Wednesday, December 25, 2024

Kanella: Mediterranean Fare in Philadelphia

Authentic dishes from the cuisines of Cyprus and Greece are 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.

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

Butcher and Singer: Fine Philadelphia Dining

Philadelphia's Butcher and Singer features a creatively inspired menu of old-school dishes served in a setting reminiscent of the glamour of a bygone age. The ambiance is romantic and elegant, with lots of polished wood, dim lighting and leather banquettes, perfect for settling in with a signature cocktail or glass of wine and a flavorful starter.

Appetizer options include a Shellfish Platter, Steak Tartare, Escargots, and Fried Oysters. The steak and chop menu features a New York Strip, an 8- and 12-Ounce Filet Mignon, Colorado Lamb Chops, Delmonico Steak and Dry Aged Porterhouse. Trout Amandine, Roasted Chicken, Twin Lobster Tails, Fried Shrimp and Surf & Turf with filet mignon & lobster are on the entrée menu. Sides come separately and include Creamed Spinach, Baked Potato, Stuffed Hash Browns and Asparagus.

Butcher and Singer
1500 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 732-4444
http://www.butcherandsinger.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/butcher-and-singer-philadelphia

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

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

Public Domain/Public Domain

Village Whiskey: Artisan Cocktails

Evoking the ambiance of a prohibition-era speakeasy, Philadelphia's Village Whiskey is a go-to gathering spot to ease the cares of the day. Settle in with a glass of one of their more than 80 whiskeys from the world over, or a carefully crafted artisan cocktail made by one of their skilled bartenders. A tasty selection of craft beers is also on hand.

Village Whiskey also serves a popular menu of food. Bar snacks include Herb Roasted Oysters, House Made Cheese Puffs, Jumbo Lump Crab Cocktail, Deviled Eggs and Tater Tots. Settle in at the bar or grab a table, if you can find one in this cozy, popular spot, and order yourself one of their burgers. Options include the Whiskey King with maple & bourbon-glazed cipollini, bleu cheese, applewood smoked bacon & foie gras, and the Veggie Burger with a lentil & black bean patty, guacamole & pickled red cabbage.

Village Whiskey
118 S. 20th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 665-1088
http://villagewhiskey.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/village-whiskey-philadelphia

Public Domain/Public Domain

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

Public Domain/Public Domain

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

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

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

Rotisseur: Seasonal & Delicious

Who says you can’t have a stellar meal artfully prepared from fresh, seasonal ingredients in a speedy, self-serve setting? Not the staff at Rotisseur, who regularly turn out tasty fare at this relaxed little eatery. Rotisserie-roasted Amish-raised chickens that are hormone and antibiotic free and raised outside of cages is what’s on the menu here. You can have yours whole, halved or in pieces, and team it up with flavorful sides like Mac & Cheese, Roasted Potatoes, Pickled Beets, Kale Chips, Green Salad and Corn Muffins. Thai-style sandwiches include a Chicken Banh Mi, Duck Confit Banh Mi, Barbeque Chicken, and Tofu Banh Mi. Salads are also on the menu as are some refreshing drinks. Open Monday through Saturday from 12p.m. until 9:30p.m.

Rotisseur
100 5 S 21st St
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 496-9494
http://www.yelp.com/biz/rotisseur-philadelphia

 

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