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Category: American (New)
Neighborhood: Queen VillageTuesday thru Thursday with dinner in the dining room and outdoor garden.
Tue-Sat. 5:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Sun. 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Don't Just Wish Someone A Good Holiday, Give Them One With Chili's.
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After passing by Southwark on numerous occasions, pausing to glance at the menu and the orchids in the window, then continuing on my way thinking 'We've GOT to try this place", one sunday morning I was nursing a bit of a hangover and gave in. My boyfriend and I were seated in a sunny dining room with minimal decor...some nice jazz music in the background...and an ambiance to the place that seemed to transport us back in time....we pondered the menu choices while sipping on what I had been told were the best bloody marys in the city.....how very true this was! I settled on the omelet of the day-salmon and creme fraiche and my boyfriend ordered the halibut. Both dishes were perfectly cooked, light, fresh, and delicious. For desert we ordered the cantaloupe sorbet- the perfect finish to an excellent meal. ...and for the rest of the day I couldn't stop thinking about how good brunch had been that day! Perfect hangover cure.
We returned to southwark last night for drinks and dessert with a friend from out of town and were not disappointed. Service was excellent. The have a decent selection of american craft beers on draft, also featuring a rotating nodding head tap. The shiraz my boyfriend ordered was delicious, as was my bloody mary (I had to order this as I've been craving it since my last visit) For dessert we had the
Chocolate Pot de Crème topped with whipped creme..very rich and delicious. The server even went out of his way to check if they could serve us desserts, even though the kitchen was about to close.
I look forward to returning soon for dinner. Highly recommended.
This place just keeps getting better. At first, I thought it was all about the cocktails and now I've come to find out they give other brunch spots in town a run for their money.
1pm on a Sunday and Southwark had no wait and a private outdoor courtyard for my friend and I to sit and eat and gossip. Considering we were the only outdoor diners, our guilty confessions of nights past went unnoticed.
The eggs benedict was absolutely perfect and my friend's chipped beef was creamy, eggy, and awesome. We also shared the shrimp ceviche special (soooo good). The food was fantastic, the service excellent, and the outdoor setting on a sunshiny day is a real plus.
I have to find out what coffee they use, it was some of the best I've had...and the sugar cubes gave it the finishing touches. This is my new foolproof brunch go to.
If you're anything like me, you've always wanted to be in a bar similar to the one at the Overlook… Read more »
As a longtime fan of Southwark, anyone who knows me knows that I am a fan of this spot - - but I realized I hav never written a review; so now is a perfect time, since my partner John and I had a wonderful meal there this past Friday night,
We started the night with a taste for some microbrews - and decided that Southwark was a grand destination - and close to home.
We sampled a few brews on tap and settled in with Smuttynose IPA; a crisp floral and hoppy pint of beer.
We sat at the bar, partly to have easier access to the tap selection and mostly to hang out with George and owner Kip - full of chat and bad jokes, these two represent all that was good about old-school bartending. To repeat others; if you are searching for a classic drink, this is your destination.
We started our meal with the traditional Farmhouse Platter; which has been on the menu since the start; but constantly changes its ingredients of artisan cheeses, meats, fruit, nuts, olives and homemade breads. Although the names escape me, the selection of bleu and the chocolate-seasoned meats were fascinating!
I had what has become a summer tradition for me at Southwark (and soon to fall from the menu as the season changes); barbequed smoked pork belly, baked beans, wilted greens, with a Birchrun blue cheese sauce. The cut of pork was almost a foot long and succulent with each bite.
John opted for the special dishes; a shrimp starter served over a sweet spicy mix of greens and watermelon - and pan-seared scallops - three extra large pieces - each larger than a silver dollar and about an inch thick ... wonderfully done.
We decided to go with a classic dessert to split; homemade mint chocolate chip with mega-chunks of chocolate between two dark chocolate cookies. Although we didn't have it, I was told that we should head back before the season ends to try their Berry Milkshake; malted goat's milk, fresh berries and whipped cream.
Overall - a wonderful dinner, complete with a great atmosphere!
BTW, for those who have been to Southwark but not in a while, their dining room was completely renovated and do take advantage of their patio dining before the winter chills settle in.
