Aldine - Hidden in Plain Sight
Aldine is an "elevated American fare" (Googles words, not mine) restaurant that seems to have flown under the Philly restaurant radar. I have never heard any of my friends mention it, and when I mention its location, they are surprised. Aldine is located at the very busy intersection of 19th and Chestnut, along side other well known establishments like Devil's Alley and Drinkers. The entrance to Aldine is subtle, just a heavy wooden door with minimal markings, though they do have their menu framed to the side of the door. Open up the door, and you immediately are at a set of stairs leading up to a second floor with a restaurant area and a bar.
I was catching up with a college friend yesterday and we took it as an opportunity to indulge in Center City Sips. Given my obsession with pre-reading menu offerings in times such as Sips or Restaurant Week, my college friend graciously let me choose the restaurant. I chose Aldine because their Sips menu looked tempting (fried pork skin? Yes please.), and also because I thought it might be a little less busy than some of the other more well-known Sips locations. My gamble played off. The place was completely empty when we arrived at 5:30.
The menu featured three cocktails, wine, and an unlisted beer which the bartender told us was Summer Love by Victory. My friend and I both got the Blood Orange 75. It was a delicious sparkling, slightly fruity beverage with a citrus edge. I just googled the one ingredient I didn't know (Lillet) and realized that the cocktail is 100% alcohol by volume, which is a feature I can get behind.
Besides Aldine's generous and dangerous ABV cocktails, we also sampled the Crispy Buffalo Potatoes and the Pork Chicharrones. The chicharrones were incredibly good. A hundred times better than any pork rind you can buy in stores. It was like eating the fluffiest, crunchiest, melt in your mouth potato chip that tasted like the essence of pork. Good both on it's own and dipped in the accompanying zesty aioli. Definitely finger-licking good.
The Crispy Buffalo Potatoes also did not disappoint. The potatoes were cut into varying shapes, with some smashed and some still in bigger chunks. The smashed pieces were fried until crispy while the bigger chunks were still soft on the inside. Everything was tossed generously in a rich buffalo sauce. With all the tanginess and textures going on, also a dangerously addictive dish given it's deep fried nature and how much butter is in buffalo sauce.
Both snacks are classic bar snacks, but done so well and so elegantly that you feel fancy as you stuff your face with fat and carbs. Especially as you sip on your vodka-sparkling wine cocktail with an orange twist.
When we left at around 6:20, the small bar area was filling up; it only seats about 8. So come on the earlier side to guarantee seating for the few Center City Sips that are left in the summer.
TL;DR - Dangerously drinkable extremely alcoholic cocktails and elegant bar foods go very well together. Come for Sips for a happy wallet; come for dinner for a happy stomach.
