Fall 2014 Dining Guide

October 15, 2014 34st.com

F DIN ALL 2 ING 014 GUI DE

ABE FISHER, MAMA'S BALLS , VOLVER & MORE

october 15

DINING GUIDE

2014 dining guide REVIEWS

21 Dizengoff 3 Tuk Tuk Real 22–23 Food Porn 5 The Treemont 24 Cafe Plenty 6 Abe Fisher 27 25 Good Stuff Eatery 7 Zavino 9 Cafe Ynez 26-27 Volver 10 La Peg 11 Charlie was a sinner Price per person 12 Pizzeria Bedia 13 coZara $: 0-$10 16 a.kitchen $$: $10–20 17 Mama's Balls $$$: $20–30 19 Pure Sweets & Co. $$$$: $30–40 20 Hai Street Kitchen & Co. $$$$$: $40+

34TH STREET MAGAZINE

Chloe Bower, Editor–in–Chief Patrick Ford-Matz, Managing Editor Abigail Koffler, Digital Director Margot Halpern, Design Editor Sarah Tse, Photo Editor Byrne Fahey, Assistant Design Ling Zhou, Assistant Design Alyssa Berlin, Food and Drink Ryan Zahalka, Food and Drink Cover Photo: Sarah Tse

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DINING GUIDE

TUK TUK REALLY GOOD With the fusion–food trend on the rise, Tuk Tuk Real has taken a new approach to the unique food craze. Tuk Tuk Real combines Thai flavors with staple Mexican dishes.

The restaurant is not meant to be authentic in either cuisine, said their chef Alex Boonphaya. “We started this restaurant because I am Thai and he’s [points to other chef, Silvestre Rincon] Mexican... if people want authentic, they can go home and make it themselves.”

The menu consists mainly of well known Mexican dishes such as burritos, tacos and even tortas, but the flavor profiles are uniquely Asian, though not always Thai. Tacos with kimchi feature a Korean twist while Bahn Mi tortas profile a more Vietnamese flavoring, and the majority of dishes have Asian fusion infused in their Mexican–Thai fusion. Boonphaya says their menu is ever

Mexican + Asian fusion with a net gain of flavor.

Review and photos by Rosa Escandon

evolving and they “pay a lot of attention to comments.” This clearly shows in their food, with every dish including an inventive or otherwise unique element.

Of the dishes I sampled, I found the duck tacos ($7) to be brilliant. The duck was marinated in a cardamom–soy sauce and then topped off with salsa verde, kimchi, pickled onion and lime. The acidity of the lime and salsa, along with the vinegar of the pickled kimchi, cut the spice of the food but did not diminish its overall flavor profile.

The menu is fairly meat– centric, and is especially heavy in red meat. They have several types of beef tacos, including tinga (shredded), lengua (tongue) and suadero (a thin strip of meat between the leg and belly). Similarly they prepare several different types of pork, including a traditional

“Al Pastor,” which is only $2 on Taco Tuesdays. However, the restaurant does have vegetarian and fish options, including fried tofu, small plates and mushroom versions of their tacos and burritos. The Mahi Mahi tacos ($7) are particularly popular among their pescetarian eaters.

Their side dishes are also expertly curated. Our very spunky waitress, Erica, said, “you will love the corn.” While I just expected roasted corn, the dish came with layers of mayonnaise, fresh cheese and chili pepper ($6). Again, the food is spicy, but the cool flavor of the cheese and natural sweetness of the corn made it an instant favorite. Similarly, the chips ($3) and salsa ($3) were freshly made in–house and expertly seasoned.

As for why as college readers you should be particularly interested in Tuk Tuk Real, they

are not only on GrubHub, but they are also a BYO and are reasonably priced, especially considering the size of their dishes. Between the experience, the unique cuisine and the very college friendly pricing, Tuk Tuk Real should be added to anyone’s dining list.

Grab a bottle of tequila, a few friends and get ready for some fun.

TUK TUK REAL

429 South St @TukTukReal (267) 639-2396

DON'T MISS: Lamb Massaman Nachos

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DINING GUIDE

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DINING GUIDE

WINTER, SPRING, SUMMER OR FALL

Chip Roman’s new joint has deep roots in seasonal American cooking

By Julia Liebergall | Photo by Sarah Tse If you think pumpkin spice is autumn’s only seasonal flavor, Chip Roman would be happy to show you the fall menu for his new restaurant, The Treemont. Located a stone’s throw from bustling Avenue of the Arts, the latest addition to the Roman Restaurant Group (Blackfish, Ela, Mica) boasts a full bar and a menu of small and large plates that change not just with the weather, but nearly every day.

As we perused the menu, our waitress brought out two complimentary seasonal dishes to jumpstart our palettes. First, The Treemont’s spin on table bread: warm rye muffins with a whole grain mustard dip. Next, a bowl of delicious candied almonds, cooked in simple syrup and spiced with coriander and fennel.

For our small plates, we sampled the deviled hen egg with duck confit and pickled mustard seeds ($5). The crunchy texture of the duck confit rid the hard-boiled egg of its slick and rubbery tendencies, while

the mustard seeds gave the filling a tangy kick. Up next were the chick pea fritters ($8), an American take on a Mediterranean staple ingredient. Topped with pepperonata and served with a side of spiced yogurt dip, the fritters were crispy on the outside but warm and tender on the inside. We also couldn’t ignore the ricotta gnudi ($13), soft dumplings filled with ricotta and topped with sweet golden raisins, all swimming in a delicious brown butter sauce. Finally, we tried the cobia ($14), cured for six hours in French curry and orange zest. We enjoyed the fish’s light, refreshing kick, but its slippery texture needed the black rice crisps, which unfortunately tasted more or less like Fritos.

With every option sounding equally delicious, we had a hard time deciding on the Amish chicken ($22) and the lamb saddle ($28) for our entrees. Served on a bed of delicious fingerling potatoes and topped with crispy asparagus,

the chicken breast was extremely moist and tender, wrapped in a thin, flavorful skin. The lamb dish, prepared as a duo of different cuts, was soft and juicy, but the real standout on the plate was the fermented barley.

Packing a rich, punchy flavor, it was the perfect seasonal addition to a classic entrée.

Somehow, we managed to make room for dessert. Our waitress suggested the latest addition to the dessert menu: a deconstructed apple crumble of roasted apples, coconut mousse, oatmeal streusel and cider foam ($9). We found the foam too sour for our taste, but the rest of the dish left a sweet tingle in our mouths well after we left the restaurant.

Though a full meal can get pricey, The Treemont’s large, made-for-sharing selection of small plates (not to mention

its Happy Hour every Sunday through Friday) can squeeze into any stingy student’s budget. And if its still too expensive on the college wallet, it is the perfect place to take parents to during Parents Weekend. So as the leaves start changing and the wind picks up, head downtown and experience the flavors of fall at The Treemont.

THE TREEMONT 231 S. 15th St @thetreemont (267) 687-2237

DON'T MISS: Chick pea fritters

SKIP: The sides—the ones

that come with your entree are good enough

$$$$$

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DINING GUIDE

ABE FINEST Some gems are artfully hidden. However, fortunately for the people of Philadelphia, Abe Fisher is not one of them. With bold, white font that reads down the side of its entrance, Abe Fisher adds a modern twist to traditional Jewish cuisine. Located at 1623 Sansom Street, this Israeli restaurant is a byproduct of the renowned partnership between Steven Cook and Michael Solomonov, who are also behind Philadelphian favorites such as Zahav, Federal Donuts, and Dizengoff.