I was in Philly this past weekend and was looking for a place serving Sunday brunch past 3pm. I found Southwark on Yelp and since it was serving brunch til 5pm, we rushed on over. It's a long mahogany bar in the front room and then a quaint, quiet, semi-formal dining room in the back. The dining room was long and skinny and it was pretty cold in there. The place was deserted, not a soul, so we were the only diners. The brunch menu and specials all sounded absolutely delicious and it was very hard to make up our minds.
We decided to start with the goat cheese with pears and honey and flatbread. When it came, the goat cheese was in a little pot and looked and felt like dip instead of cheese. It was overly melted so it was too liquid-like and had lost some of its flavor. Not a great dish at all. For our entrees, my boyfriend and I split their special version of eggs benedict (with halibut and fried green tomatoes instead of meat!) and creamed beef on an english muffin with two sunnyside eggs on top. The eggs benny were....bland. The halibut was well-cooked and the friend green tomatoes were juicy, but together, nothing had any taste to it! The hollandaise sauce was strangely tart but it was the only discernable flavor in the dish. Potatoes on the side were over salted. The creamed beef was better, but not great. Once again, flavor was lacking. This was a great concept for a dish but not well executed. I will probably try to replicate it at home but do it a lot better hopefully. I really don't understand the rave reviews below. This food was bland and the worst part was it sounded soooo amazing on the menu. The food also took 45 minutes to come--pretty unacceptable for an empty restaurant. I'd hate to think if it was full....
On top of it all, our waitress had a very strange attitude. She went back and forth between and pleasant and very annoyed and exasperated with us. Overall, this was totally unmemorable and almost negative. Sadly, I cannot recommend it.
Perfect Manhattans. Three well-cleared and timed courses. Just wish there were a few more entree options. It was a lovely birthday dinner.
The minute I walked into this place I fell in love. On the top part of the bar are all rare Rye Whiskeys. All the trendy vodkas and gins are on the bottom floor next to the dusk pan. The bartender loves and knows his Whiskey! In other words don't walk into this bar and ask for a rum and coke. Order a Sazerac, Manhattan, or do a tasting of the various Ryes.
The best classic cocktails! The bar is so gorgeous, and I love the glasses. The food is great too, very simple but perfectly done. They have a gorgeous little outdoor courtyard as well.
Southwark has outdoor seating in a little paved garden area similar to Effies'. This for me is a huge plus in the summer time. Another giant bonus is that ALL bottles of wine are HALF-OFF Tuesday through Thursday with dinner in the diningroom and garden.
Are you still reading? What are you doing? Run, don't walk to Southwark.
Oh right, you care about the food. The food is stellar. The farmhouse platter makes a great appetizer for up to 4 people. It features various cheeses, charcuterie, olives and nuts with some grilled bread and sliced apples. I love Tria but I wish they had a cheese plate like this.
I had scallops for my main course. I also had some of my roommate's escargots. Everything was fantastic and cooked perfectly. I want to come back and try the oysters on the half shell because I'm positive they'll be fresh and they know how to do them right.
The service at Southwark is on point. Our server was very nice and unintrusive. My roommate and I needed help picking a good bottle of wine so she brought out the wine buyer to help us choose! He ended up pairing a perfect wine to suit our taste.
Bravo! Can't wait to come back!
I'm not sure my review will be adding anything new, but Southwark is a great bar and restaurant.
George and Kip are knowledgeable and congenial. Southwark is the perfect place to bring a date or sit alone and read a book. A good conversation with those around you is sure to spring up. The crowd is an interesting mix of those who live and/or work in the neighborhood.
If you like classic cocktails or have a taste for rye whiskeys and the like, definitely go and try Southwark.
One of the small number of perfect things in the world. Wood bar, long-time bartenders, local food, great crowd, lots of windows, perfect.
Love the place. I go here for drinks fairly often and it's always the best / classiest around. The Manhattans and Old Fashioneds are great and the Tom Collins are delicious - the perfect refreshment. Excellent selection of beers at all times too. Above all, the bartenders & owners deliver classy, friendly service.
The hardest part is passing up the food, which I've tried on occasion and though pricey is completely worth it. Everything I've eaten here was delicious - clams, scallops, stuffed cabbage, soup, dessert...all AMAZING.
One of my two absolute favorite places for classic cocktails (tied with Chick's Cafe). The bar is beautiful and and the bartenders are on point without being obnoxious and snobbish.
