On a very short trip to Philly I checked to see if I could get a table at our all-time favorite, Vernick Food & Drink on short notice & lucked out! 
We’ve been going there since they first opened in 2012, and have never had a bad or even mediocre meal. Their blue crab toast is the stuff of legends, and the various crudi and small plates are always fantastic 
We started with an aperitif each, a Starless Sky (cognac, plum wine, Campari — their twist on a Negroni) for me, and The Perfect Crime (Jamaican rum, rye, a healthy amount of angostura bitters, lemon, pecan orgeat) for my boo.
I had a couple of Ford’s martinis with the meal, my PIC a Hendricks martini & a glass of Tempranillo to go with the final course.
After the customary soup shooter amuse — this time potato leek with parsley oil —
we shared the blue crab toast, of course, which was just as good as it was 13 years ago when we first sunk our teeth into that heavenly hunka grilled sourdough, abundant with crab meat and lightly seasoned with lemon aioli and tarragon,
plus a red snapper ceviche with mango, coconut, and cilantro. The ceviche was dreamy & had a distinct heat kick to it 
Next up the night’s special small plate: seared scallops atop fregola sarda, ‘wilted’ arugula, and asparagus puree. Also very good.
I was pretty stuffed at this point & almost dreaded the roasted half chicken still to come, but I powered through: juicy, flavorful Amish chicken with grilled gem lettuce and peppers.
Despite practically having zero real estate left in our tummies, we shared the petit financier with hazelnut mousse and honey-rosemary ice cream. Amazing combo.
Nightcaps were a Night, Night, Josephine (rum, banana liqueur, mole bitters) pour moi, and a Yellow Brick Road (lemon, vanilla liqueur, egg white) for my PIC.
Service is always outstanding, friendly and professional.
