Bar Ferdinand: Classic Tapas

Bar Ferdinand offers traditional Spanish tapas along with new interpretations of age old recipes that hail from Spain. They also have an expansive wine and craft beer selection along with specialty cocktails like the Sandía Fresca with scotch, watermelon purée, lemon juice & mint simple syrup and the Sol de Cadíz with pilsner & fresh squeezed orange juice. The tapas menu rolls out taste pleasers like Pan con Tomate with Jamon – bread with ham & tomato, House Marinated Olives, Oysters on the Half Shell and Tuna Crudo with celery & apple. Large plates feature and Crispy Pork Belly with Butternut Squash Bacon Sherry, New York Strip Steak with organic fried egg & truffles, Seared Duck Breast with dried figs & pistachios and Paella Valenciana with shellfish, chicken and chorizo. Open every day.

Bar Ferdinand
1030 N 2nd St
Philadelphia, PA 19123
(215) 923-1313
http://www.yelp.com/biz/bar-ferdinand-philadelphia

Chifa: Sleek Asian Fusion Cuisine

Chifa offers a unique melding of Asian and South American cuisines served in a sleek, modern setting. Peru has a large number of Chinese immigrants who came to the country in the late 1800s and melded their cuisine with that of Peruvian natives, resulting in uniquely delectable fare that you’ll find at this eatery. The menu’s dim sum offerings include Spring Rolls with peanut hoisin sauce, Pork Belly Bao Buns with pickled daikon, and Duck Tacos with house kimchi. Noodle and rice dishes feature a Pork Ramen Bowl, Mushroom Broth with Udon Noodles, and Lomo Saltado with braised beef. Chinese 5-Spice Pork served on flour tortillas, Prime Ribeye with chocolate barbeque sauce, Spicy Cantonese Eggplant, and Mussels with coconut rum are on the entrée menu.

Chifa
707 Chestnut St
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 925-5555
http://www.yelp.com/biz/chifa-philadelphia

Percy Street Barbecue: Goin’ South

Percy Street Barbeque is the place to chow down on some tasty barbeque in a casual, relaxing setting. Settle in with a refreshing cocktail like the Percy St. Punch with gin, pomegranate juice, sweet tea & lemon, alongside an appetizer like Fried Green Tomatoes with tomato bacon mayonnaise, Macaroni & Cheese with garlic crumbs, or Avocado Salad with fresh lime & cilantro. Barbeque meats include Smoked Brisket with Creekstone Farms angus beef, Spare Ribs with root beer chipotle glaze, a Pulled Pork Sandwich, BBQ Chicken Salad with buttermilk dressing and a Percy Burger with house-ground brisket. Sides include Pinto Beans, German Potato Salad and Collard Greens. Order the Combo and get an appetizer, meat and side for $21. Beer and wine are served. Open every day.

Percy Street Barbeque
900 South St
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 625-8510
http://www.yelp.com/biz/percy-street-barbecue-philadelphia

Fountain Restaurant: One of Philadelphia’s Finest Restaurants

One of the most lauded restaurants in Philadelphia is the Fountain, opened inside the Four Seasons Hotel in 1983. The recipient of scores of awards, the Fountain has brought exceptional fine dining to local palates with great consistency. The décor is gorgeous, with glass art, comfortable booths, and soundproof dividers for comfort and privacy. Cuisine is contemporary American with heavy French influences, and the menu abounds with must-try appetizers and entrees. Keep in mind that a jacket is required for gentlemen dining here. Brunch here draws a sizable crowd, with the brioche French toast a particular favorite. Pancakes with huckleberries and Ricotta cheese are also amazing. Dinner is exceptional – one of the most decadent entrees is the whole deshelled lobster in cognac our bourbon sauce. Sea bass is also cooked to perfect tenderness and seasoned deliciously. Get the chocolate soufflé for dessert. Prices are, of course, high, but the Fountain is an experience that’s worth it.

Fountain Restaurant
The Four Seasons
1 Logan Square
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 963-1500
http://www.yelp.com/biz/fountain-restaurant-philadelphia-2

Barbuzzo: Jewel of the Mediterranean

Valerie Safran and Marcie Turney are the power couple responsible for transforming 13th Street into a Philadelphia destination – with a total of six restaurants and boutiques spread over a few blocks, they’ve put their stamp on this part of the city. One of the best is Barbuzzo, a stylish and comfortable wine bar and restaurant that draws flocks of delighted diners every night. The appetizers here are top-notch – get the “pig popcorn,” made from house-smoked pork rinds with apple cider vinegar powder, piment d’espelette, and horseradish aioli. The wood-fired pizzas are also splendid, cooked to crispy, chewy perfection and topped with market-fresh ingredients. Cheese boards are curated amazingly, with the goat cheese drawing special raves. The sheep’s milk ricotta is also a must. The menu is filled out with a number of pasta dishes and spectacular desserts. Sit at the bar by Barbuzzo's kitchen to watch the chefs work their magic.

