The Dandelion – Philadelphia, PA
Since I tend to be a fan of ‘all-things-British,’ I’m not surprised that I’ve fallen for an English-style gastropub. That I’d travel to Philadelphia again and again just for crab and cheese toasties and Pimm’s Cup at The Dandelion, now that is bloody amazing.
Situated in a series of connected townhouses near Rittenhouse Square, The Dandelion is one of the latest offerings from restaurateur Stephen Starr. Similar to another beloved Starr restaurant, Buddakhan, The Dandelion serves well-crafted, cuisine-specific classics alongside a few seasonally focused dishes. Think crunchy yet tender beer-battered fish and chips preceded by spicy gazpacho soup. Top the meal off with sweetly tart steamed lemon pudding and you get some sense of – and stars from – the menu.
British comfort food reigns at The Dandelion. Zesty deviled eggs, traditional English cheeses, rich stout bread, velvety macaroni and cheese, melt-in-your-mouth bangers and mash and lamb shepherd’s pie all rank high with my dining companions.
On evenings where richness is not what I crave, I opt for the delicate butter lettuce salad, baked trout with purple and yellow cauliflower or Prince Edward Island mussels. I always manage to save a bit of room for warm sticky toffee pudding with date ice cream and toffee rum sauce. Outside of one late night meal consumed in Scotland, it’s the best sticky toffee pudding that I’ve ever had. And, yes, it’s rich but it’s also utterly delicious.
As you might expect from a gastropub, The Dandelion provides extensive beer, cider and wine lists. You can imbibe imports from the UK, such as Boddington’s, Young’s and Twisted Thistle, as well as local brews from Victory, Sly Fox and Brooklyn breweries. Likewise, you can enjoy traditional British cocktails, such as Pimm’s Cup, and an array of scotches. All are consumed in cozy rooms and snug bars decked out with British antiques and wood furnishings. Like everything about The Dandelion, the decor is evocative of jolly old England without ever being cutesy or twee.
