Neighborhood: Rittenhouse Square
Parking: Street parking only.
Handicap access: Not wheelchair accessible.
Handicap access: Not wheelchair accessible.
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Chef Jonathan McDonald turns his enthusiasm and talent on gastropub fare, leaving kitchen gimmickry behind.
Everyone knows a pig can't fly. But what about a "pabbit"?
The mythical creature has certainly given a charmed lift to Pub & Kitchen, the new gastropub at 20th and Lombard whose creamy brick exterior sports the high-soaring silhouette of a rabbit-headed pig.
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Cuisine type: Pub
Meals Served:
Brunch
Lunch
Dinner
Style:
The gastropub craze takes a "pabbit" leap forward with this lively rehab of the former Chaucer's, where Rittenhousers, Penn students and scenesters alike brave the noise and wait for rising star Jonathan McDonald's fresh take on pub fare. Inspired by rustic British cookery instead of his previous affinity for molecular gastronomy, McDonald's menu has unique highlights, but needs focus and consistency to reach its considerable promise. The beer program should also be a notch better.
Specialties:
White fish "roll mops," vinegar potato crisps, calamari, onion rings, cheeses (all), Little Shemogue oysters, goat cheese pierogi, gnocchi, Windsor burger, fish and chips (well-done only), salmon special with brandade, tuna with winter ratatouille, banana bread pudding.
Alcohol:
Stick with the modest beer list, which has enough highlights (Yards "Brawler" ale, Friday firkins, Old Speckled Hen) to overlook the duds (Miller Lite, Corona). The small selection of inexpensive wines is spotty, but the Aussie house wines from Yard Dog are a solid bet.
Weekend noise:
Prepare to holler to be heard in the 93-decibel main room; the rear dining nook is considerably quieter. (Ideal is 75 decibels or less.)
Hours: Dinner nightly, 4 p.m.-1 a.m. Saturday lunch, noon-4 p.m.; Sunday brunch, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Prices:
$15 to $20
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