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Meet Your Friends for Brunch at Crow and the Pitcher

November 6, 2014 by

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

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Estia: A Taste of Authentic Greek Fare in Philadelphia

October 23, 2014 by

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

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Memphis Taproom: Beer and Brunch in Philadelphia

October 2, 2014 by

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

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

September 25, 2014 by

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

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South Philadelphia Tap Room: Craft Beer and Good Food

August 28, 2014 by

This trendy little gastro-pub has quickly won over Philadelphians with a rockin’ roster of craft beer, a great wine selection and some tasty artisan cocktails. It’s a great spot to sidle up to a pint of Allagash White, Firestone Walker Wookie Jack, or Sly Fox O’Reilly’s Stout while you catch up with friends.

If you're craving a bite to eat, some Mushroom & Goat Cheese Toast, Pork Albondigas, or Grilled Flatbread with chickpea hummus might do the trick. Heartier appetites will want the Grass Feed Cheeseburger, 3 Cheese Grilled Cheese, or Seitan & Sweet Pepper Cheesesteak. Entrees include Roasted Pumpkin Rotini, Salisbury Steak, and Fried Trout. Don’t neglect a tantalizing dessert like Brown Sugar Pound Cake with chocolate stout sauce & dulce de leche whipped cream. The South Philadelphia Tap Room even serves brunch on the weekends!

South Philadelphia Tap Room
1509 Mifflin Street
Philadelphia, PA 19145
(215) 271-7787
http://southphiladelphiataproom.com/index2.html
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-south-philadelphia-tap-room-philadelphia

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Mood Cafe: Enjoy Chaat in Cedar Park

August 7, 2014 by

Mood Cafe specializes in yummy Indian fare, including Lassi – cold fruit and yogurt drinks, fresh juices, ice cream, milkshakes and shaved ice. It’s a friendly little spot, with nice prices and some tasty things to eat and drink. This Cedar Park restaurant also serves Chaat, which is a type of spicy, flavorful Indian street food.

Lassi drinks are creamy and delicious and feature flavors like Strawberry, Grape, Rose, Mango, Sandelwood, Almond, and Raspberry. Yummy ice cream flavors include Chocolate, Mango, Chikku, Pistachio and Tutti Frutti.

If you'd like a bite of something more substantial, order up one of their Chaat dishes. Options include Bhel Puri – with puffed rice, onions, potatoes, raw mango & chutney, Kashmiri Chaat – spicy split green lentils, noodles, potato sticks, cashew nuts & melon seeds, and Shahi Chaat – spicy cashew nuts, green lentil flour, melon seeds, spinach, almonds, pistachio, & bean seeds.

Mood Cafe
4618 Baltimore Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19143
(215) 222-1037
http://www.moodcafephilly.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/mood-cafe-philadelphia

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Pod: Space Age Fusion Dining in University City

July 3, 2014 by

A space age interior with colored lighting and futuristic seating ‘pods’ is what greets you when you enter Pod, making it a fun spot to meet up with friends. The menu features a flavorful array of sushi and other Asian delights. Cocktails include a Zen and Tonic with green tea liqueur, gin, tonic water & cucumber, and a Wasabi Bloody Mary with vodka, wasabi & veggie juice.

Pod's sushi is fresh and artfully presented and includes the Dragon with with eel, avocado and unagi sauce, and the Rainbow with tuna, salmon, yellowtail & shrimp sashimi. The entrée menu features Whole Roasted Branzino with wasabi chimichurri, Wasabi Crusted Filet Mignon with black truffle soy sauce, and Kung Pao Chicken & Shrimp.

Pod is open daily in Philadelphia's University City neighborhood.

Pod
3636 Sansom Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 387-1803
http://www.podrestaurant.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/pod-philadelphia

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El Vez: Inventive Mexican Cuisine

June 26, 2014 by

El Vez serves inventive Mexican fare to appreciative Philadelphia diners. It features a vibrant, trendy setting, lively music and an eclectic menu of tasty food and drink. Begin your meal with one of their signature cocktails like a Blood Orange Frozen Margarita or the Zapata with vodka, strawberry puree, basil, cranberry juice & a sugared rim.

Six styles of Guacamole are offered on the appetizer menu, along with a nice salsa selection, Macho Nachos, Shrimp Quesadillas, and Tortilla Soup. Crispy Mahi-Mahi Tacos with chipotle pepper remoulade, Black Bean Enchiladas with smoked yellow tomato sauce, and Char-Grilled Beef Tacos are among the entrée options. Sides include Sweet Plantains Con Queso, Polenta Fries, and Grilled Corn on the Cob with lime chipotle.

El Vez is open daily on 13th Street in Center City Philadelphia.

El Vez
121 S. 13th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 928-9800
http://www.elvezrestaurant.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/el-vez-philadelphia

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Burgers and Shakes at Shake Shake in Philadelphia

June 5, 2014 by

Busting through the seams of wax paper sleeves, 100% Angus beef burgers are topped high with crisp green lettuce, wheels of red tomato, gooey melted cheese, and applewood bacon. A pickle is likely to abandon ship, landing on your cafeteria-style serving tray below, which also hosts an overflowing paper container of crinkle-cut fries. Elsewhere on your tray, melting frozen custard oozes out from under the lid of your milkshake.

If you're dining at Shake Shack, expect things to get a little, well, messy. Not that you'll mind! Getting back to basics is what this modern-day roadside burger stand is all about. Served with a smile and a dose of all-American charm, everything at Shake Shack is made to-order, from the burgers and fries to the thick, handspun milkshakes and the Concretes, the latter offering spoonfuls of cookies and candy in blended frozen custard.

Shake Shack
2000 Sansom Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 809-1742
www.shakeshack.com/location/philadelphia
www.yelp.com/biz/shake-shack-philadelphia

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Talula’s Garden: Delightful Farm-Fresh Dining in Philly

May 22, 2014 by

Talula's Garden features a homey, chic countenance and a menu of garden-focused, fresh fare that’s as inspired as it is comforting. It’s the brainchild of restaurateur Aimee Olexy, whose love of fine food and beautiful décor is evident throughout this Philadelphia eatery.

Brunch is served on weekends, when you can stop in for Honey-Soaked Ricotta Donuts, Warm Field Mushroom & Goat Cheese Crepes, and Warm Spiced French Toast. A stellar cheese menu lets you try a variety of yummy varieties from around the world.

The dinner menu at Talula's Garden offers starters like Crostini of Chicken Liver Mousse, Celery & Date Salad, Ragu of Wild Goose, and Buttery Little Gnocchi. Entrees include Honey Brined Boneless Pork Chop, Seafood Cassoulet, Muscovy Duck Breast, Petite Butcher Filet Au Jus, and Colorado Lamb Shank Ossobuco.

Talula's Garden
210 W. Washington Square
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 592-7787
talulasgarden.com
www.yelp.com/biz/talulas-garden-philadelphia

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