On the first evening of spring, Chef Gina Rodriguez of Old City’s restaurant, Serrano, kindly invited us to sample her new seasonal menu. The flavorful foods were nicely paired with wines from the restaurant’s boutique list, and we also got to sip their newly inspired cocktails.
The evening started off with light bites that truly represented the coming season; there were fresh spring vegetables, dishes with hints of honey, and even a watermelon salad. The reception drinks included The 6th Thyme, a sweet mead cocktail (house made mead with locally sourced honey, Aperol, thyme, white cranberry), and Jim Dandy In The Everglades, a strong citrus cocktail topped with a bit of bubbly (orange falvored vodka, peach bitters, prosecco). Many seafood dishes included shrimp mousse, steamed mussels, and scallops that are the chef’s signature dish. We can definitely see why it’s the star because they were sensational and beautifully presented! Our meal ended on the perfect note with a delicious apricot tart served with vanilla ice cream.
Chef Rodriguez’s experience in Philadelphia has included restaurants such as Kokopelli and Max and David’s. In addition, she has recently participated in the buzzed-about COOK program, where local acclaimed chefs host cooking classes. However, Rodriguez has been long recognized nationwide with her success at Ventana Room at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson, Arizona, earning the coveted AAA 5 Diamond award in 2008, the only female awarded in the US that year.
After dinner, we got a quick tour of the Tin Angel upstairs, which is a great music venue in Old City. There are so many fantastic acts coming through town, be sure to check them out: https://www.seatengine.com/venue/tin-angel. Paired with Serrano, it’s the perfect dinner-and-a-show spot!
Thanks to Al B For Photography for the photos of this fabulous event. And thanks to Serrano & Aversa PR for the special invite. Click here to see the rest of the pictures!
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