Philadelphia - The Hungry Nomad

Brunch, Cuban, Food, French food, Philadelphia, Philadelphia Blogs, Seafood, Steak

Stephen Starr’s Greatest Restaurants (Philadelphia, USA)

July 17, 2013 No Comments

If there is one name that every foodie knows in Philly, it’s Stephen Starr. With tons of restaurants all over the east coast, Starr has really made a name for himself. This is especially true in Philadelphia, the city with the biggest variety of restaurants owned by him. Each restaurant is completely different in atmosphere, food, and clientele, but they all provide an experience that you won’t forget. Since there are so many to choose from, and some are definitely better than others, it’s always nice to know which should be the first ones you check out.

1. Parc

I have been to Parc many times over the past few years. As a self-proclaimed Francophile, it is one of my favorite Starr restaurants. Located right on the corner of Rittenhouse Square Park, with several tables outside facing the park, this restaurant strives to give customers a French Bistro experience. I have had lunch, brunch, and dinner here, and I have enjoyed my meal each time. If you do choose to have brunch here on a Sunday, I suggest making a reservation well in advance because come Thursday or Friday some of your only time options are 2 p.m., which is just a bit too late for me.

If you do have to wait though, the food is worth it. I recommend the Chicken Liver Parfait, Heirloom Tomato Salad, French Onion Soup, and the Lamb Sandwich which is my personal favorite. If you have brunch here and want a nice drink, the French is a light cocktail of gin, orange liquor, lemon juice, and sparkling wine that is perfect for the late morning and early afternoon. No matter what time you go, I’m sure the meal you get will be just as satisfying as the ones that I have gotten here.

2. Alma de Cuba

No Starr restaurant has blown me away more than Alma de Cuba. I came here for the first time with a group of girlfriends and we all loved the food. Some of the dishes we ordered for main courses were the Rum Cured Duck Breast, Sea Scallops, and the Cuban Shrimp and Grits. Since we all tried each other’s dishes, I can attest to the fact that all of the meals were incredibly appetizing and left us sated, especially the heavier shrimp and grits dish. If you want to try more than just the main meals offered here, the Sweet Plantains are delicious and make you feel as though you’re really eating in Cuba. As always, when I went, I left room for dessert and so did my friends, so we tried both the Chocolate Cigar and the Coffee and Donuts. Both were sweet ends to the night and we ended the meal on a high note.

3. Butcher and Singer

Butcher and Singer is a restaurant for those who are passionate about steak and are willing to pay top dollar for it. If you are one of those people, there is no better place to get a steak in the city. I always go for a nice medium rare Filet Mignon, and the ones here are so incredibly tender that it’s like cutting through butter. All of their sides are a la carte, but if you only want one, it has to be the Stuffed Hash Browns which go well with any steak dish. There are some fish dishes on the menu, but for you price you are paying for the food and the glamorous marble that surrounds you, this restaurant best caters to the steak-lovers out there who are looking for a trendy night out.

4. The Dandelion

This restaurant is by far one of my favorite Starr restaurants when I think about overall experience. Personally, I found the dogs that decorated the walls of one room cute and I think they added character to the restaurant. While the atmosphere does remind one of the United Kingdom, the food also adds to this atmosphere as well. To start, we ordered the Butter Lettuce Salad and the Terrine of Hen, Ham Hock and Foie Gras. While these two starters were good, out of the two, the terrine is not to be missed as it is an incredibly flavorful dish. As both a lamb and a meat pie lover, the Lamb Shepherd’s Pie I received here was delicious and filling. The food here clearly has an emphasis on English pub food with an American twist to it, so there is something on the menu for everyone. I have a whole list of foods that I now hope to try there including the Rabbit Pie, Bangers and Mash, and Sticky Toffee Pudding, a dessert I ate many times while I was in the U.K.

5. El Vez

This Mexican restaurant is by far one of the more laid back Starr restaurants on this list, nevertheless it still offers up good food. Some things that my friends and I always start out with are the El Vez Guacamole and one of the salsas, more often than not the Cactus and Crab Salsa. After that, it’s up to you and your preferences as to what Mexican dish you want to get, but I know that both the Carne Asada and the Pibil Pork Tacos are amazing. All of the meat I have had here is tender and I haven’t complained yet. The restaurant gets especially lively on days such as Cinco de Mayo, which isn’t really my scene, but if margaritas, sombreros, and a large crowd are your thing, you may want to check this place out on that date!

