INSIDE PHILLY’S HIDDEN TOWN IS A RESTAURANT THAT WILL LEAVE YOU IN AWE

MICA

It was our first night in Chestnut Hill, PA. Strolling down Germantown Avenue, one spot stood out to us. It was Mica, a 4.5 star Zagat rated modern American BYOB restaurant that has world-class cuisine. From the outside it has a warm, small town feel, however, a taste of any of their dishes would rival those of the big apple.

After being seated overlooking the beautiful autumn streets of Germantown Avenue, we had to make the big decision of doing the tasting menu or the traditional a la carte menu. The tasting menu is a 6 course meal that is incredibly diverse. We opted for the a la carte menu this time but we would love to go back and try their tasting menu as all of the dishes blew us away.

The a la carte menu has three sections: snacks, appetizers and entrees. For snacks, we had the Corn & Thyme Cakes with salted butter and the Grilled Sourdough with ham and summer pickles. The Corn & Thyme Cakes were adorable, resembling a mini muffin cupcake. They were a lovely combination of salty and sweet. The Grilled Sourdough was beautifully presented and tasted like a next level ham & cheese gourmet sandwich.

Next, came a surprise dish! Crab Beignets with old bay and mustard. As someone who traditionally does not like shellfish, I was in shock with how much I loved this dish. The crab had a fresh texture and its flavor was highlighted by the mustard infusion.

For appetizers, we choose the Albacore Tuna Tartar with smoked jalapeno & peanut and the Baked Ricotta Gnocchi with pumpkin & pickled pears. By far my favorite dish of the night was the Tuna Tartar. Once again this was gorgeously presented, covered in hand placed carrot slices that resemble flower petals. It was light, refreshing and served in a broth with a hint of cilantro. The Ricotta Gnocchi was warm and savory, an ideal dish for the cold weather.

For entrees, we ordered the Pot Roasted Cauliflower with burgundy truffles & raisins and the Roast Chicken with whipped potatoes & wild mushrooms. The Cauliflower was well seasoned and was substantial on its own. It literally tasted like a vegetarian version of Pot Roast. The Chicken was tender, juicy and cooked to perfection. It was drizzled in balsamic vinegar with creamy, buttery mashed potatoes on the side.

With our bellies full, we were ready to take on the Harry Potter Pub Crawl (a much different experience). We left Mica satisfied and in awe of both the incredible cuisine and service.

When you (I say “when” because you NEED to) visit Chestnut Hill, make sure you check out Mica. With its world-class cuisine, cozy atmosphere, and welcoming staff you will be happy you went.