When beloved local confectioner Tastykake announced they were facing crippling financial troubles, much-lauded Chef Matt Levin opted to act, creating his amazing new Kandy Kake Sliders at Adsum (700 South 5th Street, 267-888-7002), his refined neighborhood bistro. In the same spirit as his now-legendary Four LOKO dinner, Chef Levin created the sliders to show his support for Tastykake and contribute to their survival by purchasing and serving one of their best-loved products in a new and unusual way.
“Tastykake is a Pennsylvania icon, and their Kandy Kakes are known throughout the region for one good reason: they’re absurdly delicious,” says Chef Levin, who recently earned a coveted “Three Bells: Excellent” review from The Philadelphia Inquirer for Adsum’s adventurous, often-whimsical menu. “I created these sliders to show my support for this local company by purchasing and serving their product, as well as inventing a delicious new snack for my guests – and myself.”
Chef Levin’s Kandy Kake Sliders feature house-ground brisket patties sandwiched between Peanut Butter Kandy Kakes, vanilla sponge cake lined with peanut butter and enrobed in creamy milk chocolate. Each slider is topped with American cheese and Sriracha-cherry jam. They’re sold in sets of two, for $11 per order.
“It’s the perfect balance of salty and sweet with a little heat to bring the flavors together,” adds Chef Levin. “This may be the most decadent dish I’ve ever made.”
Tastykake, owned by the Tasty Baking Company, was founded in Philadelphia in 1914. Since then, their gross annual sales have grown to more than $280 million. Recently, the company has faced significant financial difficulties, and even considered declaring bankruptcy in early 2011. But support from local Tastykake lovers and loans from both private and public sources, including a generous loan offer from the State of Pennsylvania, buoyed the beloved company and have set them on track to continue serving Peanut Butter Kandy Kakes, Butterscotch Krimpets and other well-known treats for years to come.
Chef Levin is renowned for his unusual combination of top-level cooking chops and inventive uses of ingredients. In the wake of 2010’s ban on caffeinated alcoholic beverage Four LOKO, the chef hoarded 10 cases of the drink (now illegal to purchase in Pennsylvania and many other states) and created a dazzling four-course menu that showcased both the beverage and his unparalleled talent as a chef. His daring style in the kitchen sets him apart from other gifted young chefs as a true “mad scientist,” as he sometimes calls himself, and an innovator of modern American food.
Since opening a few months ago, Adsum has quickly become a critical darling, and is known as one of the only places in Philadelphia where guests can enjoy affordable comfort food from a top chef. In the Inquirer’s review, critic Craig LaBan wrote that “Levin…is without a doubt one of the city’s most gifted chefs,” adding that “the Adsum burger is a gem, easily one of my top patties in town…[and] the foie gras poutine is now one of the city’s most sinful late-night munchies.” He summarized: “It already tastes like this chef is having fun again.”
Philadelphia Weekly praised Adsum, noting that “the majority of the food here is more complicated than it seems, but the flavors are typically spot-on. The dishes have clearly been considered holistically – every component counting.” Philadelphia magazine called Chef Levin’s food “outrageously delicious – and just plain outrageous,” with especially kind words for their “splendidly conceived specialty cocktails” and “sumptuous fare,” including such “marvels of delicious simplicity” as the roasted black bass, “hands-down the best whole fish I’ve eaten in Philadelphia.”
Adsum is open seven days a week from 4 p.m. until 2 a.m.; the kitchen closes at 1 a.m. nightly. Brunch is served on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Late night specials are offered Sunday through Thursday from 10 p.m. until close. For more information, please call (267) 888-7002 or visit www.adsumrestaurant.com. You can also follow them on Facebook and on Twitter: @AdsumRestaurant.
