Staff Blog
MENU EXCLUSIVE: Devil’s Den
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| Sunshine is my destroyer! |
We've got our cloven hooves on the dinner and brunch menus for Devil's Den (1148-1150 S. 11th St.), set to open the first week of February in the former Felicia's. (Appropriately enough, we first mentioned it right around Halloween.)
Though much of the preliminary chatter about the Den has been centered around its burly beer selection, chef Joe Turrisi, late of the Union League, looks like he's poised to cook up some creative gastropub fare that really runs with the theme (see his "sinnach salad," "fiendish fritters," "grilled satan tips" and the "parmesan hell toasts" accompanying the caesar salad).
Elsewhere, GM Mick Hally says he wants the spot to become an accessible brunch destination in an area notorious for two-hour weekend waits. That probably won't be an issue here, as the bilevel space (owned by Scott and Erin Wallace of Manayunk's Old Eagle Tavern) can accommodate over 200.
Look for more in Thursday's Feeding Frenzy.
SANDWICHES
GRILLED BISON BURGER carmelized onions tomato lettuce cheddar swiss 9.50
WET DUCK SANDWICH pulled duck roasted tomato onion mushroom broth 8.50
SMOKED SALMON CLUB apricot mustard cucumber red onion boursin cheese 9.00
HOT BRIE SANDWICH sliced grapes apples pears brie honey mustard drizzle 8.50
PORTABELLO BURGER smoked mozzarella caramelized onion roasted tomato 7.50
SALADS
DEVIL�S GREENS red watercress roasted pears almonds Roquefort roasted tomatoes tossed with an aged balsamic viniagrette 7.00
THE AXE quartered head of iceberg cucumber red onion roasted red beets in a creamy beet dressing 7.50
SINNACH SALAD bay spinach rum soaked raisins spicy pecans red fruit wedges in a champagne vanilla viniagrette 8.00
FIRE ROASTED CAESAR half romaine heart grilled shaved parmesan hell toasts and Lemon anchovy dressing 7.00
HAITIAN VOODOO SALAD mango jicama red pepper frisee 151 rum mojo vinaigrette and flaming rock shrimp 9.50
DINNER MENU
FRENCH ONION SOUP
SOUP DU JOUR
FIENDISH FRITTERS tiger prawns on sugar cane skewers on a garlic chili syrup 8.00
DEVIL CORN DOGS baby lobster tails in a spicy corn batter & chipotle mustard 10.50
UNCLE HO�S HOT STICKS dynamite chicken ginger springrolls & napalm sauce 7.50
LAGER BATTERED PRETZEL CRUSTED CHICKEN FINGERS trio dips 8.50
DRAGON DUMPLINGS pork and vegetable Singapore drizzle 8.00
151 RUM CHICKEN LOLLIPOPS habenero pepper 151 rum and molasses 7.50
DEATH VALLEY NACHOS queso blanco refried black beans Serrano peppers 8.00
MUSSEL MENU
AU SAFFRON shallot garlic saffron white wine herb butter w/frites & aioli 9.50
DIABLO garlic cilantro chorizo chili tequila butter 9.50
AU LAGER roasted garlic herb butter devils den lager 9.50
ENTREES
WASABI STUFFED SAKU TUNA asparagus ginger risotto sweet soy drizzle 23.00
MAINE LOBSTER TAIL & POTATO GNOCCHI saffron broth wilted spinach 20.00
HONEY LAVENDER MAGRET sm bacon quinoa haricot verts tempura 22.00
MANGO BBQ ROCK HEN poblano cheddar mash & garlicky greens 17.00
JAIL ISLAND SALMON �OSCAR� Yukon gold potato leek ragout crab hollandaise 18.00
STEAK AU FRITES A LA BORDELAISE 22.00
JASMINE TEA PORK CHOP sweet potato flan pineapple ginger emulsion 19.00
BEER BRAISED PORK BELLY sauerkraut potatoes Dijon mustard beer broth 18.50
BEEF WELLINGTON sautéed spinach red wine reduction sauce 24.00
GRILLED SATAN TIPS refried black beans cilantro risotto soy mayo 15.00
A LA CARTE VEGETABLES
ASPARAGUS 4.00 HARICOT VERTS 4.00 BLACKBEANS 3.00 RISOTTO 4.00 MASHED POTATO 3.00 SPINACH 3.00
BRUNCH MENU
THE DEVILS FRENCH TOAST vanilla laced brioche stuffed with brandied cherry compote and farmers cheese 10
