-Courtesy of Punch Media
Lobster Roll at Assembly Rooftop Lounge, by Harry Pairs
While seafood is lovingly enjoyed year-round, there’s no better time to indulge in delicious oceanic fare than the summer. From oysters and seafood ceviche, lobster rolls and table-side dover sole service, here are just some of the spots to visit for fresh, seafood-centric plates.
Assembly Rooftop Lounge, Center City’s swanky year around rooftop lounge boasting unparalleled views of the Art Museum, City Hall and Benjamin Franklin Parkway, is the perfect summer destination to enjoy refreshing coastal bites. Guests can indulge in Assembly’s renowned Lobster Roll ($21) made with succulent Maine lobster, celery, chives, lemon aioli, espelette pepper served on a brioche bun and a side of potato chips. Enjoy this specialty dish every day from 4 pm until the kitchen closes, 10:15pm on the weekdays and 11pm on the weekends. Reservations are always encouraged and can be made here.
At The Table, Wayne’s venerable and award-winning fine-dining restaurant from chefs Alex Hardy and Tara Buzan-Hardy, is a seafood-lovers dream when it comes to refined and high-quality ocean fare. À la carte offerings include Grilled Swordfish ($48) with Greek orzo, stonefish salsa, compressed pineapple, and cilantro yogurt, Yellowtail Tuna ($22) with roasted beet tartare, horseradish, lemon parsley salad, and cured egg yolk, and Beer Battered Cod Tacos ($24) with pico de gallo, pickled jalapeños, avocado, and chipotle aioli. At The Table’s Chef’s Six Course Tasting Menu also features an ever-evolving array of seafood-centric plates, currently offering Grilled Spanish Octopus with chorizo & corn succotash, ginger mint aioli, and pickled red onions. Folks can also take a seat at At The Table’s four-top raw bar and watch the restaurant’s vast selection of oysters be shucked right before them – and indulge in raw bar offerings such as the Oyster Ensemble ($19) with three signature oysters, yellowfin tuna sashimi, and poached jumbo shrimp, or The Seafood Royale ($100), comprised of a dozen signature oysters, U10 shrimp cocktail, yellowfin tuna sashimi, cold poached lobster tail, and fancy lump crab salad & claws. Reservations are highly encouraged and can be made via Tock.
Bolo, Chef Yun Fuentes’ Latin American dining room and rum bar nestled in bustling Rittenhouse Square, offers a comprehensive selection of seafood-centric small plates and dishes across its ever-changing seasonal menu. To start, folks can treat themselves to a plethora of ceviches including Tuna con Coco ($21) with young coconut, pickled fresno, and coco leech de tigre, Shrimp en Sofrito ($19) accompanied by charred tomato sofrito, avocado, corn nuts, and cilantro, or Snapper Nikkei ($22) with lemongrass-ponzu, chile serrano, and sesame oil; or pinchos (skewers) such as Pescado (mahi mahi, $11), Vieiras (scallops, $12), or Pulpo (octopus, $15). For a filling main course, guests can choose between seafood platillos including Chilean Sea Bass ($45) with coconut-ginger pitipuas and avocado purée, and Lobster Mofongo (MP) with coco-garlic lobster and green plantain timbale.
Jansen, Mt. Airy’s contemporary and award-winning New American restaurant by Chef David Jansen, has recently debuted an all-new summer dinner menu curated by Chef Jansen and team, which includes a variety of must-try seafood specials. Choices include (but certainly aren’t limited to) Tuna Bon Bon ($20) withavocado, plum aioli, watercress purée, red pepper threads, and tempura crunch and Sauteed Mahi Mahi ($38) withlobster fontina pierogi, braised cabbage, and spring onion lobster soubise. Exclusively available Thursday through Sunday, the restaurant has also recently introduced their Dover Sole Table-side Service for Two to the menu, served with truffle fumé cream and seasonal accompaniments – Jansen’s seasonal answer to the restaurant’s beloved Beef Wellington for Two served in the fall and winter, and critically-acclaimed by Philadelphia Inquirer food critic Craig LaBan. Reservations are highly encouraged and can be made via Resy.
