Normally we shy away from outdoor dining whenever possible because the hustle and bustle of foot traffic in Philly isn’t really conducive to a relaxed dining experience.
That’s not an issue in New Hope, where the bucolic splendor of the surroundings, friendly foot traffic and spaces well equipped for the task at hand make dining outdoors the preferred choice for most who visit the restaurants along their afternoon and evening strolls.
Nikolas, 10 W. Ferry St., the new Mediterranean restaurant located at the Logan Inn, is quickly becoming a favorite among locals and visitors alike and it’s easy to see why. Their outdoor space is elegant and stylish. New Hope, pretty as it is, is never going to pass for Greece, but this is as close as it is going to get.
The dishes we tried were stunning to look at and tasted even better than they looked. The chef’s special the day we visited was a grilled Greek cheese ($10), wedges of cheese dressed with lemon and olive oil and accompanied by a well-composed eggplant salad for a wonderfully light and summery dish. They would be wise to permanently add this dish to the menu. Another favorite was the seared octopus ($16), which was perfectly cooked and had the added brightness and complex flavors of mango, a balsamic reduction and a nice tomato salad.
Down the street a ways is Havana, 105 S. Main St., a place more suited for letting one’s hair down and experiencing some live entertainment. To that end, Havana’s menu boasts an arsenal of Caribbean and American comfort dishes with enough of a visual flare for people at nearby tables to constantly point and ask, “What is that?”
You might want to leave room for the crazy number of different mojitos and martinis Havana has on its menu, so keep it simple. The Havana Homemade Guacamole ($9) is bright, abundantly plentiful and hits all the right spots. Other dishes begging to be tried, and enjoyed, include the massive sesame onion rings ($14.50), the Ahi tuna tartare tostada ($16) and the excellent Cuban Panini ($12).
The colorful cantina atmosphere of Havana is almost the polar opposite of the calm vibe at Nikolas, but both eateries were equally enjoyable and should be visited if you happen to be enjoying a day in New Hope.
