If you work in Philadelphia, you can leave work at 5:00 p.m. and have an authentic British meal without crossing the Atlantic by 6:00 p.m. Thanks to Philadelphia’s new restaurant, The Dandelion, you can be transported to England just by visiting this British inspired pub located at 124 South 18th Street, in Center City Philadelphia. Sitting in the restaurant you will be inspired and comforted by the creative décor. Most of the furniture and interior decoration was imported from England in two shipping containers at the cost of $3.5 million dollars. The objects include: a Victorian lantern over the door, wood-burning fireplaces, British ornaments and other items.
The Dandelion, Steven Starr’s 15th restaurant to open in Philadelphia received positive reception. Not only does the pub boast authentic décor, but the chef, Robert Aikens is British born and raised in Norfolk, England.
On weekends The Dandelion serves brunch in the form of a traditional English breakfast. On Sundays and Bank Holidays, you can have a roast. The most British section of the menu however is the Afternoon Tea that features tea served in imported Brown Betty Pots. To accompany your tea you can select from several delicacies including a British Cheese Board, Fish Cakes, Chicken & Duck Liver Parfait and Welsh Rarebit.
The restaurant opened on New Year’s Eve, and during the past several months, has been featured in newspapers and food magazines. To add to the buzz, the British American Business Council of Greater Philadelphia boasts our very own British national foodies, who cannot stop raving about the place. We have had several impromptu board gatherings and many important discussions over The Dandelion’s tasty British bites. Charles Carrington, UK native and current BABC Board Member from Deloitte, reports: “The Dandelion has fast become my local. Best Welsh Rarebit this side of Caerphilly. Washed down with a nicely cellared pint of Bombardier.”
BABC members are faithful patrons, and The Dandelion is good to us as well. Hope Krebs, US-born BABC Board Membership Chair from Duane Morris reports that “the British cheese board and triple cooked chips are not to be missed.” Furthermore, Andrea Townrow, Executive Vice President of the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia, winner of the recent BABC Membership Survey raffle prize drawing commented about her experience at The Dandelion: “My husband and I had Sunday lunch at The Dandelion. It was superb! My husband is British and he said you would never get anything that good in England!”
Despite the significant geographic separation between the UK and the Greater Philadelphia region, local Brits can now enjoy a little taste of home without flying 3,000 miles back to the “mother country.” The BABC is pleased to have a hip new place to conduct business, socialize with friends, and get a great bite to eat just several blocks from the BABC’s Philadelphia office.
For more information about The Dandelion and for a complete menu please visit: www.thedandelionpub.com