Oltremare, the new seafood-forward modern Italian restaurant from Chef-Owner Townsend Wentz, boasts all-new ultra-seasonal coastal cuisine as Chef Sean O’Brien takes over culinary operations just in time for summer. Highlights from O’Brien’s all-new seasonal menu include Roasted Scallops ($18) with heirloom cherry tomatoes, charred corn, serrano pepper, and salsa verde, Vongole ($20) with little neck clams, n’duja, white wine, and sourdough gremolata, Crab Cavatelli ($22/32) fashioned withpeas, fava beans, and cherry tomatoes, and Swordfish alla Griglia ($32) accompanied by fennel, mussels, n’duja, and tomato saffron broth. Reservations can be made via Resy.
Panorama, Philadelphia’s premier wine bar in the Penn’s View Hotel boasting a Guinness World Record custom-built wine keeper offering over 120 wines on tap, boasts Italian seafood classics. Guests can savor the vibrant flavors of the Branzino ($38) with braised cauliflower, white wine, a touch of cream, and garnished with parsley & caper. This dish pairs perfectly with the Shooting Blancs ($34) flight featuringfive 1.5oz tastes of white wine. Reservations can be made on OpenTable.
Red Owl Tavern, the contemporary kitchen and bar located across from Independence Hall in Old City, has recently rolled out new summer dishes with seafood plates spanning their revamped dinner menu. Selections include appetizers such as Charred Octopus ($19) with heirloom tomato salad, lemon vinaigrette, and romesco, and Spicy Crab + Artichoke Dip ($20) with garlicky spinach fondue, hot cherry peppers, and focaccia; as well as entrées including Steelhead Trout ($29) with spring peas, asparagus, guanciale, mint, and lemon, and Ahi Tuna ($35) fashioned with spicy crab rice, charred broccoli, chili crisp, and crispy garlic. Reservations are encouraged and can be made via OpenTable.
Stella of New Hope, Bucks County’s modern American restaurant located in the Ghost Light Inn with 180 degree views of the Delaware River, is the perfect summer hot spot to indulge in a delectable seafood dish on the large outdoor patio. Available on the dinner menu, guests can enjoy the Pan Seared Dorade ($40) with orange-honey roasted butternut squash & beets, crispy quinoa, and lemongrass velouté. Reservations are encouraged and can be made here.
Square 1682, the modern American upbeat kitchen located on the ground level of the Kimpton Hotel Palomar, has proudly launched a freshly-minteddinner menu curated by the restaurant’s new Executive Chef Patrick Czerniak, boasting oceanic fare and seafood staples. Available Tuesday through Thursday from 5 – 10pm and Friday and Saturday from 5 – 11pm, guests can help themselves to plates such as Crispy Octopus ($18) with romesco and olive tapenade, Hamachi Crudo ($19) with yuzu, jalapeño, and sesame, Salmon Panzanella ($34) accompanied by warm croutons, pea tendrils, heirloom tomatoes, gigante beans, and balsamic vinaigrette, and Fregola Cioppino ($28) with mussels, clams, shrimp, and sourdough bread. Reservations are highly encouraged and can be made via OpenTable.
The Twisted Tail, Headhouse Square’s restaurant, bar and live music venue, is embracing the flavors of the season with delicious seafood essentials. During The Twisted Tail’s social hour, offered every day from 4pm to 6pm, guests are invited to grab a seat at the large indoor bar and enjoy Buck-a-Shuck Oysters (1/2 dozen oysters for $6) served with vodka cocktail sauce, hot sauce and a mignonette. Offered at dinner, every day from 4pm to 10pm, guests can enjoy refreshing Scallop Ceviche ($13) composed of jalapeno, tomato, citrus, truffle and served with crispy corn chips, or the Whole Grilled Brook Trout ($26) with arugula, toasted almonds, radish, and drizzled with orange vinaigrette. Reservations are encouraged and can be made here.
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