Meet Your Friends for Brunch at Crow and the Pitcher

If you are looking for moderately priced gourmet appetizers and main plates paired with specialty cocktails, beers, and wine, locals will likely point you in the direction of Crow and the Pitcher. This Rittenhouse Square bistro exudes sophistication with dimmed lighting, an impressive cheese cave, and friendly, knowledgeable wait staff. Enjoy some people-watching at an outdoor table as you sip a glass of wine and nibble cheese from the historic Le Bec-Fin cheese cart.

Weekend brunch is a popular time to dine at Crow and the Pitcher. The funnel cake French toast is a popular choice, topped with maple-honey butter, whipped cream, and a handful of ripe berries. Diners who prefer savory fare might opt for the popular brunch burger, which layers breakfast meat, gouda, and a fried egg upon French toast buns. Wash it down with a mimosa or a bloody Mary.

Crow and the Pitcher serves dinner 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Tuesdays through Fridays. Brunch is served 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

Crow and the Pitcher
267 S. 19th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(267) 687-2608
crowandthepitcher.com
www.yelp.com/biz/crow-and-the-pitcher-philadelphia

Don’t Forget to Vote!

Today is Election Day! Make sure you go out and vote today!

Office Hours are Changing!

Hi Residents!

This is a friendly reminder that we will be starting winter office hours on Monday, November 3rd. Our office hours will be 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Our office hours will remain the same for the weekend. We are open 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday and 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday.

Thank you!

Estia: A Taste of Authentic Greek Fare in Philadelphia

Greek food can be widely varying in quality, and there’s nothing more disappointing than a poor, inauthentic Greek meal. Philadelphians rave over Estia, an authentic Greek eatery that serves up some of the best cuisine in the city.

Start with the cucumber and tomato salad, generously garnished with some of the most toothsome feta you will ever eat. The go-to appetizer is the grilled calamari, which regulars say is resilient yet tender to the fork. The seafood-centric entrees include shrimp souvlaki, moussaka, grilled halibut, and a 14-ounce New York strip. Note that the lunchtime prix fixe menu is a great deal: $17 for a filling two-course meal.

The decor at Estia is also notable, with welcoming alcoves and an iced fish display that lets you see the picks of the market.

Estia
1405 Locust Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 735-7700
www.estiarestaurant.com

Calling All Bibliophiles: These Pinterest Boards Are for You!

Pinterest is a great way to organize your favorite recipes or browse for home decor ideas, so why not use it to pay homage to your favorite books as well? If you’re an avid bibliophile who hates wandering aimlessly around the bookstore feeling overwhelmed by the endless selection of books, these boards will help you to bookmark ideas for new reading material and connect with other readers.

Book Lovers
Whether you’re looking for the best new releases or you simply want to share your love of reading with other pinners, this board is packed full of literary quotes, book recommendations, and peeks inside of some of the most impressive books stores in the world.

Reading Quotes
If all you’re searching for is a bit of inspiration on a tough day, this board pulls quotes directly from your favorite books to offer some words of wisdom straight from the authors’ mouths. From Annie Dillard and Theodore Roosevelt to C.S. Lewis, the Reading Quotes board has quotes for everyone.

Libraries
There are few places more relaxing for an avid reader than a beautiful library, and this board offers a virtual tour of some of the most impressive libraries in the world.

Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse: Inspiring Creative Play for More Than 100 Years

Built specifically to inspire creative and imaginative play for the 10 and under set, Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse in East Fairmount Park has delighted children for more than 100 years. Here, little ones can blow off steam by climbing, running, and swinging their way through six acres of playground equipment. The equipment runs the gamut from swings and jungle gyms to the 100-year-old Ann Newman Giant Wooden Slide, arguably the venue's pièce de résistance. A 16,000-square-foot playhouse is another draw here. Open to the public since 1899, the playhouse hosts play equipment over multiple levels and is a popular destination for families on a rainy day.

Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse is open April 1 through September 30. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated. The Playground also offers many volunteer opportunities, adults-only fundraisers, and is available to rent for your special event.

Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse
3500 Reservoir Drive
Philadelphia, PA 19121
(215) 765-4325
www.smithplayground.org
www.yelp.com/biz/smith-memorial-playground-and-playhouse-philadelphia

Memphis Taproom: Beer and Brunch in Philadelphia

Go to the Memphis Taproom to chill out in a warm, inviting setting while you cozy up to a pint of draft beer and a bite to eat. Their rotating artisan beer selection on tap might include Sierra Nevada Black Belgian IPA, Smuttynose IPA, Green Jack Lurcher Stout, and Firestone Walker Union Jack.

Brunch is served on weekends, with a flavorful array of dishes like Eggs Bednarik with poached eggs, kielbasa, on English muffin with hollandaise, Market French Toast, and The Weasel with two scrambled eggs, chili, cheese, roasted potatoes & toast. Later in the day, you can curb your hunger with a tasty array of sandwiches, along with entrees like Grilled Flat Iron Steak with parsnip potato mash, Chicken Fried Chicken with collard greens, Fish & Chips with coleslaw, and a Gyro Platter with pilaf & tsatziki.

Memphis Taproom
2331 E. Cumberland Street
Philadelphia, PA 19125
http://memphistaproom.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/memphis-taproom-philadelphia

Tony Luke’s: One of Philly’s Best Cheesesteaks

The Philly cheesesteak war used to have two sides: Pat's and Geno's. But Tony Luke's is giving the old guys a run for their money. Tony is a South Philly native, a singer, producer and actor who happens to make a heckuva cheesesteak. It's exactly what you want: nothing fancy, no tricks, just timeless South Philly goodness. The bread is baked in-house, the Ribeye is tender . . . you can also get amazing roast pork if it strikes your fancy, but why miss a classic?

Want to try Tony Luke's for yourself? This Oregon Avenue spot is very very popular, so anticipate a bit of a wait if you arrive at peak times.

Tony Luke's
39 E. Oregon Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19148
(215) 551-5725
www.yelp.com/biz/tony-lukes-philadelphia

Three of Philly’s Must-Try Restaurants

Philadelphia is home to a rich and varied food scene, including options ranging from small plates to hearty steaks. If you're looking for a new place to dine in the city, here are a few options worth trying:

Barbuzzo
Barbuzzo offers Mediterranean dining with an updated twist. Start your meal with a selection from the snacks and spreads menu. Mediterranean olives with orange zest and almonds make for a great introduction to your meal, as does the sheep's milk ricotta with extra virgin olive oil and sea salt. For your entree, consider one of Barbuzzo's specialty pizzas, piled high with gourmet ingredients. Barbuzzo also offers a special late night menu with drink specials and $10 entrees from 10:30 pm until midnight.
110 S. 13th St. Philadelphia, Pa.; (215) 546-9300

Raw Sushi & Sake Lounge
A dim, intimate atmosphere welcomes you to Raw Sushi & Sake Lounge. Start your meal with one of the eatery's unique takes on classic Japanese fare, such as a spicy sashimi salad with crab meat and daikon or a delicious beef negimaki. Regulars praise Raw's White Tiger roll, filled with mutsu (super white tuna), tobiko, cream sauce, and hot sauce. Reservations are recommended.
1225 Sansom St. Philadelphia, Pa.; (215) 238-1903

Charlie was a sinner.
One of Philadelphia's newest and hottest bars, Charlie was a sinner. does everything different. From its uniquely punctuated name to its vegan fare, this bar is a unique take on nightlife. The food menu includes many vegetarian options, and features options like charred Caesar salad, chickpea fries, or the wild mushroom and barley toast.
131 S. 13th St. Philadelphia, Pa.; (267) 758-5372

Science Is Fun at the Franklin Institute

The Franklin Institute holds a special place in the hearts of many Philadelphians. This kid-friendly museum has fun and interactive exhibits, like the giant heart that invites little ones to crawl inside to explore its physiology from the inside out. At the electricity exhibit, you can use your own body to complete an electrical circuit! Kids will enjoy trying their hands at traditional papermaking methods and using levers and pulleys to hoist themselves up in Sir Isaac's Loft.

Of course, no trip to the Franklin Institute is complete without a stop at the Fels Planetarium to experience the magic of the night sky in cutting-edge astronomical shows. There's so much to do at the Franklin Institute that it's easy to spend an entire day wandering from room to room and exploring all the interactive exhibits!

The Franklin Institute
222 N. 20th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 448-1200
www.fi.edu
www.yelp.com/biz/the-franklin-institute-science-museum-philadelphia

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