Coffee beans from Colombia are considered the best in the world, so it’s no surprise that Rittenhouse Square’s La Colombe Coffee Roasters is arguably one of the best coffee shops in Philadelphia. This atmospheric cafe is beloved by the area’s coffee fanatics for its premium brews and expertly prepared beverages, but it’s also warm and inviting to those who aren’t as knowledgeable about their beans.

Inside, La Colombe is spacious and sunny, with small tables decorated with colorfully painted designs and equally colorful mugs that clash wonderfully against the tabletops. Skilled baristas prepare cafe mochas, pour-over coffees, and iced lattes behind a long coffee bar, and beverages like the 16-hour cold brew prove that the extra effort is well worth the wait.

La Colombe in Rittenhouse doesn't offer Wi-Fi, so swap your laptop for a little conversation.

La Colombe
130 S. 19th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 563-0860
www.lacolombe.com
www.yelp.com/biz/la-colombe-philadelphia

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr Sharon & Nikki McCutcheon

Authentic fare is what’s cooking in Kanella’s kitchen in Philadelphia. Go there to feast on flavorful Mediterranean fare.

Stop by in the a.m. for the Cyprus Breakfast with two eggs fried in olive oil, with halloumi – cheese, lounza – smoked pork, and bread, the Shakshouka – two Eggs poached in a cumin scented tomato and pepper stew, with grilled bread, or Malohwa – pan fried savory puff pastry, boiled egg, spicy tomato salad & Greek yogurt. Some tasty sandwiches are on the menu, along with entrees like Whole Fish of the Day with fresh greens, Braised Rabbit Leg with fregula pasta, Organic Pig Cheeks with roasted fennel, Goat Chop with dolmades, and Stuffed Pepper with raisins, rice, lentils, & pine nuts.

Visit Kanella's website to find out more about this Philadelphia restaurant.

Kanella
1001 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 922-1773
www.facebook.com/kanellarestaurant
www.yelp.com/biz/kanella-philadelphia

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr/stu_spivack

You use your kitchen knives almost every day, from slicing your morning banana to chopping vegetables for dinner at night. Because good knives can be expensive, you likely want to keep them in top working condition. Here are a few simple tips for properly caring for those important cooking knives.

• Don’t let them soak. It may be tempting to simply toss your knives in with the rest of your soaking dishes, but avoid doing so. This can cause the knife to bend or get scratched, and it can also be dangerous if someone reaches their hand under the water.
• Don’t run them through the dishwasher. Likewise, the dishwasher can also dent or ding your knives. Instead, wash them thoroughly by hand after every use.
• Don’t store them in a silverware drawer. This is especially important for renters who might not have much extra space in the kitchen. Instead, invest in a small wooden knife block that you can keep on the counter, or at least use a knife sheath to keep the blade safe.
• Keep them sharp. In order to get the best results from your knives, you need to sharpen them frequently. Use a honing steel or a knife stone if you’re comfortable doing it yourself, or if you’re not, you can always send them out to be sharpened by a professional.

Caring for Kitchen Knives: Dos and Don'ts [About Food]
How to Take Care of Your Knives [David Lebovitz]
How To Care For Kitchen Knives: 6 Common Mistakes [Huffpost Taste]

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr r.nial.bradshaw