You are here: Home / Archives for Restaurants

Take a Bite of a Banh Mi at Ba Le Bakery & Restaurant

June 25, 2015 by

If you love all types of Vietnamese food, you’ll be hooked on Ba Le Bakery & Restaurant after your first bite. This authentic Vietnamese eatery on Washington Avenue specializes in both lunch and dinner foods and traditional Vietnamese baked goods, and it serves them in a colorful, modern locale that makes it very easy to get in and out when you’re in a hurry.

There are refrigerated cases filled with fresh juices and pre-made dishes that you can just grab and go, or you can order a customized sandwich if you have a bit of extra time to wait. Ba Le specializes in Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches, which are similar to hoagies and served on freshly baked baguettes. After your meal, you can also indulge in a Vietnamese dessert, like fried bananas or sweet bubble tea in your choice of flavors. The iced coffee also receives high marks here.

Ba Le Bakery & Restaurant
606 Washington Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 389-4350
www.facebook.com/bale.philadelphia/timeline

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: , ,

Tria Cafe: Not Just Wine and Cheese

June 4, 2015 by

While most wine bars offer a large selection of reds and whites and the cheeses to go along with them, Tria Cafe is a wine bar with a bit more personality. The cafe's Rittenhouse location offers a vast selection of beers for those who prefer a cold brew to a glass of red, but no matter what type of libations you like, you’ll find an atmospheric place to enjoy it inside of Tria's relaxing dining room and, when the season permits, upon the streetside eating area.

Inside, there is a long bar with dim lighting where guests can socialize over some snacks and a beverage, as well as smaller bistro-style tables if you prefer a more formal visit. The menu is small but always changing to accommodate what’s in season, and you’ll always find shareable snacks like olives, sliced Italian meats, and foreign cheeses. Various styles of bruschetta, gourmet sandwiches, and hearty salads create a light meal, while the artistic desserts help to cap off your evening in a truly sweet way.

Tria Cafe
123 S. 18th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 972-8742
www.triacafe.com

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: , ,

Hip City Veg: Veg Out at This Innovative Eatery

May 28, 2015 by

Philadelphia vegetarians have an impressive list of dining options in the city’s booming restaurant scene, but Hip City Veg is still a favorite amongst meat-free residents. This unique and forward-thinking restaurant serves an extensive menu of 100 percent plant-based dishes, and the majority of the ingredients used are locally sourced from area farms. All of the packaging at Hip City Veg is compostable, and the interior of the restaurant is made from recycled and energy-efficient materials. If you place a to-go order, your food will even arrive via bicycle messenger instead of the usual car.

If all of that isn’t enough to make you want to try this eco-friendly eatery, the delicious food probably will! Hip City Veg serves flavorful and nutritious dishes such as udon noodle salads, meat-free Philly cheesesteaks, and taco salads that will leave you feeling full. If you’re looking for a better, healthier alternative to fast food, you’ll find it here.

Hip City Veg
127 S.18th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 278-7605
www.hipcityveg.com
www.yelp.com/biz/hipcityveg-philadelphia

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: , ,

Nan Zhou Hand Drawn Noodle House: Hearty Soups and More

April 23, 2015 by

Need a big bowl of simmering noodle soup brewed with herbs, spices, veggies and other fresh delights? Nan Zhou Hand Drawn Noodle House is where to get it. This Philadelphia restaurant serves a huge variety of soups along with other noodle dishes.

Soup options include Shredded Chicken Cool Noodles, Sesame Cool Noodles, Seafood Stir Fried Fresh Noodles, Beef Stir Fried Fresh Noodles, Clam Stir Fried Fresh Noodles, and Shrimp Stir Fried Fresh Noodles. Fried Rice dishes are also on the menu, including Beef Brisket Rice, Pork Chop Rice, Chicken Chop, House Special Meatball Rice, Roast Pork Fried Rice, Chicken Fried Rice, Beef Fried Rice, and Shrimp Fried Rice. Prices are extremely reasonable and portions are large.

Nan Zhou Hand Drawn Noodle House
1022 Race Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 923-1550
http://www.nanzhounoodlehouse.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/nan-zhou-hand-drawn-noodle-house-philadelphia

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: , ,

Popular Fine Restaurants in Philadelphia

March 26, 2015 by

Philadelphia’s food scene may be best known for its cheesesteaks, but the City of Brotherly Love also has a number of fine dining restaurants to offer. Try one of these impressive, upscale Philly eateries for your next special occasion.

Morimoto
You’ll feel as if you’ve stepped into the future as soon as you enter this artistically decorated restaurant, which features abstract sculptures, a futuristic lounge area, and a main dining room furnished with colorful, lighted walls and modern tables. Chef Morimoto, star of television’s popular Iron Chef series, creates the restaurant’s upscale Japanese fare with his signature creative style. The best way to get the full experience is by choosing the Omakase, a multi-course tasting menu with thoughtful beverage pairings.
723 Chestnut St. Philadelphia, Pa. 19106; (215) 413-9070

Barclay Prime
Located in the historic Barclay Building in Rittenhouse Square, Barclay Prime is a luxury steakhouse with an old-school feel. The restaurant itself is decorated with traditional furniture and bright pops of neon colors and modern accents, and it contains a bar, lounge area, and spacious dining room.
237 S. 18th St. Philadelphia, Pa. 19103; (215) 732-7560

Vetri
This Italian restaurant is known as one of the best in the country, and after your first bite of fresh fish or homemade gnocchi, you’ll likely understand why. The six-course tasting menu is personalized to each diner’s unique preferences, and the dishes frequently change depending on which ingredients are in season and the mood of talented Chef Vetri. Vetri only seats 30 guests, which makes for a truly intimate dining experience.
1312 Spruce St. Philadelphia, Pa. 19107; (215) 732-3478

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: , , ,

Monk’s Cafe: 300-Plus Beers by the Bottle (and More by the Pint)

March 5, 2015 by

If you took the time to read the name of every single bottled beer on the list at Monk's Cafe, the place would probably close down before you had a chance to order one. Its roster of bottle brews numbers in the hundreds, and the suds hail from all over the world—with a heavy emphasis on Belgian beers, However, if you love Mikkeller Beer from Denmark, Sam Smith's Nut Brown from England, or even Olvisholt Lava Smoked Imperial Stout from Iceland, you'll find those names here, too. That's not to mention the full slate of American brews, including many local to the Philadelphia area. The 300-plus bottles are all compiled in Monk's "beer bible."