There are tons of Starr restaurants in Philly, and I haven’t heard bad things about any of them, but this list is a good starting point if you haven’t been to one of his restaurants before. If you are a seasoned Starr diner, I’m sure you have your own top five list. Starr restaurants have all delivered on quality and experience when I have been to them, and I’m sure that level of quality isn’t changing anytime soon.

Asian, Food, Philadelphia, Philadelphia Blogs, Seafood, Sushi

Philly’s Best Sushi Restaurants (Philadelphia, USA)

July 14, 2013 1 Comment

People who know me are well aware of the fact that if I had to choose one thing to eat for the rest of my life it would be sushi. When I was recently in London, I ate sushi three days in a row because I hadn’t had any since I had left for Spain in January. While I loved that sushi was so popular in London, I missed some of my favorite sushi places in Philadelphia. Since I have tried so many places out, I thought I’d share my list of the top places to get sushi in the city.

1. Fat Salmon

Whenever I go out for sushi, at least one of my rolls has to have some salmon in it, and I can’t imagine a better place to get salmon than a restaurant that is named after the fish. My friends and I tried this restaurant out this past winter, and we all loved it. I ordered the Spicy Tuna Crunch Roll, the Philly Roll, and a serving of the Salmon Sashimi. Philly rolls are one of my favorites; I loved the roll here because it came with the traditional smoked salmon and cream cheese, but also had asparagus in it which added a new element to it.

The interior is like many other sushi places in the city: small with a modern look to it. Since it is so small I would suggest making reservations or coming early. Either way, I think this restaurant serves up some really good sushi at a reasonable price and I imagine I will be returning sometime soon.

2. Vic Sushi Bar

I have been to Vic Sushi Bar once before and I know that Tala has also given this place a positive review. If you’re in the Rittenhouse area, this is the place to go. I especially like this restaurant because the menu consists of mainly sushi and sashimi, whereas many other restaurants try to cater to people who are not fans of sushi. The fish is really fresh and the sushi is fun and inventive.

When I went, I ordered the Sansom Roll, which I thought was appropriate seeing as my friends and I were right on Sansom street. This roll consisted of shrimp tempura, crab stick, and avocado, and was topped with a number of things, including salmon and eel sauce. I would definitely order it again, but since there are so many neat rolls on the menu, it will probably be awhile before I manage to do so.

3. Pod

Pod, a restaurant opened by Stephen Starr, is certainly one of the larger sushi restaurants in Philly. The modern atmosphere draws in the young, hip crowds that like to hang out in the University City area. This modern atmosphere is reinforced by martinis with names like Blue and Orange. However, the menu is extensive and there is much more than just sushi on it. When I went, I got the Rainbow Roll and the Calamari Salad.

The Rainbow Roll was very good and I loved the Calamari Salad with its lemongrass dressing. Oftentimes, I get two rolls when I go out for sushi, but I feel so full afterwards, so the light calamari salad was a nice way to help fill me up without making me feel stuffed. It may not be the first sushi place that I think of when I want to get some, especially since it’s on the pricier end of sushi in Philly, but it is a nice place to check out if you’re in the area.

4. Umai Umai

This restaurant is another winner in the Philadelphia area. While it is a pricier restaurant like Pod, this place is BYOB and has some amazing sushi. Located in the Fairmount area, this tiny restaurant has a strong following of customers. I was brought here by a friend, and the two rolls that I heard consistently mentioned by people who had eaten here were the Traffic Light Roll and the Godzilla Roll. I only ordered the latter of the two when I went, but it was one of the best rolls I’ve ever had. I’ve never come across another roll like it as the Godzilla Roll included shrimp tempura, eel, avocado, honey and, most shockingly, strawberry. This has been one of the most creative rolls I’ve ever had, and I can’t wait to go back and try the Traffic Light Roll!

Out of the sushi restaurants I have tried in Philadelphia, these four places are the best. Sushi is one of my favorite foods, and I’m always looking to try out new places and new rolls. I’m sure there are dozens of others out there waiting to be discovered, and I can’t wait to try them!

Fast Food, Food, Philadelphia, Philadelphia Blogs, Summer

Top Five Cheesesteaks (Philadelphia, USA)

July 11, 2013 3 Comments

Although there are tons of great places to eat in Philadelphia that could satisfy any foodie, no food divides the people of this city more than the famous cheesesteak. Before I came to Philly, I liked cheesesteaks well enough; after I decided to study here, I became both passionate and knowledgeable about them. I now understand that the normal cheese for these subs is whiz, not provolone, and that the best cheesesteaks are minimal in the amount of extras they have. They might not be the fanciest of foods, but they are able to satisfy any homey, greasy craving. I’ve tried dozens of cheesesteak places by now, and here’s my list of some of the best ones.