Abe Fisher’s dimly lit, chic restaurant offers square, boxwood “picnic-table” seats for 50 guests, a bar that seats 10, and exclusive kitchen-counter seats for two. Customers are greeted with smiling staff in clean-cut uniforms and led down the black-and-white checkered marble floor to their reserved tables.

For a prix fixe value of $39, visitors can pick one item from three columns of vegetable, fish, and meatbased dishes. Served on small plates, zesty options such as roasted carrots (topped with

The Jewish Diaspora comes to Philly Review and photos by Lucy Hovanisyan

aged gouda, pumpernickel, and lekvar- $10) and crispy Brussels sprouts (served with celery root almond, caviar, orange, and vanilla- $10) are a perfect way to start off a meal. For the second-course, the sweet and sour meatballs (served in sauce with zucchini, raisins, and boursin cheese- $12) and kasha varnishkes (with poppy seeds and English peas that add an irresistible touch of fruity flavor- $12) are especially ideal for sharing. A ubiquitous favorite, however, lies in the third course – pan fried veal schnitzel tacos ($14), served with a squeeze of lemon and cayenne pepper. This dish blends a mexican staple with a Jewish one, and truly hits the mark as the flavor of soft meat merges with mayonnaise topping and melts in the mouth.

Feeling “full” hardly stops anyone by dessert time; all desserts are $9 and mouthwatering. Traditionally sweet egg-creams feature bacon and maple custard, adding a kink of salty flavor to the dessert. For cheesecake lov-

ers, the “black and white” lemon-poppy option is a no brainer; a play on half-vanilla and half-chocolate is cleverly completed with a graham cracker base, shaved almond flakes, and strawberries on the side. If you’re looking to savor a great meal on a budget, coming just for dessert really isn’t too shabby of an option.

And if happy hour is more appealing to you, Abe Fisher offers a special from 5 to 7 p.m., seven days a week: visitors can choose any $10 dish and any cocktail or glass of wine for $7 each. This is also a perfect budget solution for students who are interested in winding down at a fresh, fullservice bar in the Rittenhouse area for a fraction of the cost.

Abe Fisher’s a minimalist aesthetic feel leaves maximal expectation for the taste buds – and it does not disappoint.

ABE FISHER

1623 Samsom St @Diz_and_Abe (215) 867-0088

DON'T MISS: Veal Schnitzel Tacos

SKIP: Chopped liver -- no

Sample Box Menu Dessert for One: 1 slice of cake, 1 small cupcake, 1 cookie $5.00 4 quarter pieces of cake flavors $22.50 2 quarter pieces of cake flavors $11.25 4 quarter pieces of cake flavors $22.50

5 flavors of sliced cake $10.00 Add 1/2 dozen cookies $16.50

3 flavors of sliced cake $6.00 Add 1/2 dozen cookies $13.50

2 flavors of sliced cake $4.00 Add 1/2 dozen cookies $7.50

2 slices of cakes, 2 small cupcakes, 2 cookies $10.00

Proudly serving the Penn Community sinCe 1983 New bar, dining rooms & menu with same good local fare!

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DINING GUIDE

POUR THE ´VINO

Sitting outside at a restaurant on campus poses certain risks, namely eye contact with every ex–hook–up, freshmen hallmate or worst frenemy that may walk past. Zavino, located on Drexel’s rapidly expanding campus, frees you of that burden. There are college kids walking all around, but you probably won’t know them and the spacious restaurant gives you some privacy either way.

The “off campus” feeling lets you focus on what’s really important at Zavino: the food. On a recent Saturday, we watched the sun set over Philadelphia’s skyline with a table full of satisfying and well portioned small plates. One suggestion: make sure the plates themselves are large enough—we almost lost some gnocchi ($9) when serving ourselves from the communal dish. And you do not want to lose a single gnocchi, which is covered in sauce dotted with plump tomatoes that burst in your mouth.

Zavino serves red sauce Italian fare, the likes of which our campus is sorely missing, with an attention to detail that began five years ago at their 13th Street location. The red sauce that accompanies their University City signature dish of spaghetti squash with provolone and pine nuts ($8) is slightly spicy, while the one that cradles a rolled twist on eggplant parmesan with burrata ($8) is the creamy vodka version that you haven’t had in years. Don’t wait so long to try it again. The attention to detail is also apparent in the daily ricotta, which is definitely not to be missed. On our visit, it was served with a citrus oil and rosemary flatbread ($9).

The visible restraint in the food adds to its appeal and keeps it from becoming too salty or too greasy, as casual Italian sometimes can. I appreciated the flavors of charred cauliflower on a vegetable board ($14) and the

nearly charred Brussels sprouts with sherry vinaigrette ($6), cooked in a 900–degree oven in a way that I can’t try at home.

The pizza at Zavino isn’t amazing, but there are lots of good topping options if you’ve got a craving, including the favorite Stache with pistachio pesto, mozzarella, parmesan, lemon vinaigrette and baby arugula ($16). Gluten–free crust is also available as an added plus.

Zavino recently added a brunch menu as well, which includes the normal menu along with five special brunch dishes and a make–your–own mimosa bar with different juice options.

There is also a daily happy hour from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., with $5 wine, $3 beers and and $8 Margherita pizza. The wine– by–the–glass list is extensive and our waiter gave us good advice as we sampled the reds.

As I sat outside at Zavino surrounded by good food, I realized that it’s closer to Van Pelt than Sweetgreen. With thesis (and midterm) season in full bloom, quick detours to Zavino may just be the ticket to a full stomach and a happy fall.

Cheers to that.

Drexel’s campus boasts a thoughtful Italian restaurant well worth the walk

By Abigail Koffler | Photo by Sarah Tse

ZAVINO

3200 Chestnut St. @zavino (215) 823-6897

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A Z Z I P S I AX

For the love of God, try the seafood.

By Cassandra Kyriazis| Photos by Sarah Tse

Ten minutes south of South Street, quaint and cozy Cafe Ynez is nestled into the side of busy and industrial Washington Ave. There’s a chalkboard announcing its presence, but the place is otherwise unassuming.

Booths provide about threequarters of the seating in the 28–seat establishment, and there’s a counter for take–out orders. The decor is colorful and kitschy and a combination of classic Mexican tunes and more contemporary Mexican pop comprises the soundtrack.

Fast–paced Spanish can be heard from the back rooms and behind the counter—a good sign of the authenticity of the restaurant.

After the first bite of seafood, it’s clear just how much of a hidden gem this place is.

For only 12 bucks, you’ll be treated to some seriously succulent shrimp dipped in a lemon–garlic broth. The dish comes out displayed over a layer of broccoli rabe, which is almost as tasty as the shrimp it-

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in a creamy queso, the salmon is cooked just right and seasoned well. The vegetables served on top are both complementary and refreshing.

The side dish of escabeche ($5), which at Ynez consists of carrots and peppers in a oil– and–vinegar–like sauce, brings a savory kick to the table. And more importantly, it tastes fresh, which can sometimes be a problem for cheap eateries that trade freshness for convenience. However, everything at Ynez, from fish to veggies, tastes fresh and almost like a home cooked meal. That is, if your mom knew how to season like a chef and encourages mixing tequila with fresh juices at the dinner table...

