The cocktail list has a superb selection for the non-vodka drinker, and the whiskey list is something to be marveled.  Divided into five categories, bourbon, rye, blended, irish, and scotch, there are over 100 names to choose from, and prices range from $6 to $60 for a 2 oz glass.  Although the list was super impressive, I decided to keep it simple and ordered an Old Fashioned which was delightfully, delicious and mighty, strong.  I was impressed and pleased to bits.  I will definitely be back soon to pull up a stool and show off my newly acquired skill; drinking whiskey. 

View other posts mentioning Village Whiskey here.

The King

Mexican cuisine; who doesn't love it?  Easy to eat, always tasty, and never breaks the bank, it's perfect for a quick bite or to indulge in with a group of hungry amigos.  And, that is exactly what I had on the brain when I ventured to El Rey, the latest restaurant to occupy the former Midtown Diner (20th and Chestnut) owned by Stephen Starr.  As with most Starr restaurants, the place was crowded/eclectic/lively, but unlike past dining experiences, I was  provided with a foggy memory of eating french fries and grilled cheese sandwiches at 3 am after a night of heavy drinking.  And what I mean by this is that El Rey is basically still the Midtown Diner, same booth seating/counter/flooring/ceiling/fake stone wall, but it has been mildly transformed with some added artwork/mix-matched light fixtures/wallcovering into a grimy, old Mexican shack.  At the counter, where shots of tequila and margaritas of varying flavors were being poured, I thought I could still detect the smell of coffee that brewed for way too long some time ago.  I didn't happen to mind the minimal transformation, however.  If I had never been to that particular Midtown Diner, I probably would not have even picked up on this fact because it somehow works with the overall varied environment.

Besides the atmosphere, the menu was simple yet still playful with it's offerings so that it's not to be perceived as typical or boring.  With prices ranging on average between $7 to $15 for dishes that are large enough to share between two people, my amigos and I sampled quite a bit.  The guacamole which is large enough to order for a group of four or more was by far the best I have had in the city.  Another stand out item was the Steak Chilaquiles.  A few vegetarian options were offered such as Zucchini Blossom and Corn Quesadillas, which happened to be less desirable than anticipated, but still overall the menu was impressive given the appealing prices that I rarely find at Starr's restaurants.  And, the same held true for the drink menu averaging around $7 for mixed drinks and even less for a beer or glass of wine, which is at the complete opposite end of the spectrum compared to Starr's Ranstead Room, where drinks are typically $12.

Overall, El Rey was a great place to get some Mexican food, appealing, tasty drinks, and browse at the assortment of cultural, old newspaper and magazine clippings, as well as odd movie posters.  It took us about an hour to get a table, and the service at the bar was a bit slow (2 bartenders for the whole joint) but if you have yet to go and you've got tacos on the brain, it is worth checking out.

PBR

A few new bars have been popping up in Old City over the past couple months, giving me hope that the neighborhood could possibly transform into something other than the underage/obnoxious/fist pumping crowd that it usually attracts.  A face-lift, something a little more grown-up and new is what is needed.  A few more great restaurants to go along with the already popular Amada and Fork, and a handful of chic/swanky/cozy lounges where enjoying an expertly made cocktail without getting constantly bumped and spilled on by the crowd would certainly be pleasing.  And, with the addition already of a few new spots I can start to imagine the gradual transformation, but I am not quite convinced that what they're offering is what Old City really needs.

Take Philadelphia Bar and Restaurant for example, a newbie that just opened a few months ago.  From the outside, the place looks great/rustic/charming and also reliable that what's inside is going to be worth the cab ride over to the east end of the city.  However, when I stepped inside I received a big open space, with a dozen or so tables, a few televisions, and a long bar with a handful of old men staring into their glasses.  I was turned off instantly by the scene, but I gave it the benefit of the doubt and took a seat and gave the menu a look.  The food was much more appealing, and the wine and beer selection was pretty decent, however no cocktail list was offered.  I ordered the Eggplant Fries and the Chickpea Burger and both pleased the taste buds favorably.  I also sampled the Fish Tacos which got a thumbs-up as well.  The service was nothing to complain about, and our waiter even entertained us (unknowingly) with a few "eeexcellents" that had an uncanny resemblance of the creepy Mr. Burns.  So, the food/wine/beer list was pretty great, the crowd was almost dead, literally, and the ambiance was seriously lacking on the inside.  The same holds true for other spots that recently opened in the neighborhood such as Crocodile.  I would have to say that a good burger and fries (or free pizza) is not enough to keep me coming back, when I could go to Village Whiskey and have a tastier burger, a cocktail made just for me, and enjoy the atmosphere and company as well (and keep safe from fist-pumpers).  My fingers are crossed however that somehow Old City will clean it's act up and in the near future make it enjoyable for the overage again.

What's Going On?

Restaurant Week is back!  Don't forget to make your reservations for lunch and dinner during the weeks of January 16th - 21st and January 23rd - 28th.  I will be making repeat appearances at 20 Manning, Amada, and Barbuzzo, as well as checking out Stephen Starr's new spot The Dandelion for a bday celebration with the boyfriend.  What new spots or favorite places to dine will you be checking out?

Also, this Saturday The Soup Nazi himself will be serving behind the counter at Doc's Gourmet Soup on Girard in Nolibs.  I have never tried the soup, but this seems like a great time to check it out and hear that all too familiar line, "No soup for you"!

The Corner

No, not the one on 13th and Spruce outside of the Parker Hotel (not that kind of corner), but in fact, the new bar/restaurant that has finally re-opened where beloved APO, formerly Apothecary, once was.  Oh, how I've missed those $13 Immunity Idols.  The Corner offers 3 menus, dinner (a first for the location), desserts, and drinks, and everything is brand new; no repeat drinks whatsoever (bye bye, Idol).  What has also changed is the entire first floor with mild alterations to the second floor.  Let's start with the layout. 

Windows have been punched into the first floor facade creating a more light filled space than before, making the environment more suitable for dining rather than drinking.  Booth and banquet seating make up the majority of the first floor area now.  In the back, the open, narrow kitchen, which used to be the main bar, offers stool seating where you can experience the former chef of Buddakan whipping up dishes such as Masa Tots, Grilled Truffle Cheese Short Ribs, or Grilled Tuna, Eggplant Caponata with an Olive Tapenade.  Mmmm!  Venturing upstairs, the layout has pretty much stayed the same with the exception of an added booth for seating/snacking and some new decor.  Drinks and apps can be ordered upstairs, while the first floor is intended mostly just for dining.

The food menu is small and moderately priced, but it still offers a great array of items to choose from, and with the former chef of Buddakan working the kitchen you know it's tasty.  The drink menu, no surprise, is smashing/creative/inspired.  While happily munching on the Masa Tots, my friend and I eagerly sipped on 4 new goodies; The Final Pillage, Lady Belladonna, Hotel Nacional, and my personal fav, Corpse Reviver #2 which consisted of Plymouth Gin, Lillet, Combier, Lemon, and Absinthe.  It was sensational!

Overall, I was delighted and pleased with The Corner.  The long, narrow space certainly makes better use for dining rather than trying to gather around a tiny bar all the way in the back for those dangerously, delicious drinks.  In the past, the rest of the floor was always unoccupied, making the space seem less lively than it could have been.  My fingers are crossed that the new concept takes off without a hitch.  So, here's to the revival and transformation of my top fav place to grab a great drink (and food now too)!