What do you get when you cross a rabbit and a pig? A pabbit — the oddly rotund, long-eared mascot for Pub and Kitchen, a new gastropub and ultra-cool hangout spot on 20th and Lombard. This is the latest venture by Jonathan McDonald, the chef behind Snackbar, who has once again filled a much-needed niche in the Philadelphia dining scene. McDonald took his cues from The Spotted Pig, another porcine-inspired gastropub in New York’s West Village, pioneered by Food Network chef and star restaurateur Mario Batali.
Whether you come for a draught beer or cocktail and a few bar snacks or a full meal of classic pub favorites with a gourmet twist, P&K welcomes you with an elongated, warmly-lit bar area contrasting dark wood and white-washed brick walls. Blue and white striped dishcloth napkins mark the cozy tables by the bar and in the back room, symbolizing the restaurant’s delicate balance between casual pub and upscale kitchen.
Begin your visit by the bar, as the restaurant doesn’t take reservations and diners on weekend nights may have a bit of a wait. While sipping a glass of Malbec wine, Brooklyn Lager or a classically British Pimm’s cocktail, order from the bar snack list to tide your hunger. The chicken liver toasts, served with pickles and stone-ground mustard ($3) and the fresh malt vinegar potato crisps ($3) are perfect to share among friends (or to entice new ones).
The dinner menu features pub staples such as chicken wings and fish & chips, but also extends beyond the usual Philly bar domain to include oysters on the half shell ($12), bangers & mash with mustard green beans ($16) and mussels in a broth of curry and leeks ($10). But the ultimate item on the menu is the juicy Windsor burger, cooked medium-rare, topped with English cheddar and crisp pork belly strips ($12). Share the burger and the spiced fries that accompany it with someone else so that you can explore various sides and smaller plates on the menu. The fried onion rings, so massive they could be a meal in themselves, are a must-try and the crispy roasted brussels sprouts are so delicious you’ll wonder why you’ve been avoiding them all these years.
Pub and Kitchen transports its patrons across the Atlantic, elevating British pub food to heights never before reached in Philadelphia. So take a step inside, and be ready to fall down the pabbit hole — there’s no turning back.
