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

South Philadelphia Tap Room: Craft Beer and Good Food

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

Mood Cafe: Enjoy Chaat in Cedar Park

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

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

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

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

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

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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The Abbaye: Enjoy Yourself in Northern Liberties

The Abbaye is a great spot to chill out with a craft beer and a bite to eat in Northern Liberties. A hefty section of draft and bottled beers is on hand, along with an expansive wine list and cocktails.

Pair your drink with a yummy appetizer like Smoky Chimay Wings, Abbaye Mussels with bacon, leeks & garlic, or Belgian Tomato Soup. Garden fresh salads include the Abbaye with walnuts, bleu cheese & bacon.

Sandwich options feature an Angus or Veggie Burger topped with your choice of a huge variety of toppings, including caramelized onions, roasted peppers, jalapenos, sautéed spinach, barbeque sauce and mushrooms. Seitan Cheesesteak, Grilled Cheese and Crab Cake sandwiches are also available.The Abbaye also serves entrees like BBQ Seitan with vegan slaw & frites, Roasted Seitan Farfalle, and Steak Frites.

The Abbaye
637 N. 3rd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19123
(215) 627-6711
http://theabbaye.net/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-abbaye-philadelphia

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