What I did not know, however, was how good Southwark's brunch is. Started with a perfect Bloody Mary at the bar. It was mixed fresh in my glass in front of me (no premixed business here). The squirt of Sriracha gave it a great balance of heat and flavor.
The outdoor dining is perfect for spring and summer. The waitstaff was warm, funny and completely accommodating. My classic spinach salad was dressed expertly. My friend's Corn Chipped Beef platter with English Muffin and over easy eggs was incredibly tasty and looked filling.
Though we opted for a light and boozy brunch, all the specials sounded amazing and I will return in the very near future to devour them all. And I will wash them down with the best drinks in the city of course.
...Southwark is my happy place...nuff said.
I only came for a cocktail or two but this place is terrif. Our waiter was friendly and interesting and took the time to chit chat with us despite how busy it was.
I thought it was interesting that when all the tables and barstools were full, the bartender told a crowd of people they'd have to come back, rather than let them stand around taking up space in already tight quarters.
The cocktails are great.
I hope to come back for dinner!
It's the closest thing to time travel that Philly has to offer. Walk in and enjoy a bar experience that is so difficult to find anymore (yet so often attempted). It's like 60 or 70 years have melted away.
Belly up to the bar and watch them mix their magic. I challenge you to find a better place to get a drink in Philly.
I've only eaten there twice, both times good, but the bar is the shining star.
stopped in here randomly Friday night after a launch party at the Adidas store. It was pretty crowded but we got there right as a table opened up by the bar.
I loved the vibe in here - dark and laid back - crowded but not annoyingly so.
I ordered a glennfidich neat and I was amazed to see that they served it in a proper tulip glass as opposed to a tumbler ...huge points for that.
I will def be back here in the future.
Couldn't really figure out where we wanted to go on a Friday night, ended up making a last-minute reservation at Southwark just to try it out.
The place was jam-packed when we got there but we were seated since we had reservations. The overall ambiance was nice, and the service was even nicer. The waitstaff here don't seem like your usual part-timers who do it for some extra money on the side. Actually, the service was, imo, better than the food. But the food was very good, as well.
We split a starter course of pasta with mushrooms, artisanal cheese, and a poached egg. That was interesting and quite good.
The roasted potatoes were okay, but what really stood out was one of the special salads of the night, a scallop and watermelon-radish salad. The scallops were some of the best I've had the world over.
Ended with a duck entree which my boyfriend had.
We also had a few beers that we'd been having some trouble finding elsewhere. All and all, the total bill was surprisingly low for a Friday night dinner with drinks. Wouldn't hesitate to go back.
I cannot say enough good things about Southwark. They have the best bartenders, a drink list that requires you to call out of work the next day, and delicious local, sustainable food. Plus the place is gorgeously done in dark woods and orchids.
this is how bars should be. drinks made with care, attention to service, and banter with the bar-keep.
my friend and i first had an Old Fashioned and a Manhanttan, then moved on to more ingredients, but the same careful preparation...the Ramos Gin Fizz and the Dark 'n Stormy® . I really dig the shaken egg white drinks (i had one at Apothecary too).
and i dug the bartenders, who i believe were the owner and long time bar keep. AND if i would have eaten there, i would have dug the food too...the steamed clams and roasted potatoes smelled DELICIOUS. AND if i say "dig" and other hip terms again, maybe i'll be transported back to Southwark age...that's my hope.
I need to go back to take advantage of what is apparently the best bar in the city, but I had a great dinner at Southwark recently. The appetizer of clams were a little too salty, but everything afterwards was excelllent, including the service. They obviously take a great deal of pride in their food.
If Southwark was in my neighborhood I'd be there weekly....then again if it were in my neighborhood, the place would be full of hipsters, making it not as good, so I'm glad it is where it is! Went there for late night, after dinner drinks and had a blast! The bartenders were funny and the service was better than 90% of the bars I've been to in Philly. The atmosphere was very nice, fun, unique, but wasn't overbearing. I've only been once, so it may be too early to tell, but I think this is my new favorite bar!
After my first visit to Southwark, all I can say is: WOW!
After reading all of the wonderful reviews here, my beau and I decided we must go! Boy was I glad we did! My dirty vodka martini was likely the best I had ever had. The roasted chicken, which is made to order, was totally worth the 20 minute wait. MMM....still thinking about that herb stuffing! The service here is phenomenal! I actually complimented the waitress, which I rarely do.
