Philadelphia Gay News - October, 1979
“Culinary Comments”
Though there are now many attractive restaurants in Center City Philadelphia, I would list Johnny Aiello’s Caffé sud among the top two in the consistency and beauty of its décor. The theme opens with the beckoning, dimly lit purple neon lit window through which can be glimpsed the beautifully scribed menu and the bar with its enormous eagle-surmounted espresso urn.The interior is filled with a mixture of original photographs, a few plants in a curved wooden planter and small tables with attractive ice cream parlor-style chairs. A few beautiful and eclectic antique collectables grace the available spaces by the walls and planter and the walls are starkly black. Silverware and glassware are equally attractive.
Our pheasant pate was attractive and very good, with a mild flavor, and was served with firm, fragrant black bread and quite exceptional black olives, from Italy no doubt. The quiche was two good-sized pieces in an unusual rectangular shape and had the pleasing texture and taste of crumbly cheese and a rich egg custard base.
Shrimp scampi was beautiful to look at and delicious to taste. The appearance was enhanced by leaving the tails unshelled on the shrimp, and the taste was rich with garlic butter. It was served over al dente Italian rice. The special of the day was a fine fish mousse with a clear flavor of fresh fish and butter set off by a tinge of vinegar tartness.
The house salad was large and enjoyable and included both romaine and bib lettuce mixed with tomatoes, rounds of Bermuda onion, a taste of Italian tuna and a good vinegar-and-oil dressing. Most dishes are also accompanied by marvelous wrinkled black olives band fresh warm Armenian pita bread.
Labels: Caffé sud
