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Explore the Flavors of the Mediterranean at Audrey Claire

April 14, 2015 by

Audrey Claire is a staple of Philadelphia's tony Rittenhouse Square neighborhood. Serving Mediterranean fare that's inspired by the seasons, this intimate corner eatery offers indoor and outdoor seating. During Philly's more temperate months, Audrey Claire's cafe windows are cast open, inviting a warm breeze to fill the space, while outside, cafe tables line the sidewalk.

Regulars recommend beginning your meal with an order of grilled flatbreads. The pear flatbread is a popular choice, topped with robust gorgonzola and crunchy sunflower seeds. Pass an order of salty olives around the table, then move on to a mesclun salad or the butternut squash risotto. As for entrees, the roasted chicken breast receives two thumbs up from regular diners. Vegetarians can enjoy the flavorful penne arrabiata. There are two prix fixe menus that are required for parties of seven to 25; both are reasonably priced at $35 or $45.

A BYOB establishment, Audrey Claire accepts cash only, so leave your credit cards at home. The eatery is open 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

Audrey Claire
276 S. 20th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 731-1222
audreyclaire.com
www.yelp.com/biz/audrey-claire-philadelphia

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Estia: A Taste of Authentic Greek Fare in Philadelphia

February 17, 2015 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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Where to Find Philly’s Most Iconic Foods

February 10, 2015 by

Most people automatically think of cheesesteaks when they think of Philadelphia’s most famous foods, but there are a few other iconic food landmarks in the City of Brotherly Love. Here are just a few of Philly’s most memorable bites, and none of them come in traditional restaurant form.

Reading Terminal Market
This historic public market is located conveniently in Philadelphia’s Center City, and it is home to a wide variety of restaurant stands and grocery vendors. The market’s stands sell local produce, Amish specialties, meats and seafood, and even fresh cut flowers. Visitors fill up on Thai food, salads, pizzas and pasta as they shop, and the market even offers quality wines and baked goods.

Pat’s and Geno’s Cheesesteaks
Though the two are always in friendly competition, Pat’s King of Steaks and Geno’s Steaks are arguably Philadelphia’s most famous cheesesteak vendors. Pat’s has been around since 1930 and Geno’s first opened in 1966, but today both are known for that signature thin-sliced steak, melted cheese, and freshly baked bread that tastes distinctly like Philly.

9th Street Italian Market
Philadelphia has a very large Italian-American population, and this has translated into South 9th Street’s unique mix of sights, smells and tastes. The 9th Street Italian Market is located in the area of the city’s first Italian restaurants and grocers, and it still sells the same high quality herbs, spices, fresh seafood, pastas ,and other traditional Italian fare.

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Philadelphia’s Most Popular Vegetarian Restaurants

January 20, 2015 by

In a city whose most famous food is the cheese steak, it may seem difficult to maintain a meat-free lifestyle. Don’t fret, vegetarians, because Philadelphia is home to many more vegetarian restaurants than you may realize. Here are a few favorite spots for veggie lovers.

1) Vedge
This award-winning gourmet vegan restaurant is owned and operated by two renowned vegetarian chefs. The menu includes all-vegetable dishes inspired by cuisines from around the world, though all of the ingredients are locally sourced. Vedge’s handcrafted cocktails and an impressive wine selection also make the perfect additions to any dish.
1221 Locust St. Philadelphia, Pa. 19107; (215) 320-7500

2) HipCityVeg
For a more casual vegetarian lunch or dinner spot, HipCityVeg offers fresh, fast food made without any animal products. Each dish is 100% plant based, and everything from the food containers to the restaurant’s furnishings are recycled and made from energy-efficient materials. Flavorful salads, hearty veggie burgers, and sandwiches stacked high with toppings are all part of HipCityVeg’s tasty menu. Don't miss the eatery's signature Groothie!
127 S. 18th St. Philadelphia, Pa. 19103; (215) 278-7605

3) P.S. & Co.
With an industrial-style, light filled interior that’s just as appealing as its healthy menu, Locust Street’s P.S. & Co. is a must-try spot for Philly vegetarians and carnivores alike. The restaurant prides itself on being entirely organic, gluten-free, vegan, and kosher, but each dish is prepared in such a way that even non-vegetarians will love the taste. Breakfast includes yogurts and porridges, while lunch and dinner soups, salads, and wraps will fill you up and make you feel good about what you’re consuming.
1706 Locust St. Philadelphia, Pa 19103; (215) 985-1706

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Popular Fine Restaurants in Philadelphia

January 13, 2015 by

Philadelphia’s food scene may be best known for its cheesesteaks, but the City of Brotherly Love also has a number of fine dining restaurants to offer. Try one of these impressive, upscale Philly eateries for your next special occasion.

