Watkins Drinkery: Not Your Typical Bar Food

Located off-the-beaten-track in South Philly, Watkins Drinkery differentiates itself from being just another neighborhood bar by offering a varied, unique menu. South Philly residents will certainly lean toward making Watkins a regular spot, with its Saturday Happy Hours, friendly bartenders, and amusements like game screenings and pool. But food enthusiasts from around the city, especially the carnivorous ones, will be drawn in by Watkins’ exotic offerings, such as the venison nachos, wild game chili, and smoked alligator sausage sandwich. Bring visiting friends and family to Watkins for an authentic ostrich cheesesteak! And don’t worry: less adventurous taste buds can still enjoy fish and chips or a farmhouse burger.

Watkins Drinkery
1712 S. 10th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19148
(215) 339-0175

Pumpkin: In Season

With a focus on fresh, local food, Pumpkin serves a menu that changes with the seasons. The menu’s limited selection reflects each dish's ingredients, allowing diners to know exactly what they're eating and where it comes from. Examples of moderately priced menu selections include fresh seafood and vegetables, daily soups and sides, and local meats. The best deal for diners with adventurous palates and big appetites is the Sunday tasting menu! People who really enjoy Pumpkin’s offerings can stop by their next-door market and pick up farm-fresh food to bring home. The intimate interior makes Pumpkin a great spot for a romantic dinner. A few words of caution: Pumpkin is BYOB, not always vegetarian-friendly, and cash-only.

Pumpkin
1713 South Street
Philadelphia, PA 19146
(215) 545-4448

Harvest Seasonal Grill: Farm Fresh Cuisine

The sign out front doesn’t lie. Short of driving an hour west into farm country, Harvest Seasonal Grill is the closest we metro-dwellers will get to a fresh, honest-to-goodness farm-to-table meal. Chef Brian Duffy sources his menu from 75 Pennsylvania farms; butternut squash and apples from Gettysburg, milk from Lancaster and cheese from Chester Springs, to name but a few. Dishes are upscale yet unfussy—the spring menu features Coriander Dusted Scallops, Vegetable Kebabs, and Sweet Pea Chicken. It’s all just a few days old, and you can taste the difference. (In the future, Duffy plans to grow his own vegetables just a mile down the road.) The commitment to freshness also means a focus on health. For example, Chef Duffy replaces refined sugar with agave nectar, which dramatically lowers calorie content. Picture it: eating a 400-calorie gourmet meal on a flower-kissed stone terrace, with a seasonal draft beer, boutique wine, or cocktail. Worth a trip, don’t you think?

Harvest Seasonal Grill
549 Wilmington Pike
Glen Mills, PA 19342-1252
(610) 358-1005
www.harvestseasonalgrill.com

Estia: A Glimpse Of Greece

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 spectacular 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 Estia nails every time, with a perfect consistency that’s resilient yet tender to the fork. The entrees are spectacular, with special attention given to the seafood. If you’re saving money, the lunchtime prix fixe menu is a great deal – seventeen bucks for an absolutely filling two-course meal. The décor is also great, 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

Vetri: An Acclaimed Dining Experience With Intimate Italian Pleasures

Philadelphia is a city with a boatload of history and various hailed “institutions,” but it also has plenty of room for a deserving newcomer. Compared to some of the city’s other Italian mainstays, Vetri is a veritable baby—opening in 1998, it’s barely out of its first decade. And yet, the quality of the food and service has earned the restaurant raves from chefs like Mario Batali, a man who knows Italian food when he eats it. Vetri is different from the instant you walk in; instead of a sprawling dining hall, it’s an intimate space that only seats a handful of diners. Chef Marc Vetri has become famous for his handmade pastas, which are wonderfully fresh and tender to the tooth. The other offerings on the menu are equally delicious, with spectacular meat, fish, and vegetarian offerings. Wise eaters go on Friday and Saturday nights for his tasting menus, which are paired with carefully chosen wines to create a meal of unimaginable deliciousness.

