Pizzeria Stella: Stellar Pies in Society Hill

Few things are as deeply satisfying as a flavorful pizza, sizzling hot out of the oven, swathed with melted cheese, and bedecked with a variety of yummy toppings. Go to Pizzeria Stella to get yours, artisan-made and baked in a wood-fired oven on Second Street in Philadelphia.

Antipasti are also on the menu to start your meal. Options include Sheep’s Milk Ricotta on rosemary flatbread, Broccoli Rabe with garlic & ricotta salata, and Shrimp Arrabiata – pan roasted shrimp with flatbread. Three pasta dishes are also on the menu, including Spaghetti Pomodoro, and Lamb Bolognaise with rigatoni.

Stella's pizza options feature a Margherita with basil & buffalo mozzarella, Sausage with wood-roasted sausage, pesto & mozzarella, Picante with capicola, crushed red pepper & provolone, and Tartufo with black truffle, egg & fontina. House-made gelato is also served.

Pizzeria Stella
423 S. Second Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 320-8000
http://www.starr-restaurant.com/stella/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/pizzeria-stella-philadelphia

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White Dog Café: Local and Organic Cuisine

Founded in 1983, White Dog Cafe continues the tradition by committing itself to using ingredients garnered from Philadelphia-area organic, sustainable producers. The result is fresh food that repeat diners seem to adore.

White Dog's dinner menu features small plates like Nature’s Well Beef Carpaccio with Dijon aioli, Chick Pea Fritters with pickled red onions, and Fried Chesapeake Oysters with egg yolk aioli. Handmade pasta dishes include Rigatoni with spicy lamb bolognaise, and Linguini with Kennett Square mushroom pesto. Pocono Rainbow Trout, Lancaster Petite Duck Breast, Maine Dayboat Scallops and Steak Frites are also on the menu.

Try to save a spot for a yummy dessert like Crème Brulee, Caramel Apple Tart or Cinnamon Streusel Cake. Beer, wine and cocktails are also on offer here.

White Dog Cafe
3420 Sansom Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
http://www.whitedog.com/university-city.html
http://www.yelp.com/biz/white-dog-cafe-philadelphia-2

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Barbuzzo: Small Plates on 13th Street

What’s not to love about a cozy little Mediterranean bar and café? Barbuzzo is just that. A warm, inviting ambiance, attentive service and an expertly prepared menu of Northern Italian dishes.

Settle in with a refreshing libation like the Sanguinello with orange vodka, blood orange puree, Chambord, & lime. Order an appetizer like Wild Mushroom Bruschetta, Roasted Marrow Bone or Sheep’s Milk Ricotta with grilled French country bread. A nice selection of artisan pizzas adorn the menu, as do pasta dishes like Parsnip Ravioli with braised duck and Bucatini All'amatriciana with San Marzano tomatoes and pecorino.

Other dishes you'll find at this Philadelphia eatery include Grilled Mediterranean Octopus, Braised Short Rib, Caciocavallo Stuffed Meatballs, Bone-In Sirloin and Seared Halibut. Visit Barbuzzo's website to see the full menu!

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

Public Domain/Public Domain

Zahav: Mediterranean Cuisine in Society Hill

Philadelphia's Zahav has earned itself a loyal bevy of fans who love their take on Mediterranean food. The ambiance is lovely and relaxing, with soft music and attentive service.

Begin with a starter like Yemenite soup with chicken broth, baby turnips, & pickled onions, Roasted Zucchini with Bulgarian feta, hazelnuts, zucchini & babaganoush, or an Heirloom tomato salad with & house-made ricotta.

Mezze, or small plates, are also a good way to go. Choose several to share at the table or keep them all to yourself. Options include Crispy Lamb’s Tongue with snap peas, smoked grapes, pistachio tehina, & peaches, Kibbe Naya with raw lamb, corn, fenugreek, & kale, and Watermelon salad with marinated cobia, Israeli olives, & smoked honey.

Zahav
237 St. James Place
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 625-8800
http://www.zahavrestaurant.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/zahav-philadelphia

Public Domain/Public Domain

Jones: Modern Comfort Food

Jonesing for some flavorful comfort food with a modern twist? Head to Jones and let them fix you up with something yummy to quell your craving, right in Center City Philadelphia.

The all-day menu features appetizers like Cheese Pierogies with caramelized onions, Deviled Eggs, Baked Macaroni & Cheese, Chicken Nachos and Buf-faux-lo Tofu Wings. Soothing soups include Matzo Ball and Chicken Rice. The tasty array of sandwiches offers up a Brisket on brioche bun, Texas BBQ Pulled Pork, and a Turkey Burger with roasted tomato aioli. Tandoori Chicken Kebabs, Fried Chicken & Waffles, Pecan Crusted Tilapia, Chicken Pot Pie, Sesame Seared Tuna and Fried Chicken in a Basket are among the entrée options.

Jones also serves a popular weekend brunch. Visit its website to learn more!