LUCIFERS EGGS BENEDICT two poached eggs over braised pork belly and topped with a beer infused hollandaise sauce 12
FIENDISH FRITTATA tiger prawns pepper jack cheese scallion potato open faced omellete with devils den hash browns 13
HUEVOS RANCHEROS two sunnyside eggs over refried black beans Serrano peppers and fresh corn tortilla topped with a lime crema 10
PISTACHIO BREAD PUDDING TOAST with brown sugar syrup and whipped butter 9
GRILLED STEAK AND EGGS petite filet mignon and eggs anyway you like with devils den hash browns and red wine reduction 14
FORBIDDEN FLAPJACKS a short stack of home made mango pancakes drizzled with passion fruit syrup 12
Wowww. A menu exclusive. WGAS?
I hope that was really worth your time, Fred.
Took me less time to give my opinion than it did this guy to retype or even cut-and-paste a menu from a bar that won’t open for a month.
What a strange barometer for what is worth one’s time.
And it probably took anybody who saw these comments less time to realize you really need to find some new diversions, Fred.
I just want to know why they don’t have Meatloaf on the menu.
to the beerbloggers of philly please be generous with all of your comments the more press i get the better
philly welcomes great beer bars
[...] Menu Exclusive: Devil’s Den [City Paper] Devil’s Alley [Official Site] Read More:Devils Alley, Devils Den, Menu [...]
i give this place three months tops. first floor dinning seats about 10 tops, good luck on that. no parking so there hoping on locals which with these prices its a one time deal there. the menu does look good but as you can see no prices there, by the way if you like spending 10$ on a beer then thats your place. well time will tell but remember i was the first to say going under..
so is this place ever going to open???????????? maybe next year.
The Devil’s Den will do very well if it takes into account the nearby and steadily increasing population of families with young children in the surrounding neighborhoods. Parents like myself, would still like to go out for a tasty beer and a simple,but affordable meal with kids in tow. This menu preview sounds interesting, but the offerings are too complex and heavy for regular dining, not to mention many are booze laden! The local audience is sophisticated, but simpler fare would yield more repeat business. I would also encourage them to expand their more moderately priced offerings, keep them in the $8 to 12 range and you will develop a loyal following of folks that are looking for a second home.
Attracting families will provide steadier business. We will show up early for brunch and dinner when business can be slow. We can fill in those gaps and clear out before the night time crowd.
I’m certain the chef can come up with a kids menu that will provide options to attract a stroller pushing crowd. We are not looking for a chuck e cheese, our kids don’t need a traditional chicken finger, french fry kids menu. In fact, there is also a large vegan and vegetarian crowd here too. So, keeping them in mind will also make more friends.
We are hip, urban families. We went out to pubs before we had kids, and our tastes have not changed. We are not looking for a family restaurant, just one that we can bring our family to. Our kids are well behaved in this setting, they have grown up dining out, as this is one of the pleasures of living in a city.
Hopefully The Devil’s Den has already considered this population.
We hop in the car with kids to go to Standard Tap, Honey’s, and Cafe Estelle for brunch and dinner with friends. We walk to P.O.P.E (Pub on Passyunk East, South Philly Tap Room, The Cantina. There are lots of people with kids here looking for a fresher approach than Sabrina’s and Morning Glory.
