Mandoline is easy to miss while walking down Chestnut Street in Old City, but to do so would be a huge mistake.
This tiny 36-seater at 2nd and Chestnut has much more to offer than its inconspicuous exterior may imply, and its cozy atmosphere makes this BYOB especially perfect for small groups, dates or anyone in search of a delicious meal.
Though prices are moderately expensive, the attention to detail and sincere effort put into each dish is well worth it. Appetizers range from $6.50 to $10, and entrees from $12 to $25.50.
To start, my roommate and I ordered the wasabi encrusted ahi tuna ($10) and the house-recommended goat cheese pistachio cake ($8.50), which was by far the most amazing dish of the evening. It arrived caramelized in a warm fig sauce and could have easily passed for a dessert. We were taken aback when the goat cheese did not crumble but rather remained solid in a moist, soft form that melted on the tongue.
The ahi-tuna was also quite a site. The four pieces of seared fish were arranged in a pool of brightly colored mango and wasabi sauces and piled high with an array of greens. To distinguish the dish from others like it, the tuna was paired with buckwheat soba noodles in a cold and tangy sesame sauce.
As both appetizers were very large, I recommend sharing.
We tried to order Diet Cokes, but the restaurant only offered diet cane cola that we were happily surprised to find reminiscent of vanilla root beer.
For our entrees, I ordered half-roasted chicken ($17.50) while my roommate chose the prosciutto-wrapped monkfish ($21.00).
I found the chicken to be incredibly savory and comforting. Adorned with garlic mashed potatoes and haricot verte, it was an extremely classy version of a meal I would usually expect to eat at home. The entire plate was very sweet -- perhaps due to a sugary glaze that covered the chicken -- but lemon-rind scrapings in the gravy added a tangy contrast.
The monkfish was relatively mild, with crispy prosciutto lining thick slices of tender and chewy monkfish. The polenta was soaked in a sweet gravy with layers of greens on top.
We found the entrees very pleasing and the tastes intricate without being overwhelming.
With all desserts priced at $7.50, we opted for kumquat gelato and nizza -- lady fingers with rum flambeed bananas and dark chocolate mouse topped with coffee ganache.
The gelato had a subtle hint of cinnamon and honey and tasted very similar to pumpkin pie. The consistency was soft and creamy. The dish was trumped, however, by the accompanying vanilla wafers. They were extremely light while maintaining a strong flavor.
When the nizza arrived, we were surprised to see that it looked like an ordinary ganache. Its taste was very complicated, however, with banana flavors mixing with coffee and strong chocolate overtones.
With its mellow atmosphere and intimate setting, Mandoline is definitely the BYO of choice for those who seek a relaxing evening marked by outstanding food.