Oh, and the prices! The value here is outstanding. Our bill came to just over a hundred dollars. We both had soup, delicious full plates, desert and a few fabulous drinks! I am floored, and already planning my next visit to Southwark. I also love the decor and the music they played. A highly enjoyable experience - I would recommend it to anyone. Don't just sit there, reading this. GO!
We went to Southwark for dinner today and it was pretty good - not as good as I hoped with all the reviews but pretty good.
it started out on the right foot - with an excellent fresh bread and soft butter - there was an interesting taste of lemon zest I was very hopeful.
I got a glass of Pinot Noir which was a little disappointing, lighter than I like and a bit jammy with an alcohol kick.
We had a warm goat cheese appetizer with a Parrmesan that was pretty good - on a crustiny with a fruity sauce and a poached apple.
I changed to the Spanish Tempranillo Granache blend which I thought was more to my liking with more depth and spice.
My entree was the braised leg of lamb with escargot polenta, vegetables and jus. The lag of lab was a little on the dry side and the polenta was soaked with the jus, the vegetables had a nice flavor but overall the dish lacked depth and felt a little too heavy for the summer.
My better half had the pan roasted chicken breast that was very good - she said it was the best one she had in a restaurant and I agree it is definitely up there. The broth was very tasty and the chicken very juicy.
We shared a desert special - a blueberry pie that was OK - felt like the blueberries were a little overdone.
Service was very good, the bar was happening - should visit there sometime.
Overall not a bad meal, a lot of potential but a little disappointing - I love the use of local and seasonal ingredients but wish the menu was more seasonal.
Well, I never thought I'd eat sweetbreads. And, for the record, they are neither sweet nor bread. But I did. And I lived and managed to feel worldly to boot.
Recently 6 of us dined here in the teeny tiny back room (there's a patio that would be lovely to sit at but alas, it was pouring that night) and ate so much that we could barely move afterwards. My favorite was the scallops, which were made to perfection. Make sure to save room for dessert, too - whatever the chocolate thing I had blew my mind!
But this review wouldn't be complete without saying that the service was the BEST I've ever had in the city. Our waiter was amazing and made sure nobody went thirsty, hungry or without an amusing story. So to that I say 5 stars to both the bar AND the restaurant!
After having drinks with some of my favorite people after the Yelp Elite Event at Sonam the other… Read more »
Sent to a neighborhood with no parking to meet friends for dinner, they promptly found an un-timed, un-metered spot and had time to peruse an independant record store.
Forced to slog though a thunderous down pour, they dashed through the door of Southwark.
There were drinks, and sitting in the well appointed dining room, they had a delicious meal.
I love it when a plan comes together.
This is my favorite bar in Philadelphia and possibly the world. It's very classy without being pretentious, completely unassuming on the outside. The actual bar itself is beautiful and contributes to a Prohibition-era vibe on the inside. The bartenders are great; I believe this is what they do for a living, and it shows. They're also great with banter, which also contributes to an old school vibe, and they make really great drinks.
The food here is also great, but I prefer to eat at the bar, rather than the dining room, though it's lovely there as well, especially out back on a nice summer day.
My new favorite place in the city. I had brunch here on Sunday and can't stop thinking about it. It was an absolutely perfect experience. The food was "Oh My God" amazing. We started with the Oysters and Caviar, Seafood Salad , the Peach Salad and the Goat Cheese. The oysters were the freshest I have had, and the Goat cheese dip was so good I was angry that I had to share it :)
We all ordered Eggs benedict for our main course, and if I hadn't wanted the homemade mint chocolate chip ice cream sandwich so badly, I would have ordered a second Eggs Benny.
Favorite drinks... Mary Pickford or the Dark and Stormy. Really good wine list as well. Red and white Bordeaux by the glass.
I can't wait to go back. I am thinking of moving to Queen Village just to be closer!
This is, remarkably, Philadelphia's best kept secret. You would think that word would travel faster and the place would be cramped. But the lack of trendy yuppies that tend to order Pomegranate Martinis contributes to the appeal. Kip, the bartender and co-owner along with his wife, Sheri, the chef, is an old-school bad ass with a penchant for gin and rye whiskey. Ask him to help you expand your horizons and he will happily oblige. Just don't ask him for a Mojito.
