Time: Pan-American-Parisian Bar and Restaurant
June 25, 2009
Inter-dimensional Fun Through Time and Space
Restaurant Review by Aaron Stella
Where once Washington Square West’s German alehouse–Ludwig’s–presided, now the Tudor-styled building has metamorphosed into TIME, a multi-dimensional destination for premium spirits, lounging and dancing, in a married milieu of nouveau 1930’s chic and bohemia. The first floor of TIME is sleeked with warm mahogany and sable wood that provides a old-timey sit-down space for an after work scotch or draft lager. You can also catch the game on TV, or have grab a bite to eat from their tempting selection of above-the-mark-gastropub fare. Here’s a little taste of TIME’s finest: apps include oysters with burnt orange foam, veal feet croquette and sorrel, and olive and potato galette and crème fraîche; smalls plates entice with quail breast, fried eggs and consommé, roasted duck, lacquered and rillettes, and the beef carpaccio with crisp shallots and egg yolk; and finally, the entrées: fluke with pearl barley and roasted onion, 
chicken ballantine with country garnish, and house smoked rib eye with crisp potatos and leeks. And the Desserts are equally as decadent. Thursday-Saturdays from 10-2pm, The Bohemian, TIME’s second-floor Absinthe lounge, opens up to the public. Rising-star and renown DJ’s frequently spin there—also the occasional jazz band. And as the name implies, the newly legal Absinthe is served in the lounge. Goes great with Hemingway. Note also that TIME stocks a wide array of scotch and whiskey. TIME is certainly worth your time (ba-zing!) and you’re sure to find yourself back time and time again (double ba-zing!).
El Fuego: Washington Square West Ablaze
June 24, 2009
Burritos the Size of Your Head
Restaurant Review by Aaron Stella
Since 2004, El Fuego has been setting Washington Square West ablaze with their California-styled burritos made with fresh, locally bought ingredients, beer, margaritas, and an ardent passion for soccer. What’s more is that they provide clean furnishings, and a warm, neighborhood bar/burrito joint run by an enthusiastic staff who seeks to enkindle the same verve for the West coast in their patrons that they embrace themselves. Think of it as a clubhouse for all the aforesaid. You mosey over to 7th and Walnut, pull up in a bar chair, and soak in the vim and good vibes. Grab one of El Fuego’s beers on stock: any Mexican beers you’ve even vaguely heard of, they got it (and they’re easy on the wallet, too). But down to business: the burritos. Every season of meat is available, and is dished out in copious portions and wrapped in plenty of spice. These burritos are gigantic. Tacos and quesadillas–also enormous–are offered as well, along with a smattering of sides (guacamole, anyone?). If not one of the budget beers, then slake your burrito giganticus away with one od El Fuego’s house margarita mixes—also a steal. Be wary if you’re a soccer fan: you might never leave, because most of the time a game’s playing on one or more of the plasmas. All in all, El Fuego’s a great hang out spot and neighborhood eatery—as West Coast Philadelphia as they get. Love them!
Raw: Washington Square West’s Number One Sushi Hot Spot
June 23, 2009
Sushi so Chic You’d Wear it (Common Occurrence While Indulging)
Restaurant Review by Aaron Stella
For meaty maki and towers of tempura, hit up Raw, Washington Square West’s premier sake and sushi bar. Raw is a welcomed addition to the foodie wonderland that’s sprung up at the intersection of 13th and Sansom Streets over the past few years. The old Stetson building, now Raw’s cozy nest, wears its sushi-chic threads with class: low hanging paper lamps fill the earthy dining room with a dark, ambient sheen, and sleeks across the 15-foot granite bar, from which one may choose from 50 or more sakes to sip (or quaff, if that’s how you like to roll) or assemble a colorful feast served up swiftly by Raw’s deft artisans. Courtyard seating—Raw’s newest addition—is also a tempting treat. After the old reliables (California, yellow tail, eel, spicy tuna, etc…) creative innovations of familiar favorites are constructed into a picturesque lands
cape for your devouring. These ought to whet your appetite: the Salmon Hako: eel, avocado and plum sauce, topped with salmon and pressed in a bamboo frame; the Binny Roll: shrimp tempura and avocado roll topped with spicy tuna, garnished with eel and spicy sauce; and the Torimy Roll: spicy tuna and eel roll topped with torched squid, garnished with eel and spicy sauce. Raw further accommodates sushi-lovers with a full complement of hot and cold plates. Notable comestibles include Almond Shrimp, coated with shaved almonds and drizzled with an unagi glaze, Soba or Udon Noodle Soup, with your choice of vegetable tempura, shrimp and vegetable tempura, or plain, and Katsu, which comes with your choice of pork loin or chicken breast, lightly fried in panko crumbs with mixed greens. Every neighborhood has their hot sushi spot. For Washington Square West, Raw certainly takes the cake (or should I say seaweed salad?).
