Decide a staycation is the best plan for the summer?
Well, a couple of restaurants are offering new summer menus to bring exotic vacation spots right here.
Positano Coast
Positano Coast by Aldo Lamberti , 212 Walnut St., 2nd Floor, Philadelphia, presents the return of their annual summertime tradition, offering a two-course lunch for $25 or a three-course dinner for $45.
The Old City gem transports diners to the streets of Southern Italy and the Amalfi Coast with a tasting menu specially priced for the summer. Think of this as the restaurant’s own personal restaurant week for summer with top hits by the famous restaurateur mixed with some new offerings.
Whether you have dined at Positano before or are new, there’s something for everyone this summer.
Get the feeling of Southern Italy at Positano Coast by Aldo Lamberti, (Vince Carey / MediaNews Group)
The lunch menu includes a first course of arancini, tomato gazpacho, caprese, blackberry and feta salad or zucchini fritti.
For a lunch main course, pick from chicken milanese with a panko herb crust, rigatoni in a spicy vodka sauce, trofie in pesto with burrata, eggplant parmigiana, vedure sandwich or positano burger with applewood smoked bacon.
The three-course dinner can begin with crab tacos, tomato gazpacho, lamb sliders, caprese, chef’s daily crudo, blackberry & feta salad or spicy calamari. The main course is a choice of chicken milanese, rigatoni, trofie, red snapper, eggplant parmigiana, bone-in veal chop parmigiana or a pan-seared pork chop. Dessert can include tiramisu, cheesecake, sorbet or gelato.
Mamajuana Cafe Philly offers a quick trip to the Caribbean without leaving the region. (VINCE CAREY – DAILY TIMES)
Mamajuana Cafe
A quick trip to the Caribbean can also be a fun getaway and Mamajuana Cafe, 1000 Frankford Ave., Philadelphia, is the place to hang out.
Chef Alexis del Rosario has launched a brand new summer menu, bringing out big bold flavors to match the island decor. Just entering Mamajuana Cafe is transportation to the island, with bright flowers, tropical birds and a laid-back attitude.
The summer some new appetizers include:
Short Rib Dumplings: Handmade dumplings filled with braised short rib, finished with truffle demi-glace.
Tacos de Churrasco: Grilled flour tortillas filled with shredded skirt steak fricassee, pico de gallo, coleslaw and salsa verde.
Stuffed Sweet Plantain Bomb: Whole sweet plantain loaded with your choice of creamy garlic shrimp or Caribbean eggplant.
Sushi Mofongo: Crispy pressed green plantain seasoned with garlic and cilantro, avocado, grilled skirt steak and cream cheese.
Black Sushi Roll: Squid ink-infused sushi rice rolled with fresh salmon, avocado, cream cheese and finished with aji amarillo aioli.
Oyster Mignonette: Freshly shucked oysters served on the half shell with a classic shallot and red wine vinegar mignonette.
Coconut Fish Ceviche: Fresh white fish marinated in citrus and creamy coconut milk, paired with tender sweet potatoes.
Pincho Mixto: Flavorful skewer of grilled beef, chicken, and shrimp, seasoned with bold Caribbean spices.
Some of the new entrees are:
Caribbean Fried Rice: A tropical twist on a favorite: pineapple-studded rice stir-fried with vegetables and your choice of protein.
Grilled Octopus Skewer: Tender octopus grilled to perfection and brushed with olive oil and herbs, served on suspended skewer and lit on fire at your table.
The Mixed Grill: A sizzling platter of skirt steak, grilled chicken, pork chop, and chorizo. Served with your choice of side.
Blackened Salmon: Pan-seared salmon with a smoky blackened crust, topped with a bright citrus glaze. Served with Caribbean fried rice.
Grill Picanha: Juicy grilled picanha steak served with our house-made chimichurri sauce.
Surf and Turf: Succulent grilled sirloin steak paired with garlic butter shrimp, a classic indulgent duo.
There are also new desserts and some refreshing drinks from the bar. For more information and the complete menu, check out www.mamajuanacafephilly.com.
Part of the fun in the cafe includes the delivery of the food. From fire to ice, there is a show with every choice.
Flannel Cookin’ Country Brunch is every Saturday and Sunday at DaVinci &Yu. (Photo by by Cody Aldrich)
DaVinci and Yu
Chef and owner Marc Grika announces a special summer and fall pop-up at DaVinci and Yu, 1819 E. Passyunk Ave., Philadelphia.
The region’s Italian and Asian cuisine fusion restaurant and bar will be taken over by Flannel Cookin’ Country Brunch every Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Flannel is known for big portions, crowd pleasing favorites, country comfort food, affordable prices and great drinks.
Look for the crowd-pleasing favorites to return, including:
Mac Daddy: Fried mac & cheese slices baked or fried in cajun dust.
Chicken ‘n’ Waffle: Malt waffle, 13-spice and three flour-coated fried chicken breasts with orange-maple syrup.
Breakfast Poutine: Sweet potato fries topped with duck balls, mozzarella/provolone mix, long hots, redeye gravy and two sunny up eggs.
For the full menu, go to https://davinciandyu.com/page/flannel-brunch-coming-soon-to-davinci–yu.