PhillyFoodGuys: Hittin’ the Streets for Underground Eats

 

 Dock Street Brewery [9:37m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

After months of pre-opening updates and post opening assessments, we finally got the opportunity to visit West Philly’s Dock Street Brewery. And we weren’t disappointed.

Our first of two visits occurred on a recent Saturday night, when Dock Street was packed. Mob scene not withstanding, the hostess greeted us promptly and put us in the queue for the estimated 1 hour wait. Afterward, we stalked the bar and attacked two freshly vacated barstools. Luckily enough, they were in a prime location: next to the taps and within view of the food staged for delivery to the dining area. We found a home for the evening.

 

 South Philadelphia Tap Room [8:01m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Thanks go to our fellow Philadelphia Bloggers for introducing us to the South Philadelphia Tap Room. During a recent afternoon, Patti and I burrowed into South Philly to attend the Philadelphia Webloggers Meetup at this laid back neighborhood local. Although this was just our first visit, we found food, atmosphere and beer all delicious.

 

 Lucky Strike Lanes [7:25m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Center City’s Lucky Strike Lanes has something for everyone with equal parts bowling, bar and restaurant. Maybe the best way to describe Lucky Strike is bowling lounge and restaurant? I dunno, but however you describe it, Lucky Strike Lanes is a cool place to dust off your game, have a few cocktails and maybe even dinner.

Granted, Lucky Strike is a chain and we didn’t get the opportunity to sample the food. To be honest, I couldn’t tell whether Philadelphia Weekly’s Fall 2006 review was positive or negative, but based on what we saw, but I’d give it a chance. Regardless, we enjoyed the bar, bowled a few games and had a great time.

Cafe Pier One is the “other” coffee shop on Baltimore Avenue that the local hipsters have yet to discover. Owner Pamela Williams has created more than just a cozy, Afro-Beatnik joint for superb coffee, hot chocolate and tea it’s an excellent spot for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

I happen to live right around the corner from Cafe Pier One. As of a week or so ago, I’d only had one item on their menu, the Bistro Salmon Salad. It is so awesome, I could eat it every day. A nice marinated salmon steak (or fillet, excuse me if I cannot recall this detail) atop of a bed of greens with apples, cucumbers, tomatoes, feta, nuts AND the most amazing dressing, I don’t know what is in it but it’s tangy and terrific.

 

 Silk City Diner Bar and Lounge [8:09m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

What do you get when you combine the best parts of a diner and a cool club? Spring Garden’s Silk City Diner Bar & Lounge. That’s what.

A long time favorite, The Silk City Diner was reopened in June after falling on hard times. Owner Mark Bee took some of the best parts of the original, added a heavy dose of renovation and a sprinkle of the magic that made his first project great (Northern Liberties’ North 3rd) to produce a hipster hot spot that everyone will enjoy. Any questions? Silk Citys MySpace page says it all.

Let’s talk about throwing a party. A formal party, the kind with lovely printed invitations and an RSVP date. Clearly, this event is going to require more than Chex Mix and soft pretzels.

The party I speak of was a co-ed baby shower for 30 people. People from New York City, who are used to great food and who probably expect great food.And of course I know how to make Jell-O salad and use one of those gun-like thingys that squirts out liquid cheese into little patterns on Ritz Crackers. I don’t have much time for that, what with my golf lessons, busy work schedule and parlole officer visits.

 

 Franklin Fountain [11:03m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

As the hot and steamy days of summer draw to a close, we finally made it to Old City’s Franklin Fountain, and it was really worth the wait. Situated on a corner adjacent to the Market Street walkway to Penn’s Landing, the Franklin Fountain replicates a turn-of-the-century soda fountain and ice cream parlor.

“Wait a minute, that spot is well known!” some may say. And I’d say “You’re right.” Of course I’ve known about it for a couple years, but it’s taken this long for me to give it a try. Let’s just say that I’ve cast off my veil of ignorance to find a fun spot that I’d like to share. OK?

There are a lot of good breakfast places in Philadelphia and today I visited one of them, South Philly’s Morning Glory Diner. I won’t argue that this spot is better known than some (awards cover the front door like a rash), but I think that the menu offers a good blend of traditional and California-style favorites (think scrapple + breakfast burrito).