Dinner By The Sea

The largest four-masted sailing ship in the world that is still afloat is one of Philadelphia's finest restaurants!

The women in my family have gone out for dinner during January to celebrate the New Year since I was a very young child.  When I was sixteen I begged my Mom to let me go with them.  I was old enough and I was one of the women in the family!  I was thrilled when she said "yes".  We were going to the "city" for dinner.  We were going to eat on a sailing ship on the water.  I was so excited.  The "Moshulu" has a rich and exciting history and has been a Philadelphia restaurant since 1975. 

Since the launching of the Moshulu in 1904, she has had a long and exciting career on the seas working the ports of Europe, South America, Australia, America and Africa. She was confiscated by the Americans in one war and by the Germans in the next. She has traveled around Cape Horn 54 times. She has hauled coal and coke, copper ore and nitrate, lumber and grain. In lesser days, she has served as a floating warehouse. In grander days, she won the last great grain race in 1939.

The ship is beautiful.  There is something spellbinding about looking up at the majestic masts of the Moshulu.  The views of the waterfront and the city are breathtaking.  You can sit on the outer deck for drinks before going downstairs for dinner.  It is so relaxing to sit and feel the sea breeze on your face. 

The outside deck area in the evening is wonderful; a very romantic setting!

The dining areas are lovely.  There are large windows everywhere so you are always able to see the scenic backdrop.  The tables are elegantly set with linen tablecloths and china. 

If you are dining with your lovey, ask for a table next to a window. 
Holding hands while gazing at the water will be a wonderful start to your evening.

The food is gourmet.  The menu is varied and offers the finest quality choices.  While I usually choose fish when I'm out for dinner, if a restaurant has lamb or duck I will pick that instead.  At the Moshulu I always go for the duck.  The duck breast is done with a thyme au jus (another sauce that's great to dip your bread in) that has a wonderfully rich flavor.  They also have crab cakes that are heavenly; the dish comes with a bacon fennel herb salad (and you know how I feel about anything with bacon in it).  The Moshulu is famous for their steaks; they offer prime rib, New York strip, or filet mignon.  The steak is served with a Cabernet thyme reduction sauce.  It is such a tasty sauce.  I'm not a big steak eater, but my husband enjoys their prime rib, so I've picked off his plate a time or two.  Last January's New Year's dinner with the ladies was bittersweet; it was the first one without my grandmother, but the first where my new daughter-in-law was with us.  And the tradition continues...  

Make sure you leave room for dessert!  From what I hear The Moshulu serves a wonderful artisan's cheese plate (like I'm going to choose that for dessert).  While I've tasted their chocolate red velvet cake and their strawberries and creme brulee, the dessert you absolutely must try is the Moshulu Coup.  It's another one of those ridiculous desserts; it is a flourless chocolate cake with dulce de leche ice cream, topped with caramel peanuts, Chantilly lace cream and chocolate sauce.  Talk about rich and delicious.  I would like to say it's big enough to share, but you'll just end up elbowing out your dinner mate - so get your own and take the extra home for later!

If you're looking for a place for any type of special evening or celebration, try the Moshulu.  Sitting on an old ship while dining with friends is such a sweet escape from the everyday.  You'll enjoy the ship, the view, the ambiance, and definitely the food.

Moshulu
Penn's Landing
401 S. Columbus Boulevard
Philadelphia, PA  19106
215-804-4299
www.moshulu.com