Philadelphia- Matyson
My absolute favorite place in Philadelphia is Matyson, a cute little restaurant right in Center City that consistently churns out some of the most creative and delicious food I've ever tasted. The menu changes all the time but it's always focused on what's fresh and in season. Plus it's BYOB which means Mr. T and I can get creative with the food and drink pairings. Since our dining companions had just gotten engaged the night before a bottle of Veuve seemed like the appropriate way to kick things off and actually paired wonderfully with my Goat Cheese Gnocchi.
Soft little pillows of cloud like cheese studded with crunchy pine nuts and brussels sprout in a duck ragu. I've had a LOT of gnocchi in my day (thank you my Italian college roommate) but this was one of the most satisfying versions I've ever tasted. There was just something incredible about that rich duck ragu with those earthy vegetables. I basically had to fend off my dining companions from finishing the dish without me.
Not to say the other appetizers weren't amazing. Mr. T's Duck Two Ways included a nice big hunk of Foie Gras and a smooth Duck Rillette complemented by black cherry compote and port wine sauce.
Soft little pillows of cloud like cheese studded with crunchy pine nuts and brussels sprout in a duck ragu. I've had a LOT of gnocchi in my day (thank you my Italian college roommate) but this was one of the most satisfying versions I've ever tasted. There was just something incredible about that rich duck ragu with those earthy vegetables. I basically had to fend off my dining companions from finishing the dish without me.
Not to say the other appetizers weren't amazing. Mr. T's Duck Two Ways included a nice big hunk of Foie Gras and a smooth Duck Rillette complemented by black cherry compote and port wine sauce.
The Brown Butter Skate Wing was tasty entree, served with a medley of peppers and onions in a lemon caper vinaigrette...
...but even better was the luscious Duck Breast served with grilled chicory, sunchoke and prune drizzled in a sweet huckleberry sauce.
For dessert two scoops of creamy home made ice cream in Maple Walnut and Rocky Road. They were both delicious and would have been the perfect end to the meal but I just had to order one more thing...their amazing, heart stopping, "it just doesn't get any better than this dessert ever" the Matyson Coconut Cream Pie.
Seriously this is the BEST Coconut Cream Pie ever. The only thing that made it even better was our final beer pairing of Funky Buddha's Last Snow. The combination of coffee,white chocolate and coconut in the beer with the pie was a match made in heaven. Plus they wrote a little congratulations on the plate for my newly engaged friends...just a perfect example of the wonderful service at Matyson. I just love this place.
37 South 19th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
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