2624 Brown Street
(215) 232-8746
Trio feels like it's in a different city. This romantic little BYO is tucked into a quiet neighborhood near the art museum, a 15 minute cab ride away from Penn. With its second-floor outdoor terrace strung with lights, it feels miles further.
But that's also the catch. Trio is great if you're already in the Fairmount neighborhood, but from anywhere else it may not be worth the trek and cab fare. The food is typical pan-Asian and excellent, but it's no different than many other offerings a lot closer to campus. Head to Trio only if you want to get away from it all.
The menu has a diverse offering of Thai-inspired dishes that utilize fresh vegetables and fish well. For her appetizer, my guest ordered crispy fritters loaded with fresh chunks of corn, a great indication of how the chef used the last of a sweet summer vegetable. For my main dish, I ordered Chilean sea bass cooked perfectly and covered with fresh basil and a spicy sauce. The man sitting next to us ordered "five star" pad thai, otherwise known as the spiciest thing on the menu. He said it was great for hot food lovers, but his girlfriend was worried she wouldn't be able to kiss him after dinner! Our dessert was an unusual crŠme brulee flavored with Thai tea, a nice ending to a tasty fusion meal.
Trio is reasonably priced (entrees range from $13 to about $20) and offers a pleasant, calm dining experience. It's not worth going out of your way to get there, but if you happen to stumble on in, you should stick around for a while.
