With fresh ingredients purchased from local vendors and unfussy preparation, Farmicia brings a touch of country living to the heart of Philadelphia.
Located on 3rd Street, the restaurant offers a distinct Old City feel despite its relatively modern decor. The building is not especially large, and plants and other shrubbery adorn much of the wall space not covered by paintings. The restaurant is divided in half, one for Farmicia, and the other for its partner, Metro Cafe.
Granted, we went early on a Thursday night, but the service was excellent. The manager greeted and seated diners, and waiters were not far behind, asking for drink orders. Unfortunately underage, I could not take advantage of this, but the wine, cocktail and tonic lists are expansive, in addition to the BYOB option.
Though the meal was far from cheap (a $15.50 burger sticks out), every dish is well worth the cost. The food and side dishes are plentiful.
I opted to begin with a salad, and was eagerly looking forward to the apple and Amish smoked cheddar salad listed on the menu. Alas, here is where I encountered my only setback of the night, as they were out of it and I had to settle for a classic Caesar salad. I may have come out on top, however, as the dressing (served on the side so you can regulate) proved tasty and the croutons were some of the crunchiest and best I've ever had.
Choosing an entree was tough - the list of entrees leads off with a rib eye and a london broil and concludes with a five-item vegetarian/vegan menu.
I opted for the lamb tenderloins for dinner and, while they were very good, they paled in comparison to my companion's duck breast. It was sliced thin and covered in a cherry glaze that perfectly accented the duck flavor, leaving a pleasant immediate and after taste in my mouth.
The sides also stood out, primarily the vegetables. My broccoli rabe and potatoes were surprisingly tasteful, and each added a distinct flavor and texture to my dish.
If there were any doubt about the quality of the food, one spoonful of the desserts eliminated all doubts. The creme brulee was sweet and tasty, but the chocolate torte was, in every respect, perfect. It was neither too dry nor moist and was just rich enough to satisfy my palette. The chocolate ice cream on top added a nice touch, and the manner in which it was served - in a bowl surrounded by a basket - was the polishing touch on a fantastic dessert and a great meal.
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