The food is not to be outdone, especially for the price. There are ritzier places in town that charge over $50 per entree that do not exceed the quality here, with a price cap of $28. An emphasis on Buy Fresh, Buy Local assures crisp salads, refreshing soups, and in general an inventive menu. Bear Stew? 'Nough said.
Sorry this is a few weeks ago, but I seriously want to weigh in my thoughts on this fantastic bar and restaurant.
It was one of those escape weekends from New York, you know, the one where to arrive in Phili and its pissing with rain and you're thinking where the heck should we go, you Yelp, and well the rest is history.
A really elegant and welcoming bar greeted us. It was funny, when I saw white spider orchards in the window I was a little skeptical it might be a bit too upmarket or stuffy, but how wrong we were. We propped at the bar, and were asked what we would like. I said I was dying for a Manhattan, only to be met with a gleeful smile that you don't get from barmen in New York City (well unless they are on crack and trying to sell you something). I was immediately presented with a list of Manhattan cocktail combos so long that I knew I was entering the first level of Nirvana.
A really great spot, non-pretentious owners, staff and even locals. We had an awesome night.
And I cannot stop there. Their online menu gives no hint at how many fantastic seasonal specials that the restaurant prepares. We ate at the bar and were totally delighted by the freshest produce, the clean, uncomplicated flavors, and a clear passion in the food from owner-operators who obviously love what they are doing.
They may not be on the menu when you go, but we had the grilled and melted feta spread that dripped with sweet flavor, the rabbit filled crepes with mild gamey flavors, god then then crispy sweetbreads which were so fresh and succulent that you simply must try (even if the thought of offal scares you, overcome and try, so mild you will immediately fall in love), and finally the pork belly strip with a homemade bean sauce.
If this place was in downtown Manhattan, it would be my local and I would end up having cash-flow problems haha. This is what great food and great hospitality is really all about.
I love Southwark because it makes me feel sophisticated without having to be. I can lounge by a classic wooden bar while drinking a snazzy Manhattan and talking politics. But I can do it in a T Shirt while people talk about The Ramones and someone draws a dog. And to me that is awesome!
Went here for the first time after the Elite Event last night (Thanks again Carrie!) and I have to say that it was nothing short of amazing.They had a grand variety of micro brews on tap. But what stands out is the fact that it's the only bar outside of Nodding Head that has beer from Nodding Head on tap! But definitely try their Bloody Mary's. might just be the best that I ever had in all of it's spicy glory.
Can't comment on the food yet, aside from hearing their brunches are supposed to be good. But I look forward to being able too. The great staff and classy setting make this spot more than worth going too.
Southwark is really a great place. They do a damn near perfect job on every count. The food is consistently good, the atmosphere is good in both the dining areas and the bar (the bar itself is gorgeous) and the prices are commensurate with the quality of experience.
I do like the spirits, so I'm always thrilled to see bottles behind the bar that no one else in town has on hand, much less knows what to do with. The cocktails are always the perfect temperature, balance of flavors, and all-around sensory treat. I think they have the best bar and bar staff in Philadelphia.
Far and away the best cocktail bar in the city.... everyone who hits up Southwark for a classic drink leaves feeling like they were in the bar scene of a Bogart movie... even the lighting is retro and flattering.
Food here, as others have noted, is intensely local and seasonal.... a grilled peach salad in the heighth of summer was glorious. It's slightly expensive but worth it. Farm-to-table is a nice idea for most, but Sherry is very serious about her craft and what she feeds you.
Oh, the habitues... clientele ranges quite a bit because of South Street proximity... tatooers and piercers, servers and slayers... dancers and their retinues. It can get very crowded so go early - they are strangely not cool with people standing up drinking. Maybe it's a fire code or something.
P.S. Southwark is the original name of the neighborhood, before it became Queen Village, Society Hill or whatever.
Came here just for drinks, loved the atmosphere and great choice of beers on tap (I had the Allagash White), and yummy appetizers! I would definitely like to go back for a full meal soon.
