Spectacular Seafood Rittenhouse Square: Devon

Devon Seafood Grill
225 S. 18th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215.546.5940



Devon Seafood Grill knows how to bring in their customers and to keep them coming back. Located in the upscale Rittenhouse Square, Devon doesn't fail to meet the high standards. There is rarely a wait, even without reservations, the inside is spacious and tasteful. The dim lighting gives a hint of romance while the open air seating area is comfortable, casual, and anything you could want in a dining out experience.

Promptly after you are seated they will bless your little side dish with a biscuit beyond biscuits as well as some honey butter. I swear the two together are just amazing, like they were meant for each other. I could eat just these biscuits for my meal if the rest of the food didn't par up, but it does! This is just the beginning of what will be one of your most memorable meals.

There is a pre-fixed menu available, I believe they are $30 and include: appetizer, entree, & dessert. That's a deal! But if what you want isn't listed on the pre-fix then there regular menu will blow you away. But let me not get ahead of myself here, get the Fried Calamari! It's a large plate, along with julianed carrots and sliced jalapenos, breaded and fried with a delicious batter and comes along with some plum sauce and some other spicy delicious sauce as well. The soups are delectable, the salads are scrumptuos, and even when you are filled to the brim you won't want to stop eating.

At the top they start off with many different fishes and such that you can have cooked many different ways, it's exactly like customizing your own dinner. My sister LOVES the halibut from Devon, and I must say I'm a huge fan also! Last time I was there I dabbled in the swordfish, can i just say YUM! I love swordfish, its a bit meaty-er, not as flaky as a halibut or tilapia, more like steak but it is delish! My mom and myself like to often indulge in the Maryland style Crabcakes, which far out shine many of the like. My favorite sides are the plate licking good Garlic Mashed potatoes as well as the asparagus.

For dessert I suggest you dabble in the Creme Brule, it's deligthfully light and topped with fresh seasonal berries. I also tried something called Seasonal Berry Crisp, or around those lines. What it is is fresh seasonal berries between and atop fylo crisps that must have been covered in sugar and baked because they are a sugary delight and whipped cream on top. It was so good! Half of the time I don't even have room in this stomach of mine for the dessert after the appetizer, huge dinner entree and a couple glasses of wine, but if you can stuff it in I say chow down! This meal won't let you down, I promise.

Do South Philly Right: Ristorante Mezza Luna or Dante & Luigi's

If you know anything about South Philadelphia you know it was home to Italians for many many years. The Italian Market is still open and if you search around that area you will find some of the best pizza, sandwiches, italian meats, italian breads, etc. Nothing bad can be said of Italian cooking because, let's face it, it's DELICIOUS!

So through mine and my sister's years away at college in Philadelphia, we ocassionally ventured into South Philly, although we weren't too close to have some of the best italian food out there. First we made our way to Dante & Luigi's. Before you go make sure you have cash, they do not like using credit cards. My first choice at this quaint little restaurant with tacky gold and pink walls that is somehow subtely romantic, was the Broiled Flounder stuffed with lump crab meat in some sort of amazing brandy wine sauce, yum! I must implore you to try the Ceasar Salad, one of the best homemade ceasar dressings I've ever tasted. You may even want to ask for more dressing it's that good!! But my all time favorite dish to get from D & L's is the gnocchis - to die for, in fact, when it's my sister, my mom and I, we each get our own plate of gnocchi...the sauce is delightful and smooth and the gnocchi aren't too heavy and they aren't too light, it's a perfect combination!

Dante & Liugi's
762 S 10th St
Philadelphia, PA
19147-2742
Phone: (215) 922-9501

Not too far from 10th Street sits Mezza Luna right off the corner of Catherine & 8th Streets. Upon walking in the owner and also host will greet and seat you. We used to bring my grandfather all the time, from Napoli, and he'd speak with the owner in Italian, joke around and have a good time. The interior is much less bold, blue moon vases on each table and large windows looking out onto the south Philadelphia streets. There is a bar but I believe you can also bring your own wines, might have to check on that.

On to the best part, the food! My first vist I must have done something good because I chose a veal breaded and cooked to perfection, the veal was practically falling apart. Not only did I get the most tender veal ever but it was in a sauce that was like heaven in my mouth, I'm positive that the base of the sauce was champagne, must have had some butter along with garlic and other such delicious cooking ingredients! The best veal I've had and even compared to the veal at Davio's, an upscale, center city restaurant where the veal is tough, meaning it's cooked too long. I'm a huge fan of Calamari but for even those who aren't, I know there is an appetizer dish of calamari but if you hear of some kind of special of Calamari Fritti, do not hesitate, say "I'll have one of those, please!" I was talking about heaven in my mouth before, but these are so fresh, that they basically melt in your mouth. There is none of that tough chewing or spitting pieces out because it's just too unmanagable to break down. The breading is very very light so we thought at first that they might not be cooked enough, don't be fooled! The breading is just as scrumptuous as the squid itself, with a delectable flavor that will soothe your craving taste buds.

Ristorante Mezza Luna
763 S 8th St
Philadelphia, PA
19147
Phone: (215) 627-4705

Mangia!!