Tale of the Tape: Adsum

Adsum is opening on Wednesday, July 14th at the corner of 5th and Bainbridge. The neighborhood bistro is the first restaurant owned by chef Matt Levin who was formerly the executive chef at Lacroix, the four-bell awarded restaurant in the Rittenhouse Hotel.

The Space

Pronounced “ahd-SOOM” (it’s Latin for “I am here”) the bistro takes over for Coquette at the corner of 5th and Bainbridge.

• 46 seats inside, 20 additional outside
• Designed by consultant Kelly Becherer and designer Machele Nettles
• Decor is equal parts laboratory and library
• Restaurant outfitted with antique beakers, microscopes, books and typewriters
• Tabletops are made from reclaimed soapstone from a high school science lab
• Eight-foot countertop offers drinking space overlooking Bainbridge

The Food

• Defined as progressive cuisine, “refined interpretations of classic plates.”
• Highlights:
  • Grilled Rock Octopus with black pepper caramel
  • Tater Tots with whiskey, bacon, and green goddess dressing
  • Sautéed Foie Gras with sour cherries and pistachio
  • Wild Salmon with beet relish
  • Short Ribs with bouchot mussels, brown butter Worcestershire
  • Homemade Pierogies with burnt onions, thyme and smoked buttermilk
  • Skate with fried broccoli, capers and Lillet-stewed apricots
  • Fried Chicken fried after 24-hours cooking sous-vide in buttermilk
  • Foie Gras Poutine with brown and foie gras gravies with cheddar cheese curds
• Plates will range in price from $3 to $22.
• Some ingredients will hopefully be sourced from the Southwark/Queen Village Community Garden
• Meal Ticket has the full menu

The Drink

• Bar Manager is Preston Eckman formerly of APO Bar + Lounge.
• Creative cocktails include:
  • A View of Vieux Carre, rye, cognac, spiced red wine reduction, angostura and peychauds bitters
  • Logical Consequence, gin, green tea, dill, fresh lime, honey and splash absinthe
  • Elixir Classique, house made apricot liqueur, blonde aperitif, orange liqueur and rhubarb bitters
  • Unholy Water, blanco tequila, smoked blackberry balsamic syrup, fresh lemon and house made ginger beer
  • Poppy Doble, rum, maraschino, poppy seed, fresh lime, almond and fresh grapefruit
• GM Heather Rodkey selected the wine list
• All wines will be available by the glass, half-bottle or full-bottle
• Beer will be of the craft and imported variety

Adsum
700 S 5th St
267-888-7002
Facebook | Twitter

Hours

• Open 7 days a week 4pm to 2am
• Kitchen open till 1am
• Weekend brunch begins July, 24

More on Adsum

Adsum in pictures [Meal Ticket]
Adsum Staff Tasting [TwitVid]
At Adsum, Chef Matt Levin Aspires to Serve Chicken as Good as Popeye’s [Restaurant Club]
Raw video: A peek at Adsum [The Insider]
Adsum and Speck Tease [f8b8z]
Adsum’s Bar Menu Will Feature Kool-Aid-Pickled Watermelon [Grub Street]
For Adsum Levin Gets Hyperlocal [Grub Street]