Sonam
223 South Street
(215) 922-3092
An underground tapas joint, Sonam's Zen-infused music and funky modern ambiance provide for an unconventional BYO experience. As we made our way inside the South Street restaurant, the simple amber hues accompanied a fusion of flavors from around the world, perfect for the most adventurous of foodies. From American, Indian, Spanish, French and Asian - you name it, they've got it.
My party of two ordered seven dishes and one dessert; each plate consisted of a few bites and was priced around $9. Though the service was fairly slow, our server proved both informative and friendly. Dishes such as the seared scallops with a golden beet and pineapple sauce provided extremely satisfactory and alternative flavors. A goat cheese "marshmallow" and fig reduction s'more was everything I wanted and more. As a self-proclaimed chocoholic, I welcomed the fig as a sublimely tasty and gooey chocolate substitute.
Other plates such as the lobster roll and the hamachi nachos were equally enjoyable. The hamachi dish was served as a slice of yellowtail sashimi over a freshly fried tortilla chip, accompanied by guacamole and pico oil. The lobster roll was a harmonious, French-inspired combination of vanilla and lobster, wrapped in crispy phyllo dough. Another notable dish was the gumbo spring rolls, a combination of andouille sausage and crawfish paired with a duck sauce. A marriage of Asian and Creole flavors, this innovative interpretation of New Orleans cuisine delighted my palate.
Some of Sonam's dishes, however, seemed to mix ingredients for the sake of originality, occasionally losing sight of the ultimate goal: tastiness. Frankly, while I picked delicately at the unnecessarily-crunchy Mexican-style mac 'n' cheese with awkwardly crumbled tortilla chips on top and an overpriced Naan dip, I was tempted to run across the street for an almighty slice of Lorenzo's pizza. Perhaps the Asian chicken sliders or the grilled cheese and tomato soup would have been better alternatives. Thankfully, we finished off the meal with waffles served with fresh strawberries and vanilla ice cream that quenched my craving for, dare I say, "normal" and comforting flavors.
If you'd enjoy a walk on the wild side, dive into Sonam's eclectically adventurous and mildly entertaining cuisine. Sonam, so tasty.
