Unique Mashed Potato Dishes In Philadelphia
When it comes to exciting side dishes, mashed potatoes are an unlikely contender. This favorite comfort food is best known as the preferred side dish to all-American meals like roast turkey, fried chicken and meatloaf. But the whipped potato concoction is actually quite versatile – an edible blank canvas to some of Philadelphia's creative culinary artists.
Barclay Prime
237 S. 18th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 732-7560
www.barclayprime.com
This trendy venue serves up mouthwatering steaks in a hip, modern-style library setting. Diners choose their own steak knives from a collection that hails from the U.S., Japan and Germany. Potatoes dominate the list of sides available from the menu, where they are served baked, au gratin, as tater tots or whipped. Not to be missed are the truffle whipped potatoes, which pair nicely with everything on the menu, from your favorite cut of meat to the butter-poached lobster. Located in the heart of Rittenhouse Square, Barclay Prime is perfect for power lunches and closing that big deal or for celebrating special occasions.
Buddakan
25 Chestnut St.
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 574-9440
www.buddakan.com
Buddakan serves contemporary Asian cuisine for lunch Monday through Friday and dinner seven nights a week. Diners rave about the venue's fabulous food, which is served up in a chic setting oozing with atmosphere. In addition to individual tables, at the foot of a 10-foot gold-leaf Buddha statue is a community dining table that is available seven days a week for those who want to share in a dining experience. Although one might not expect to find mashed potatoes on the menu, the wasabi mashed potatoes at Buddakan are a customer favorite. Within walking distance of Independence National Park, this restaurant accepts reservations and offers delivery service to nearby homes, hotels and businesses.
Continental Midtown
1801 Chestnut St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 567-1800
www.continentalmidtown.com
This restaurant is a favorite brunch, lunch and dinner destination serving up ambiance, chic decor and generous portions of delicious food. Enjoy your time with friends or family in this trendy venue known for its inventive cocktails and global tapas. One of the favorite menu items, believe it or not, is the mashed potatoes -- tasty spuds whipped into delectable mounds of potato heaven. For seafood lovers and mashed potato fans alike, a must-try is the lobster mashed potatoes with red wine sauce. Seating at the Continental Midtown is first come, first served, but if you don't have time to wait, you can choose to have some of the menu favorites – including the lobster mashed potatoes – delivered to you. See the website for details.
Devon Seafood Grill
225 S. 18th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 546-5940
www.devonseafood.com
Devon Seafood Grill in Philly's Rittenhouse Square blends upscale with casual and offers an impressive wine selection, signature handcrafted martinis, tantalizing appetizers and lobster specials. This restaurant serves up traditional surf and turf fare, including premium seafood and prime steak. Equally as impressive are the side-dish choices, such as the popular garlic mashed potatoes. Served with crab cakes and green beans, or offered as a side to any main course, it's been remarked that these spuds are to die for.
POD
3636 Sansom St.
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 387-1803
www.podrestaurant.com
POD is Philly's chic Asian-fusion restaurant with a fun, futuristic ambiance that serves up lunch and dinner. For a unique experience, your party can rent a POD – egg-shaped dining spaces – where they can sample sushi and nosh on sashimi, maki and edamame as it passes by on a conveyor. As they dine, guests are entranced and charmed by the changing lighting colors of their private, egg-shaped POD dining spaces. You can get your wasabi on at POD with wasabi-crusted fillet mignon accompanied by wasabi mashed potatoes and black truffle soy, or ask to try the Japanese sweet potatoes.
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Christy Ayala covers sports, recreation, the outdoors, and leisure activities in the Philadelphia area. She earned a masters degree in recreation administration from George Williams College and managed programs in the Midwest, Hawaii, and Pennsylvania. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.