1. Tony Luke’s

I love the food at Tony Luke’s. While the rest of the places I’ve listed below have great cheesesteaks, Tony Luke’s is my one of my absolute favorites. Although I will admit that my favorite thing at this restaurant is the signature roast pork with broccoli rabe, the cheesesteaks this family-owned business offer up are also fantastic. Right on Oregon Avenue in South Philly, this place is easy to get to, but also very busy. The ideal time to go to any cheesesteak place in Philly is during the off-peak hours because sometimes you can wait up to forty-five minutes for your meal. However, more often than not, it’s worth it if you’re craving one of these popular Philly foods. I plan on visiting Tony Luke’s for a long time to come, and I think it will be even easier since I recently found out a location will be opening up near Temple University. I couldn’t be more excited to have a Tony Luke’s up in North Philly, although I’m sure my waistline will soon be disagreeing with me.

2. Joe’s Steaks + Soda Shop

This restaurant is located in the Tacony/Wissinoming area and was formerly known as Chink’s Steaks. Tala wrote a great review on the restaurant, and it seemed to change her opinion about the Philly cheesesteak.

3. John’s Roast Pork

Another great place that serves both a great roast pork sandwich and cheesesteak. I do have to say that Tony Luke’s does beat this place out a bit in my opinion! Both are located in South Philly though, so you can always just check the two out…on the same day if you’re especially hungry.

4. Steve’s Prince of Steaks

Steve’s is a great place to get a cheesesteak if you’re not in South Philly. I always visit the one on 16th Street that isn’t too far away from Rittenhouse Square. The steak is tender and juicy. I would suggest getting the double meat cheesesteak in order to really treat yourself!

5. Jim’s Steaks

One other place to get a good cheesesteak in the city is right on South Street. Even though it has also been dubbed a tourist trap by some of the residents of Philadelphia, I think unlike Pat’s or Geno’s, Jim’s actually has a reason for being so popular. They are very quick about getting people in and out of here, but still serving up a quality cheesesteaks. One of the best things that Jim’s does is put the whiz on the bread, so it’s much easier to eat than some of the places that put the whiz right on top of the meat. The one suggestion I would make would be to ask for extra whiz because sometimes the subs can come out on the dry side. Here, I always get a steak with extra whiz and fried onions because a good cheesesteak really doesn’t need much else besides these three basics. I haven’t been to any of the Jim’s Steaks besides the South Philly location, but I’d imagine that the other restaurants also offer up great cheesesteaks and I wouldn’t hesitate to try them out sometime in the future.

While my list seems a bit heavy on South Philly, it is the area with some of the best cheesesteak joints. I’ve been to all of the places besides Joe’s Steak + Soda Shop, and I have to say I really enjoy them all. My Mom hasn’t had a real Philly cheesesteak yet, so maybe next time she comes up to Philly I’ll take her to one of these places so she can have the true cheesesteak experience. If not, I’m sure I won’t have a hard time convincing a friend to eat at one of these places with me!

Philadelphia, USA

Pizza with a view at In Riva- East Falls (Philadelphia, USA)

June 22, 2013 2 Comments

What a better way then to spend a sunny summer evening sipping on a cool beverage with the golden sunset beaming down on the river and reflecting off the old intertwining bridges which make up most of Kelly Drive?

As a frequent runner and cyclist on Kelly drive (yes! I exercise as much as I eat) I often pass by In Riva, yet have never stopped in (given my sweaty state). On one of our last nights in Philadelphia we decided to spend the evening on Kelly drive where we spent so much of our time throughout the year. As soon as I entered the restaurant, I regretted not having gone sooner. The inside is modern, and minimalist with a friendly hostess ready to greet you at the door. We wanted a table outside on the deck looking over the river and had to wait a few minutes for one to come up.