CAFE YNEZ

2025 Washington Ave @CafeYnez (215) 278-7579

DON'T MISS: Camarones Ynez SKIP: Carnitas Cemitas, seafood

is your move here

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self. At Cafe Ynez, a pretty presentation doesn’t mean “mostly inedible.” For whatever hangovers you may bring to the table, Cafe Ynez has chilaquiles ($8), with layer upon layer of tortilla, chicken and comforting tomatillo salsa. Vegetarian enchiladas ($7) with a fried egg on top will hit the spot, and brunch is served until 3 p.m.

A slight miss on the menu comes from the “Carnitas Cemitas,” a $9 pulled pork sandwich with refried black beans, Oaxaca cheese and avocado, served on a sesame bun. This is a play on a common Mexican sandwich but the bun surprised me as I was expecting a tortilla, and unfortunately it ended up mostly just soggy if not eaten fast enough. The individual ingredients, especially the refried black beans, are tasty, but together don’t make a great sandwich.

However, the $14 pan– seared salmon more than makes up for the carnitas’ misstep. Settled on top of a collection of sweet corn and spinach

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DINING GUIDE

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DINING GUIDE

LA PEGGING FOR MORE

By Marley Coyne and Alexandra Sternlicht | Photo by Marley Coyne

Oo la la, this French brasserie is worth a visit to Fishtown.

Located in the FringeArts building in Old City, La Peg is the kind of place that makes you want to date people.

With hanging lanterns and 45–foot windows overlooking the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, the French brasserie does the wooing for you. As an added perk, Chef Peter Woolsey creates small plates perfect for sharing.

Our waiter Dan, who’s been with the restaurant since it opened in August, introduces La Peg as “really good French– style food at a really good price.”

He recommends the French beer Kronenbourg Blanc ($7), which we order along with a glass of Cartlidge and Brown Cabernet Sauvignon ($12).

Although the Cabernet Sauvignon is a solid staircase above what we normally drink, the French beer is like an orgasm on top of the Eiffel Tower (Ed. note: we’re assuming).

Think Blue Moon–citrus but smoother and more refreshing.

Before we can finish our drinks, Dan brings us a thinly

sliced, crusty–on–the–outside, warm–on–the–inside baguette with salty butter. Definitely not recommended by Weight Watchers, but recommended by us.

Dan then presents us with the pho consumme ($10), a faux Vietnamese noodle soup with “reinterpreted” steak, paired with oxtail ravioli and sriracha. The only upsetting thing about this soup is figuring out how to eat it. Pro tip: ask for a knife and cut the noodles in half.

With stray noodles accenting the table, another server delivers the remainder of our meal: lamb shoulder ($12), the Parisian sandwich ($7) and macaroni gratin ($8).

The lamb is a slow–roasted bit of shoulder drowning in a bacon and cheese panade braised reduction. Don’t get us wrong, there’s nothing we like more than bacon and cheese, but this dish is Dead Sea–salty, making the flavors hard to distinguish.

The Parisian sandwich ($7), a butter–coated baguette

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stuffed with ham and cornichons (glorified pickles), is the only dull dish of the night.

We suggest skipping this sandwich and ordering a Jimmy John’s “numero un” instead.

It’s cheaper, faster and answering the door with pants on is preferred but not required.

If the Kronenbourg beer was an orgasm on top of the Eiffel Tower, the macaroni gratin (aka “too fancy to call it mac ’n’ cheese”) is ten orgasms in a cheese jacuzzi. The Fusilli noodles covered in creamy, cheesy splendor shut us up for the first time all night.

On second thought, who needs a date when you’ve got mac ’n’ cheese like this?

LA PEG

40 N Columbus Blvd @lapegbrasserie (215) 375-7744

DON'T MISS: Macaroni gratin

SKIP: Lamb Shoulder $$$$$

La Fontana Della Citta 215.875.9990

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DINING GUIDE

CHARLIE WAS A VEGAN

and yes, if it would have been socially acceptable to lick the dish clean, I would have.

Charlie was a sinner is a really unique addition to the Philadelphia food scene. The restaurant has created a chic atmosphere and serves up– scale, delicious vegan food, at a very reasonable price. Definitely don’t let the term “vegan” scare you and grab some friends, dress up a little and try this perfect new Thursday night restaurant.

Sip, savor and forget that you're not having meat.

Review and Photos by Alyssa Berlin

CHARLIE WAS A SINNER 131 S 13th St @Charlie_was (267) 758-5372

Vegan cuisine can usually be found in two types in Philadelphia: Magic Carpet style food carts and expensive meals at Vedge. Charlie was a sinner fills the in–between void and provides this city with a trendy and affordable vegan meal.

The lights are dim, the restaurant is small and there was a black and white film playing on the far wall of the room.

When seated, we were immediately offered cocktails from the very extensive list of interesting alcoholic combinations, divided between classics and signatures. Mixers change frequently but include kombucha, fresh clementine, aloe vera and nary a dry lime wedge to be found. Try the Ask Again Yes ($12) with blanco tequila, rhubarb, lime and agave.

The menu consists of small plates that change frequently with the seasons, and we sampled some of their latest additions as well as some of the classic staples. The Maryland Style Crab Cakes ($4) are delicious and adorable sliders, albeit not properly named since they are more similar to zucchini cakes than mock seafood. The Harvest Salad ($6) is an interesting mixture of warm cooked root vegetables

and herbs, just newly added and perfect for the fall season.

The Chickpea fries ($7) was a huge hit and came out crispy on the outside and warm and tender on the inside, seasoned well with spicy pepper to add a kick. The Korean Tofu ($7) is spicy and crunchy with house–made pickled vegetables lining the plate to offset the heat.

For larger plates, we tried one seasonal item and a menu favorite that was recommended to us by the waitress

as one of their most popular dishes. The Buccatini and Meatballs ($10) is a play on spaghetti and meatballs, and while the sauce is delicious, the meatballs are rather bland and dry. As remarked by my friend, they aren't any better than the ones her mom makes at home. However, the star of the night was the Spiced Cauliflower ($8). I couldn’t stop eating the pieces of cauliflower, seasoned in Moroccan and Middle Eastern flavoring, charred to perfection in a cast

iron skilled and served over Israeli couscous. The flavor profile of the dish was addictive and brilliantly executed-

DON'T MISS: Chickpea Fries SKIP: Buccatini and Meat-

balls- just not worth it

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TANDOOR INDIA

Exotic Indian Cuisine

North Indian Cuisine

“We believe that the joy of eating lies in the art of fine cooking.”

10% discount for students!

20% off for parties of 4 or more! (cash only) Catering for all occasions.

106 S. 40th Street (between Walnut & Chestnut)

Buffet Lunch-Dinner All You Can Eat! 7 Days a Week

PH: (215)222-7122 www.TandoorIndiaRestaurant.com Tandoor_India@yahoo.com FAX: (215)222-5191

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DINING GUIDE

PIZZA THAT PLAYS HARD TO GET

But damn—she's worth it.

By Adam Hersh | Photos by Adam Hersh For Penn students, pizza tends to be a quick bite on the way to class or an alcohol–induced binge on the way back from the bar. By that standard, Pizzeria Beddia is a very un–Penn pizza joint. For starters, it’s in Fishtown—a twenty–minute SEPTA ride away, and not exactly on the way to anywhere. It’s housed in a tiny corner storefront, furnished only with two standing tables and a light smattering of hipsters. You can only order a whole pie for $19, and they only make one pie at a time, on the restaurant’s schedule. Patrons have to sign up for a timeslot in which their pie will be served.

