Dining: White Dog Cafe

Last week my husband and I celebrated our 3 year anniversary! Our usual way of celebrating is going out to enjoy a nice dinner. Our interested was peeked when we checked out the menu for the White Dog Cafe. They have three locations: University City, Wayne, and Haverford, PA. We decided on University City since it's not that far from home and parking is usually easy to find.

The restaurant has a strong theme of nothing else, but dogs and no detail is left unturned. From doorknobs to lampshades their love for dogs is everywhere. Each room is different and well decorated, so try to take a peek into every room, if you go. The setting is intimate and cozy, a great place for a date, a night of conversations over wine and food or a meet up spot for happy hour after work.

Their fall dinner menu has a great variety of entrees to choose from, especially our personal favorite, seafood. There was more than one option we wanted to try, so naturally, we had to return for a second trip with our family that same week! The following are a few dishes I would definitely recommend.

First, let me start by saying, The White Dog Cafe prides themselves on being one of the first farm to table restaurants in Philadelphia, so everything is local, fresh, and made to order. I started things off with a seasonal cocktail like the Pear Pressure. It's a smooth martini with just the perfect amount of fresh pear puree.

While waiting for our appetizer, we noshed on the hot, fresh locally sourced bread from Metropolitan Bakery and the most amazing spread you'll ever taste made with honey butter and sea salt.

Since the Fall season has set in, I thought soup would be appropriate appetizer. I was torn between the Pumpkin and Mushroom soup, so I got both. The first night I got the mushroom (pictured above) which was very tasty, warm and velvety smooth. The second night I ordered the pumpkin, which was equally as good. I was surprised that it was a hot soup because usually most pumpkin soup, that I've tried, are slightly chilled, but this was amazing! It even had bits of pear and pumpkin seeds.

My husband had the mussels bathed in a white wine broth that'll have you requesting more bread to sop it. The mussels were so tender and well cooked.

For the main course, I ordered the Rainbow Trout. Every bite was like a dream. The combination of the trout with the brussels sprouts, probably the best I've ever tasted, and a cauliflower puree. The puree was mind-blowing, I promise, if you're not a fan of cauliflower, they way this was prepared will change everything. Night #2 I stuck with seafood and decided on the Curried Catfish with shrimp, pancakes and bok choy, again everything was very tasty and left me wanting me.

Hubby changed up from his love of seafood and went with the Spicy Lamb Bolognese. He really loved the smoked flavor and how every ingredient complimented each other.

At the end of the meal, they brought out The Chocolate Haze, a sweet dessert for us to share, even though I ate most of it. It consisted of a chocolate hazelnut mousse cake, espresso creme brûlée, and a creamy buttermilk ice cream. How cute are the chocolate dog paws btw.

Overall both visits were truly amazing from the food to the atmosphere and the impeccable service. This is definitely one of my top places because no matter if you're a vegan or steak lover, love trying something different or want to stick to something classic like a burger, there's something for everyone. If you're in one of the three areas, stop in for brunch, lunch, dinner or even happy hour!