Philadelphia’s Gayborhood within the Beautiful Washington West Area
June 19, 2009
Philadelphia’s Very Own Castor Sector in Washington West
Point of Interest Overview by Aaron Stella
The Washington West Area of Philadelphia shares its city-space with what is endearingly called, “The Gayborhood,”—Philadelphia’s LGBT amenities sector. While other LGBT establishments (bars, clubs, clothiers, furnishers, etc…) lie outside of the Gayborhood, within exists the most concentrated gathering. Also, you know you’re in the Gayborhood for sure simply by looking up at the corner street-name signs: if you see rainbow banners beneath them, then you’re in it. Since the Gayborhood lies close to City Hall (Broad and Market streets) and the Avenue of the Arts (southern half of Broad Street), it’s usually bustling city’s denizen and tourists to the area, hunting about for one of the many gastropubs and fine eateries in the area; and at night, the streets teem with an eclectic cast of revelers. The Gayborhood also contains some of the city’s most elegant stretches. Mosey around: The quaint lanes and brick row homes are enough to charm one even after the beauty of the area at large. Also, just a few factoids: Philadelphia is home to the world’s first-ever and largest Outfest block party, and also boasts of a fabulous Pride Fest and Equality Forum celebration. So if ever plan on poking around the Washington West Area for housing, a gourmet bite or a hot nightspot, take a look at the list below to get a sense of what’s out in the neighborhood:
Woody’s Bar & Restaurant
202 S 13th St
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 545-1893
www.woodysbar.com
12th Air Command
254 S 12th St
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 545-8088
www.12thair.com
Pure Nightclub
1221 St. James St
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 735-5772
purephilly.com
Tavern On Camac
243 S Camac St
Philadelphia, PA 19107-5609
(215) 545-0900
tavernoncamac.com
Uncles
1220 Locust St
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 546-6660
Knock Restaurant and Bar
225 S. 12th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 925-1166
knockphilly.com
Bump
1234 Locust St
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 732-1800
bumplounge.com
PHAG
1225 Walnut St
Philadelphia, PA 19107-4914
(215) 627-0461
Lolita
106 S 13th St
Philadelphia, PA 19107-4522
(215) 546-7100
www.lolitabyob.com
Giovanni’s Room
345 S 12th St
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 923-2960
www.giovannisroom.com
Valanni
1229 Spruce St
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 790-9494
www.valanni.com
Community Centers, Grocers and Gym for Washington West
June 16, 2009
Know Where to Go In Washington West
Washington West listing post by Aaron Stella
CITYSPACE: re-thinking real estate. Here at CITYSPACE, real estate entails much more than just shuffling people from house to house, apartment to apartment, condo to condo; it’s about building and supporting a community—or city, as is the case—and providing people with the largest and most important possession: a home. And a home isn’t just contained within its four walls; it melds with its surroundings, the neighborhood at large. Therefore, to know your neighborhood is to know your home better. So to help, below you’ll find a handy-dandy list/locations of community centers, grocery stores, and gyms in the Washington West area. Know Washington West better! Enjoy!
Community Centers
Community Centers: William Way Community Center (LGBT)
1315 Spruce St
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 732-2220
waygay.org
Haitian Community Center
1300 Spruce St
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 732-3249
haitianconsulate-nyc.org
Jewish Community Center
401 S Broad St
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 545-0153
(215) 446-3003-Executive offices
phillyjcc.com
Grocery Stores
VIP Food & Produce
1314 Walnut St
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 735-1977
Seven-Eleven
1201 Chestnut St
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 564-6003
7-eleven.com
Chestnut Food Market
812 Chestnut St
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 922-2877
(215) 627-1126
Serve-Rite Food Market
239 S 10th St
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 238-1515
(404) 555-1256
Choi’s Deli
1228 Spruce St
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 790-1344
Gyms
12th Street Gym
204 S 12th St
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 985-4092
12streetgym.com
Vigorworks Fitness Center
(entrance on Juniper)
1315 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 545-2000
vigorworks.com
YMCA
125 S 9th St # 502
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 400-2100
ymca.net
Global Fit
510 Walnut St # 2
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 751-1992
globalfit.com
Smile! You’re in Smile: Community Pad Thai Fave.
