Last night, the New Harvest folks treated us to dinner at James, an upscale restaurant that serves modern American cuisine in Philadelphia’s Bella Vista neighborhood.
The menu at James focuses on local, seasonal produce, humanely raised meats, wild seafood, and artisan cheeses. Because James selects only fresh locally-grown ingredients, the menu changes with the seasons. I love places like this. Plus, the food always tastes better!
The decor inside the restaurant was stunning– modern, intimate, and boutique-y.
New Harvest and James planned a special 4-course menu for us bloggers.
As soon as we were seated, the chef sent a complimentary appetizer to the table: shredded carrots coated in a ginger sauce. It was quite fancy served on a single spoon. It was refreshing and summery.
I also enjoyed a glass of white wine with dinner. After last night, I took it easy on the booze.
For the first course, I enjoyed a Seasonal Garden Salad with a hazelnut vinaigrette. The greens were very lightly coated in vinaigrette (I hate it when greens are drenched in dressing) and pieces of chopped fennel were mixed throughout. Very good.
The next course was Potato Gnocchi Gratinata, which was easily the highlight of the meal for me. I love gnocchi and cheese, so I was basically in heaven while eating this dish. I savored each and every piece. Holy delicious!
Obviously, I hated it. 
My entree was Scottish Salmon, bathed in extra virgin olive oil, with artichoke barigoule. The salmon was basically poached in olive oil, which gave it a very sushi-like texture and flavor. I’ve never eaten salmon like this before. I liked it a lot.
Dessert, of course, was also one of my favorite parts of the meal. I chose the Espresso Mousse, which was served with hazelnut daquoise, blood orange, and Grand Marnier sauce.
Mmm! Loved it! The mousse was so smooth and creamy. It practically melted in my mouth. The combo of espresso + hazelnut + orange citrus was incredible. I love interesting flavor combinations like this– they keep my tastebuds guessing!
My dinner dates: Tanya, Maridel, and Jenna.
Monica and me! 
Another wonderful meal! New Harvest really knows how to wine and dine us!
Packing up and heading back to Beantown. I can’t wait to see my guys. I’ve missed them so much!
{ 43 comments… read them below or add one }
James looks delicious- you’re discovering so many places in Philly that I’ve never even heard of!! The salmon especially sounds great, lots of healthy fats
And that dessert…I’m not even a citrus person and I know I’d love it! Glad you enjoyed Philly, have a safe trip back to Boston!
You are all being so spoilt, what an amazing meal! I especially like the sound of the mousse; it looks divine too
lucky you!
Gnocchi looks amaaaaazing. Cheese
And that salmon sounds really cool? Wasn’t it a little greasy, though, bathed in olive oil?? Your meal looks sooo good. 
Have a safe trip!
Wei-Wei
I have had a craving for gnoochi for weeks! That looks so good!
I love the lounge-y decor in that restaurant. Very nice.
Wow I need to get there asap! I definitely thought I knew of all the restaurants in Philly that serve local focal, but I’ve never heard of James. I have a lot of exploring to do when I move into the city
All of that food looks absolutely delicious! I love restaurants like that, seasonal food is always tastier as it’s so fresh. Your gnocchi looks fab, I love cheesey pasta. I hope you had a great time in Philly, you have definitely been busy! I bet you are so looking forward to seeing M + M soon!
That sushi sounds heavenly! I don’t eat any fish(I know, my omega 3′s must be awful) except for sushi or very rare salmon/tuna
I love restaurants like that too! Glad you had a good weekend
Fly safe!
Looks like a great time! I think that mousse would be my favourite part of the meal too.
James is SUCH a special restaurant. I love how they poach their fish in olive oil – I had their halibut and it was the best fish I’d ever eaten. Hope you enjoyed Philly, its a fun place!
That looks good! I actually picked up potato gnocchi yesterday in the store, but ended up putting it back. Gnocchi’s on my bucket list of food to try!
That restaurant looks awesome!
That gnocchi looks to-die-for. Golden grilled cheesy goodness… Darn it, I’m hungry again, and it’s almost midnight here in Australia…
Gnocchi!! It is my FAVORITE. I found gnocchi in Mozambique for the first time EVER last week, and I am making it for my birthday on Wednesday. I can’t wait
Espresso mousse? That sounds divine!
Oh YUM!!! That gnocchi dish looks out of this world!
That’s practically like sashimi salmon. That’s my favorite type of sushi- just plain raw fish. That whole dinner looks fabulous, though! Glad to see the good times are still rollin with all the bloggers!
Oh, sounds incredibly fabulous! And to get to chat with all of those fabulous ladies? There are no words!
I loooove gnocci. and cheese. haha. Sounds like a great meal.
I’m loving the atmosphere of the restaurant!
That looks like a great restaurant! I will add it to my list for the next time we are in the Philadelphia area!
what a great place – i will let my family know – it sounds right up their alley.
that dinner looks absolutely amazing!
Wow what a great meal and unusual salmon. It does look like sushi.
Looks like a fun restaurant! Very fancy dishes, yummy!
Wow!! What an amazing meal!! Look’s like you are having a wonderful time!
Oh, and that deep navy blue color is absolutely stunning on you!
Can’t wait for your next update!
Lovely! That potato gnocchi looks amazing. Yummm
Jenn
What an amazing dinner/restaurant! –I love seeing fancy meals like that since I’ve never eaten anywhere fancy!!
wow it looks so fancy, that cheesy dish looks so good!
All that looks delicious – so jealous!
What a fun night!! The food all looks delicious – I’m addicted to gnocchi! I don’t like to brag, but I make some mean spelt rosemary gnocchi (;
Have a safe trip home!
What fine cooking and eating, yum! Have a a safe trip home.
Wow – what another fabulous evening!!!
Wow, that restaurant looks fantastic! I love the green damask sign out front
I’m a sucker for damask.
Thanks for such great recaps of the trip. I feel like I had a vicarious trip to Philly!
I am loving all of these parts of the new harvest. the updates and details are great to read about. I’m with Clearly Composed about the vicarious trip!
Your New Harvest trip looks like it’s been a blast! And all of the food looks so good!
Love that you have created a job for yourself that included Espresso Moose and Wine! Go Tina!
Oooh Hunni and I are going to be in Philly a couple of times this summer and we might need to try this place out.
You always show such amazing restaurants in places that I go for work all the time and it is so hard to choose. I always refer to your blog for restaurant reviews.
Yum! That salmon is making my mouth water just looking at it! I have been in developing countries way too long, I need some salmon!
Wow, you always seem to go to some really great restaurants!
That gnocchi looked amazing!!