Philly Fav's

Stuff I do on a regular/seasonal basis in Philly.

Relaxing Weekends:
1) When the weather gets a bit nicer I like to stroll down to the Italian Market with a book. I get a slice of Laurenzo's Pizza at 9th and Christian for a buck-fifty then head across the street to Anthony's Cafe, purchase my favorite chai with a shot of espresso, then sit outside at one of the tables and people watch/read my book.

2) Weather permitting, I like to take a book down to Locust Street Park (it's down by 25th & Locust, near the River). I either sit in the grass or on one of the many benches. Everyone from the neighborhood brings their dogs here (there's also an enclosed dog park). I love to watch all the doggies at play. It's also a great (and safe) location to sun bathe during those steamy summer months. You can also enjoy the abutting community garden.

3) Head over to Go Vertical Indoor Rock Climbing Gym near Columbus and Spring Garden. It's great for newbies and veterans alike. If you go with a member (like me), first time is for free.

4) Take a stroll or run along the Boat House Row on Kelly Drive. There's a sweet bike path the runs along the river (out and back = 8 miles). About .75 miles from the start of the bike path at Logan Hall, there a nice bouldering spot and bench area. If you go a bit farther, you get the sense that you are no longer in the city: there are lots of trees, grassy areas to sprawl out, and benches to relax and admire the lovely view of the Schukill River.

5) When my trusty best buddy Emily is not off skiing in Jackson Hole like she is this month, we take a weekly drive out to the Wissahickon Park (The Wiss) in Mount Airy area of Philadelphia for some trail running. If you want to feel like you are in the woods but not actually leave Philadelphia, this is the place to go. You'll see runners, walkers, families, and dogs out on those paths. Beautiful weekend retreat! If you can, stop at Valley Green Inn for brunch or lunch. Very quaint and always has the best food!

6) Another enjoyable day trip to cast off the city blues is to Media. Media contains a cute Main Street with a brew pub, cute shops, a Trader Joes, and top notch restaurants. What pulls me to Media is Tyler Arboritum--a great preserve with a plethora of trails. You can choose from 3 mile up to 10 mile loops. The air smells soooo good here! Do try out the brewpub on that Main St in Media. I forget the name of it, but they always have good beers on tap and tasty dishes.

7) Manayunk. Another section of Philadelphia in the Northeast. FYI, the City of Philadelphia is huge--sections like Manayunk and Mount Airy are so far from Center City that you feel like you have entered the suburbs. It's still Philly though! Manayunk has it's own Main Street which has a small town feel. Lots of coffee shops, bars, restaurants and boutiques. I am in Manayunk every Saturday for my band practice; the studio is just off main street (East Side Studios). Since you have to drive out there from Center City, I haven't gone out there alot at night, but when I have it's been a blast. Kildare's Irish Pub is one of the favorites and it hosts quizzo every Tuesday night. A favorite spot of mine is The Machismo Burrito Bar = build your own burrito. They're pretty cheap and very tasty. They also have a Le Bus restaurant. The bread here is fantastic! Lot's of vegetarian dishes.

My favorite place to hit up in Manayunk is the Manayunk Brewery and Restaurant (or just The Brewpub). ****Great weekend combination: trail running at the Wiss following by dinner and beers at The Brewpub. Sweet! I've done this many a time and it's always a very satisfying day.

Ok, I'm going to move to list form or this will get very lengthy...

Favorite Cafes/Coffee Shops:
1) Brewhaha (between Walnut and Locust on 12th). I am there every day.
2) Anthony's Italian Cafe: 9th & Christian
3) Mug Shots: 21st & Fairmount (great food here too! and it's across from the old prison which looks like a medevil castle...this is in the Art Museum district). **Every Weds night they show a movie. http://www.mugshotscoffeehouse.com/
4) Cafe de Miel: on 17th in between Walnut & Locust. The pastries are to die for!
5) Naked Chocolate Cafe: Walnut & 13th or new location at Penn's campus (uh oh!). Yes, this is a cafe that specializes in chocolate goods too. Try the aztec hot cocoa. OMG.
http://philadelphia.citysearch.com/profile/44522863/

Favorite BYOs: (MAKE SURE YOU BRING CASH)
1) Mercato. 13th & Spruce. Gourmet italian/french. Get the cheese plate! http://www.mercatobyob.com/
2) Audrey Claire. 20th & Spruce. Ahhh, this may be #1, but Mercato is only a couple of blocks from my apartment...you must go here. Expect to wait, but it's worth it!
3) Effie's. 11th & Pine. Best Greek food in the city! And it's a half a block from my house. The feta is unbelievable.
4) Salt & Pepper. 6th & Fitzwater. Great Queen's Village/Bella Vista neighborhood BYO. Menu changes all the time, so can't really recommend a specific dish. Small & intimate.
5) Cochon. Ok, I haven't been here yet, but it's on the way to The Royal Tavern and every time I pass by it looks delicious. Who wants to go with me? It's at Catherine & Passayunk. http://www.cochonbyob.com/

There are soooo many great BYOs in Philly, but these are my top four that I keep going back to and have never been disappointed. To try these or to look for more, go to this great interactive BYOB search engine: http://www.gophila.com/byobmap/