Specializing in Napoletana style piza prepared in a wood fire oven, house made pastas and antipasti, the menu delivers great renditions on southern Italian classics. We ordered the Burrata Caprese salad for our starter and a Pepperoni pizza to share. The selection of pizzas are as authentic as it comes making it really hard to settle on one. But being a sucker for pepperoni I opted for it after our waiter told us that it was imported Italian pepperoni and not the American kind. The Burrata Caprese salad was perfectly executed with completely unique flavors. The vinegar soaked cherry tomatoes added an extra layer of flavor to the creamy burrata and arugula. The wood oven pizza served on top of an empty tomato sauce can was absolutely perfect. In fact, so perfect that we considered ordering a second pizza to savor the experience. The crust was perfectly chewy with just the right amount of tomato sauce, cheese and savory slices of pepperoni.
In Riva was such an amazing discovery. I wish I had managed to go early on in my year in Philadelphia as opposed to leaving it to the last week. Hopefully by sharing this post more people will venture out to Kelly drive for some of that traditional Italian pizza.

Brunch, Food, Philadelphia, USA

Brunch at Wedge and Fig in Old City (Philadelphia, USA)

June 21, 2013 No Comments

Tucked away on North 3rd street in Old City lies one of the quaintest cheese shops in Philadelphia called Wedge and Fig. Besides selling a wide range of domestic and foreign cheese W+F is also a restaurant serving simple yet delicious sandwiches and salads. Brunch here is a must.

We visited on a sunny spring day and walked in to a full restaurant. We were led out of the restaurant, through a long entry way next door to a small quaint garden located in the back of the restaurant.

From the brunch menu, I had the Eggs NOLA- a combination poached eggs, Cajun-spiced Tasso ham and creamy hollandaise served on top of house-made cornbread. Served with lemon Parmesan potatoes and dressed greens. I was not personally a big fan of the cornbread substitute but then again I never liked cornbread but had to order because of the tribute to New Orleans. The Count ordered Shackamaxon – creamy brie, house-roasted turkey breast, walnut mustard aioli, mango + arugula on challah. The gourmet sandwich was delicious as was the eggs Nola. Wedge and Fig is definitely a great place to go for brunch in Philadelphia, or if you want to order a cheese plate and sip on some BYO wine in the cozy secret garden.

Philadelphia, USA

The last Cheesesteak in Philly at Joe’s Steaks + Soda Shop

June 17, 2013 8 Comments

Having started our year in Philadelphia with a cheesesteak, it was fitting that we end it with a cheesesteak. And not any old cheesesteak but arguably the best cheesesteak in Philadelphia. This is how I ended up at Joe’s Steaks + Soda Shop (formerly Chink’s Steaks). When former owner Sam ‘Chink’ Sherman passed away, Joe Groh took over the business yet kept the original name. Despite the reference to the original owner’s nickname, the shop’s name continued to cause controversy, resulting in the birth of Joe’s Steaks + Soda Shop in 2013.

Located at 6030 Torresdale Avenue, Joe’s Steaks + Soda Shop, serves mouthwatering, fresh and tasty cheesesteaks alongside hot dogs, burgers and hot sausage sandwiches. All this can be washed down with a wide range of specialty and traditional milkshakes, sundaes, floats, egg creams and house-made sodas.

What’s even more exciting? Table-service! That’s right, Joe’s is one of the only places I’ve had a cheesesteak where you can get full service at the counter top or at the handful of booths lining the tiny shop.

Stepping into the shop I really felt like I stepped back in time to an old staple American burger and soda shop that I have only come to know about through old Hollywood classics. They have done a great job in maintaining the original look of the restaurant, from the ceiling all the way down to the floor. Seated at the bar, I got right down to business, ordering a house-made orange soda, cheese fries and cheesesteak. The cheesesteak made me change my mind about cheesesteaks. While the first experience we had entering the city last year was underwhelming this one made me realize why this sandwich has become such a staple food not only in Philadelphia but arguably the rest of the continent. It was surprisingly light and not greasy. It had just the right amount of tender pieces of meat covered with provolone, onions and mushrooms. Despite having finished off the plate of fries and cheese I managed to finish my cheesesteak and have room for dessert. To reward myself for finishing my plate, I ordered the Orange cream milkshake topped with whipping cream and candied orange peels.

Okay. Now I get it. Now I am a cheesesteak fan. And now I see why Craig LaBan named Joe’s the best cheesesteak and that my man, Anthony Bourdain made it a point to stop at Joe’s on his recent filming of the Layover. The cheesesteaks and friendly service is deserving of the praise.

