A Nod to Tria

Tria’s dual locations mark Philly’s wine bar hotspots. Anyone who has been, returns, and curious onlookers can’t resist but peek inside. A sensual journey through the fruit of the vine awaits with delicate eatables along the way. Check out this post from our friends at uwishuknu for more information on Tria and other Philly faves.

Also, if you want to learn about organic wines, you can learn more mat Green Philly Blog.

Hold the Modernity, Please.

Restaurant Review by Aaron Stella

Quoth hey and a hearty good welcome and all that dribble straight from City Tavern, Old City’s blast-from-the-past restaurant/bar that serves up victuals in the dress and charms of our 18th century ancestry. Be prepared to play along once setting foot on the premises: every staff member is decked out in colonial garb (bonnets, knickers, goffered frills, petticoats, stockings, you get the picture) from the host to the barmaid to the servers. After the enthusiastic re-enactors, it’s the pub fare and cold ales that keep tourists and even all-too-familiar Philadelphians coming back. Here’s a little factoid: up until the early 19th century, people across America and Europe drank more beer than they did water since water was often suspected to contain contaminates whereas the alcohol in beer acted as a de facto sanitizing agent. And so, beer brewing was taken very seriously (up until Prohibition, that is. boo) if nothing but for the sake of quality. Such is City Tavern’s inspiration for the selection of beer they offer. Also, be sure to try to the apple cider. Now on to the food. Eating Antique-Americana cuisine is like eating a Thanksgiving feast. Here are a few mouth-watering faves that kept our colonialist brethren fat and happy: crab cakes “Chesapeake Style”, mallard duck sausage, giant cornmeal fried oysters, black forest ham and asparagus, pork chop “apple-wood smoked”, medallions of venison and lobster tavern pie. Whew! Desserts are created daily (pecan biscuits is one of their specialties, also Thomas Jefferson’s favorite). City Tavern is more than a restaurant/bar in Old City; it’s a treasured spot of Philadelphia’s historical acclaim. Be sure to stop in!

Steven Starr Dresses his Babies in Natty Threads

Restaurant Review by Aaron Stella

Old City houses many treasures, but the most coveted these are its  restaurants–Buddakan, being the crown jewel. Steven Starr, renowned Philadelphian restaurateur and owner of Buddakan, made a splash at the turn of the millennium by building upscale, themed eateries throughout Center City that offered nuanced fine dining service in voguish ambiance. Starr restaurants quickly became a sensation, and so is attributed with rejuvenating the once lackluster foodie scene in Philadelphia. Buddakan was his second enterprise, but quickly became his golden child—and for good reason. To this day, Buddakan remains in the top echelon of Asian-fusion dining spots (expect having to make your reservation 1-2 weeks in advance in the busier months). Alright, enough with the pomp and circumstance. Contemporary Asian design dominates the Buddakan’s décor—coming to a point with the 11-foot gilded Buddha statue perched at the head of the main dining room—accompanied by few American niceties (the faces of movie stars are printed to the linen lining the backs of the chairs). And the flourishes of the décor seamlessly translate into a gastronome’s smorgasbord. Take these sumptuous selections, for example: grilled octopus, lobster crepes, tea smoked spare ribs, pan roasted duck breast, Japanese black cod and roasted monk-fish. For a printable/downloadable list of delectable, visit Buddakan’s website. Catering from Buddakan is also available upon special request. Every city’s has its hot spots. In Philly, Buddakan’s a wantoned first.

Everything You love about Dive Bars and More

Bar Review by Aaron Stella

The mélange of entertainment enterprises that comprise Old City’s corridors wouldn’t be the same without the dive-bar sensation The Khyber. As one of the original rock venues in the city, The Khyber has stood the test of time, and continues to deftly accommodate their patron’s voracious appetites with the continuous blare of rock ‘n’ roll and a limitless supply of premium brews. Like any dive bar, the Khyber doesn’t so much concern itself with décor; however, that doesn’t mean it lacks atmosphere. The bar relies more on the people than the wallpaper to make their bar, not to mention their veteran and cordial staff. Of the brews procurable, you have a cornucopia of domestic and imported, and a category enticingly titled “The Good Stuff”, under which their finest in-house beers are reserved. And you can’t beat the deal at happy hour (5-7pm): $2 Kenzinger pints, $1 domestic bottles, $2 off all drafts, and $1 off everything else. A tour through the Khyber’s quarters will reveal the stages, where the bands that jam on them give pull to why Philadelphians consistently crowd this vivacious vender night after night. Even tourists to the city make it a point of popping in on return visits. For a calendar of upcoming performances visit The Khyber’s web site. Of course, seeing is believing, so stop by the Kyber and lose yourself in the mirth of good people, good brews and rockin’ tunes.

