Almanac - Review - Old City - Philadelphia - The Infatuation

"When thinking of the watering holes we’d like to hibernate in, it’s usually a neighborhood spot where regulars have been chasing whiskey with whiskey for decades. But with specialized, Japanese-inspired spins on American cocktails, this sexy Old City bar has us considering moving in. The bartender asks your preferences and customizes your drink—though we love both the Juban District, a botanical take on the Manhattan, and the Chūhai, which beautifully blends rice shōchū, oolong, and lemongrass—giving an omakase cocktail experience that rivals the one at Ogawa downstairs. You’re not here for a full dinner, but the bonito-flaked, nori-topped wagyu hot dog and smoky miso glazed wings make for stellar bar snacks, and worth the reservation that you most certainly need (there are only a handful of seats, so don’t plan to show up unannounced). photo credit: CANDIS R. MCLEAN photo credit: CANDIS R. MCLEAN photo credit: Stephen Recchia photo credit: Stephen Recchia Pause Unmute Food Rundown Omakase Cocktail You’ll think the bartender can read minds—or at least bribed your friends to find out your tastes. After a few questions to gauge your bitterness, sweetness, and love-of-licorice levels, you’ll get a drink that’s quite literally made for you. Based on the three times we’ve tried it, they have a 100% success rate. photo credit: CANDIS R. MCLEAN Kyushiki Almanac's take on an old fashioned is made with Japanese whiskey instead of bourbon, and kokuto instead of simple syrup. The brown sugar lends the easy-to-sip blend a hint of sweetness. If you haven’t had an old fashioned before, it’s time to start, and we suggest this one. photo credit: Stephen Recchia Jūban District Almanac isn’t a place you waste on a first date or a group of rowdy friends. It’s an intimate spot with a bunch of smooth operators on the cocktail menu, and this drink is one of them. It’s a bold mix of whiskey, scotch, and pretty much the Japanese version of everything else in a Manhattan. photo credit: Stephen Recchia Wagyu Hot Dog This wagyu frank is topped with tonkatsu sauce, slaw, bonito flakes, and nori, giving it the perfect blend of crunch and umami smokiness. Served on a toasty bun, it’s so good that you’ll struggle to decide if you’re there for the third time this week because of the hot dog or the drinks. Spoiler alert: it’s both. photo credit: Stephen Recchia Karaage Chicken Sandwich Find us a comfy corner booth here, and we’ll happily commit to eating this chicken sandwich until dawn. It’s layered with a spicy chili glaze, melty pepper jack cheese, and tangy pickled sweet peppers. Fantastic. Fries A simple basket of fries with creamy wasabi garlic and Japanese mustard sauce. Meh. photo credit: CANDIS R. MCLEAN" - Candis R. McLean