The White Dog Cafe

The White Dog Cafe
3420 Sansom St, Philadelphia, PA 19104 (215) 386-9224
http://www.whitedog.com/

The White Dog Cafe was founded in 1983 by Judy Wicks who focused on sustainability, humanitarian efforts, organic everything, fair trade, fair wages etc.  If you are environmentally or socially active, this is your type of restaurant. There are three White Dog locations, the University City location here is the original location, which started as three Victorian brownstone buildings that served muffins and coffee. The other locations are in Wayne and the Main Line.

Upon entering the premises, one can appreciate the "dog" tag (no pun intended) in the restaurant name.  There are pictures of dogs everywhere.  The above panel is featured just off the corner of the rectangular bar area. Well lit with beautiful incandescent lamps, the bar at once has an immediately cozy feel.

I'd be doing this restaurant an injustice if I didn't stop and admire the unique lighting fixtures. Just gorgeous. But, you're all here for the food, and so, here it is:

Standard bread service to start the evening.

KENNETT SQUARE MUSHROOM SOUP Truffle Crème Fraîche, Snipped Chives 9. Not a bad start to the meal.

KALE & STRAWBERRIES Cieligiene Mozzarella, Toasted Hazelnuts, Rhubarb Lemon Vinaigrette 13.  This was a healthy start to a meal, and not too big a portion so I still had room for my entree.

My entree was the special of the night, a fish filet with tomatoes, onion and vinaigrette  Very tasty indeed.

GREEN MEADOW FARM 8oz FILET Shellbark Hollow Goat Cheese Mashed Potatoes, Haricot Vert,Truffle Butter, Saba 38.

Of Note:

Even the menus were embossed with dog carvings.

I will say the decor here was pretty amazing.  This is the view adjacent to our table.  Instead of a wall, we had stacked barrels used to age wine.

A better view of the wine barrels.

Only at White Dog would there be dog portraits on the walls.

Yes, the stairs are labeled with dog breeds as well.

Some very cool chandeliers in the basement.

Some very cool decorations above the server's station in the basement.

Main dining area with more doggie portraits and mounted dogs on the walls.

Server station on the main level.

I know I keep coming back to the light fixtures...but whoa!