All Grown up and Famous. We Couldn’t be Prouder.

Special Post by Aaron Stella

I bring great tidings, folks! As it turns out, our beloved Northern Liberties, which over the past decade has bloomed into the prominent neighborhood it is today, won eight “Best of Philly 2009” awards, and got a shout out in National Geographic Traveler Magazine. We at CITYSPACE are overjoyed to receive this news, as we’re sure all Northern Libertines are. Click here to see the blurb in National Geographic Traveler Magazine, and look below for a list of the places that won the “Best of Philly” awards. Again, we are so proud, and we expect a lot from the future of Northern Liberties. Whoohoo!

Best of Philly 2009
Best Bowling Alley : North Bowl
Best Sandwich Shop : Paesano’s
Best City Blocks : 900-1100 N. 2nd St.
Best City Green Thumbs : City Planter
Best Workout : Lithe Method, Liberties Walk
Best Brunch : Cafe Estelle
Best New Venue : 941 Theater
Best City Politician : Matt Ruben, president NLNA
Best Prixe-Fixe: Modo Mio

Washington West in all the Magnificence

Neighborhood Overview by Aaron Stella

Nestled between Old City and the Avenue of the Arts is Washington Square West (aka Wash West), named after the beautiful Washington Square blooming at its heart. Under the mayorship of Ed Rendell (now Pennsylvania’s governor) in the early to mid 1990’s, the city reinitiated its mass development efforts, which, by the turn of the millennium, had transformed Wash West into the sumptuous cityscape it is today. Many of the regal high-rises and patrician style homes comprising Wash West’s upmarket neighborhoods follow suit architecturally from the cluster of historical sites in the area, which include Independence Mall (Constitution Center, Liberty Bell, and various museums) and the Pennsylvania Hospital, the nation’s oldest hospital. History begets foundation, the kind, in this case, which spurred along Wash West’s now bustling couture, gourmet and nightlife culture. There’s the posh 13th and Sansom Streets intersection, acclaimed for its concentration  of specialty shoppes and high-epicurean restaurants; the “Gayborhood”, co-habitant of Wash West, accommodates the abundance of LGBT businesses and nightlife amenities therein (good eats, too!); and moving eastward, Steven Starr, native Philadelphian restaurateur, has planted some of his most popular establishments (Jones and Morimoto), which are complemented by the other eclectic tré-fab eateries. And last but certainly not least is Washington Square itself, containing a gorgeous stone fountain efflorescing at its center, large grass plots for picnicking and relaxing and a beautiful memorial to the Unknown Soldier, usually alit at it feet with a basin of flames. A walk through Washington Square West is all it takes for you to fall in love with an area Philadelphians are proud to call their own.

BYOT Meet Mexi-gourmet in Washington West Restaurant Hub

Restaurant Review by Aaron Stella

Philadelphia’s tradition of casual dress and refine tastes melds best at Lolita, Washington West’s resident BYOT (tequila) Mexican restaurant. Lolita husbands their quaint quarters well, furnishing the dining room and patio with elegant two-tops and larger six-tops to accommodate both romantic rendezvous and mini-margarita soirees, a remarkable feat considering it’s just yards away from the bustling 13th and Sansom Streets intersection. But choice locations aside, Lolita has made a veritable sensation all its own with its award-wining margaritas and gourmet Mexi-cuisine. Margarita mixes—freshly squeezed—rotate seasonally to ensure quality (naranja de sangria: blood orange puree and wild mint; sandia y mente: fresh watermelon puree and wild mint) but include a an old reliable served year-round (tradicional, lemon-lime). Ingredients for margaritas and the food are bought locally. As for the dishes, count on generous portions; and a plethora of spice upon indulging. Here are a few crowd faves from Lolita’s largesse: guacamole con totopos mixtos: guac, jimica, mixed chips of malanga de coco, platain and corn; orange ginger-glazed pork carnitas: green tomato pico de gallo, gauc, homemade corn tortilla chips and pickled red onions. Entrees include grilled mahi mahi: brandy cumin chorizo sausage, roasted hominy-caramelized leek torta and shaved apple salad; borrega con budin de huitlacoche: grilled lamb loin, jalisco spiced lamb birria, Mexican corn mushroom conjita stuffing and pickled red onion. Save room for dessert if you can. BOYTs are rare as is, and ever rarer are those with a stellar menu. So grab a bottle of your favorite tequila and get yourself acquainted with one of Washington West’s all-star dining destinations.

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!).

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!