by Norman Amstutz on I was sad to see that Paradise Lounge had closed*. DNA down the block is pretty much the same kind of venue but scaled down: casual, low-cover hothouse with two levels, a combo of DJ's and live music, with numerous weekly events. Bootie** night (3 Saturdays/month) features live musicians mashing up the most seemingly incompatible songs (like a Virgin meets Teenage Wasteland? brilliant.) The crowd was really happy last night in particular (Go Giants!). Clientele are on the young side (ie recently legal) but a pretty unobtrusive and friendly bunch. I only bore witness to one falling over girl vomitting in a trashcan while being carried out by security. Bottom line: fun dance floor. But not a sterile environment by any means. I would recommend wearing microbe-resistant vinyl but for the sweat factor. Typical scary club bathroom situation. Steel seatless toilets were very prison-like. Reasonably priced drink special. Was supposed to be a dark and stormy but tasted a bit like cool-aid. *when did this happen and where have I been? Oh that's right: brokeness + studies + steady aging and raging hangovers + encroaching domesticity. **yes that is a double entendre. Pirate theme meets booty-shaking - a perfect mashup of its own, really.
by Denise Q. on I for starters love the decor in the back of this place, large seating lining up the wall, a huge lush lounge-y couch thing where a few girls can lay on and observe the lay of the land, lovely white girly wallpaper and gold chandeliers dangling from the ceiling.................that should put you in the mood for a good night, right? Top it off with seafood galore and how can you go wrong!? I wanted to try the oysters but at that point in the evening, I needed more substance to prepare for the long night ahead. So we got the shrimp appetizer (crispy fried shrimp with a sweet sauce), creamy crab risotto with asparagus (and topped with some shaved cheese), and the tuna poke (with won ton chips). All of it was great. They even split the risotto for us, and tallied up the check by each seat so when you have a large group to pay, everyone knows exactly how much they owe. Genius or what!? When we were leaving around 9pm, it started getting a litlte bit more crowded, so I think there is more of a night scene here in addition to it being a restaurant. The bar area looked cool, and also they had a cute fireplace with huge chic chairs in front of it to sit with a friend if you so desire, to have a drink with.
by Li Wingham on Big deep breath, because describing Morimoto is like writing a 5 paragraph essay. That you want to eat. So a couple of co-workers and I tried Morimoto while in town on a business trip. First off, reservations were very easy and friendly to get, walked in at 7:30pm on a Wednesday night to a pretty packed house but we were seated promptly. You immediately notice the amazing feel and decor of the place. It can best described as a fashion forward modern diner. There are sort of these plastic booths all over the middle and sides of the restaurant covered in plush cushions, and there is different colored mood lighting emanating from underneath all the plasticy booths. Basically, its like Virgin America in a restaurant. We started off with both the rock shrimp tempura and the special of the night - white truffle gyoza in a light broth/sauce. The rock shrimp tempura was delightfully spiced and fried perfectly, melting in your mouth and served with some leaf scoops to complete the experience. Basically its like the best popcorn shrimp / orange spicy chicken combination you'll taste in a while. The gyoza was off the charts. The white truffle oil, light cabbage, and just cloud-like gyoza really just had us licking the plate it was served on. Oh yeah, btw it was served with seared baby scallops. Simply delicious, and basically as addicting as buttery popcorn. The three of us ordered the ishi yaki buri bop, the miso black cod, and the chilean sea bass. The ishi yaki buri bop is basically a bimbimbap (if you are familiar with Korean food). Its a rice with picked cucumbers and vegetables, served in a blazing hot stone bowl with raw kobe slices that you can sear to your liking on the hot stone bowl. Also, as you eat it, the rice begins to crisp and creates a buttery crispy texture that is to die for. Best part? When its served, the dude slices and sears the meat a bit for you, then mixes a cracked egg and the rice together for you, to serve you a perfect dish. The chilean sea bass was delightful, in a black bean sauce that is very soy glaze like combined with a light ginger taste. Its basically like eating air, or eating fish that has the delightful lightness of tofu. The miso cod was the highlight. It was the EXACT opposite of what I was was thinking. It was served with a honey glaze and sugar soaked black beans, with some ginger on the side. Basically the cod, being cooked perfect and with soft soft skin, is served on top of a sweet sweet sauce that at first seems overwhelming but you can't stop eating. Its pretty much heaven. In fact, everyone at my table kept trying to trade me their bites for mine. Ridiculously good. Couple glasses of wine and our dishes ran us about $210 before tip for 3 people. Its pricey, but when you break it down its about $10/glass of wine, $15/appetizer, and $25-$45 for an entree. Really not that bad in terms of great food, ultimate decor, and awesome service combined with the famous asian flair of Iron Chef Morimoto. When your in Philly, I'd say Morimoto's is a must.