Jones
700 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 223-5663
http://www.jones-restaurant.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/jones-philadelphia

Public Domain/Public Domain

Alma de Cuba: Cuban Fare in Philadelphia

Alma de Cuba serves up tasty Cuban fare in a modern, upscale setting near Philadelphia's Rittenhouse Square. Go there to relax with one of their signature libations, like a Mojito with rum, mint & sugar, or a Caipirinha with rum, sugar and lime juice. Wine and beer are also served.

Alma de Cuba's appetizers include Lamb Neck Casabe with yucca flatbread, Rainbow Ceviche with tuna, salmon & bass, Octopus Escalivada with grilled Spanish octopus, olives & capers, and Royal Palm Dates wrapped in bacon & bleu cheese. Vaca Frita – fried cow – is a favorite among the entrees. Lechon Asado – crispy roasted pork, Peruvian Barbeque Chicken, and Rum Cured Duck Breast are also on the menu. Be sure to try the Chocolate Cigar – almond cake wrapped in chocolate mousse – for dessert.

Alma de Cuba
1623 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 988-1799
http://www.almadecubarestaurant.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/alma-de-cuba-philadelphia

Vernick Food & Drink: International Delights

Chef and owner Greg Vernick brings his experience as cook in fine establishments around the world to this charming little eatery. Settle in for your meal with a cocktail or glass of wine from their extensive selection and sumptuous starter like Creamy Eggplant & chanterelles, Fromage Blanc & kumquats, Beef Tartare with fresh Horseradish, or Island Creek Oysters with ginger & citrus. The entrée menu offers up Grilled Black Sea Bass with fire-roasted tomato sauce, Steamed Halibut with sweet potato, miso & Manilla clam broth, Pork Blade Steak with onion marmalade & sautéed mustard greens, and Braied Veal Ossobuco with preserved lemon. Desserts include Roasted Date Cake with coconut gelato and Carrot Cake with vanilla bean cream cheese. Open for dinner Tuesday through Sunday.

Vernick Food & Drink
2031 Walnut St
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(267) 639-6644
http://www.yelp.com/biz/vernick-food-and-drink-philadelphia

The Dandelion: Rule Britannia

The Dandelion features an innovative take on traditional British cuisine. Stop in at lunchtime to fuel up on Winter Root Vegetable Soup with buttermilk croutons, Crisp Baby Gem Caesar Salad with parmesan dressing, Grilled Paillard of Chicken Salad with crispy lettuce & chopped vegetables or a House Blend Aged Beef Burger with Vermont sharp cheddar. If you stop by for dinner, you might want to start with an appetizer like Welsh Rarebit on buttermilk toast, Confit Duck Rillettes with pickles & apple, or the British Cheese Board with savory biscuits & quince paste. Move on to a sumptuous entrée like Scottish Salmon with sage brown butter, Rabbit Pie with oyster mushrooms, cipollini onions & smoked bacon, or Braised Celery Gratin with parmesan béchamel, royal oyster mushrooms, & pickled walnuts. Open Tuesday through Sunday.

The Dandelion
124 S 18th St
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 558-2500
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-dandelion-philadelphia

Triumph Brewing Company

Ready to get your brew on? Triumph Brewing Company is happy to oblige with a hearty selection of craft beer. There's plenty of wine and cocktails, too. The crowd is diverse and friendly, so if you arrive solo, you’re bound to make a friend or two. Belly up to the bar and have the bartender pour you a pint of one of their artisan brews, like a Bengal Gold IPA, Belgian Pale Ale, Imperial Stout, English Bitter or Philly Stout. When your tummy starts growling they’ll fix you up with something tasty like a Soft German Pretzel with house-made ale mustard, Chicken & Andouille Sausage Gumbo with rice, or BBQ Chicken Nachos with cheddar & jack cheese, jalapenos & sour cream. Pizzas, sandwiches and full entrees are also on the menu. The party gets started with live music every night. Open every day.

Triumph Brewing Company
117 Chestnut St
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 625-0855
http://www.yelp.com/biz/triumph-brewing-company-philadelphia

Catahoula: Creole Perfection, Right in Philadelphia

Queen Village might be the last place you’d expect to find a top-flight Cajun restaurant, but Philadelphia is full of surprises. Catahoula offers classic New Orleans flavors, executed with high-quality ingredients and the perfect amount of spice. Everything on the menu is exceptional, but here’s a quick rundown of dishes you must try. The po’ boy sandwiches are all very good, but the oyster version is probably the pinnacle. Huge, savory oysters breaded and fried to perfection are served on a French roll with awesome remoulade. Fans of seriously delicious grub also rave about the new fried macaroni and cheese, which is just as decadent as it sounds. The duck jambalaya also wins plenty of raves – it’s difficult to make duck work in a dish like this, but Catahoula pulls it off admirably. Get a draft of Abita in a frosty glass to cool your palate after your meal. The restaurant also offers a wide variety of food and drink specials throughout the week.

Catahoula
775 S. Front Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 271-9300
http://www.yelp.com/biz/catahoula-philadelphia

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