Barbuzzo
110 S. 13th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 546-9300
http://www.yelp.com/biz/barbuzzo-philadelphia

Sky Café: Philadelphia’s Destination for Indonesian Cuisine

If you’ve never had Indonesian food before, you’re in for a treat. The cuisine of the island nation is remarkably diverse and exciting, drawing inspiration from other Asian cultures while maintaining a style of its own. Philadelphians know that  the place to go is Sky Café. The menu is extensive and can be a little overwhelming to newbies, so here are some must-try dishes. Regulars rave about the toothsome kari bhun, a chicken curry made with the thin rice vermicelli noodles known as bee hyun. The flavor is remarkably rich and complex, with a subtle milkiness unlike other curries. Other favorites include the nasi goring, fried rice with slivers of sausage, pork, and pickled vegetables spiced to perfection, as well as the mie BBQ pork noodle soup, which is served with the broth in a separate bowl so you can add as much or as little as you like. Portion sizes are very generous and prices are low. Sky Café is a real jewel of a restaurant.

Sky Café
1540 Ritner Street
Philadelphia, PA 19145
(215) 271-1983
http://www.yelp.com/biz/sky-cafe-philadelphia

Sugar Philly Truck: Mobile Sweetness

Food trucks are one of the hottest things in the eating world right now, so it’s no surprise that Philadelphia has a number of great ones. Recently voted one of the 20 best food trucks in the United States, the Sugar Philly Truck brings sweet treats to appreciative eaters five days a week. Chef Daniel Tang sets up shop in a former mobile post office to knock out some astonishing gourmet desserts. The biggest draw here are Sugar Philly's spectacular French macaron cookies – these amazing sandwich cookies are light but very flavorful. The everyday options include a decadent chocolate ganache and a subtle, comforting “milk & honey” flavor, but the real stars are the daily specials. Show up on Monday for a salted caramel macaron that will blow your mind. The Thursday green tea is also great. And at just $1.50 apiece, prices are extremely competitive. The menu also offers a few other treats that change based on the availability of seasonal ingredients.

Sugar Philly Truck
38th & Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(267) 940-7473
http://www.yelp.com/biz/sugar-philly-truck-philadelphia

Standard Tap: A Beer And More

The gastropub trend has hit Philadelphia with a bang, as many bars are taking the time to revamp their food offerings beyond the standard bar fare. One highlight of this movement is Standard Tap, opened in 1999. First and foremost, as you might expect from the title, this is a beer bar, and Standard Tap supports a wide variety of local breweries. With over twenty beers on tap, far more in bottles, and two cask-conditioned ales served from hand pumps, you can literally spend weeks just sampling the beers. The food is equally ambitious, using large amounts of locally-sourced meats and produce to create some truly unique and spectacular dishes. Some of the menu’s most successful offerings include the great chicken pot pie, which takes an American favorite and enrobes it in a fresh pastry crust with flavorful, succulent ingredients. Burgers are also fantastic, with juicy patties topped with thick-sliced bacon. On nice days, Standard Tap's roof deck is a perfect spot to hang out.

Standard Tap
901 North 2nd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19123
(215) 238-0630
www.standardtap.com/drink.html

Bistrot La Minette: French Fantasia

Chef Peter Woolsey loves the cuisine of France, taking frequent trips to the country to immerse himself in its rich culinary tradition. So it’s not surprising that he would want to share it with his fellow Philadelphians at Bistrot La Minette. This incredibly charming French restaurant has won raves from diners in recent years for its spectacular food and service. Get a reservation in advance, because the space isn’t large and it usually fills up fast. Once you’re seated, the menu is stunning from beginning to end, but here are some suggestions. The appetizer course boasts an incredible terrine of foie gras with figs, as well as great escargots in herbed butter. Entrees are diverse, but the Dijon mustard braised rabbit with house-made tagliatelle is spectacular, as is the Gascony-style braised lamb shank. If you’re having a hard time deciding, head in on Sunday for the prix fixe meal!

Bistrot La Minette
623 S Sixth St
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 925-8000
http://www.yelp.com/biz/bistrot-la-minette-philadelphia

Wedge and Fig: One of Philadelphia’s Secret Treasures

This cute little bistro has become one of Philadelphia’s secret treasures, and one meal here will make you a fan. Opened by Kirk Nelson and Lisa Ruff with the assistance of chef Rebecca Torpie, the restaurant is beautifully designed, comfortable, and stylish. The menu, as you might expect, is heavily cheese-centric. Some of the prime dishes on the menu are the bacon lattice macaroni & cheese – it’s essentially a rich, decadent macaroni & cheese made with a house blend of cheeses and topped with a crispy, smoky lattice of bacon, kind of like a pie. The sandwiches are all excellent, with some favorites including the Betty Draper (truffled egg salad, cucumber, and lemon salt, served with a side of candy cigarettes) and the Blue Figs (fourme d’albert blue cheese, prosciutto, and sweet fig preserves). The Panini of the day is almost always worth ordering as well. Wedge and Fig's dessert menu is also exceptional.

Wedge and Fig
160 N. 3rd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 238-1716
http://www.yelp.com/biz/wedge-and-fig-philadelphia

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