Options are limited to The Plain (tomato, whole milk mozzarella and extra–virgin olive oil), the “Angry” Pizza Arrabiata (same as the plain, but spicy) and a special pizza ($22) with different toppings every week. When I visited, the special was topped with roasted peppers, cream, dandelion greens and garlic.

Oh, and payment is cash only.

In short, Pizzeria Beddia runs dangerously close to drowning

4002 Spruce St, Philadelphia, PA 19104 (215) 387-1583

Mention the DP and get these specials.

Are you having a fiesta?

Let us cater your event!

Onsite or offsite Location seating for up to 50!

BYOB Restaurant

Hours:

Mon: Closed Tues - Wed: 11am - 9pm Thurs - Sat: 11am - 10pm Sunday Brunch: 11am - 3pm Sunday Dinner: 3pm - 9pm

Contact Info:

Northern Liberties 426 W Girard Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19123 (215) 351-9144 www.lascazuelas.net

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Chicken Teriyaki

$9

Any Curry Katsu

$10

Bulgogi

$11

Specialty Rolls Bibimbab

Buy 1 get 2nd 1/2 off

$2 off

Dinner Only Mon –Thurs

We serve Korean and Japanese food!

in schtick. The only thing that saves it from being a “Portlandia” sketch is also the only thing that matters: this place sells seriously good pizza. The crust is so tasty it would be a sin not to eat it all. It’s also exactly as thin as it should be, avoiding even a hint of doughiness without descending into a wet floppy mess. The pointy end of each slice does sag slightly, but this is forgivable given the uniform crispness of every other bite. Besides, this only made me take the first bite faster, basically mainlining the well–balanced mix of sauce and cheese.

I ordered a plain pie, on the guy behind the counter’s recommendation, and was startled to encounter a hint of sweetness instead of the salt–bomb that plain pizza can be. It probably had something to do with the cheese, which had melted into a pleasingly semi–liquid state, like subtly complex lava. The entire pie was helped along dramatically by the generous amount of olive oil spread on top of it—an amount that those calorie–conscious among us would be stricken with an urge to dab it up with a napkin. Resist that urge. The oil was tangy and flavorful, with the result is that each slice feels rich but still manageable. My dining companion and I ate the entire pie in 15 minutes, and probably would have ordered another if there was any space left on the schedule.

PIZZERIA BEDIDA 115 E Girard Ave @pizzacamp

DON'T MISS: "The Plain" SKIP: "Soda pop." Water is

free, and there are tons of bars in the area to quench your thirst

$$$$$

DINING GUIDE

IZAKAYA AND ETC. AT COZARA

Japanese tapas and beyond on Drexel's campus

By Nicole Malick | Photos by Sarah Tse

tic; it underwhelmed compared to that offered at Chef “Zama” Tanaka’s Rittenhouse restaurant, Zama. Of the two rolls I tried, the UPenn roll (tuna, jalepeno and Chilean sea bass, $8) far outshone the Drexel Roll (kani crab, eel…and cream cheese, $8)—take that as you will.

“Sunday” was an entirely different story. Four items between three people were more than enough. We started with the Bacon Mazemen ($9), a “dry” ramen dish, flavored with sauce and sans broth. With a heaping serving of bacon and a poached egg, the dish was warm and thoroughly satisfying. The Shoyu Crispy Ramen Maki ($5), however, a deep–fried tempura roll stuffed with chicken and ramen, was less enticing—over–battered and under–flavored.

The Spicy Shrimp and Eel Maki Wrap ($12) and a homemade version of the now–infamous Ramen Burger ($15, Sunday only) were stellar. The former, wrapped like a burrito in sesame soy paper, was an oversized roll any sushi–lover would enjoy. The burger’s pan-seared

ramen “bun” was crispy yet not brittle, and the patty was dense and juicy. A fried egg, Gruyere cheese and the ginger ketchup/ spicy mayo combo made each bite a fusion of flavors. We were too stuffed to eat the side of chips.

CoZara is close to campus, and late “Sunday” lunch will perfectly complement late Saturday nights. But save the small plates for happy hour, offered Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., when skewers and drinks—beer, sake, wine and cocktails—are only $2 each.

COZARA

3200 Chestnut St @coZaraPhilly (267) 233-7488

DON'T MISS: Weekday hap-

py hour and Sunday ramen SKIP: Wine or beer—opt for sake

$$$$$

Philly’s Best Wings!

Great Service!

28 beers on tap

CoZara is a restaurant of many menus: lunch offers a wide variety of lighter fare, dinner introduces izakaya cuisine—a Japanese–style tapas—and “Sunday” presents an assortment of ramen dishes. Though the original concept was to serve only small plates, sushi is now also on the menu due to popular demand.

I sampled dinner and Sunday lunch at the two–story restaurant, located just off Penn’s campus and part of Drexel’s revamped Chestnut Square. The space is very pleasant, with both floors bathed in natural light thanks to the exterior wall of windows.

Dinner was unremarkable.

There were starters to nibble on, like the Tempura Corn ($4), and an extensive selection of kushi, or skewers. I sampled the shishito pepper and potbelly skewers ($4 and $7, respectively), both lightly doused in a garlic ponzu sauce. These items were each tasty, but not satisfying as a complete meal. Be prepared to order (and ideally, share) several dishes.

The sushi, while immaculately presented, was inauthen-

150 Bottled Beers.

A favorite of Penn students for decades!

1116 Walnut Street | 215.627.7676 | www.moriartyspub.com O C T O B E R 1 5 , 2 01 4 3 4 T H S T R E E T M A G A Z I N E 1 3

DINING GUIDE

DINING GUIDE

UNIVERSITY SQUARE FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF RETAILERS, VISIT

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UCNET.COM/UNIVERSITYSQUARE

SHOPPING

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American Apparel 3661 Walnut Street Ann Taylor Loft 133 S. 36th Street AT&T Mobility 3741 Walnut Street Bluemercury 3603 Walnut Street Computer Connection 3601 Walnut Street CVS 3401 Walnut Street 3925 Walnut Street Eastern Mountain Sports 3401 Chestnut Street Eyeglass Encounters 4002 Chestnut Street Furniture Lifestyle 130 S. 36th Street The Gap 3401 Walnut Street Hello World 3610 Sansom Street House of Our Own 3920 Spruce Street Last Word Bookstore 220 South 40th Street Modern Eye 3419 Walnut Street Natural Shoe 226 S. 40th Street Penn Book Center 130 South 34th Street Penn Bookstore 3601 Walnut Street Philadelphia Runner 3621 Walnut Street Piper Boutique 140 S. 34th Street

SHOPPING, DINING, AND SERVICES AT PENN Shop, dine, and meet in University Square.

This destination district includes over 100 businesses, cultural and recreational venues, and public spaces in and around Penn’s campus, along the tree-lined blocks of Chestnut, Walnut, and Spruce Streets between 30th and 40th Streets.