Vetri
1312 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 732-3478
www.vetriristorante.com

Le Bec-Fin: Philadelphia’s Finest French Restaurant

With all the elegance and baroque splendor of a French fine dining establishment, Le Bec-Fin has been one of Philadelphia’s premiere restaurants since 1970. A local landmark with international renown, this evolving yet conservative eatery is the perfect place for a dressed up dinner or a truly special occasion. Chef and owner Georges Perrier’s menu changes frequently to suit seasonal ingredients and reintroduce classic dishes such as pan-seared foie gras (served with white wine quince puree and sauce rouennaise), rack of lamb (complemented with lamb potato terrine, tomato conserve, and zucchini mint puree), and lobster salad with grapefruit gelee, crispy shallots, and lavender essence. If you can’t decide, try the prix fixe seasonal tasting menu or opt for Perrier’s well-balanced “Classic Degustation.” No matter what you choose, the food will dazzle your palette while offering a taste of French sophistication.

Le Bec-Fin
1523 Walnut St
Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 567-1000
www.lebecfin.com

Tacconelli’s: Five Generations Of Philadelphia’s Best Pizza

The East Coast is serious about pizza, with most major cities boasting their own regional style that they trumpet above all others. If you’re in Philly, the city’s pizza mecca is Tacconelli’s. In 1918, Giovanni Tacconelli came from Italy to bake bread. He wanted to do it the old country way, so he and his friends built a 20 x 20 brick oven. That oven, after World War II, began being used to produce pizza pies of such intense quality that his name quickly became synonymous with pizza. That same oven is behind Tacconelli’s spectacular pizza to this day (although it got a little facelift in the 1990s). This is a no assembly-line pizza parlor—there’s just one man working one oven, and everything is painstakingly handcrafted. This translates into spectacular, rustic pizzas with gorgeous aromas that will make you question New York’s pizza dominance. The crust is mighty thin, so don’t overload it with —keep it simple and it will serve you well. Oh, and a word to the wise: Tacconelli’s recommends that you reserve your dough in advance if you plan to eat in or take out—otherwise you might be out of luck.

Tacconelli’s
2604 East Somerset Street
Philadelphia, PA 19134
(215) 425-4983
www.tacconellispizzeria.com

Fork: Use Yours to Savor the Eats at This New American Bistro

New American food can be really variable; for every top-flight eatery, there are ten offering the same old entrees without care for ingredients or preparation. Thankfully, Philadelphia’s Fork is one of the good ones. The menu is updated daily and showcases both high-quality local ingredients and amazing international specialties—a lush dining room perfect for a business meal or a romantic interlude and spectacular service are just some of the keys to this restaurant’s success. Chef Terence Feury has been acclaimed as the best chef in Philadelphia for many years running, and his approach in the kitchen is masterful. Regulars rave over classic dishes like coq au vin, lamb chops, and risotto, as well as the famous fried chicken liver appetizer. The restaurant’s bar also has a widely acclaimed mixologist. The price are on the higher side with entrees around the $40 range, but you can try the cuisine for less during brunch and lunch.

Fork
306 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 625-9425
www.forkrestaurant.com

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

Do the Tango to Philly's Whiskey Tango Tavern

Whiskey Tango lends itself to all kinds of evening entertainment. As a popular nightclub and music venue, visitors are treated to a well-worn space that accommodates eager crowds of dancers and revelers. There’s always something different going on, however, so don’t shy away if you’re not the clubbing type. Sunday and Monday nights play host to sports games, while the rest of the week wavers between tango trivia, live performers, battle of the bands showdowns, and plenty of other nocturnal entertainment. With specials on food and drink throughout the week and plenty of alternating activity, Whiskey Tango Tavern always has something to offer.

The Whiskey Tango
14000 Bustleton Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19116
(215) 671-9234
www.whiskeytangotavern.com

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