The Museum of the American Revolution has finally opened in Philadelphia, and with it comes a brand-new eatery, too—the museum’s Cross Keys Café. Local restaurants and breweries are getting into the spirit of Philadelphia’s historic roots and welcoming the museum to the neighborhood with creative themed dishes and discounts for museum ticket-holders.
Cross Keys Café
The museum’s Cross Keys Café, named for an eighteenth-century tavern that previously stood nearby, offers Revolutionary fare in a colonial-inspired setting with red Windsor chairs and Revolution-themed imagery. Managed by the museum’s exclusive caterer Brûlée Catering, the café features indoor and seasonal outdoor seating on the terrace with a view of Hamilton’s First Bank of the United States and Independence National Historical Park. Cross Keys Café will offer grab-and-go salads and sandwiches, as well as items that pay tribute to the colonial era, such as Philadelphia Snapper Soup, Potted Smoked Trout, Chicken Pot Pie and Tun Tavern Bread Pudding. Patrons can enter the café directly from Third Street, with no museum ticket purchase necessary. Brûlée Catering also offers Revolutionary Era-inspired catering in the Museum’s elegant event space, Liberty Hall, as well as customized menus for groups. 101 S. 3rd St., (215) 309-8791
The Little Lion
With an Alexander Hamilton-inspired name and colonial era décor, The Little Lion restaurant is the perfect complement to its new neighbor. In honor of the museum’s opening, the restaurant has added a new entrée to its menu: the “Hamilton Steak” special. The entrée, based on research into Hamilton’s favorite foods, will be marinated and grilled, served with pickled red onions and green tomatoes, along with an herbed butter compote. The restaurant is also announcing new hours of operation to coincide with the museum’s opening, beginning with a continental breakfast buffet from 8–11 a.m. seven days a week. 243 Chestnut St., (267) 273-0688
Capofitto
Located directly across Chestnut Street from the museum, Capofitto Pizzeria and Gelataria created a new Revolutionary-flavored gelato especially for the museum based on Martha Washington’s “Great Cake” recipe. The treat has a cream base with sherry, candied currants, orange and lemon zest. Capofitto unveiled the gelato to guests at the museum’s 285th birthday celebration for George Washington in February. It will be available on a rotating basis at all Capogiro/Capofitto locations. 233 Chestnut St., (215) 897-9999
City Tavern
Operated by chef Walter Staib, host and creator of the national television series A Taste of History, City Tavern is a grand restaurant originally opened in 1773 and was host to the first Fourth of July Celebration in 1777. Located just steps away from the museum, City Tavern boasts three floors of dining, staff adorned in historically accurate attire, a large garden area and, of course, authentic eighteenth-century Philadelphia fare. The restaurant offers the famous West Indies Pepperpot Soup served by Washington to his troops before their Delaware River crossing, Martha Washington’s Turkey Pot Pie, The Ales of the Revolution made by Yards Brewing, fresh bread and desserts baked daily and much more. In honor of the Museum, City Tavern will provide a complimentary toast of Madeira for diners with a ticket stub from the museum. Madeira was enjoyed by our Founding Fathers and is the perfect way to end your meal at City Tavern. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner daily starting at 11:30 a.m. City Tavern’s Chef Staib also serves as a historical consultant to the museum’s Brûlée Catering. 138 S. 2nd St., (215) 413-1443
Shane Confectionery
Shane Confectionery, the candy shop owned by the Berley Brothers, will offer several Revolution-inspired items in honor of the Museum’s opening:
- Christopher Ludwick Gingerbread Cookies: Baked using a replica of German-born Philadelphia baker Christopher Ludwick’s cookie board, which is in the museum’s collection, the cookies will be sold at the Confectionery as well as in the museum’s gift shop. Ludwick made invaluable contributions to American Independence during the Revolutionary War and was appointed by General Washington as Superintendent of Bakers for the Continental Army. Nearly 250 years later, on the same Old City block that Ludwick got his start, Shane Confectionery has begun baking these traditional gingerbread cookies in his honor.
- Thomas Jefferson’s Chocolate Nightcap: Now available at Shane Confectionery—both ready for consumption and in a make-at-home jar —Thomas Jefferson’s Chocolate Nightcap will be served in the museum’s café seasonally. Thomas Jefferson was known to enjoy a cup of chocolate in the evening, sometimes spiked with a dram of brandy. The drinking chocolate is based on Jefferson’s own recipe.
- Benjamin Jackson Chocolate Bar: In 1756, Benjamin Jackson sold chocolate from his shop in Letitia Court. Today, Shane Confectionery continues this tradition on the very same block, roasting and grinding cacao to reproduce the flavor and texture consistent with eighteenth-century ingredients and milling. Each 70 percent chocolate bar is molded to resemble the etched design that adorned Jackson’s early advertisement. It too will be available at Shane Confectionery. 110 Market St., (215) 922-1048
The Franklin Fountain
The Franklin Fountain ice cream parlor and soda fountain, also owned by the Berley Brothers, is a living museum in its own right. The Franklin Fountain is selling single servings of pre-packaged ice cream in the museum’s Cross Keys Cafe. Flavors include Washington Vanilla, Jefferson Chocolate and Creme de Lafayette (French Vanilla with Raspberry and Blueberry compote). 116 Market St., (215) 627-1899
2nd Story Brewing Co.
Old City brewery and restaurant 2nd Story Brewing Co. collaborated with museum curator Mark Turdo, who has a wealth of knowledge about historic fermented beverages, to create Drinker’s Table Beer, featuring brown malt, flaked oats and a portion of smoked malt in the grist. The historically inspired beer is named after the Drinker family of Philadelphia, who brewed table beer for themselves and their guests. Drinker’s Table Beer is currently available at 2nd Story Brewing Co. 117 Chestnut St., (267) 314-5770
Revolution Diner
Located across Chestnut Street from the Museum, Revolution Diner reopened to the public this month. The diner, now open from 7 a.m.–11 p.m., features a Revolution-themed menu with items such as Revolution Wings, the Colonial B.L.T. Burger and the Americano Burger with American cheese, pickles and onions all wrapped up in pizza dough. 239 Chestnut St., (215) 238-6900
Art in the Age
The Art in the Age Tasting Room and Home Bar Supply in Old City is the workshop and testing ground for Quaker City Mercantile and the only place to taste the company’s newest innovations. Art in the Age is a one-stop-shop for the home bartender. The shop stocks bar tools, mixers, bitters and glassware. They also offer educational workshops, tastings and home mixology training. Art in the Age will offer a 20 percent discount on any branded merchandise, including the George Washington mug that is a reproduction of the original that is housed at the museum, to any museum ticket-holders. 116 N. 3rd St., (215) 922-2600
- Cross Keys Cafe photo: Cross Keys Cafe
- City Tavern photo: Jeff Fusco
- George Washington mug photo: Art in the Age
- Hamilton steak featured photo: The Little Lion
