Philly: White Dog Cafe

Last morning in Philly!

Rather than trek into Center City again, we stayed in our ‘hood for breakfast.

Even though they are right next to each other, I’m not very familiar with either Penn or Drexel’s campus.

Because I was in the accelerated nursing program at Drexel I spent nearly all of my time in Center City.  The only occasion I had to go over to the main part of campus where the university buildings and lecture halls are was for finals (HESI exams).  Blah.

But I did pass through campus on my way to clinical rotations at CHOP, so I knew about White Dog Cafe.

They have inside and outside seating, as well as a full bar, and they still maintain the homey feeling of a ski lodge.  We were seated in one of their downstairs rooms, which I assumed would feel like we were going into hibernation because it was below the floor we entered on, but it wasn’t lair like at all.

Please note my dad yawning in the mirror behind us.

They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner (plus happy hour bar fare).  The menu is diverse enough, but not huge since they are committed to serving local, seasonal ingredients from farms that practice sustainability.  You can visit their website to see which farms they buy what from.

Two things caught my eye immediately:

1. Chocolate Chip waffles
2. Stevia as a sweetener option (guilty pleasure?)

I went the tea route, opting for Earl Grey over java.

Food-wise I split two things with my mom: the Whole Wheat Pancakes with Meyer Lemon Curd, Blood Orange Syrup, and Toasted Almonds and the Seven Stars Yogurt Parfait with Blackberry Puree, Organic Granola, Citrus Scented Seasonal Berries.

I took the non-buttered portion of the pancakes and enhanced them even more with the berries and granola.

The pancakes were good, especially the lemon curd, but the real star of the show was the granola.  There were no individual grains, just huge clusters of crunchy goodness.  Mmmm…

Kyle got the Porcini Dusted Tofu with Kennett Square Wild Mushrooms served over Butternut Squash Risotto.  He’s a sucked for any butternut squash infused carbohydrates (remember this ravioli).

I was slightly jealous of his order because it was what I was originally going to get.  Unfortunately they make the risotto with dairy.  🙁

He also got a side order of Fingerling Potato Home Fries.  I think he’s been craving them ever since Corner Bakery left him high and dry.

My dad got the Lancaster Omelet with Shellbark Hollow Farms Goat Cheese, Organic Baby Spinach, Green Meadow Farms Applewood Smoked Bacon, Oven Roasted Tomatoes.  It came with sides of Petite Greens and Fingerling Potato Home Fries, too.

Definitely a win all around.

Good food.  Good service.  Good ambiance.

A perfect way to end the weekend.