If you are going out with friends and want a place with wonderful atmosphere and great traditional British food - The Dandelion scores a ten!
Since Kate and William's wedding my British friend Deb has been feeling her roots. As it was her turn to pick the restaurant for dinner last week, she picked "The Dandelion". This pub offers a touch of London in the middle of Philly. The three-story brick home has been transformed into a quaint restaurant with bars on two floors and offers pub seating downstairs and quiet dining upstairs. We sat at the downstairs bar, which was crowded with after work patrons, and had a drink and chatted with the British bartender. Deb had a gin and tonic that she said was perfectly made. I had a virgin Bloody Mary that was just the way I like them (I prefer a Bloody Mary made with horseradish rather than hot sauce). It was spicy and cold with a big wedge of lime on the side.
We ate dinner in what would have been the living room; with large windows in the front and a fireplace next to our table. When it came time to choose a meal, Deb went with the traditional Fish n' Chips and I chose the Lamb Shepherd's Pie. Deb thought the Fish n' Chips were some of the best she's had in a long time. The fish was done to perfection with just the right amount of coating. She enjoyed the fries, which were served in a cone so the fries were straight up; not laying side by side so they get greasy. My Shepherd's Pie was just wonderful. The winter veggies were cooked the way I like them (I hate it when vegetables are served hard). The lamb was plentiful and full of flavor. The mashed potatoes on top were crusty on the outside and moist on the inside. This dinner was comfort food at its best!
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| Lamb Trumps Beef in Shepherd's Pie |
The Dandelion Pub
124 S. 18th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-558-2500
