City Tavern Reviews (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)

Dining with the Founders

West Virginia, West Virginia

March 27, 2012

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Best of IgoUgo Himself and Yours Truly recently took a short break to Philadelphia, where we set our sights on visiting the monuments and memorials commemorating the American Revolution and the evolution of our Constitution. Our principal goal was to visit ...Read more Himself and Yours Truly recently took a short break to Philadelphia, where we set our sights on visiting the monuments and memorials commemorating the American Revolution and the evolution of our Constitution. Our principal goal was to visit Independence National Park, which embraces a surprisingly diverse number of sites in the heart of Philadelphia’s historic district—including City Tavern.

As the account goes, City Tavern was a destination of choice for prominent rebels who would become enshrined by American history as the Founding Fathers. John Adams, remembered for his austere Congregationalism as well as for his role as one of the Founders, characterized the place as "the most genteel tavern in America." While discontent between the Colonies and the Mother Country rose, City Tavern became an unofficial gathering place for members of the Continental Congress. In 1777, the tavern hosted the founding rebels in celebrating the first anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. After the new country got off and running in the 1780s, it provided a venue for President George Washington to entertain foreign guests with food and drink.

Between then and now, fire and neglect destroyed the tavern’s original structure. The site was nonetheless remembered with a sense of patriotic nostalgia. So it was that when Independence National Park was being deliberated in the mid-20th century, the project included plans to reconstruct City Tavern—which was completed just in time for the nation’s bicentennial celebration in 1976. Furnished as it would have been during the late 18th century, the tavern has also resumed its role as a "genteel" gathering place for those who wish to add the taste of history to their tour of Independence Park. Dining rooms are provided on three levels in clubroom settings, much as they would have appeared during Ben Franklin’s day. All this means that one can enjoy lunch or dinner from a menu of period cuisine served in an environment that is much as it might have been during the American Revolution or the early Federal era.

Himself and Yours Truly decided to take advantage of the off season to enjoy dinner at City Tavern on a quiet, warm spring evening. Our server was dressed in period clothing (knee breeches and all) and laid our table with service pieces and utensils that the Founders would have recognized—pewter, creamware, and hand-blown crystal and glass.

As the meal began, Himself ordered a four-glass sampler of beers make from recipes developed by Washington, Jefferson, Franklin, and Hamilton. I ordered Madeira laced with brandy. Madeira was a colonial favorite, and the brandy ensured that it made the Atlantic Crossing as a safe and flavorful beverage. With our drinks came a tray of bread baked from colonial recipes—sweet potato and pecan biscuits (a favorite of Tom Jefferson), molasses bread (sweetened with local molasses rather than sugar that would have been imported and taxed), and a white English tea bread.

For our entrées, Himself chose Atlantic salmon stuffed with crab and served with mashed potatoes, asparagus, and sautéed zucchini. I ordered the lobster pie, which contained large chunks of juicy lobster, plump shrimp (or prawns), cubed potatoes, and scallions in a rich sauce—all covered with a flaky puff pastry. My entrée came with a side of sautéed vegetables dominated by zucchini and yellow squash. Both meals were tasty and filling, and the servings were ample—so much so that we had no room for desert.
Service was cordial and attentive. Our water goblets were never empty. The server responded efficiently to requests, cleared away empties unobtrusively, and answered any and all questions we had about both the tavern and the menu. Our meal for two with drinks and gratuity came to $145—expensive but well worth the price in terms of both quality and service, not to mention setting. After all, how often can one dine in the shadow of the Founding Fathers?

Anyone planning a meal at City Tavern during the high season should call ahead for reservations. It is also likely that a high-season meal will not be as quiet and peaceful as was our early spring experience. Regardless of season, it ought to prove a highlight of any visit to Philadelphia’s historic district.

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From journal Finding the Founders

City Tavern

by bschwimmer

long beach, New York

December 12, 2006

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This is a wonderful place. The wait staff dress in late 18th-century uniforms and are polite and friendly. The fare lends itself to period pieces and the dining rooms are tastefully decorated. I had the prime rib which was excellent. Also try their ...Read more

From journal Weekend Getaway in Philadelphia

City Tavern

by rudolf_r_reindeer

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

August 28, 2005

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When I say "American cuisine", I mean "American cuisine." The site of the original City Tavern was the busiest city tavern in Philadelphia, a place where Ben Franklin hung out (his home and business were around the corner). Burned and was rebuilt, ...Read more

From journal Dining in the Philadelphia Area

City Tavern

by zabelle

Portland, Connecticut

June 21, 2005

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Best of IgoUgo Take a step back into Colonial American and taste the cuisine that our forefathers enjoyed. City Tavern has everything going for it, location, history, and atmosphere. Everyone at the restaurant makes you feel like a welcomed guest. Best of ...Read more Take a step back into Colonial American and taste the cuisine that our forefathers enjoyed.

City Tavern has everything going for it, location, history, and atmosphere. Everyone at the restaurant makes you feel like a welcomed guest. Best of all, the food is hearty and satisfying. The original city tavern opened in 1773. It played host to all the major American figures in the War of Independence. The present tavern was reconstructed in the same style as the original.

We arrived for lunch on a Sunday and had no trouble getting a seat without a reservation. I would think that reservations would be a good idea if you expect to have dinner here.

The decor is of a typical colonial tavern, pewter goblets on the wooden tables and chairs in the Windsor style. The lights look like candles, and the wait staff wears period costumes. The menu also reflects the colonial period. If you want game, try the braised rabbit or the medallions of venison. Other period-appropriate choices are turkey potpie, beef pie, and slow-roasted prime rib. We were not interested in quite so heavy a meal. I decided to start with soup. It was a hard choice between West Indies pepperpot, cream of mushroom, and the soup of the day, which was lentil. Feeling adventurous, I chose the pepperpot.

Dave, our waiter, warned me that it would be spicy. I laugh in the face of spicy. It is indeed spicy, made from taro root, collard green, and beef broth. What makes it spicy is the addition of Scotch Bonnet peppers. Savor this soup, as any gulping will take your breath away - delicious, and it clears your sinuses, too.

Irene chose the shrimp and crab salad, and I chose the romaine and Roquefort salad. Both were very good choices. Mine had large chunks of blue veined Roquefort sitting on a bed of romaine with bacon bits and creamy Parmesan dressing. Fabulous! Irene had large shrimp and a pile of crab sitting on a bed of greens served with herb remoulade. To accompany this, we had a basket of bread that included anadama, Sally Lunn, and sweet-potato biscuits. According to the menu, the biscuits were Thomas Jefferson’s favorite. We have to agree that they are very special.

They have some unique drink offerings, as well as a full service bar. I had a Philadelphia Pale Ale

that was very smooth and very complex. It was a little steep at $7.25, but worth every sip

We finished by sharing a star-anise crème brulee.

It was divine and a unique choice of flavoring. I highly recommend a stop here, even if it is just for the ambience. It certainly feels right after visiting Independence Park.

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