Tired of ordering a single entree when you go out to eat? Wish you could sample three - or four - gourmet delicacies? Then try Bar Ferdinand, a recently opened tapas bar in Northern Liberties.
Joining Philadelphia's prestigious food scene six months ago, Bar Ferdinand serves a wide variety of tapas and boasts an extensive bar menu, all of which is very affordable.
Bar Ferdinand is a mix of conventional Spanish and modern taste. The walls are adorned with colorful mosaics and the arched moldings, deep red ceiling and leather booths give the bar a European feel, but the music - including tunes from the Beta Band and the Rolling Stones - adds a hip feeling to the atmosphere.
The welcoming staff knows the elements of every dish, so don't hesitate to ask.
Bar Ferdinand boasts an extensive drink selection. Don't miss the mulled sangria or the "safronita," a cocktail made with saffron-infused simple syrup, vanilla and citrus vodkas and house-made sour sauce.
For food, start with the datiles con tocino empanada, a deliciously fluffy puff pastry filled with dates, cream cheese and bacon ($4).
For something a little different try the manchego frito skewers ($5). This dish is a variation on a traditional Spanish pairing of manchego cheese and membrillo, a quince paste. The cheese is stuffed with membrillo and fried, then topped with a frozen apple foam and a walnut membrillo puree. This unique combination of flavors and textures is simply delicious.
Next try the pixin con pancieta ($6), a plate of skewers of monkfish, pork belly and rosemary. This dish is succulent and filling. Follow this with the jamon croquetas ($5), creamy croquettes filled with Serrano ham and scallions. This dish packs tons of flavor in a small package.
The pato confitado con sangria de naranja ($8) is another excellent choice. The duck is juicy and tender, and the orange sangria sauce provides a little zing.
If you have a little more conservative palate, try the gambas al allijo ($7) and the patatas bravas ($4). The first dish is shrimp cooked in garlic, olive oil and chilis. The second is a generous serving of fried potatoes with a spicy tomato dipping sauce drizzled with aioli.
Two standout seafood pieces are the lan de sagrejo y esparragos ($7) and the lubina a la plancha en salsa basque ($8). The first is an absolutely delicious creamy crab and asparagus flan. The second is a simple but tasty seared sea bass in a parsley white wine sauce.
And no dinner is complete without dessert. Traditional churros ($5) are an excellent choice. They are small, perfectly fried strips of dough accompanied with a dark chocolate dipping sauce for the right combination of sweetness and bitterness.
Bar Ferdinand is typically busiest on Saturday nights, but is perfect for a quieter evening during the week.