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Radio Shack 212 South 40th Street The Rave Theater 4012 Walnut Street TMobile 3441 Chestnut Street United By Blue 3421 Walnut Street Urban Outfitters 110 S. 36th Street Verizon Wireless 3631 Walnut Street Wawa 3604 Chestnut Street 3744 Spruce Street

DINING

1920 Retail 1920 Commons Accenture Cafe Towne Building Au Bon Pain 3001 Market Street Auntie Anne’s 3405 Walnut Street Avril 50 3406 Sansom Street Baby Blues BBQ 3402 Sansom Street Beijing Restaurant 3714 Spruce Street Ben and Jerry’s 218 S. 40th Street Blarney Stone 3929 Sansom Street BRYSI, Inc. Franklin Field, 233 S. 33rd Street Bobby’s Burger Palace 3925 Walnut Street Capogiro Gelato Artisans 3925 Walnut Street

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Cavanaugh’s Tavern 119 S. 39th Street Chipotle Mexican Grill 3925 Walnut Street City Tap House 3925 Walnut Street Cosi 140 S. 36th Street Distrito 3945 Chestnut Street Doc Magrogan’s Oyster House 3432 Sansom Street Dunkin Donuts 3437 Walnut Street Fat Ham 3131 Walnut Street Federal Donuts 3428 Sansom Street Gia Pronto 3738 Spruce Street Greek Lady 222-224 S. 40th Street Harvest Grill & Wine Bar 40th & Walnut Streets Hip City Veg 214 South 40th Street Houston Market Houston Hall HubBub Coffee 3736 Spruce Street Jimmy Johns 3925 Walnut Street Joe’s Cafe Steinberg-Dietrich Hall Kiwi Yogurt 3606 Chestnut Street Mad 4 Mex 3401 Walnut Street Mark’s Cafe Van Pelt Library Mediterranean Café 3409 Walnut Street

Metropolitan Bakery 4013 Walnut Street New Deck Tavern 3408 Sansom Street Nom Nom Ramen 3409 Walnut Street Old Nelson Food Company 129 S. 30th Street Pizza Rustica 3602 Chestnut Street Plaza & Bridge Cafes Huntsman Hall Picnic 3131 Walnut Street POD Restaurant 3636 Sansom Street Qdoba 230 South 49th Street Quiznos 3409 Walnut Street Saladworks 3728 Spruce Street Sang Kee Noodle House 3549 Chestnut Street Saxbys Coffee 4000 Locust Street Smokey Joes 210 South 40th Street St. Declans Well 3131 Walnut Street Starbucks 1920 Commons 3401 Walnut Street 3421 Chestnut Street Sweetgreen 3925 Walnut St Taco Bell 3409 Walnut Street Tortas Frontera The ARCH White Dog Café 3420 Sansom Street

SERVICES

Adolf Biecker Studio 138 S. 34th Street Bank of America 3925 Walnut Street Bonded Cleaners 3734 Spruce Street Campus Copy Center 3907 Walnut Street Citizens Bank 134 S.34th Street Fresh Grocer 4001 Walnut Street Inn at Penn 36th & Walnut Streets Jean Madeline Aveda Institute 3943 Chestnut Street Joseph Anthony Hair Salon 3743 Walnut Street Penn Campus Hair, Skin & Nail Salon 3730 Spruce Street PNC Bank 200 South 40th Street Saturn Club 3426 Sansom Street Sheraton University City Hotel 3549 Chestnut Street TD Bank 3731 Walnut Street The Princeton Review 3451 Chestnut Street U.S. Post Office 228 South 40th Street UPS Store 3720 Spruce Street Wells Fargo Bank 3431 Chestnut Street

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DINING GUIDE

MORE THAN JUST a.KITCHEN

Charcoal grilling meets upper–crust dining.

By Ryan Zahalka | Photo by Sarah Tse a.kitchen is still a stupid name. Besides that, it’s hard to find fault with Eli Kulp and Ellen Yin’s reboot of the Rittenhouse eatery. The new menu is a canvas for Kulp’s custom built hardwood charcoal grill, with every item incorporating some grilled or smoked or charred element.

Our first course, smoked beets in a beet gribiche ($13), downplayed the smokiness by using beets that were first pickled, then smoked with the grill.

Instead of weighing down the already rich gribiche, the beets cut tart against creamy, with the background charcoal smoke deepening the flavors of both.

On the other hand, our grilled cucumber gazpacho ($17) with peekytoe crab and succotash put the charcoal flavor front–and–center. Cold soup has always given me the willies, but the grilled cucumber and slightly–sweet crab together gave the dish a heartiness hard to find in gazpacho.

More within the regular purview of charcoal was the American Wagyu steak ($28), four small cubes grilled to medium rare and flanked by charred onion cups carrying the steak’s au jus. Great steak is great steak, but this was probably the least interesting part of the meal. But the fried cauliflower that fol-

lowed (compliments of the chef) triggered a low–key fork fight for the last piece. The taste of cauliflower is easy to overpower, especially when frying or grilling.

But these were so delicately fried that the added texture only enhanced its sweet, nutty flavor.

Rounding out the night was a whole grilled Atlantic sea bream ($46), with lime, greens and an eye looking up expectantly.

Eating a whole fish takes effort, but as any fishmonger will

tell you, a fish is most flavorful when cooked with the bones and skin. The tender, flaky meat that tastes like fish without being “fishy” makes it all worth it. For the more adventurous, the cheek meat is a burst of flavor hiding behind a disapproving face. The eyeball, however, which I nibbled on to satisfy my curiosity, is probably best left with its owner.

For a restaurant without horns on the mantle, a menu built around charcoal is definite-

ly a calculated risk. Thanks to a culture of summer cookouts and holiday grilling, the domineering nature of charcoal grilling is familiar to most diners. But the menu Kulp has masterminded succeeds in exploring the subtleties of a cooking method too often dismissed as one–dimensional. Charcoal is now gourmet.

A.KITCHEN

135 South 18th Street @akitchenphilly (215) 825-7030

DON'T MISS: Whole grilled fish

SKIP: Waygu beef—there are

more intriguing options

st

Philadelphia’s 1 authentic all wood-fired brick oven pizza!

a.Nother issue of Street is coming tomorrow

BYO (wine only) NEW Gluten free pizza!

Whole Wheat pizza!

Soy Cheese and NO corkage fee

FALL FASHIONS FOR O

NLY

Why go to Italy when Italy is right here in Philly?

Located on the corner Dine In or Take Out Tuesday - Friday: 4pm - 10pm Saturday: 11am - 11pm Sunday: 1pm - 10pm

of 23rd & Spruce

• 215-735-7357 • La Famiglia Russo Grazie

follow us on Twitter and Instagram @MamaPalmasPizza and find us on Facebook

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$1.95-$5.95 Thrift Shopping at The Second Mile Center is affordable, earth-friendly, and fashionable.

214 South 45th Street (Between Locust & Walnut) Mon-Sat 10am-8pm

thesecondmilecenter.com 215.662.1663

a.Lso a meeting at 6:30 a.Nd there will be beer a.Lright we're done here

BALLS BALLS BALLS Balls.

Review and Photos by Molly Collett In a city that’s seen the birth of the cheesesteak and roast pork sandwich, the newly–opened Mama’s Balls is using meatballs to reinvent Philadelphia’s favorite meat and bread staple. The meatballs are as distinctive as the name suggests: they’re traditional, as if straight from an Italian nonna’s kitchen, but with a sexy, unconventional kick.

The food truck gives new meaning to the phrase "balls deep," offering a long roster of meatball variations. The menu includes the classic Mama (minced beef, pork and veal), its spicy variation Datz a Spicy Ball (the Mama made with ground hot sausage and topped with spicy pepper) and the Rabe Father (a turkey ball stuffed with asiago cheese and finished with broccoli rabe and pesto). My personal favorite is

DINING GUIDE

MAMA'S BALLS

1426 Frankfort Ave @MamasBalls (267) 530-1493

DON'T MISS: Catching the

truck at the Night Market Philadelphia festival SKIP: Opting for sliders over a sub. You need more balls than that.

$$$$$

the Blue Ball: a classic Mama stuffed and topped with melting, gooey blue cheese.