We will walk to the Devil’s Den, too if it can become a neighborhood haunt that can contribute to the strong sense of community that exists here. We look forward to it’s opening with great anticipation.
well we will see if this is a place for kids. i think no bar is a place for kids (devils den). the prices are going to be high so they can stay open. they will do good for a month and then done, trust me…
i agree that bar=no kids. not trying to start a flame war but i’m really tired of the breeders thinking that everywhere needs to bow down and cater to them and their spawn. friday evenings, i want to kick back with my friends and a beer and not have to listen to a kid having a meltdown next to me (it’s happened SO MANY TIMES), or not be able to navigate a bar because it’s choked with humvee-sized strollers. and should my husband and i ever accidentally have children, we’ll admit to ourselves that it’s time to stay in for a while, instead of trying to prove to ourselves that we’re ‘hip’ because we still go out and give our kids ironic haircuts.
I thought there were more young professionals moving here and other twenty somethings. Thats who I see anyways. And its not like you’re paying ten bucks for bud light, you’re paying for quality, craft brews. Plus who wants a boring menu??? That doesnt even make any sense. I can’t believe there are people out there who actually fear change that badly. Live a little people, try something new. Who knows, you might actually enjoy yourself.
a couple vegan/vegetarian selections would be nice. the portabello burger is a good start (but i dont like mushrooms)
Cool spot! Lots of good beers to try. Kinda disappointed that I couldn’t find my favorite beer here though. How about some Sam Adams guys!
to neighborhoodmom just can t wait to see it open and i m sure their trying to cater to everyone in the city not just the neighborhood moms .
I agree with wonderful electric, that we need an adult retreat to hang out with our friends after a busy day. Try interesting and wonderful food, great new beer selections, which will be fun matching up the food choices. I don’t think you can get those choice at the diner where meat loaf and chicken nuggets. This place will be a wonderful new and pleasant change from the same old, same old. I think the neighborhood should welcome a adult gathering place for good food and fun beer choices.
I am glad there are places that don’t cater to families with children. Some of us want to eat in piece and no have to watch our language. Personally I am very offended by these hip urban parents who bring their children out, only to let them run around lose in places or yell and shreik for hourd while mom and dad tones them out. Hurray for child free bars and restauarants!!!
To Elizabeth - FYI, my 3 year old can spell better than you. To all of those who are worried about us “breeders” and “hipster parents” who may potentially dine next to you with our hellion offspring, let me offer this: We eat early and leave early, so we can responsibly put our kids to bed and then get drunk in the comfort of our own homes. Before Los Caballitos became the wannabe hipster hangout it is, we brought both of our kids there - EARLY - where they could stuff themselves with guacamole, rock out to the jukebox, and not bother anyone while we had a margarita. It sounds like you should stick to Finn McCools or the Irish Pub - probably more your style, and certainly no strollers there impeding your way to the bar.
news flash for all the moms and people waiting, this place is not going to open. maybe like i said in my last comment next year.
According to the Beer Lass, looks like they’ll opening next week.
http://www.beerlass.com/2008/03/hell-hath-no-fury-like-woman.html
interesting to see how much controversy one lil neighborhood bar has wrought. scott wallace is a nice guy who loves good beer, and joe turrisi’s menu looks tasty as hell- lobster corn dogs, come on. good points though- keeping the menu selections below the $15 range and having ample veggie choices are a smart move in this neighborhood. if you can cleave to those comments you might have royal-tavern-like success on your cloven hooves.
This place is going to be an excellent addition to an already growing community. The owners are wonderful people and are looking forward to putting out quality products with reasonable prices (plus, BEER BEER BEER!). For the people who are already knocking the place…you don’t have to go, it’s really that simple (however, I would give it a shot). I bartend in the city and I live in south Philly and I can’t wait for this place to open. The Cantina is a cool spot (not always my cup of tea, with the hipsters and all), but we need a little diversity here. The Devil’s Den isn’t going to be just a beer bar, they are going to have good food, and from what I’ve heard they are looking to make the place a music venue as well.
Hopefully all people will show up and try this place. I am sure that they will appreciate feedback in their growing stages so give them a chance and don’t forget to tip your bartender
To those family haters: get a life. All of us together make a great city and neighborhood.
