When it comes to seafood restaurants in the city, Philadelphia Fish & Company is a catch.
Since 1983, owners Janet and Kevin Meeker have combined their New England roots and oceanic travels to bring their love of seafood to Philly.
Move aside, cheesesteaks; chef Justin Rambo-Garwood offers a different version of Philadelphia cuisine. Philadelphia Fish's new menu - with options ranging from a delicate scallop appetizer with lemon curry and cilantro to a colorful seared tuna entree featuring a bold pepper sauce - will be bait enough to please any palate.
At 207 Chestnut St., Philadelphia Fish lies in the Old City, a perfect setting for a nice meal. Inside, a dark-wood theme accompanied by dim lighting and subtle jazz music provides a warm ambiance for the dining room. Despite its size, the space is very personal and not at all intrusive - appropriate for anything from a first date to a business meeting. Ask for a table by the window, where a few steps lead to a charming seating area.
Rambo-Garwood enjoys the liberty that seafood provides in the kitchen, and he demonstrates an innovative flare in his dishes.
On the new menu, Rambo-Garwood combines his love for seafood with his experience at Bleu and Le Bec Fin to showcase a range of flavors and influences. His approach to tuna tartare (with a pomegranate sauce topped with mint and horseradish flakes) makes for a unique and flavorful appetizer, leaving the mouth fresh and ready for any entree on the menu. Or take a different route with escargot dressed with creamy Boursin cheese and leeks.
Seafood lovers will be pleased to find plenty of variety when deciding between main courses ranging from salmon and tuna to red snapper and even lobster. Any choice is likely to be artfully presented and accompanied by a unique ingredient.
The salmon, served on pearled barley with a carrot and dried vermouth sauce, is one such example of Philadelphia Fish's colorful and innovative menu. While seafood is clearly the restaurant's feature cuisine, options for meat-eaters are available and will not disappoint. If you still have room for dessert, the chocolate marquis with raspberry garnish provides a sweet ending to a meal.
Appetizer prices can reach $12-13, but most are below $10. Entrees in the mid- to upper-$20s will make a slight dent, but Philadelphia Fish & Co. makes it worth your while by keeping pace with the city's great restaurants.
Watch out, or they just might reel you in, too.
