Bump
1234 Locust St.
215-732-1800
Credit cards accepted
Wheelchair-accessible
Open daily
Reservations a good idea
www.bumplounge.com
I never visit a restaurant’s Web site before I try it myself, and this is because I don’t want to have preconceived notions about the menu. I enjoy surprises in cuisine and décor.
A friend told me about Bump, near 13th and Locust streets. Funny name for a place, so it intrigued me. We decided on an early dinner and arrived around 6 p.m. The place was already jumping. A gentleman greeted us and showed us to a table for two.
The décor is colorful ’60s retro. Reds, yellows and oranges make for a cheerful mood. The tables are red and the room is filled with giant gladioli in a riot of colors.
It’s been a while since I’ve seen so many happy people enjoying cocktails and sharing platters. Nearly every booth and table were taken in both dining rooms. The bar was overflowing, and nearly everyone was drinking a martini, Cosmopolitan or other cocktail. No one was sipping a glass of wine or having a beer.
But oh, what noise befitting the restaurant’s name! It was so loud that I could barely hear our waiter. I could barely hear my husband Edward. A pulsating, repetitive "bump, bump, bump" echoed from the sound system. It was a clubby atmosphere, but still we had a good dinner and rather enjoyed ourselves. Bump is the perfect place to people-watch.
Bombay sapphire martinis ($8.50) were good-sized and filled to the top. Meanwhile, thanks to our vantage point, I could see the dishes other patrons were enjoying, and it helped us make our selections.
Fried calamari ($8) was a huge platter of crispy, grease-free whole baby squid that we popped into our mouths like popcorn. The homemade marinara was smooth and tasty. I squeezed on some fresh lemon juice and we polished off the platter with ease.
Shrimp spring rolls ($10) were disappointing in size but not in flavor. They were not as plump as I would have liked, but they were homemade and the wrappers were as crispy as the calamari was. I liked the sweet and sour dipping sauce. We both thought this entrée too pricey given the amount.
A word of warning if you order a salad: huge. So huge that three could share one portion. Edward’s Caesar salad ($8) was a plate filled with cool, crispy romaine leaves bathed in a homemade Caesar dressing, topped with Parmesan cheese and crispy croutons. It was tasty and straightforward.
My Bump salad ($6) consisted of a mound of immaculately fresh mesclun topped with ripe Florida grape tomatoes, thin slices of crisp sweet carrots, shavings of red cabbage, slices of cucumber and bits of onion, all tossed in an outrageously delicious homemade vinaigrette laced with bits of feta and blue cheese. It was one of the tastiest salads I have enjoyed in recent memory. I kept eating it and could barely make a dent. Edward helped me and still we couldn’t finish it.
Since Bump specializes in cocktails, there are no beers on tap. Still, there is an international selection of bottled beer. We opted to share a Stella Artois ($5.50) from Belgium. A cold glass arrived with our bottle.
Bump’s burger ($10) was a half-pound of Black Angus beef nestled on a soft Kaiser roll. I prefer my burgers on buns, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Burgers are offered with a choice of two toppings. I selected cheddar and bacon. The cheese had melted so long it was more like a sauce, but the bacon was first-rate. Four slices of crisp applewood smoked bacon topped my burger. Some lettuce and two slices of ripe tomato adorned the plate.
The fries were so hot, I had to wait before picking one up. They were absolutely free of grease. I sprinkled on some salt and dug in.
I ordered the burger medium-rare, more on the rare side. It came out well-done. But the quality of the beef made up for the fact that it was overcooked.
Edward loved his BBQ pulled pork sandwich ($10). Pulled pork is a staple of Tennessee and North Carolina barbecue. I wish more restaurants would add pulled pork to their menu. It was tender, juicy and piled high on a Kaiser roll. A mound of hot fries came with this sandwich as well.
Service was first-rate considering the place was packed. But the noise was far too much. A host asked if we would like to see the garden and then escorted us outside. Walled in and filled with flowers and plants, it’s one of the prettiest outdoor eating areas in the city. Nearly every umbrella table was taken. The garden is heated and only closes if it’s raining.
The following day I visited Bump’s Web site. The virtual tour was quite amusing, and I appreciate the fact that the online menu includes prices.
Two-and-a-half tips of the toque to Bump.
