Will BYOB

Will BYOB
1911 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148 | (215) 271-7683 | http://www.willbyob.com/

Will BYOB is an intimate house-converted-to-restaurant establishment specializing in both authentic classical French cuisine and its modern accouterments. They offer a simple a la carte menu with a special prix fixe menu on Sundays that is four courses. We decided on the tasting menu.

The meal began with a delicious Plowshare Farms Pumpkin Potage. Pumpernickel. Uni Creme, Onion Confiture.  The uni creme is the edible part of the sea urchin and deliciously balances the sweetness of the pumpkin potage.

Burgundian snails glazed with garlic butter in a country ham Dashi emulsion. Steamed cauliflower, truffle of spinach puree, oyster jus. Dashi refers to stock made from fish and kelp, used in Japanese cooking.  Delicious to say the least, and I am not one to be into eating snails.  However, that being considered, I cleared my plate rather quickly...in 1-2 minutes to be exact.

Whole Roasted Hen of the Woods Mushroom, better known as the Japanese name maitake mushroom, which means "dancing mushroom".  Ricotta, Madeira, Petite Herbs. Madeira is a fortified Portuguese wine made in the Madeira Islands.  Served with some edible marigolds. The mushroom tastes fresh and delicious and not chewy like one would expect a mushroom to be.  It was a delight to eat that while I started cautiously, it turned out to be one of the best dishes of the evening.

The meal was interrupted before the main course with a lovely palate cleanser in the form of a mango sherbet. Delicious.

Florida Cobia Sunchokes. Shishito Peppers. Matsutake Mushroom. Red Wine Bouillon. Very similar to tuna. A very diverse fish. Honey miso surrounds the fish. Miso is a fermented rice based sauce. It added just the flavor the dish needed. Again, another home run at Will BYOB.

Crème Fraiche Coffee Cake. Chocolate Cremeux, Greek Yogurt, Red Wine Caramel.

Dessert course 2

Of Note:

Lovely table settings.

Window sill decorations.

French madeleines to go.

A lovely lantern in the bathrooms.

Make sure to bring a bottle of good wine.

Lovely ceiling fan detail.