It’s as rich as it is sinful and actually pretty satisfying. The balls are served as hoagies for $8.50, with three nestled in a long roll, drenched in tomato sauce and blanketed under a mountain of parmesan and arugula. For those of us suffering from decision­–making impotence, the sliders come on a plate of three individually–bunned meatballs, also for $8.50. I ordered the regular Mama, Datz a Spicy Ball and the Blue Ball. Each meatball was served in the fluffiest cloud of a bread roll: a white bun—soft and buttery—eagerly sponging up the meatball’s sauce. To up your ball game, bring a bottle of red wine, grab your balls and set up dinner on a stoop. Street eating at its best.

2013

10% off if you mention this ad and bring student ID 215-735-4444

222 S. 15th Street

www.shiroihana.com

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DINING GUIDE

Don't worry readers. We've still got a regular issue full of all your favs on stands tomorrow.

Want to write for us? Design? Photograph?

Join us, Thursdays @ 6:30pm, 4015 Walnut St. Want to eat with us? Too bad. We're still full.

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DINING GUIDE

ALL KALE THE SWEETS

P.S. & Co: Where vegans can eat more than just air

By Casey Quackenbush| Photos by Sarah Tse Upon entering the organic, gluten-free, vegan and kosher eatery in Rittenhouse, I wondered whether I had mistakenly stepped into a greenhouse —an apt vibe given the potted plants, an abundance of natural light and the array of fresh soups, salads and wraps on display. I felt skinnier just standing there.

The slow Friday afternoon gave us ample space to get comfortable at one of the cafe– style tables. Our meal began with a number of pre–made salads that varied negligibly in taste. The most exciting part of the Kale Avocado & Kraut salad ($12.50) was the dressing: a carrot–ginger puree with the consistency of applesauce.

I disregarded everything else, including the tofu reminiscent of a cold McNugget.

The crunchy spiced beans and shiitake crisps made the Sunflower Caesar Salad ($12.50) much less mediocre.

Although the dressing was a bit too salty, using sunflower seeds to achieve the same creaminess of standard Caesar dressing deserves praise.

To the owner, Andrea Kyan, this kind of plant–based eating has always been a “no–brainer.”

Growing up, the vegan of eight years “felt very privileged always being around homecooked, very delicious, nutritious food”—an upbringing that inspired her to open the restaurant. “I’m doing this for public health reasons,” she explains. If all goes well, Andrea hopes to use the profits to start a foundation that educates people on food policy.

Traces of her Chinese–Burmese background appear in dishes like the Garden Daikon Pad Thai ($12.50), a warm dish full of flavor and color.

The edamame was a bit soggy,

but the kiwi added a great kick to the savory noodles.

“Most people think health is a form of deprivation and it’s not,” Andrea insisted—a sentiment we were not fully convinced of until the friendly staff served us two desserts. Between the flaky crust and the chocolate drizzle, the Pumpkin Tart ($8.00) was definitely

worthy of my grandmother’s Thanksgiving. After devouring that, my date and I fought over the Banana Cream Tart ($8.00)—a pastry layered with banana, peanut butter and a dark chocolate ganache that redeemed the meh–ness of the earlier dishes. Sadly, I finished it off with the overly– citric Bangkok juice—a blend of pineapple, lime, mint and

lemongrass that made me feel like someone had just waxed my nose hairs.

Overall, your appreciation of P.S. & Co. depends on your diet. If you’re a health nut, you’ll rejoice in the juices. If you’re a carnivore, you’ll leave a little poorer and still a little hungry—but hey, at least you’ll have some kale stuck in your teeth for later.

PURE SWEETS & CO. 1706 Locust Street @PureSweetsandCo (215) 985-1706

DON'T MISS: The Banana Cream Tart

SKIP: Kale Avocado & Kraut

salad

$$$$$

Open 6 Days a Week CLOSED TUESDAYS

FREE Delivery

The most variety of Indian Cuisine on campus at

Sitar India Present your Student ID for

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60 South 38th Street (215) 662-0818

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SAY HAI!

DINING GUIDE

Yes, the sushiritos taste just as good as they look on your Instagram newsfeed.

By Katherine Hartman and Sara Thalheimer | Photo by Katherine Hartman

Foodies and foodstagram lovers have probably been hearing tons about Hai Street Kitchen, “Philadelphia’s first Japanese Burrito Bar,” since it opened at the end of May. But for those of you haven’t, picture Chipotle for sushi lovers. The cultural influence of Hai Street’s rolls (or sushiritos, as fans like to call them) differ depending on the ingredients inside. The chicken, pork

or steak options ($7.99–8.99) are comparable to a burrito with a Nori seaweed wrap instead of a tortilla, whereas choosing the shrimp, salmon or tuna ($7.99– 8.99) as the main ingredients will essentially get you a tricked– out sushi hand roll. Luckily for the vegetarians, the grilled Portobello mushroom choice ($6.99) plays for both teams. You can choose from their seven recom-

mended rolls, or mix and match the ingredients on your own to create your ideal half–Mexican, half–Japanese food baby.

If you are not a huge seaweed fan, there is the option to get a rice or salad bowl instead, but honestly that’s a total cop–out. If you’re going all the way to 18th Street, you might as well get the real thing and enjoy it. Other offerings besides the bowls and

rolls include chips with wasabi guacamole, sweet corn tempura or various types of miso vegetable soup. The pumpkin miso soup is currently available, and for $2.99 is an acceptable addition if you’re making the walk from campus in the cold. The pumpkin element seemed more trendy than tasty, considering there was nothing particularly pumpkin–flavored about it, but

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Locks repaired • Locks installed • PHILA Auto locks • Bike Locks • Safes 31 SOUTH 42ND STREET

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it definitely included many more full vegetable chunks than your traditional side of miso soup. In general, the side dishes aren’t anything of note.

While its attempt to be seasonal is a bit feeble, Hai Street is doing a pretty good job branding itself as healthy. Most of the rolls are under or around the 500– calorie mark (yes, they are one of those places that include this on the menu board), and you have the option to swap in brown rice for no extra cost. Even better, everything is free of MSG and trans fats, and all the salmon they use is responsibly sourced to protect the environment and foster ecosystem health.

Overall, our sky–high expectations for Hai Street Kitchen were surprisingly, fully met. The biggest disappointment is that, once you get there, you have the choice of about four seats total, if no one else is already sitting down. The anticipation will be too high to walk, or even cab or bus, back to campus with your untouched sushirito. If the weather is nice, we recommend enjoying your roll on the benches at nearby John F. Collins Park (17th and Chestnut). Though hopefully we won’t have this problem for too much longer—our sources at Hai Street told us they are “90% sure” they will be opening up in University City before the school year ends.

Residential • Commercial • Auto • Locks Installed & Repaired

31 S. 42nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104 (Between Market and Chestnut)

32 South 18th Street @HaiStKitchen_US (215) 964–9465

$$$$$

DON'T MISS: The Slammin'

Salmon roll (their most popular item) SKIP: The sides. If you’re super hungry, you are better off going ZILLA and getting the monster sized roll for an extra $1.99.

Who needs birthright when you can get hummus like this in Center City?

