Cephaloparty Time
Octopus is especially delicious in December.
Octopi in the sky: There are many tasty ways to snack on cephalopods in Philly.
You've got to hand it to the Italians. They've advanced engineering techniques through architecture and aqueducts and they've preserved the arts. But the greatest of their accomplishments might just occur every Christmas Eve. While the rest of us sicken ourselves with eggnog and fruitcake and the youngsters wring their hands in anticipation of the arrival of St. Nick, Italians feast on fish; seven, more or less, often including octopus or pulpo. When cooked correctly, this dish is a succulent addition to any feast. We've compiled a list of places to enjoy octopus all year long.
If You Want to Ride High
Towering high above Broad Street on the 19th floor of the Park Hyatt at the Bellevue, XIX (200 S. Broad St. 215.893.1234) blends classical cooking techniques with a sophisticated setting. Their tender grilled Spanish octopus is served on a warm paper-thin potato and leek salad, tossed with an earthy yet tart truffle and preserved with lemon vinaigrette. 7 M K T
If the Holidays Make You Stressed
Watch the world hurry by as you sit in the old-fashioned barroom of London Grill (2301 Fairmount Ave. 215.978.4545) during a winter rush hour, nursing a Guinness and nibbling the grilled octopus with smoked potatoes, preserved lemon and pickled onions. 7 M P K T
If You Like It Overhyped
When compiling a list of all things overrated in Philadelphia, Field Guide has Geno's Steak's, Hall and Oates and Rocky 2 through 6 all somewhere near the top. But after dining on Dmitri's (2227 Pine St. 215.985.3680) octopus we've decided it beats them all to a pulpo. The "small plate" of drywall tough legs was served up in a fishy, oily sauce by an apathetic slacker staff more interested in reading their art industry magazines than delivering great grub. It made us as disappointed as a kid at Christmas with a stocking full of tube socks. 7 M
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1. Gary Saluti said... on Dec 17, 2008 at 08:54AM
“Dimitri's octopus gets a bad review?! I bet you don' beleive in Santa Claus either. I've been eating at the 3rd and Catherine location since it opened. Rarely a bad meal and the staff is wonderful. I trust your less than memorable experience is strictly relegated to the Pine St location.”
2. bob said... on Dec 21, 2008 at 01:12PM
“Zorba's, on Fairmount Ave., has awesome grilled octopus.”