Walking east on South Street from campus, the Graduate Hospital area boasts one of the fastest growing Philly restaurant scenes. Spanish newcomer Caf‚ Apamate proves that South Street west of Broad may be the best new place to find an array of ethnic BYO's that are perfect for a student's wallet.
The waitress at Caf‚ Apamate was quick to offer help with the order as we sat down to our window table. The menu offers a selection of pintxos, a northern rendition of Spanish bite-size tapas, in addition to larger main courses. On the waitress's advice, we each chose to order one or two pintxos and one of the bigger dishes. Each of the pintxos, which ranged from $2-$4, had a strong and distinct flavor, but the size was no more than a small sample. The fresh calamari over puff pastry with caramelized onions ($3.50) was chewy and had a tangy hint of balsamic vinegar. Intensely contrasting layers of salty and sweet tastes made the asparagus, fried and wrapped in Serrano ham over a small piece of toast ($2.50), a delicious mouthful.
Caf‚ Apamate also caters to the more conservative palate. The pepitos and bocatas, Spanish sandwiches, are served on fresh baguettes with a side of fries. The chicken pepito ($8.25) came to the table piping hot, smelling of the freshly grilled meat.
While all the main dishes were individually appetizing, Apamate's nightly specials were the stand-out champions. In the special salad entr‚e, chorizo, pine nuts, and tomato were grilled atop a bed of romaine ($7.95). The smoky grill gave each food an intense flavor, slightly reminiscent of a friend often known as Mary Jane. The warm melt-in-your-mouth chorizo and goat cheese quiche ($5.95) was a favorite, accompanied by a fresh side salad topped with onions, tomatoes, and strawberries in a light oil and vinegar dressing.
Dessert was irresistible, but our party waited around thirty minutes for the churros rellenos ($2.50), crispy filled sugar doughnuts, to arrive at the table. Even our obvious dog-like staring at the kitchen failed to elicit a response. Though the waitress neglected to serve our Spanish drinking chocolates, the just-cooked churros were delicious-the dulce de leche filling was itself enough to warrant a trip back.
Caf‚ Apamate is definitely a dining experience that is meant to be savored. The relaxed atmosphere does not focus on fast table turnover, but rather encourages diners to enjoy the dishes prepared with fresh ingredients and a creative flair.
On a budget, Caf‚ Apamate is certainly a good place to go. Per person, a meal consisting of a pintxo, an entr‚e, and one of the popular filled churros is unlikely to be more than $15. Overall, the experience is a great choice for adventurous students willing to check out more of what Philadelphia has to offer.