Sophisticated place in the Southwark section of south Philly at 4th & Bainbridge. Imaginative cuisine with excellent treatment of game. Knowledgeable service. Expensive but usually no complaints because the value is there and the effort that goes into your meal is obvious.
funny, tim, i'd go with a 3 or 3 1/2 for food, and a 5 for service, which averages out the same as your review! i ate at the bar on a cold night a week ago and the bartenders MADE the evening - they were so personable and friendly and obviously genuinely enjoyed their jobs. i had a wonderful experience.
the goat cheese appetizer is a MUST. sounds simple, and it is, but it is perfectly buttery and packed full of deliciousness and calories. it is heavenly. it was the highlight of my meal.
we had a couple fishes, a cod and a monkfish. it wasn't on the little fish plane (the standard by which i judge all fishes now) but it wasn't bad, either. my cod was maybe 20 seconds underdone and could have benefited from maybe some sea salt. the monkfish isn't my favorite fish to begin with (i don't like the way it flakes) but the beet sauce it came in was really nice.
we finished with a bread pudding, which wasn't the best bread pudding i've had but not the worst either. texture and consistency was very nice, but flavor was a smidge lacking.
wines were great - they have a nice list.
we spent $140, two of us, which is $30 less than gayle a couple blocks up and a couple weeks ago, and i enjoyed my experience overall at southwark more.
really, kudos to the staff there.
i went to southwark months ago, and i felt a little bit weird posting a review...because it wasn't 5 stars and everyone else's was. i wanted to go along with the crowd! i didn't feel like part of the in crowd if i didn't post 5 stars.
but f it. here goes. southwark is a totally cute place. extensive selection of drinks, and an extensive collection of people.
so we got into trouble early on. my date for the evening pulled up an extra bar stool from one of the high tops. apparently bartender with scary facial hair was not too pleased with that decision, despite the fact that everyone else made room for him. and since that moment on, he hated us.
food looked tasty, but i didn't have any. i'll probably be back, hopefully with a better bartender...or stop causing a ruckus.
Southwark is one of Baby's and my favorite restaurants and go-to spots when we want a wonderful dinner back in my old 'hood of Queen Village. We never fail to have a great meal there. And when the weather's nice, we make sure to get a table on the lovely back patio.
The staff is professional and knowledgeable (but without any hint of pretension or condescension) offering friendly and attentive (but not annoyingly so) service. There's a reasonably priced (at least as reasonably priced as possible under the prehistoric PLCB policies) wine list with a nice selection of wines by the glass. And, of course, there are the cocktails - Kip (who I first encountered at the New Wave) and George have done a wonderful job at reviving the fading art of cocktail-crafting.
The menu changes regularly and focuses on local and seasonal foods (Many a time I would see Sherry and Kip shopping at the South and Passyunk farmers' market on Tuesdays.) Having discovered it at VaLa Vineyards, we frequently start out with the baked Shellbark Farm's goat cheese. We've savored the full gamut of entrees - duck, pork, steak, chicken, fish - and never been disappointed. (Baby and I just wish their home-baked bread was served warm - last time we were there it was actually a little cool from the kitchen which definitely detracts.) Desserts are delicious and never heavy or overcloying.
This unassuming corner spot across from the famous 4th Street Delicatessen is part trendy and sophisticated, part casual, and oh so romantic. The wraparound windows beckon passersby to read the menu and peek inside the cozy interior, while the quiet winebar at the entrance welcomes you in with dim mood lighting and smiling bartenders. Sit at the bar, or at one of the tall tablesides at the front, or venture around back for a more intimate dining experience. White-clothed dark wood tables are each adorned with candles and fresh orchids. An outside terrace offers al fresco dining under trellises and moonbeams. The wine list is plentiful and distinctive. We tried an Australian Shiraz. Special appetizers include oysters with raspberry and lemon compote as well as a brothy onion and fennel soup. We enjoyed a variety of small plates to share, including goat cheese with crisp herbed flatbreads and spiced apples, mahi mahi with radish and mixed green salad, and aioli garlic potatoes. Dessert was a rhubarb and strawberry tart with chocolate sauce that was divine. The overall experience was aromatic, scrumptious, and sensual. A perfect date spot for pre or post dinner drinks or main course.
Guys, Yelp won't let me post my whole review of Southwark. Check out the whole thing here: http://www.romancingth...
