Charlie was a sinner.
Charlie Was a Sinner is a great vegan restaurant and bar to grab drinks with friends or to cozy up on date night with your significant other. Inside you’re met with a dark and sexy environment that still feels like a laid back neighborhood bar. Each table is candle lit, and if you choose to sit against the wall, you will get to enjoy the plush and comfortable couch.
This restaurant serves plant-based small plates, so they are perfect for you to share with your date or enjoy on your own. I found that around 2-3 plates should be enough food to share between two people. However, if you are both very hungry, I would recommend 2 plates per person.
If you have been keeping up with my blogs from the beginning, then by now you are aware of my affinity for milkshakes. So the first thing that I ordered was the Espresso Milkshake. The bonus with this one is that it has alcohol in it. The Espresso Milkshake consisted of the perfect blend of black sea rum, espresso liquor, espresso, and vanilla bean ice cream. And to make it even more delectable, it was topped off with whipped cream. As soon as I took the first sip I was hit with a burst of thick and creamy goodness that made me close my eyes, hoping that this moment would never end. The rum was very subtle, so don’t expect to get drunk or tipsy from one drink, but it’s definitely enough for you to enjoy the night.
My boyfriend and I opted to share 3 plates. We ordered Potato Croquettes, Avocado Toast, and Buccatini & Meatballs. This was my first time having croquettes, so I had zero expectations going in. The croquette was unbelievably soft on the inside while still maintaining a firm exterior. It melted in my mouth with each bite. I never knew a small roll of mashed potatoes, cheese and breadcrumbs could be this mouthwatering. The croquette came with a chipotle aioli dipping sauce that only added to the flavor.
The avocado toast was presented differently than other avocado toasts I’ve had at previous restaurants (for example, The Daily Beet). Instead of a thick layer of crushed avocado on a thick slice of bread, this avocado toast consisted of multiple thinly sliced bread, topped with thinly sliced avocados that resembled fallen dominoes. The avocados were garnished with habanero mayo, cherry belle radish, and red onions. The difference in presentation definitely did not result in a difference in taste or quality. The avocado toast was just as enjoyable and filling as its thicker counterpart.
Finally, we tried the Buccatini & Meatballs. I was excited to try it because I absolutely love anything in fra diavolo sauce, so when I saw that the meatballs were, I had to try it. The meatballs were very tasty, however, the fra diavolo sauce was lacking in seasoning and spiciness. The dish definitely was not bad or dissatisfying, but when compared to the other dishes, I was expecting it to be a lot better.
Overall, Charlie Was a Sinner is a great restaurant that I would visit whenever I’m in Philly again. The food and drinks are so good that you can even bring your non-vegan friends with you and they are guaranteed to have a great time and find something on the menu that they will love. So grab some friends, or take yourself on a date and visit Charlie Was a Sinner this weekend!
