Twenty Manning

Twenty Manning, a stylish restaurant serving Asian-influenced fare in the Rittenhouse area, was one of the venues offering a vegetarian option during Restauraunt Week a while back, but there was no love in the reservation department. Get there early on a weekday any other week, and you have the pick of the place.

My partner and I popped in for a quick dinner at Twenty Manning straight after work, and being one of the first people there, we snagged a white linen-draped bistro table outside before the people started pouring in.

We started with the vegetarian summer rolls, one of my all-time favorite appetizers. The tofu accompanying the rice noodle and veggie filling was spiced and flavorful.

My coconut green curry stir-fry with tofu, baby bok choy, snow peas, Chinese guy lan, grape tomatoes, and Japanese eggplants was beautiful to look at. It was clearly evident from the color and flavor of the vegetables that they were the freshest of fresh – Chef Kiong Banh goes to the market daily to hand pick the produce. The curry vegetables had a smattering of curry sauce at the bottom of the bowl that was instantly soaked up by the rice. Being a sauce fiend, I wished the sauce had been more generous.

My partner loves fish, and orders this protein almost unfailingly when dining out. This means I don’t get to partake – hmm, you think it's deliberate? This gorgeous plating is of oven roasted salmon, carrot ginger puree, English peas, and white truffle coulis. Stuck my fork in the carrot ginger puree, and it was lovely.

The food at Twenty Manning is fresh, delicious, balanced, and artful without being ridiculous. Food portions are moderate – neither teeny-tiny plates, nor American supper-sized.

I’ve only heard great things about Twenty Manning’s sister restaurant, Audrey Claire, a Mediterranean BYOB right down the road. Research tells me there are a few vegetarian dishes on Audrey’s menu. Gotta go soon, if it's a good as Twenty Manning.

Twenty Manning, 261 S. 20th St., Philadelphia, PA, 19103
215-731-0900
Sun.-Wed., 5p.m.-11p.m; Thurs.-Sat., 5p.m-1a.m.