If you're feeling overwhelmed by the options already, then you probably shouldn't even look at the draft list at Monk's Cafe. It includes 20 rotating beers, and they also come from all around the globe. Yet the beverages are still only part of the appeal of Monk's. The "beer emporium" also offers gourmet fare, including the popular Ghent mussels (just one of many preparations available). The duck salad sandwich is especially popular, so it's a safe order if nothing immediately catches your attention.

Monk's Cafe
264 S. 16th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 545-7005
www.monkscafe.com
www.yelp.com/biz/monks-cafe-philadelphia-4

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: , ,

Good Dog Bar Does Cheesesteak Differently

February 26, 2015 by

In the City of Brotherly love, you could grab a cheesesteak on almost any corner. Yet Good Dog Bar manages to recreate the classic Philadelphian food in a totally fresh way. Its popular cheesesteak empanadas are stuffed with ribbons of tender ribeye, truffled cheddar cheese, and the final flourish: a bourbon-infused Rogue Chocolate Stout emulsion.

The cheesesteak empanadas not only draw raves from Yelp reviewers, but they also exemplify the staff's shared passion for good beer. Its impressive list of beers changes all the time, incorporating new drafts, bottles, and cans. From Dark Horse Tres Blueberry Stout, brewed in Michigan, to Sly Fox Helles Lager brewed right in Pennsylvania, its drafts showcase some of the best microbrews from around the country. The bottles and cans also pour beers born in the United States, from New York to Oregon.

Use your chosen brew to wash down the duck pot pie, a popular entree, or a heaping serving of fries. Baked macaroni and cheese, tacos, and burgers round out the upscale menu of down-home American and international fare.

Good Dog Bar
224 S. 15th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 985-9600
www.gooddogbar.com
www.yelp.com/biz/good-dog-bar-philadelphia

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: , ,

Tinto: An Intimate Spanish Tapas Bar in Philadelphia

January 29, 2015 by

Reminiscent of Spanish pintxo bars, Tinto is an intimate tapas bar and restaurant in Philadelphia's Rittenhouse Square neighborhood. Here, two modern and cozy dining rooms are decorated with antique cork screws and stacked wooden wine crates full of Spanish wines.

The moderately priced food is a gastronomist’s first pick. Fresh vegetables are delivered daily from Luna Farm, a sustainable, all-organic, 40-acre farm in Ottsville, Pa. Regular diners suggest you start your meal with the sopa de castaña, a truffled chestnut soup with duck and mushroom hash, fried quail egg, and pistachios. The diver scallops are another popular choice, set upon a bed of parsnips and crispy serrano ham. Downstairs, you'll encounter a sultry lounge that offers wines, crafted cocktails, signature sangrias, Spanish ciders, and craft beers.

Tinto is open 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Happy hour is offered 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays.

Tinto
114 S. 20th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 665-9150
philadelphia.tintorestaurant.com
www.yelp.com/biz/tinto-philadelphia

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: , ,

Savor the Spices of Indian Fare at Tashan

December 22, 2014 by

Modern furnishings and accessories from India, Spain, and Mexico welcome you into Tashan, an Indian fusion restaurant situated on the Avenue of the Arts in Philadelphia. The ambiance echoes sophistication with dimmed lighting and a relaxed, friendly wait staff.

Start the evening off with a distinctive wine, craft beer, or a signature cocktail. As for the food, the most revered dishes include the vegetarian kale saag paneer, a rich and creamy dish of kale and cheese. The shrimp curry is another popular choice, best paired with an order of just-baked goat cheese naan for dipping. Leave some room for dessert, as the Valrhona Chocolate Cake is said to be the perfect conclusion to a memorable dinner.

Tashan serves lunch and dinner daily.

Tashan
777 South Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(267) 687-2170
mytashan.com/home
www.yelp.com/biz/tashan-philadelphia

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: , ,

Meritage: Wallet-Friendly Fine Dining in Rittenhouse Square

November 24, 2014 by

Meritage serves contemporary American fare just a few blocks from Rittenhouse Square. The dining room, which seats 55 people, boasts golden yellow walls and gleaming hardwood floors, proving the space to be equal parts cozy and chic.

Meritage promises to be one of the more wallet-friendly fine dining destinations in the tony Rittenhouse Square neighborhood. A full bar offers an impressive variety of wines under $50, while elegantly plated dishes don't exceed $30. The gourmet fare here includes vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options. For those without dietary restrictions, the free-range chicken breast with whipped potatoes, and sauteed spinach is a local favorite. Finish your meal with the decadent goat cheese cake with pistachio, poppy seeds, and lemon curd.

Meritage serves dinner 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays and 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

Meritage
500 S. 20th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19146
(215) 985-1922
www.meritagephiladelphia.com/index.html
www.yelp.com/biz/meritage-philadelphia

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: , ,
« Previous Page
Next Page »

Pin It on Pinterest