Given that my idea of Greek food is a chicken gyro with French fries on it — and to make matters worse, I pronounce it as “jeye-roh” like a true ‘Murican — I did not expect the cuisine I was fed at Kanella: Greek Cypriot Kitchen. There was still pita bread (thank goodness), but that [...]
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Prime Rib creates 1940s vibe
It always feels like you went back in time to 1940s Manhattan when you dine at The Prime Rib. The first Prime Rib restaurant location opened in Baltimore in 1965, followed by Washington in 1976 and Philadelphia in 1997. All three restaurants were modeled after supper clubs that were popular during the 1940s in New [...]
Brick American Eatery serves up a decadent twist on classic dishes
To begin with a disclosure, the location of Brick American Eatery in the more residential neighborhood of Rittenhouse Square swayed my opinion of the restaurant more favorably than had it been placed in an area surrounded by skyscrapers. Located at 1708 Lombard St., the restaurant is nestled in a picturesque neighborhood of suburban and urban [...]
Starr eatery impresses with elegance
Parc Restaurant, Bistro & Cafe is one of Rittenhouse Square’s greatest assets. Parc’s prime location at the corner of 18th and Locust streets is an attribute to its success; customers are able to enjoy a fabulous view of Rittenhouse Square while eating their meals. This Stephen Starr restaurant is fashioned after a brasserie in Paris. [...]
Street Food Philly worth the price
I find myself standing in front of the Street Food Philly food truck again, with the sun shining and my mouth watering for the local dry-aged burger that I just ordered. I am waiting with a friend of mine who is about to experience Street Food Philly for the first time. Good food, good friends [...]
Branzino dishes up classic Italian cuisine, although for a steep price
Branzino Italian Ristorante — the first impression is really in the name. At least for me, Branzino has a certain flair to it, fancy but not unwelcoming. Mind you, this is disregarding the fact that “branzino” is actually a type of fish. Believe me, upon entering this place it becomes clear that Branzino (the restaurant) [...]
Local pizza joint comes under new management
Village Pizza is under new ownership, and these guys are looking to make a strong impact on the local food scene. The same people who brought Jimmy John’s sandwich shop to University City have purchased the longtime pizza shop located on the 3200 block of Powelton Avenue in order to bring the students of Drexel [...]
Tequilas brings authentic south-of-the-border cuisine to Philadelphia
For Mexican food lovers, Tequilas restaurant is the ideal place to dine. Bright, colorful Mexican artwork depicting peasants and a newlywed couple painted as corpses greet you upon entering the Victorian mansion. In Mexico, el Dia de Los Muertos, the Day of the Dead, is celebrated in November to remember and honor the deceased. Much [...]
Abyssinia dishes authentic Ethiopian cuisine
When it comes to just about any institution, the name of the game is showmanship. So long as your product is eye-catching and unique, you’re in business. Flashing lights and pretty sights turn consumers into rooks, ready to grab anything that sparkles. The same cannot be said for restaurants. Sure, a restaurant can have all [...]
Say Cheese food truck grills up filling, scrumptious sandwiches
Ah, the humble grilled cheese sandwich. Long a staple of the college diet, it’s best known for being easy to make and equally easy to scarf down. However, Say Cheese, a food truck located on 33rd Street between Market and Arch streets that serves “gourmet grilled cheeses, sandwiches and steaks,” hopes to add a bit [...]
Mac Mart gives you food in a flash
The Mac Mart has rightfully proclaimed itself “the first mac ‘n’ cheese food truck in Philadelphia” and is one of the most prominent on 33rd Street. It is easy to spot due to its vibrant pink exterior and a delicious variety of mac ‘n’ cheese-based items to fulfill anyone’s comfort-food needs. Marti Lieberman, the Drexel [...]
Resurrection lets craftiness shine
First things first: Keep a watchful eye when looking for Resurrection Ale House. My companions and I learned, the hard way, of course,, that the establishment is tucked into a street corner much like a dive. Indeed, the South Philadelphia neighborhood in which married owners Brendan Hartranft and Leigh Maida opened RAH, their third restaurant [...]
Beck’s Cajun Cafe adds unusual kick to traditional bayou recipes
Have you ever had the urge to eat something out of the ordinary? That longing that emanates from deep within the pit of your stomach, the one that moans and cries out in agony for a delicacy it knows it wants but just can’t seem to find? The one that begs not only for sustenance [...]
Pure Fare a healthy, friendly option
Whenever a restaurant strives to be more than a just a business, it really shines through. The food can taste great, the staff can be polite, and the place can comfort with carefully arranged decor, but when there’s a purpose behind the service, it adds a whole new dimension to the eating experience. It’s that [...]
Sweetgreen offers fresh alternative
One of the absolute worst things one can do to oneself is to go on a diet. Now I fully understand that being healthy is important, but to sacrifice food for that goal is abhorrent. There is a small point of merit in that by starting a diet you may expose yourself to new foods [...]
Standard Tap tavern pairs seasonal dishes with comforting atmosphere
Standard Tap is a new breed of neighborhood tavern. It fulfills the basic standards — homey food, an unbelievably extensive selection of draft beers, the dull roar of happy patrons, and dim lighting. That being said, it is anything but basic. The foundational characteristics are certainly there, but Standard Tap then goes above and beyond. [...]
Banana Leaf inspires customers to break out of their comfort zone
The art of enjoying food is governed by many rules. Truly, it is these rules that separate my craft from that of simple ingestion. Now, I must apologize to all of my readers, for I fear that I may have violated one of these most important tenets in my quest to bring you even closer [...]
Manakeesh expands the palate
Before regaling you with tales of culinary adventure, let me make something perfectly clear: judging food is difficult. Now, that may sound as if I’m being a braggart considering that I am, in fact, about to judge food (well), but that is simply not the case. All I wish to communicate is that for one [...]
Good Karma Cafe brews eco-friendly beverages
Good Karma Cafe will satisfy your senses in more ways than what you would expect from a cabaret, let alone a coffee house. It offers a drink and food menu capable of inducing a mini excitement-panic attack from the multitude of tantalizing choices. What’s more, it’s nestled among the picturesque townhouses of Fitler Square at [...]
Doc Magrogan’s reels in comforting seafood
It’s rare, but every once in a while I’ll discover someone who doesn’t like seafood. They’ll tell me something along the lines of “they swim in their own filth” or “it smells funny.” I’ve tried to understand these people, but despite my best efforts I just cannot find it in me to sympathize with them. [...]
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