Also check out the City Search Philadelphia webpage. I'm on there just about every day for one reason or another: http://philadelphia.citysearch.com/roundup/38802

Best Margaritas:
1) Xochitl. On 2nd between Lombard & Pine. High end tequila and full range of tequila types. I never knew how many different kinds of tequila there are; it's as complex as wine! Tastiest margaritas in the city. This is actually a restaurant too. The food menu looks divine but I've only sat at the bar. I need to go back to eat. The food is pricy, but looks filling. Headhouse Square is neat, too. There's the Society Hill Dance Acadamy across the way--can take lessons there or go in Thurs/Fri nights for open dance party. There are also other pubs there too, but I haven't tried them out yet.
2) Mixto. 11th & Pine. The best cuban food and drinks in the city. The mojitos, margaritas and plaintains are particularly good! And it's a half a block from my apartment!
3) El Vez. 13th & Samson. Great after-work or weekend night drinks. Try the blood orage margarita, you won't be disappointed. Also Mexican food served.

Best Pubs/Gastrobars:
1) The Royal Tavern (see my review). 6th & Passyunk
2) The Standard Tap. 2nd & Poplar. The beginning of North Philly, it's near the climbing gym so Emily and I go there fairly often. Great food, great beer on tap. Lots of local brews. Victory Wiezenbock is my fav when in season. The salad with duck leg is great as are the daily selection of soups.
3) Monk's. 16th & Spruce. Specializes in Belgian beer and food. Order the mussels and any of the burgers. This is a Philly must.
4) Good Dog. 15th & Locust. Try the Good Dog Burger. Stuffed with Roquefort! Sweet potato fries come with.
5) The Belgian Cafe. 21st & Green Street. Owed by same dude as Monk's. Different feel though. Awesome fries!
6) Doobies. 23rd & Lombard. On the dive bar side. Great burgers and cheap beer.
7) Nodding Head Restaurant & Brewery. 16th & Sansom. Great bar food and beers on tap.

Best non-BYO restaurants:
1) Amada. 2nd & Chestnut. Oh god this is good. Spanish tapas. Not cheap, but worth every penny. Take that special someone here.
2) Vetri. 13th & Spruce. Italian at it's best. More modern than traditional though. Gnocchi!
3) Ghenji. 18th & Sansom. SUSHI! Great Japanese beers too and plum wine.
4) Ralph's. 9th & Christian. Ok, some people have called this place the "Walmart of Italian Restaurants"...I however enjoy this place. It's the oldest family Italian restaurant in the country (opened circa 1905). If you're expecting high end Italian, this is not it. If you're expecting a more laid back family restaurant then this is the place for you. The table wine is great and anything with prosciutto. South Philly has so many great Italian restaurants, so if you want something with a bit more class in the same neighborhood, try Dante & Luigi's (on 10th between Catherine & Fitzwater). If you want real decadance, head to SALOON on 7th st in between Fitzwater and Catherine. You will need someone to cart you out of there at the end!

Best treats:
1) Capogiro. 13th & Samson or 2oth & Samson. GELATTO! This is a must!
2) Reading Terminal Market. Arch & 12th. Amish market place. http://www.readingterminalmarket.org/
3) Italian Market. Starts at 9th & Christian. DiBruno Bro's--cheese, butcher, fresh veggies, spice shop, pizza place, chocolate shop, pre-made food shop, kitchen shop, patry shop...
http://www.phillyitalianmarket.com/
4) Termini Brother's: 8th & Tasker. Totally worth the trip to South Philly. The BEST pastries, cookies, cakes, CHOCOLATE COVERED BANANAS, etc, etc ~ really whatever your heart desires it is there. http://www.termini.com/
5) Isgro's. 9th & Christian. (seeing a trend? get yourself to 9th & Christian). Best cannoli's. http://www.isgropastries.com/
6) Famous 4th St Cookies...up until recently the shop used to be over at 4th & Bainbridge. I recently went back and panicked because it was no longer there. Fortunately I checked online and found out that they are now in the Reading Terminal Market. The peanut butter cookies are amazing as are the oatmeal chocolate chip. They'll heat them up for you!!

Best breakfast/Brunch
1) Sabrina's. 9th & Christian. If you get there too late (after 10) expect a wait in the cold. It's worth it though. Filling proportions, unique flavors added to classic breakfast items, and all organic/fresh ingredients. Look for the pumpkin pancakes when in season. Uhhh, so good.
http://www.sabrinascafe.com/ There's also one near Mugshots. Breakfast then coffee? Sounds good to me. Let's go!
2) Morning Glory. 10th & Fitzwater. Diner. Classic. Never disappoints.
http://philadelphia.citysearch.com/profile/8990918/philadelphia_pa/morning_glory.html
3) The Dutch Eating Place. Reading Terminal Market. You sit at the counter. Cheap, quick, greasy and filling. An Amish family runs it. Get some scrapple. It will feel like a stone in your stomach after but it's a Philly classic!
Great Philly Food Blog: http://comradechufood.blogspot.com/2008/12/dutch-eating-place-philadelphia.html
4) The 21st Street Gourmet. Near 21st & Walnut. Jewish influences. The poached egg on croissant with cheese is amazing.

Well, that should get you started. My stomach has led me to many interesting spots! There's still so much more to explore too! Let me know if you have anything specific you are looking for.