January 28, 2010
Half lobster atop pasta & red sauce, salad, and dessert at London Grill... all for under $20
Fairmount’s London Grill combines the atmosphere of a neighborhood pub with a fine dining experience. For a limited time, with reservations, the restaurant is offering all guests a three-course “Surf or Turf” special for $18.95. I stopped in with a friend last week to try out the new menu, and left impressed.
Commenced with fresh salad served alongside house-made focaccia and olive oil, completed with a delicious chocolate mousse, diners have two options for main entrees. The petite filet, served with scalloped potatoes and spinach, or the half lobster, served atop pasta and red sauce. Wines specifically chosen to be paired with the dishes are also available for $5 a glass.
If the special doesn’t pique your interest, the restaurant has a variety of dishes for any diner. With a creative menu that changes daily, London Grill has a focus on fresh and local ingredients to bring about dishes from Seared Duck Breast (fregola sarda, butternut squash, apple chutney, tangerine sauce) to BBQ Pork (with collared greens, mac and cheese).
Beyond the restaurant, the bar offers a robust selection of imported and domestic drafts and bottles, from the local offerings of breweries such as Victory, Stoudts and Dogfish Head to lagers, ales and porters from England’s Sam Smith or France’s Kronenbourg Brewery. In addition, there is also an extensive list of cocktails and wine.
All in all, London Grill was a multitude of pleasant experiences under one roof. It’s the venue for both a cozy dinner date or for sitting at the bar for drinks and watching a game, whilst satisfying late-night cravings.
London Grill
2301 Fairmount Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19130
(215) 978-4545
www.londongrill.com
Twitter: @LondonGrill
January 11, 2010
Starting today, Fairmount’s London Grill is offering up a special $18.95 Meal Deal.
Initially created as a thank-you for frequent diners, the London Grill has now opened up this deal to all patrons for a limited time, now through February 8th.
The Meal Deal offers up two tasty entree options; fresh Maine lobster or a filet of beef. The deals are offered during dinner hours, every night.
London Grill
2301 Fairmount Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19130
(215) 978-4545
www.londongrill.com
June 25, 2009
Photo by L. Wuillermin for GPTMC
July 4th may be the premier independence celebration around these parts, but local Francophiles can get their fix of pride at Fairmount’s annual Bastille Day festival. This year’s fete will take place July 9-12, and, as in years past, the whole neighborhood will be involved.
The celebration begins on Thursday night with a Fairmount bar crawl featuring Kronenbourg 1664, the best-selling beer in France. On Friday, have a Gallic dinner at a local restaurant and then take the family to see a French-themed movie at Friends of Eastern State Penitentiary Park (the grassy area bordering ESP). Then make sure you get a good night’s sleep for the main event on Saturday.
The Bastille Day Street Festival on Fairmount Avenue will be full of activities: a costumed pet parade (good luck getting your dog to wear a beret), a tricycle Tour de France, cheese samples, a tent dedicated to French wine tips. Be sure to head back to ESP by 5:30pm for a recreation of the storming of the Bastille with a local cast. Marie Antoinette will be played by London Grill owner Terry McNally, the Bastille by Eastern State Pennitentiary, and the cake (of “Let them eat cake”) by, of course, Tastykake. Two thousand of the famous local snack packages will be flung from the prison’s towers as the festival’s climax.
On Sunday, several Fairmount restaurants will finish off the festival by offering a French champagne brunch. What better way to honor French Independence Day than with a champagne-fueled weekend of joie de vivre?
Fairmount Bastille Day
July 9-12. 2009
www.fairmountbastilleday.com
www.easternstate.org
June 12, 2009
Nothing says ‘I love you, Dad’ like 3.1 miles. Am I right? This father’s day, partake in the 7th Annual Run 4 Your Life… Beat Prostate Cancer 5K run, 5K walk, or 1 mile fun walk. This is the second year my dad and I are running the race, and my big sister is even joining us this time! It’s a nice event to participate in, especially if you run it with or for your father.
Each year the run unites prostate cancer survivors, their families, medical practitioners, supporters, and simply runners in the fight against the disease (like my dad & I). At the 2007 race, we got to meet Gary Papa and Vince Papale, both survivors.
The race starts and finishes near the steps of the Art Museum. If you’re feeling energetic after the run, race your dad up the steps Rocky-style. If not, take him out to a nice brunch in the Art Museum area instead, like at London Grill or Bishop’s Collar.
A $25 race registration fee benefits the Foundation for Breast and Prostate Health that works to help advance awareness and research. Hope to see you there!
Run 4 Your Life 5K
June 21st, 2009 @ 8:30AM
www.run4yourlife.org
August 27, 2008
London isn’t necessarily known for its lobster. But Fairmount’s London Grill (2301 Fairmount Ave.) has got an August special that hopes to change your mind about that. For the month of August, London offered up special prices on a host of lobster dishes, from Lobster Bisque ($7) to a Whole Lobster Dinner ($26).
We stopped in before the dinner rush to try a few of these cheap crustacean dinners Thursday night. I went for the whole lobster “” a 1 ½ pound lobster, baked with corn on the cob, potatoes and warm delicious butter. The lobster was cooked well, though the tail was a little tough, which is common when baking a whole lobster. The potatoes and corn were a great summer addition and complimented the sweet, buttery claw meat. Washing it down with London’s own Willie Sutton Ale didn’t hurt, either.
My dining cohort went for the Lobster Bake ($18) “” half a lobster with chorizo, clams, corn and potatoes. While she jealously eyed my whole lobster, I snuck a taste of her perfectly-cooked clams. The chorizo didn’t add much for me, but it obviously didn’t take anything away, either.
London is having fun with this promotion. Lobster accessories like our wet naps and crackers came in sand castle buckets and the lobster bake would have fit in well at a cookout. Your best bet is to try and get the lobster when the kitchen is in full swing and cranking them out. It’s also probably a good idea to sit inside to keep a handle on renegade shells, even though London’s generous outdoor seating will tempt you. If you’re a die-hard lobster fan, it’s worth checking out some of London’s more creative combinations. If you’re just looking for a great summertime meal, London’s got your seafood, and drink, covered.
London Grill
2301 Fairmount Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19130
(215) 978-4545
www.londongrill.com
