4417 Main Street Manayunk, PA 19127
Vegetable Boxty...$11.99
Don't ask me why but I found myself in Manayunk with my two children. But I decided to eat at Kildare's.
"Can we have beer?"
"Why is the waitress's skirt so short?"
"Is that person drunk?"
I was over Irish pubs way before I ever reached the drinking age, but I figured I'd embrace it and order something called a Boxty, which the menu promised was a traditional dish from the Irish countryside. Though it was described as a potato pancake, it seemed more like a crepe to me. It was stuffed with artichokes, mushrooms, corn, asparagus, and provolone, and while it was decent, I could have done without the small puddle of oil that collected underneath it. The smashed potatoes and the crunchy, slightly spicy sauteed veggies that came on the side turned out to be tastier than the Boxty itself.
When I asked if I could try his salsa-guacamole-pepperjack-topped burger my older son broke off a piece which was larger than an atom but smaller than a molecule, so I'm guessing that means it was good. Thanks kid.
The cavernous first floor of Kildare's has been subdivided into five rooms, each of which is meant to replicate a different type of Irish pub. The result is less Ireland and more Disney. If you've ever taken kids out to eat you know that minutes feel like eons, and it sure did take a while to get our meal. Also, my food was served lukewarm. It was the first time in my life that I ever asked a server to reheat my plate. I had to take out my compact and reassure myself that I really don't have dentures or gray hair.
"He kicked me."
"Can we have dessert?"
No.
435 Spring Garden Street Philadelphia, PA 19123
Asian Spiced Tuna Burger...$12
Hurricane Key Lime Pie...$7
If a fairy godmother had waved her wand at the suburban NJ diner where I used to hang out in high school, she would have turned it into Silk City. The lights are low, the décor is hip, the servers are not angry grandmothers and the food is actually good.
Silk City doesn't have an extensive menu, but it's apparent that somebody put some thought into it. I tried the Asian Spiced Tuna Burger, which came with fries and was totally worth $12. The meaty, generous tuna was served on a soft, tasty bun, and the crispy ginger-dressed greens were the perfect complement. Very nice.
The idea of pomegranate syrup on key lime pie intrigued me, so I told the waitress to bring it on. It was the tallest piece of key lime pie I've ever seen, creamy and rich, and the slightly bitter aftertaste did not deter me from cleaning my plate. I don't know that the pomegranate syrup was necessary, but it sure looked pretty.
Silk City's prices are higher than other music venues, but since it's not a dive, they are justified. My friend pointed out that the warm red glow makes great date-lighting, which I will keep in mind since PLOML (potential-love-of-my-life) who accompanied me on my eating ventures last month is now EX-PLOML. So yeah, anybody want to take me to World Café?
1508 South Street Philadelphia, PA 19146
Red Beans and Rice w/Sausage...$7
Deep Fried Snickers Bar...$4
There's something about Tritone that reminds me of New Orleans, so I ordered red beans and rice with Andouille sausage. What I got reinforced the fact that Tritone is indeed located in Philadelphia. The dish was on the soupy side, there were too many beans and not enough rice, and the sausage tasted sour rather than tangy. I usually clean my plate like someone from the Depression Era, so the fact that I left the majority of my meal uneaten tells you a lot.
But all was not lost, because the real reason I wanted to eat at Tritone was to try the Ford Expedition of desserts, the deep-fried candy bar. That's right. Deep. Fried. Snickers. Two skinny girls stared at me with awe and respect when the bartender placed it in front of me. Not only is it battered and fried, but it is served with whipped cream and a drizzle of chocolate syrup. It is gooey on the inside and crispy on the outside. It is beyond sweet. It made me feel depraved. I loved every bite.