By Mark Paraskevas | Photo by Sarah Tse Hummus is something worth taking seriously. You might think that those little packets of Sabra with pretzel sticks can pass as “hummus”, but it pales in comparison to the hand–made real deal.

Enter Michael Solomonov, the man behind Philly favorites like Federal Donuts and Zahav. His latest restaurant, Dizengoff, is a “hummusiya” (Israeli word for a restaurant based entirely around hummus) on 16th and Sansom, a quick SEPTA ride from campus.

The “hummusiya” name is no joke—everything on the tiny menu is hummus–related, and it periodically rotates out different types of specials to accompany the basic hummus and pita order (prices range from $9–11). My special had cinnamon spiced lamb topped with peas, orange and pistachio, with a cucumber salad and some Israeli pickles and onions on the side. The hummus itself

highbrow ego food & drink film feature music arts lowbrow

HATS OFF TO DIZENGOFF

is incredible. Flavorful and light, the hummus is blended with quality ingredients fresh enough that I could taste each of the added spices and flavors individually and still appreciate the overall taste they create together. The hummus as a whole is so good that the lamb wasn’t even necessary, but it still made for a welcomed addition.

There are also several Israeli condiments available if spicy is your thing, and the “hanf ” (which literally means “spicy” in Hebrew) really packs a punch. My meal was served with a refreshing frozen mint lemonade drink, called a “lemonnana.” Select craft beers are also available.

After my first dish, I moved on to a second plate of hummus containing cucumbers that were seasoned in za’atar, a Middle Eastern condiment made of dry herbs mixed with sesame, thyme and sumac.

This didn’t steal the show from the original lamb dish,

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DINING GUIDE FILM

DO YOU PAY PER VIEW? Film polled you to find out how you are getting your Sunday afternoon movie fixes. Here’s what we learned. BY ANTHONY KHAYKIN

T

hough we all know the Internet is for porn (thanks Avenue Q), the bedroom is no longer the only area being ceded to digital territory. For every girl with daddy’s AmEx, window browsing on Fifth Avenue has been replaced with online shopping. And FYEs everywhere have virtually been rendered useless (pun intended) with the existence of the multifarious iTunes store.

Things are no different here at Penn, where the Rave gets nearly half the traffic for the midnight screenings of blockbut it hits is still fully satisfying buster like Twilight as Hulu and the seasoned does the day after thecucumnewest bers addof a30nice episode Rocktouch airs. (and This crunch). makes sense. We Penn students mayprocrastinating be across the areWhile too itbusy street from Federal Donuts (is on Penn InTouch and designthis cannibalization, Wharing funny lacrosse pinnies for tonites?), Dizengoff’s the clubs we’re involvedIsraeli in to flair enough pull leaveisthestrong comfort of our to beds to

watch Hugo in theaters. And we fit this mold of overworked Ivy League students well, with only about 17% of Penn undergrads watching movies at the Rave every semester.

But how about the other stereotype, the one that says all college students are poor? The free movement of information made possible by the interweb makes

you guess then that Penn students would prefer to get their RomCom fix online with free streaming websites like SideReel and Ch131 rather than pay for services provided by Netflix and Redbox?

While 75% of us watch movies online, nearly 50% pay for it. I hear Horrible Bosses — a new release on iTunes — is hysterical, but is Whose recommendations do you take? it worth the 50 1.5 salads at 47.7% Other Sweetgreen 40% 40 A Friend it would Cinema Studies have cost if 30 Major 26.2% or 25% 25% the curious health–conDIZENGOFF I had seen it Professor or TA 20 scious away from the fried 1625 Sansom Streetin theaters?

Street chicken and donuts. If you @Diz_and_Abe Ramen noo10 *Students surveyed were 867-0088 need some real Middle East- (215) allowed to choose more dles aren’t than one option. ern0 spice in your life and that bad, I with you’re willing to venture away DON'T MISS: Lamb guess. nuts hummus from campus (sorry, Humentertainment accessible and The average Penn student Regular hummus mus), Dizengoff has plenty to SKIP: inexpensive to anyone with an (who is anything but average, if $$$$$ offer.

AirPennNet account. Wouldn’t you ask Amy Gutmann) watch-

Serving Philadelphia

34TH STREET Magazine December 1, 2011

for over

25

years!

City’s Most Popular Indian Buffet

Take $5 off Welcome any order Welcome CLASS of $30OF For Fast Delivery Call 215-386-1941 or more!

CLASS OF Exp.2/23/12 4/11/12 Exp.

2016 2016 Exp. 4/11/12 Exp. Exp.2/23/12 4/11/12 Exp. 2/23/12

For Fast Delivery CallExpires 215-386-1941 10/31/2014 * Closed Mondays*

For Fast Delivery Call 215-386-1941

Dine-In, Catering & Delivery Happy Hour: Mon-Fri 5-7 Lunch Special: Mon-Fri $8.95 Early Bird: Sun-Thur $10.95

PattayaRestaurant.com • 215.387.8533 4006 Chestnut Street • University City

Exp.2/23/12 4/11/12 8 Exp. 4004 Chestnut Street or Order Online @ newdelhiweb.com

For Fast Delivery Call 215-386-1941 Exp. 4/11/12 Exp. Exp.2/23/12 4/11/12 Exp.2/23/12 4/11/12 Exp.

For Fast Delivery Call 215-386-1941

How

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47.7

Why d 3.1% 25%

25%

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DINING GUIDE

Volver| From the Garden Salad | Ling Zhou

Dizengoff | Carrot Hummus | Sarah Tse

Zavino | Gnocchi | Sarah Tse

CoZara | Shrimp and Eel Maki Wrap | Sarah Tse

Abe Fisher | Caviar | Lucy Hovanisyan

The Treemont | Apple Crumble | Sarah Tse

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DINING GUIDE

Abe Fisher | Kasha Varnishkes | Lucy Hovanisyan Zavino | Rosemary Flatbread and Ricotta | Sarah Tse

A.Kitchen | Seabream | Sarah Tse

Plenty Cafe | Genovese Pesto Chicken Rachel Rubin

Volver | Beef on Embers | Ling Zhou O C T O B E R 1 5 , 2 01 4 3 4 T H S T R E E T M A G A Z I N E 2 3

DINING GUIDE

PLENTY OF TASTE

Review and Photo by Rachel Rubin

Say hello to your new favorite lunch place.

Joe’s Cafe has become too crowded and you’re sick of the sandwiches at Capo. For a meager ten-minute ride from campus (or 20 minute walk if you’re feeling particularly outdoorsy), try Cafe Plenty, the quaint sandwich café and coffee bar that is entirely worth the small trek. Located in the Rittenhouse Square area, the outside appearance is inviting and after walking in, we immediately felt like we’d wandered into a scene from GIRLS – in a good way.

The simultaneously rustic and modern décor is so well coordinated that even the air vents seem like a purposeful design choice. And a wall-to-wall window in the front fills the room with natural light. The front of the store has the coffee bar and

Hey!

a seating area with stairs leading to a second level. This upper level has more tables and is completely filled with people working diligently on laptops.

Think Starbucks next to Hill, but hipper.

The food is inspired by places all over the world, all of which the owners have traveled to.

This ranges from cities in the United States like New Orleans to Australia, leaving a wide selection of casual breakfast bites to choose from. And these sandwiches aren’t just your boring old “caprese” but instead made up of intricate components, all house made. For example, the “Texas” offers house smoked brisket with a secret BBQ sauce, things not typically found in a corner cafe. We ordered at the coffee bar and were called to get

our food before we had chosen a table, and we’re not even that picky about tables.

