A haven for Philadelphia's nouveau riche, Swanky Bubbles is just the place to drop a cool $400 on a bottle of bubbly in an attempt to impress that "special someone" sitting at the other end of the bar.
A little over four years ago, Swanky Bubbles staked its claim as Philadelphia's only champagne bar and restaurant. Bubbles prides itself on its extensive dinner menu, served from 5 p.m. until 1 a.m. daily (the bar is open until 2 a.m.). Executive chef Raul Bacordo likes to call his signature menu Pan-Asian with a French influence. Perhaps Raul should have stuck to sushi as Bubbles' hodge-podge menu feels more like glorified bar food.
Where else will you find a menu that has ribs, sushi, filet mignon, gnocchi, fondue, quesadillas, chicken satay and lobster? Champagne would surely be the perfect accent to baby back ribs.
Bubbles' most popular champagne cocktails include the Oui-Oui (champagne, cranberry juice and a splash of strawberry liqueur) and the Blondie (champagne, Stoli Vanil and pineapple juice). Unfortunately the cocktails are served on paper napkins advertising KOOL cigarettes -- it kind of kills the mood.
Bubbles' most redeeming quality is the sushi. The sushi menu is extensive but expensive. The 247 roll (salmon, hamachi, tuna, spicy sauce and kappa) is tasty but pricey at $12 for six pieces. The buddha roll (salmon, tempura crunch, kappa, spicy sauce and sesame coating) is also good and somewhat more economical at $9 for six pieces.
The d‚cor in Bubbles is a sight for sore eyes. The tables are made of an iridescent blue-green glass reminiscent of those kitschy bowling balls with the glitter inside. The walls are covered in navy velvet that is home to numerous cigarette burns. The bar has a sort of under-the-sea theme, with tsunami-like crests forming a den over the oak bar top. Techno is the music of choice.
The crowd is 25-35 years old, and on the cutting edge of nightlife-inspired fashion. Less is more, and skin is in. This is the kind of establishment where if you look good, nothing else matters. However, the occasional Flyer or Eagle has been known to drop into Bubbles -- so the restaurant must be doing something right. If you have ever wanted to make a cameo in a rap video, this may be a close as you will get. Bring your wallet (and Dad's credit card), dress to impress and prepare to get tipsy.
If you decide to dine at Swanky Bubbles, go on Thursday, April 29, as Bubbles is participating in Dine out for Life and will donate a third of its profits to the fight against AIDS in Philadelphia.