Here is the beginning:
Here I am at 9am writing a review on vacation - know anything about me and you'll realize my whole life is a vacation, but we'll talk about that later or maybe you should ask me least the government finds out what I'm up to via yelp. In any case, yes I'm still drunk from last night and everything, including me standing on a chair screaming "If they tell me what to do with my vagina, what's to stop them from telling me what to do with my hands!?" ALL started at Southwark over a Vesper and a bottle of Malbec - Yes, I know that the bitter cold is usually the driving force behind alcoholism in places like Philadelphia, but being out here from SF I was excited and wanted to get a head start.
Ok I'm totally craving some coca cola now, this is going to be bad. You might want to know the details of how I got into this mess. My parents and I were at a musical performance at the art alliance featuring my mother's viola instructor and a few members from the Philadelphia orchestra. We watched the show in a little room with fine would floors. It had an old feel, so much so that I was squinting a bit to see if Jane Austen might be hanging around somewhere - ok this is not true, but it would have been really cool if I had seen her. Throughout the whole thing my stomach was making almost as much noise as the instruments and this, you can imagine, was making me rather anxious. I had planned my diet around when my mother would be coming home with a big bag of fresh Philadelphia pretzels, and alas she had forgotten.
When we arrived at Southwark ON TIME for our reservation (my life was based upon the fact that that would not happen at that point) the waiter told my parents he thought it was his top priority to get me a drink post haste. I guess accidentally interrupting him and not realizing why was a great indicator that I was about to venture into the psychotic component of neurotic. Fortunately a vesper arrived. Then came a basket of fluffy garlicy bread. I was worried that there was no table salt, but fortunately this is Philadelphia and you don't have to salt your food.
We ordered the Oysters, the Steamed Clams ($9), the Roasted Potatoes ($5), the Halibut special (?), Beef ($29), and Sea Scallops ($27). The oysters were puny but pretty good. The second one I got was way more memorable than the first, but nothing can compare to the little babe I consumed at Absinthe months ago (he is still fresh in my memory with his fatty cheeks). The Roasted Potatoes were bomb, served with a roasted garlic aoli which was also similar to a honey mustard dipped. They were well spiced, and didn't require any more salting. Texturally they could have been a little softer, but they were well spiced that's for sure. Likewise the scrumptious clam dish was blasting with flavor - containing dry vermouth, shallots, tomatoes, in a dry chili butter broth - but I felt the chef missed out on the cooking times. This mystified me throughout the meal. Why instruct us on the art of unique flavor combinations and forget the impact of making your food tender? This didn't seem to bother anyone else at the table. My mother requested more bread to soak up the chili butter sauce and I could help but follow. The taste of the roasted tomatoes, so cooked that they seemed frail, coupled with the slivery onions was orgasmic and could easily make me forget that the clams themselves were a little lacking in their 'mouth feel'.
We waited a good amount of time before our entrees came, diving into that Malbec I mentioned at the last minute. I was upset that it cost over $20, but was only from 2007 but at that point I guess it wasn't such a pressing matter. At some point my mom got the impression that the people across from us were Republicans and we made a huge Obama toast, which actually resulted in us being saluted by the other table. Then my mom informed them that we were going to dress me up to Sarah Palin and go canvassing for Obama. I can say "I can see Alaska from my house" with stunning accuracy if I do say so myself. Hello Scallops. The pan seared scallops were elaborately laced with roasted baby beets, plums, and leeks. I'm actually not a fan of beets so the flavor was a bit too earthy for me at first, but after taking a few bites the sweetness of the plums added a new complexity and the sudden saltiness of the leeks turned out to be pure heaven - it was so thinly cut that I thought it was spaghetti squash! The Beef was grilled grass fed sirloin steak with wild mushrooms, gigantic beans, dosed in a far superior arugala pesto than anything I've ever made - opps, do please go after that recipe! The meat, similar to my other complaint, was not tender but don't think this meant it was not flavorful. Put that in my mouth while I was sleeping and you'd wake me up! The meat itself was oozing with flavor
5 based on the food. 3 based on the cocky waiter and bar tender. 4 is the average. If all you care about is food then go.... its high quality. Expensive but high quality. Great beer selection too. A bit pricey for my likes
Wednesday Night Chef's Bistro…
Neighborhood: Olde City
Howl at the Moon
Neighborhood: University City
Neighborhood: Bella Vista
Category: American (New)
Philadelphia, PA
Category: Seafood
Neighborhood: Italian Market
Category: Delis
Philadelphia, PA
Category: Italian
Neighborhood: Roxborough
Category: Pizza
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