Fare 2028 Fairmount Ave. (215) 639–3063 Fairmount
Don't Miss: Crispy Tuna Roll Skip: The Flank Steak $$$
If a local, organic food restaurant sounds pretentious to you, well, you’re probably right. Fare restaurant, however, is a quaint exception that offers a relaxed atmosphere and a relatively low–key dining experience, all while delivering uniquely prepared food. Located in North Philadelphia, Fare’s combination of organic kitchen and wine bar provide a cozy atmosphere for spending an unperturbed Friday night.
Although they serve brunch and lunch, dinner is truly Fare’s specialty. Service wavered from very friendly to slightly pushy, but nonetheless, the restaurant’s attentive staff made the evening enjoyable. The menu presents the standard fare you might expect to come from an organic kitchen: seitan, gingered beet salad, vegetable cakes — which were promptly skipped over in favor of some heartier dishes.
Soothed by the music of a live band and soft lighting, we started off our meal with some pretty humdrum complimentary hummus and pita, followed soon by a farmhouse flatbread, topped with bacon, sharp cheddar cheese and a sliced Granny Smith apple ($13) and a crispy tuna roll ($14), which had been deep fried with avocado in a way that managed to keep the tuna rare inside. Both appetizers were cooked and presented beautifully, and proved that eating at this organic restaurant in no way meant sacrificing taste. Surprisingly, the chef sent over an order of pasta Bolognese ($14) even though we didn't order it. Although thoughtful, the pasta paled in comparison to the other appetizers, perhaps because of its unusual use of bitter chocolate, which paired oddly with the Bolognese sauce.
For the main course we decided on a flank steak ($19), presented with sides of roasted potatoes, French beans and chimichurri, and the crab cakes ($24) topped with sweet chili sauce and snap peas. Although artfully presented and adequate, the steak was tough and the side dishes were so bland as to be throwaways. However, the chimichurri sauce did improve the flavor of the meat wonderfully. Our other entree, the crab cakes, was prepared to perfection. With a crispy exterior and a fluffy, melt–in–your–mouth core, this dish is a must, even if you are a little hesitant when it comes to seafood. In addition, we ordered a side of flaky bacon–wrapped Brussels sprouts, which were one of the better vegetable side dishes of the night.
With outdoor seating and some ambient mural work and mood lighting, Fare is a laid–back but still date–worthy destination. After all, nothing says romance like the lingering sounds of terrified tween screams from Eastern State Penitentiary just across the street.