June 12, 2009
Smiles in Rittenhouse for the Pad Thai Pleasure-Bounty
Restaurant Review by Aaron Stella
When scrounging for food in Rittenhouse, try exploring the area’s western periphery, particularly the 22nd Street stretch. Be careful now: the façade of Smile, a quiet yet elegant Thai food restaurant, is somewhat inconspicuous. But it’s worth ascertaining. Smile’s been part of the upmarket Rittenhouse Square area for a little over three years, providing 9-5ers and others of the voracious ilk with an affordable assortment of pad thai favorites. Into the quaint quarters, lightly adorned with artifacts of the east, the perfectly-portioned fare can be enjoyed leisurely from any seat in the house (All tables are very cozy). Smile’s lunch special—another one of it’s enticing qualities—runs for only $7.95, with which you get a choice of two appetizers and one entrée. Appetizers for the lunch special include sping rolls, steamed dumplings, a mixed greed salad with cream dressing (delish!), and others; entrées include shrimp satay, curried beef (quality cut), roast duck, and others more (all entrées come with rice). And be sure to try the desserts. Of course, Smile is also the perfect date spot for dinner or late lunch: patrons laud the copious portions-to-price at dinner. So if you’re ever in the area, don’t hesitate to settle in at Smile. By your meal’s end, it’s sure to be in your Rolodex of favorites.
Fair Food Makes Locals Happy!
April 22, 2009
Ever have those sad days in Philadelphia where you think, “Where is all the good local food?” or “Geez, I just paid $5 for this apple from Chile!” Of course you do, we all do! While Philadelphia may have had more sad days than not in the past in regards to fresh local produce, not so anymore my friends! What with the bounty of local farm shares and farmer’s markets, you can satiate those organic, local lovin’ tastebuds to your heart’s content.
One of my local fave’s is the Fair Food Farmstand at the Reading Terminal Market. The brainchild of White Dog Community Enterprises, the FFF is a fabulous (and central!) place to pick up your fresh produce, poultry, dairy, meats, eggs and cheese. All of this bounty of yummy comes from over 90 organic and sustainable farms and businesses in southeast Pennsylvania. You can check out their website to see what they have every week (because it changes week to week and season to season), it seriously makes my mouth water just looking at it. Zesty and succulent wild harveted water cress! Limited-quantity, end of the season, uber creamy Octoberkas Sheep Cheese! Leeks! Horseradish! Kale! Oh my!
Amazing local food not enough? Check out their events and organizations that they promote on their website as well - you can come full circle with sustainability, slow growth and nutrition! So the next time you are staring at that frozen boxed dinner, pick your head up, throw that box back in the freezer, snag the recipe on their website and head over to the Fair Food Farmstand. The distance between you and a good locally grown home cooked meal is smaller than you think!
The FFF is open Tuesday through Sunday at Reading Terminal Market. Go there! Eat! Be Happy!
Want to live close to the Fair Food Farmstand? Who doesn’t? Imagine, fresh local food all the time? That’s right, we can help you make it happen. Check out our listings, find your dream home, eat some lettuce, live happily ever after. Yes, it is that easy.
My Philly Finds - Best Cheesesteak!
September 16, 2008
No disrespect to Pat’s, Geno’s or your own Philly favorite cheesesteak place, but I’ve found an exceptional steak in of all places…Manayunk!
Call ahead to Sorrentino’s Grocery at 215-487-0559 or stop in this quaint mom-and-pop corner shop with a nice deli selection at 4631 Cresson street, just down the street from Main street. You can pick up your steak, along with whatever you forgot from your last trip to the grocery store. (I highly recommend the cheesesteak with fried onions and mushrooms. They also have hot side orders if you need fries or onion rings with that steak!)
Before or after your steak feast, check out local Manayunk listings - then Sorrentino’s can be YOUR corner store. Click here to see all local listings!
Get the skinny on real estate trends and statistics for Manayunk and other Philadelphia neighborhoods here.
