Tale of the Tape: The Dandelion

Stephen Starr’s English pub, the Dandelion opened on New Year’s Eve. The  bar is offering authentic British fare in a brilliantly appointed maze of rooms.

The Space

• Occupies two former residences at 18th and Sansom.
• 135-seats
• Architect, Richard Stokes
• Shawn Hausman Design
  • Parc
  • Butcher & Singer
  • Chateau Marmont (Los Angeles)
  • The Standard (Los Angeles)
• Decorative items found during numerous trips to England
• Two levels, five rooms, 2 bars
• Working fireplaces
• Life-size cow overlooks downstairs bar
• Dog Room is decorated exclusively in a dog theme
• Sunroom looks over 18th Street

The Food

• Chef Robert Aikens
  • England native
  • Began his career cooking at Michelin-starred Le Gavroche in London
  • At 22 became the sous chef at The Point Resort, in the Adirondack Mountains
  • Returned to London in 2007 to work alongside his twin brother—the celebrated chef of the Michelin star, eponymous restaurant, Tom Aikens
  • Assisted in the opening of Tom’s Kitchen, a casual, British-style brasserie with European and American influences
• Highlights
• Dinner and Lunch (Dinner Menu)
  • Winter root vegetable soup with local cheddar and buttermilk bread croutons
  • Cumberland sausages with mashed potato and onion gravy
  • Beer battered fish and chips
  • Rabbit pie with cipollini onions, oyster mushrooms and grain mustard
  • Expect a sandwiches section with the likes of hot roast beef on the lunch menu
• Brunch (Coming Soon)
  • Full English Breakfast comprised of two eggs any style, grilled tomato, portobello mushrooms, fried bread, baked beans, smoked bacon, Cumberland sausage and black pudding.
• Tea (3pm to 5pm, Coming Soon)
  • A full selection of English teas offered in portions of 2, 4 or 6 cups.
  • Berkshire pork pate with wheat toast and shallot pear chutney
  • selection of cakes, scones and biscuits served on traditional tiered serving trays
• Pudding (Dessert)
  • Baked ginger Guinness cake
  • Treacle apple & raisin tart
  • Sticky toffee pudding
• Sundays & Bank Holidays family style roasts are available:
  • Roast Rib of Beef with Yorkshire pudding, watercress, roast potatoes, vegetable, beef gravy and horseradish sauce
  • Roast Free-Range Chicken with bread sauce, bacon rolls, roast potatoes, vegetable and gravy

The Drink

• Three rotating casks of beer
  • Served authentically at cellar temperature.
• UK and British style drafts available in 10-ounce glasses and Imperial pints (20-ounces).
• British heavy bottle selection

The Dandelion
124 S 18th St
215-558-2500

More on the Dandelion

• The Dandelion in Pictures [Meal Ticket]
• Sneak peek at Dandelion [Meal Ticket]
• Dandelion’s La Frieda Burger is Iffy, But the Lifesize Cow is a Go [Grub Street]
• Dandelion, Serafina and the Ritz Carlton [Philly Chit Chat]