We started with drinks - a caffé latte ($3.47) and hot chocolate ($2.50). Both were the perfect temperature, and creamy without being too rich.

Rival Bros. coffee is brewed better here than in Van Pelt. We downed both our drinks almost immediately.

For sandwiches, we ordered a Spanish-inspired egg white sandwich ($7) and a Genoa, Italy inspired Genovese Pesto chicken sandwich ($9.75). All sandwiches are available without bread or on a gluten free baguette and both were good choices. While the egg white sandwich was not a life-changing dish due to its fairly bland favor, the fresh side salad it

came with was excellent. But the Genovese pesto sandwich was a wonderful collision of crisp vegetables and savory chicken that we’d happily get again. And while the sandwiches were on the pricier side, we got a lot for what we paid for.

If you’re looking to escape campus to a place with solid sandwiches and pleasantly abundant outlets for charging, Plenty Café is definitely a good bet.

PLENTY CAFE

1602 Spruce St @plentyphilly (267) 233-7488

DON'T MISS: Cafe latte SKIP: Egg white sandwich $$$$$

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DINING GUIDE

NOT ENOUGH GOOD STUFF Burgers that are just meh.

By Sam Rubenstein | Photos by Sarah Tse Maybe we came a little early, but Good Stuff Eatery was pretty empty at 6:30pm on a Tuesday night. Still, the 80s tunes the workers were jamming to gave the place a welcoming vibe.

We ordered the Steakhouse ($6.98), which came topped with mushroom, onion and Swiss along with regular fries ($2.49). I went with the Coletti’s Smokehouse ($7.25), which had bacon, cheese, an onion ring and BBQ sauce. I also got Village Fries ($3.89), topped with rosemary and thyme, along with a chocolate milkshake.

The burgers themselves were somewhat on the small-

er side, comparable to what you’d get at Bobby’s. The Steakhouse was a solid standard burger, but the mushrooms and melted Swiss didn’t do much to woo us. Maybe it was our Southern roots, but my roommate and I definitely preferred the Smokehouse, with its crunchy­but tender onion ring and smoky BBQ sauce.

The fries were also quite good, not too greasy or soggy, but also not too crispy. I preferred the plain to the over– seasoned Village Fries. They were great for dipping in the milkshake, which was unfortunately too thick to drink through a straw. The shake

was quite a letdown, and for nearly $4, that tiny thing was not worth it.

Though the good food and friendly staff makes it a great stop-in burger joint if you’re in the Rittenhouse area, Good Stuff Eatery is too unremarkable to warrant a special visit. With similar prices and quality, Bobby’s will beat out the twenty-minute walk to Good Stuff any time.

GOOD STUFF EATERY 108 S 18th St @chefspike (267) 928-3848

DON'T MISS: Colletti's smokehouse burger

SKIP: Spike's village fries $$$$$

Look smart.

Haircut and Shave Packages $35

JOSEPH ANTHONY HAIR SALON

make your appointment today (215) 222-9252 • 3743 Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19104 www.josephanthonyhairsalon.com O C T O B E R 1 5 , 2 01 4 3 4 T H S T R E E T M A G A Z I N E 2 5

DINING GUIDE

ALL THE CLASS WITHOUT THE COST AT BAR VOLVER

Volver, Jose Garces' new tasting menu restaurant in the Kimmel center, features a separate bar area with killer eats and livable prices.

Article and photos by Chloe Bower These days, it’s cool to be a foodie. Your twice–filtered Instagram of those decadent pancakes? It’s a status symbol.

Your Foursquare check–in at the new small plates restaurant that’s been booked for months?

A badge of honor. Yet, I fall victim to this trend more than probably anyone else and I see nothing wrong with it.

The Bar at Volver is the perfect place to satisfy all of your attention-whore and foodie desires in one. Volver—which opened this year as one of Philadelphia’s most expensive restaurants and the first to only take reservations through a ticketed system—screams exclusivity, luxury, and not–for– your–student–budget. The Bar at Volver, on the other hand, is just as luxurious and yet totally approachable and affordable.

While it may be easy to get distracted by the very pricey champagne on the drinks menu, focus your attention on the creative cocktails, all priced at $14 (expensive compared to Smoke’s, I know, but think of

what you’re getting!). The Truffle Rush with bourbon, truffle, lavender and honey is one you absolutely cannot miss. After it arrived at our table and I took my first sip, I spent the rest of the meal trying to come up with a word to describe just how special this drink is. You could say unique or eclectic or perfect, but none of those do it justice. The truffle is completely surprising but perfectly balanced by sweetness from the honey and citrus from the lemon. If truffle’s not your thing, the Mission Margarita was something we could only describe as “exactly what you want a margarita to taste like.”

Again, on the food side of the menu, keep your eyes from wondering to the pricey caviar and instead take advantage of the tartartes, tartines, cheese and charcuterie options. Each small plate, priced from $6 to $18, with the average resting somewhere around $8, is enough for a few large bites of Jose Garces’ deliciousness. Split between two people, three or

four plates would be plenty to have you leaving satisfied.

Almost all of the tapas options are served with warm, buttery grilled bread, which simply doesn’t get old. The tuna tartare ($14) is refreshing and the crunchy garlic provides some much–needed texture to the soft fish and multiple sauces. The iberico ham charcuterie served with a red pepper spread on grilled focaccia ($8) tastes like what you imagine a siesta in Barcelona feeling like.

And the cheese ($12), oh the cheese, is served as an entire small wheel so there is nothing bad I could ever say about that.

While Bar Volver is not necessarily a “steal,” it’s a great opportunity to get into a classy restaurant for about 30 bucks per person. Next time you’re feeling fed up with your shoes sticking to the floor at Blarney, grab your heels and your red lipstick and enjoy a relaxing and sophisticated time at Bar Volver.

Warning: everyone else in the lounge may have greying hair, but that’s part of the fun.

BAR VOLVER

300 S Broad Street @VolverPHL (215)670-2303

DON'T MISS: The surprise

party that happens in your mouth when you take the first sip of the Truffle Rush cocktail SKIP: Caring that you're the youngest person in the place

Please join us on Sundays at 10:00 AM for Worship

$$$$$

Meeting at: First District Plaza 3801 Market St. (3rd Floor) 215-279-8359 Grace Church is a Christ-centered church living out the gospel in University City, especially in the neighborhoods surrounding Drexel University and the University of Pennsylvania. We are long term residents and newcomers to the city who experience gospel unity in the midst of economic, education, racial, and age diversity.

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Philadelphia Magazine Best Boutique 2014 37 N.Third Street · Philadelphia, PA 19106 · 267-671-0737 vagabondboutique.com

i <3 truffL3s lol

DINING GUIDE

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DINING GUIDE

AMAZIN’GREENS GREENS AMAZIN’

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SA SALADS! SALADS! AMAZIN’ GREENS

SALADS! Classic Hot Buffalo

ClassicHot HotBuffalo Buffalo Classic

Sweet BBQ Bacon Sweet BBQ Bacon Classic Hot Buffalo Sweet BBQ Bacon

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215-557-0940 401 N. 21st St. • Philadelphia, PA

215-662-1400 4438 Chestnut St. • Philadelphia, PA

OPEN: SUN - THURS 10AM - 1AM FRI & SAT 10AM - 3AM 2 8 3 4 T H S T R E E T M A G A Z I N E O C T O B E R 1 5 , 2 01 4