Emerging in January, Vietnam Cafe displays all of the characteristics of it’s successful Chinatown brother: excellent food in a comfortable, contemporary environment. Located in up and coming West Philly, Vietnam Cafe offers a smaller, more intimate environment complete with modern touches that are unusual for the neighborhood.
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.
Tandoor India is the third stop on the Indian Lunch Buffet Round Up and it did not disappoint. A popular place for lunch in University City, Tandoor India offers a great mix of both vegetarian and non-vegetarian items in a well-lit, comfortable environment.
Disposing of the pleasantries, we got down to business immediately after entering Tandoor India and being shown to a table. The buffet was attractively presented and well laid out; the cold salad items and a variety of chutneys displayed first with the hot entrees and desserts afterward. All items appeared to be freshly prepared and appetizing.
Continue reading about Indian Lunch Buffet Round Up: Episode # 3
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.
Continue reading about Cafe Pier One - Eclectic Cafe in University City
University City’s Sitar India is the second stop on our Indian Lunch Buffet Roundup. Still basking in the glow from an excellent experience at our first stop, Sitar already has some tough competition. Fortunately, Sitar India’s Indian Lunch Buffet would prove to be a worthy challenger.
I couldn’t wait to check out Sitar India for a couple reasons. First, it was recommended by several of my friends from Penn who know what they’re talking about when it comes to Indian food. Second, Sitar India claims to serve both Northern (Mogulai) and Southern Indian cuisine, which is rare. Lastly, I’m a freak for Dosas. They are my crack. I go to northern New Jersey and Queens to get my “fix.” But enough about my personal pecodillos, I digress!
Continue reading about Indian Lunch Buffet Roundup: Episode # 2
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.
Continue reading about Picnic - Simple, Fresh, Good (The Name Says It All)
If you’re searching for a dose of Caribbean flavor, we’ve found a great spot for you, Brown Sugar Bakery & Cafe. Situated in a bustling area of West Philly, Brown Sugar serves a wide variety of foods from Trinidad, as well as baked items and assorted treats. Tushar stumbled into this cross between a retail bakery and restaurant some time ago, while I became familiar with Brown Sugar Bakery & Cafe through a video posted by Philadelphia Weekly’s Liz Spikol.
Continue reading about Food from Trinidad: Brown Sugar Bakery & Cafe
The last week in August usually marks the migration of new and returning students to the University of Pennsylvania campus. Although they may not know it yet, a wonderful culinary treat awaits them in University City. Truck food.
The seemingly ubiquitous University City food trucks come in all types and sizes ready to serve the students, staff, and professors that return to West Philadelphia each fall. With names like “Greek Lady Olga,” “The Original Le Anh” and “Taco Pal,” many trucks serve authentic ethnic foods from family recipes not readily available in restaurants.
Continue reading about Ride the Magic Carpet: University City Truck Food
Yes, it felt like the Paris-Dakar rally trying to locate this Senegalese restaurant in West Philly, but it was well worth the effort. Our crusade for Senegalese food started with a recommendation from new friends I met at the Blog Philadelphia conference, continued with a misspelling and concluded with a few laps through West Philly to place us at this diminutive restaurant nestled between a donut shop and an adult bookstore. Nobody knew what to expect; we figured that if the food was bad, we could at least have a donut and pick up some skin mags. Needless to say, we didn’t walk away with Jellies and porn; the food and service were great.
