Meredith R.
Yelp
Restaurant Week in Center City! Yahoo!!! A perfect way to explore restaurants I may not have gone to otherwise. The advantage for participating restaurants is when patrons are bowled over by their meals, they're likely to return.
That's how I felt about Melograno and the deliciousness of dinner last Thursday. I made a reservation because a) the menu covered all bases, b) reviews are good, and c) it's byob, which already saves us money.
The $40 three course prix-fixe includes appetizer, entree and dessert. We shared our first course. An arugula salad with prosciutto and shaved parmesan, dressed with a flavorful lemon vinaigrette. Pair that with fried burrata, red peppers, cherry tomatoes, gaeta olives, and fresh basil. Excellent combination.
For his entree, T ordered spaghetti and sea bass, the chef's special of the night. Okay, now I'm starting to salivate: the verlasso salmon I ordered was perhaps the best salmon I've eaten. Ever! The grilled filet sat on a bed of fennel, carrots, onion and fingerling potatoes, enhanced with a light beurre blanc. I was impressed that the salmon was rare, exactly as requested, and the vegetables were perfect, lightly braised. I'm generally indifferent to carrots, but these were special.
My husband ordered chocolate mousse, which I liked much better than my panna cotta. Translated as "cooked cream" ... with sugar and gelatin, I realized too late that jiggly panna cotta isn't my thing. If undecided, go with the mousse and its hidden surprise, a tiny brownie in the middle.
Service, by the way is great. Even on a busy Restaurant Week evening, the staff is friendly and solicitous. You can linger as long as you'd like .... unless, of course another party's waiting for your table.