Philly restaurant review: Silk City

By Sam Fran Scavuzzo
Collegian Editor
September 12, 2007

After going to a show, you often are consumed by hunger. In these situations, I like to grab a casual bite to eat at some local place where I can nosh, hang out and talk about the great display of art I recently took in.

If you catch a concert at the Electric Factory any time soon, I’d recommend Silk City at Fourth and Spring Garden streets to fill the hunger gap.

Recently renovated by new ownership, Silk City is old-school diner by day, hip cocktail bar by night. The restaurant itself is divided into two parts. If you walk to the right, the feel of a bygone trolley-car diner hits you; strolling to the left there will be elevated, mood-lit tables conveniently set for two.

Silk City’s duality becomes even more evident when it gets dark as the old-time-y feel to the diner section fades into red light that pervades the establishment and lets you know that this ain’t your grandma’s eatery.

As for food, it was both reasonably priced and decently prepared. Although the menu lacks a great multitude of selections, it is evident that the food included is there for a reason.

An undoubtedly fine appetizer for the daring is the garlic and goat cheese crustini. This small sampling serves as the perfect date hors d’oeuvre for two reasons: it comes for two and only costs $2. They are practically begging couples to choose it.

The entrees listed seem basic, but are finely crafted to give the customer the illusion that they are eating at a five-star restaurant. Meat loaf, hanger steak frites and crispy Atlantic salmon are but a few of the options provided by Silk City.

Many meals are served with specialty sauces that assuredly enhance the meal. My dinner companion’s order of buttermilk chicken had hints of jalapeño seasoning which sufficiently spiced it up.

Plus, the menu includes a killer root beer float as well as peach cobbler a la mode, which, as our waitress accurately pointed out, is a perfect way to end a date.

scavuzzos1@lasalle.edu