The same creative talents that brought Philly the visual wonder that is Double Knot have opened another restaurant, Harp & Crown, that is sure to be another must-see in the city’s culinary scene.
Harp & Crown has a similar Victorian/steampunk aesthetic as Double Knot but instead of the dark, subterranean, pirate lair vibe, Harp & Crown has a brighter, spacious and jazzy feel; think of it as an industrial “Moulin Rouge” or “The Great Gatsby,” even when you enter into the basement bar/lounge area with a two-lane bowling alley called Elbow Lane.
Yes, they have a bowling alley downstairs, and we definitely want to get a group outing together at some point.
The menu at Harp & Crown focuses on New-American comfort dishes to complement its cocktails.
The small-dishes menu features a lot of pleasant surprises. The lamb meatballs ($13) start off familiar but the slight sweetness of the flavor profile kicks in soon after, thanks to the date relish and mint with which it is garnished. The long-neck clams ($13) were nicely done, bathed in a potent lobster broth. The Spanish octopus was tender and bright with smoky notes and a plethora of garden flavors rounding out the dish.
Harp & Crown’s pizza game is solid too, especially the spicy soppressata ($15), which is the perfectly thin and crispy cousin of a pepperoni pizza.
The big plates have a modern yet classic feel. The hangar steak ($23) was perfectly done, seasoned and dressed with a light and flavorful lime butter and spicy charred shishito peppers.
Harp & Crown might make your eyes and ears feel like they’ve traveled back in time, but its menu will win over the rest of your senses with its modern takes on comfort food and drinks.