As to the Devil’s Den, can’t wait for it to open. It should be a great addition to our neighborhood. I personally have waited 8 years for a place like this.
I wanted a place like this before I had kids, and I am certainly going to go with and without my kids (depending on time and situation.)
Pubs have always been a gathering place for the community.
wonderful electric, my kid gives herself her own ironic haircuts.
i think that it is clear that this place is going to be much more than a bar, characterizing it as such would be an insult to the chef’s inventive pairings of food with beer and other worthy alcoholic additions.
a savvy restaurant owner would not seek to exclude a population that is eager to appreciate the type of food and atmosphere that the Devil’s Den put so much thought into.
can’t we all eat together in peace?
I think the place is great…nice atmosphere, great beers (and not $10!) but I do think it’s a bit too pricy. My first experience there was Friday night and the service was slow - 20 minutes to get a beer at our table. The food was good, but tuna and burgers not cooked to the right temperature. Hopefully these kinks will be worked out soon. We’ll definitely be consistent customers at the bar, but food prices will need to go down in order to frequent the restaurant.
On my way to Devil’s Den for a beer now. See ya! And good luck Scott.
really enjoyed the friendly atmosphere. we too had slow service, but with apologies. we would love to see the menu balanced with more moderately priced choices. more sandwiches and salads and appetizers please! that way we can stop in more often (and afford more yummy beers!)
Go for the beer only!!!Everything else is awful.
ordered a bottle of red wine, it was chilled
ordered Tanquerey gin, got something else $12. a shot
Nachos looked and tasted like dog food, wings were soggy, forgot to put the brie in the brie sandwich,
The tab was incorrect and my card charged twice.
Only the devil would think this food or service is good!!!
It’s a shame, nice look to the place and lots of money spent on remodeling, get a real chef!!
Go for the Beer and the food, I like to say that I’ve been to this wonderfull place three times since it opened. I had the Hot Brie Sandwich and it was wonderful. The beer that I had was a great. The second time, I had the Devil’s greens watercress salad and Jasmine tea pork chop-sweet potato dish. This was outstanding. I don’t eat nachos, so I could’t comment about that. When we go out for dinner we like to have dinner not a snack. The service could have been a little faster but the atmosphere and the excellant choices in beers makes for a fun and interesting new dinning spot. Just think if they add a music venue to this hot new addition in our town. We are looking forward to trying a new entree every time we go. Maybe Grilled Satan Tips-black beans and cilantro. Or maybe we’ll try brunch, Lucifers eggs benedict, sounds good to me. We should know that a new place has some bumps in the beginning but this will work out. I’m willing to give it a chance since I just love what they did to the place.
I’ll ben waiting for some newspaper article, and finaly got it, but, wat i wrote don’t like me, and i think is to price.Es una lastima, porque el lugar me parece atractivo , buena decoracion, el ambiente parece bueno desde afuera,para terminar, parece que tendre que probarlo para saber si es bueno o no.
so is this place slow like i thought it would be?? anyone no??
its been more then a month. its crowded. every weekend night. so much for “the man”’s theory.
well when i drive by it looks like nothing is going on. plus the menu has been trashed, whats up with that?
WE MISS JOE TURRISI’S 7 PEPPER WINGS
Everyone thought this would be a neat place but not so. Not so crowded either, since I heard the Health Dept. keeps checking things out.
Jeanne,
For the record, and this can be verified with the health department, we have had no issues with the health department. We have had several visits from all city and state agencies due to unsubstantiated complaints by one neighbor, who persisted with the same complaints about the previous owners of the property. We have been found to be fully compliant, legal and free from any violations from any agency. I have no problem if you don’t like the place. We take a lot of time, and great pride in the cleanliness of our facility. So please refrain from damming statements that are just plain false.
Craig LaBan was right about the food to be inconsistent, the mussels were under cooked and thats not a good thing.
[...] Miglino, who recently sold his Felicia’s Restaurant to the Devil’s Den people, tells us that he’ll be back in the game before long with Sticks & Stones (1909 E. [...]