Although the weather lately has thrown off the summertime vibe in Philly, it hasn’t stopped me from spending the weekends indulging in some of the city’s newest menus. For me, tis the season for fresh seafood, delightfully light drinks, and great snacks with great company. With many new and seasonal places opening in Philly, here are some top picks:
I decided to brighten my gloomy Friday last week by heading to Luke’s Lobster in Rittenhouse. Fresh from New York, the brand has Philly hyped up and I had to see if it was true. The New England ambiance is immediately upon you once you enter the rustic and nautical shack with its whimsically placed decor throughout the store. After being greeted by Luke and the awesome staff members, I decided on the Noah’s Ark sampler of half of each lobster, crab, and shrimp rolls paired with Cape Cod chips and a Maine Root soda. I was blown away by the freshness and simplicity of each roll as there was a minuscule amount of mayo and the perfect amount of spices. Thanks, Luke, for deciding to bring the Holden family business to Philly!
As the weather began to clear up Saturday night, it was an absolutely perfect evening to lounge at a picnic table at Morgan’s Pier. The night started off with some Watermelon Rickys: a 21st Amendment Hell or High Watermelon beer poured over watermelon puree and simple syrup. These refreshing drinks went perfectly with Chunu oysters to start. Though everything on the menu sounds great, the George Sabatino’s treats we decided on were: the Lobster Bibb Salad, Bacon Sammie, Really Good Fries and Kale Croquettes. All I can say is, wow! The green goddess dressing and brioche crumbles on the lobster salad were incredibly flavorful and my absolute favorite was the juicy bacon sandwich with the pickled veggies on the side. The pork belly was cooked to perfection and the house-pickled cabbage slaw provided an awesome crunch. As our meal came to a close, D.J. Cajmere of the old-school “Its Time for the Peculator” arrived and dance floor was in full swing. This place is truly unique and a gorgeous summertime destination.