Morimoto
You’ll feel as if you’ve stepped into the future as soon as you enter this artistically decorated restaurant, which features abstract sculptures, a futuristic lounge area, and a main dining room furnished with colorful, lighted walls and modern tables. Chef Morimoto, star of television’s popular Iron Chef series, creates the restaurant’s upscale Japanese fare with his signature creative style. The best way to get the full experience is by choosing the Omakase, a multi-course tasting menu with thoughtful beverage pairings.
723 Chestnut St. Philadelphia, Pa. 19106; (215) 413-9070

Barclay Prime
Located in the historic Barclay Building in Rittenhouse Square, Barclay Prime is a luxury steakhouse with an old-school feel. The restaurant itself is decorated with traditional furniture and bright pops of neon colors and modern accents, and it contains a bar, lounge area, and spacious dining room.
237 S. 18th St. Philadelphia, Pa. 19103; (215) 732-7560

Vetri
This Italian restaurant is known as one of the best in the country, and after your first bite of fresh fish or homemade gnocchi, you’ll likely understand why. The six-course tasting menu is personalized to each diner’s unique preferences, and the dishes frequently change depending on which ingredients are in season and the mood of talented Chef Vetri. Vetri only seats 30 guests, which makes for a truly intimate dining experience.
1312 Spruce St. Philadelphia, Pa. 19107; (215) 732-3478

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Tinto: An Intimate Spanish Tapas Bar in Philadelphia

December 16, 2014 by

Reminiscent of Spanish pintxo bars, Tinto is an intimate tapas bar and restaurant in Philadelphia's Rittenhouse Square neighborhood. Here, two modern and cozy dining rooms are decorated with antique cork screws and stacked wooden wine crates full of Spanish wines.

The moderately priced food is a gastronomist’s first pick. Fresh vegetables are delivered daily from Luna Farm, a sustainable, all-organic, 40-acre farm in Ottsville, Pa. Regular diners suggest you start your meal with the sopa de castaña, a truffled chestnut soup with duck and mushroom hash, fried quail egg, and pistachios. The diver scallops are another popular choice, set upon a bed of parsnips and crispy serrano ham. Downstairs, you'll encounter a sultry lounge that offers wines, crafted cocktails, signature sangrias, Spanish ciders, and craft beers.

Tinto is open 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Happy hour is offered 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays.

Tinto
114 S. 20th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 665-9150
philadelphia.tintorestaurant.com
www.yelp.com/biz/tinto-philadelphia

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Meritage: Fine Dining in Rittenhouse Square

December 9, 2014 by

Meritage serves contemporary American fare just a few blocks from Rittenhouse Square. The dining room, which seats 55 people, boasts golden yellow walls and gleaming hardwood floors, proving the space to be equal parts cozy and chic.

Meritage promises to be one of the more wallet-friendly fine dining destinations in the tony Rittenhouse Square neighborhood. A full bar offers an impressive variety of wines under $50, while elegantly plated dishes don't exceed $30. The gourmet fare here includes vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options. For those without dietary restrictions, the free-range chicken breast with whipped potatoes, and sauteed spinach is a local favorite. Finish your meal with the decadent goat cheese cake with pistachio, poppy seeds, and lemon curd.

Meritage serves dinner 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays and 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

Meritage
500 S. 20th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19146
(215) 985-1922
www.meritagephiladelphia.com/index.html
www.yelp.com/biz/meritage-philadelphia

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Burgers and Shakes at Shake Shake in Philadelphia

November 11, 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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Memphis Taproom: Beer and Brunch in Philadelphia

October 15, 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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Catahoula: Cajun Fare in Philadelphia

September 23, 2014 by

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.

The po’ boy sandwiches are all highly-regarded, but the oyster version may be the pinnacle. Huge, savory oysters breaded and fried are served on a French roll with remoulade. Fans also rave about the fried macaroni and cheese, which is a distinctive take on the classic comfort food dish. The duck jambalaya also wins plenty of raves – it’s difficult to make duck work in a dish like this, but Catahoula is said to do so admirably. The restaurant also offers a wide variety of food and drink specials throughout the week.

Visit Catahoula's website to learn more about this Philadelphia eatery!

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

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