Doma: Splendid Sushi

If you have a hankering for top-flight Japanese cuisine in Philadelphia, stop into Doma and have your tastebuds tantalized with exceptional sushi and more. With a vibrant, modern design, Doma captures the trendy style of Tokyo while remaining respectful of the country’s food traditions. The menu is extensive, featuring not only sushi but other Japanese dishes and even some Korean fusion concepts. The fish is sourced fresh and cut to perfection by the well-trained sushi chefs, and regulars rave about the awesome rolls. Some favorites include the pachinko roll, made with shrimp tempura, avocado, and cucumber wrapped in a rainbow of thinly-sliced fish, as well as the Korean-style bibimbap roll with seasoned vegetables, kochujang paste, and sesame oil. The triple spicy double tuna roll also wins raves from heat-obsessed diners. Hot entrees include a delectable Scottish salmon teriyaki and Korean kalbi short ribs, both of which are sure to satisfy. Doma's prices are very reasonable as well.

Doma
1822 Callowhill Street
Philadelphia, PA 19130
(215) 564-1114
http://www.yelp.com/biz/doma-philadelphia

Café L’Aube: Crepes And More

This lovely Fairmount restaurant has become a local favorite for a number of reasons. When owners Jean-Luc and Rachel emigrated to the United States, they began to miss the simple, flavorful street food of Europe. In 2008, they decided to do something about it and opened the doors at Café L’Aube. The restaurant quickly built up an impressive collection of regulars who rave about the high-quality coffee and delicious crepes. If you’re hungry, the Complete is one of the best savory meals in town – filled with bacon, eggs, and Emmenthaler Swiss cheese, it’s great for breakfast or lunch. The Normandy, stuffed with turkey, Camembert fondue, and caramelized apple, is also a must-try. Diners with a sweet tooth rave about the fresh-baked muffins. There is plenty of comfortable seating and free Wi-Fi internet if you want to make a day of it, and the staff is friendly and helpful. Prices are reasonable.

Café L’Aube
631 Wallace Street
Philadelphia, PA 19130
(215) 235-2720
http://www.yelp.com/biz/cafe-l-aube-philadelphia-3

Sugar Philly Truck: Mobile Sweetness

Food trucks are one of the hottest things in the eating world right now, so it’s no surprise that Philadelphia has a number of great ones. Recently voted one of the 20 best food trucks in the United States, the Sugar Philly Truck brings sweet treats to appreciative eaters five days a week. Chef Daniel Tang sets up shop in a former mobile post office to knock out some astonishing gourmet desserts. The biggest draw here are Sugar Philly's spectacular French macaron cookies – these amazing sandwich cookies are light but very flavorful. The everyday options include a decadent chocolate ganache and a subtle, comforting “milk & honey” flavor, but the real stars are the daily specials. Show up on Monday for a salted caramel macaron that will blow your mind. The Thursday green tea is also great. And at just $1.50 apiece, prices are extremely competitive. The menu also offers a few other treats that change based on the availability of seasonal ingredients.

Sugar Philly Truck
38th & Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(267) 940-7473
http://www.yelp.com/biz/sugar-philly-truck-philadelphia

Nifty Fifty’s: Philadelphia’s Old Fashioned Diner and the World’s Largest Soda Fountain

Nifty Fifty's offers a 1950s diner-style establishment for parties, casual meals, or a quick roadside stop. With the world’s largest soda fountain serving 100 different handcrafted flavors—from birch beer to bubblegum, honey dew lemon to vanilla peach—the restaurant specializes in old fashioned American diner food. Morning breakfast options include several filling platters, omelets, and egg sandwiches, while specialty sandwiches, cheesesteaks, and burgers are up for order throughout the day. Homemade chili, hefty salads, and plenty of sides (onion rings, fries, thick milkshakes, yum!) round out a menu of pure comfort food.

Nifty Fifty's
2491 Grant Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19114
(215) 676-1950
www.niftyfiftys.com

Pod: Shapes and Tastes

A popular spot for Wharton alums, Pod seems to cater to a high-end clientele. A Steven Starr restaurant, Pod has a sleek, streamlined interior that sets the tone for its modern take on Asian cuisine. Under pulsating, circular lights, guests are seated at a variety of geometric shapes: stools circled around a bar, square-shaped booths, and cubby holes with circular openings. The menu consists of the typical Asian fushion offerings of potstickers, spring rolls, dumplings, and hibachi. Vegetarians and pescatarians will be pleased with Pod's culinary variety. The sushi selection at Pod includes the usual standbys — Dragon and Rainbow — along with inventive originals like the Seattle and the Rio Grande.

Pod
3636 Sansom Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 387-1803

Tria: Good Things Come in Threes

Tria specializes in offering the enticing trinity of wine, cheese, and beer. With locations in Rittenhouse Square and Washington Square West, Tria’s makes it easy to visit their inviting space. Tria's got a strictly walk-in policy and casual dress code, encouraging newcomers to stroll in and discover a new favorite wine or beer. The friendly, knowledgeable waitstaff helps guests wade through its extensive, daily-changing wine, beer, and cheese lists. Yes, "cheese lists" — offering numerous cheeses of many varieties. Tria also serves up a menu of sharable and modestly priced dishes like bruschetta, salads, and sandwiches. Stop by Tria on a Sunday to sample selected beverages and cheese or go the extra mile and enroll in a Fermentation School!

Tria
1137 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 629-9200

Who Makes the Best Cheesesteak in Philly?

The ongoing argument about the best cheesesteak in Philly will probably never be resolved—some people like Pat's, and some can't live without Geno's. So here's a little information about both—you be the judge.

Pat's

Pat’s King of Steaks makes no joke about its name. Originally a hot dog stand at the base of Philadelphia’s Italian market in 1930, owner Pat Olivieri inadvertently invented the steak sandwich when he decided to cook himself a chopped meat sandwich with onions for lunch. The rest, as they say, is history. The quick and easy new dish became a sought after delicacy by local cabbies and local patrons, before growing into a city-wide mainstay. Almost 80 years later, Pat’s is still Philadelphia’s reigning cheesesteak sandwich establishment with a variety of menu options—from the simple classics to items like mushroom pizza steak and roast pork—and a bevy of succulent, well-cooked toppings. Open all day, every day, this is another perfect stop for anyone looking to get a hefty bite of Philadelphia’s infamous edible tradition.

1237 E Passyunk Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 468-1546
www.patskingofsteaks.com

Geno's

Boasting happy customers from Oprah to Justin Timberlake to Tony Danza, Geno’s Steaks has a no-fuss reputation for solid, Philly-style meat sandwiches. Joe Vento opened Geno’s in 1966 with only $6, two boxes of steaks, and six hot dogs. Since that humble beginning, the establishment has grown into a Philadelphia landmark serving simple steaks with a lot of sass. Service is fast and the line keeps pace so make sure you arrive with your decision already made and your order properly planned. With a menu that only includes six varieties of steak sandwich and a few basic sides, it shouldn’t be hard to choose ahead of time. The restaurant is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, attracting a diverse crowd of hungry patrons at all hours. Though there is no indoor seating, there are a few tables and canopies out front on the sidewalk for those who can’t wait to dive into their food.

1218 S 9th St
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 389-0659
www.genosteaks.com

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