Philadelphia, USA

Leziz Turkish Cuisine- South Street (Philadelphia, USA)

May 29, 2013 1 Comment

One thing I love about Philadelphia’s dining scene is the wide range of restaurants you can find. On any given night you can choose from anything from Vietnamese, Korean to Turkish. With Turkey on our mind (given our talk of travels to Turkey) we found the best rated Turkish BYOB restaurant in Philadelphia and headed over. It was a Wednesday night and the restaurant was quiet. We were one of only two patrons there but this didn’t take away from the environment. Turkish music played in the background while a large framed photo of Ataturk greeted diners.

Dinner consisted of a combination kabob platter, Turkish pizza and several bowls of thick yogurt. I once had the Turkish pizza in a restaurant in New York and quickly fell in love. It has very distinct flavors and is unlike any other pizza making it uniquely Turkish. The doughy bread is slathered with generous amounts of flavorful spiced meat and tomatoes topped with garden herbs. The dish is served in three. The combination kabob platter was just the right choice for us as it gave us a variety of each kabob: chicken, iskandar, and lamb on top of their house red rice with a side of necessary yogurt dip. Overall, the food was not only delicious but cost less than $30. On the weekends I’m also told that they have live belly dancing entertainment and hookah.

Food, Philadelphia

The Hungry Nomad’s Best of Philadelphia- 2013

May 28, 2013 No Comments

New Restaurant: Fitler Dining Room
French Restaurant: Bibou
Gastropub: The Dandelion
Whiskey list: Village Whiskey
Breakfast: Sabrina’s Cafe and Spencer’s Too
Tacos: La Calaca Feliz
Pizza: Pizzeria Stella/ Nomad Pizza/ Bufad
Burger: Rouge
Italian Restaurant: Modo Mio and Osteria (tie)
Sushi: Vic’s Sushi
Malaysian Restaurant: Penang and Banana Leaf
Chinese Restaurant Not in Chinatown: Han’s Dynasty
Dim Sum: Dim Sum Garden
Spanish Tapas: Tintos and Amada by Jose Garces
Hoagie: Paesano’s and Sarcone’s Deli (tie)
Vietnamese Sub: Q.T Vietnamese Sandwich
Pho: Saigon Express
Mexican: Calaca Feliz and Lolita
Pasta: Fork
Cookies: Insomnia Cookies
Gelato: Capogiro Gelateria
Sausage: Frankford Hall
Mediteranean: Kanella
Farm to table: The Farm and Fisherman
Dessert: Amis
Cheap Korean: Koreana’s
Pretzel: Alla Spina (their cheese dip is to die for)
Middle Eastern: Zahav
Vegetarian: Hip City Veg

Philadelphia, USA

Malaysian Food at Penang- Chinatown (Philadelphia, USA)

May 24, 2013 1 Comment

Whenever feeling like good Asian food, we head to Philadelphia’s Chinatown where the possibilities are endless. From dim sum to Korean BBQ there is a range of choices to choose from. With friends in town this week, we decided to try Malaysian. Friends had just returned from a two year backpacking journey in Asia including Malaysia and were keen to relive the Malaysian food experience in Philadelphia.

There are several Malaysian food restaurants in Chinatown but we chose to go to Penang given the more modern and industrial look of the restaurant. Yes, decor does lure us in sometimes. the restaurant was packed on a Wednesday night which is always a good sign of good food to come. And so we left it to our backpacking friends to choose from the endless list of options.

As always, the meal started off with two orders of the Roti Canai: delicious crispy layers of bread served alongside a bowl of fragrant yellow chicken potato curry. This dish proved to me my favorite of the evening. I will be going back just to have their Roti Canai.

Next came an order of the Aby Oyster omelet, a large plate of omelet with generous layers of baby oysters. It was pretty delicious. I’ve never had eggs and oysters together before and have to say that it is a great mix.

The Penang Poh Piah, a favorite amongst our Malaysian food specialists lived up to their standards. What was it? A steamed spring roll stuffed with jicama, fried tofu, egg and bean sprouts covered in a sweet sauce. I personally was not a big fan of the spongy roll, yet everyone else at the table really enjoyed it.

Two orders of noodle dishes made their way to our table. The first was the Mee Siam, a rice vermicelli stir-fry with tofu, shrimp and bean sprouts in a thai chili sauce, grounded peanuts and sliced hard boiled eggs on top. One word: delicious. The Chow Kueh Teow was recommended by our server as the second noodle dish. It consisted of stir fried flat rice noodles with fresh shrimp, bean sprouts, eggs in a soy and chili paste sauce.

Yes, there was more. In fairness, we were a party of 5…all hungry…all big foodies. The next two dishes were my favorites (besides the Roti Canai). The Nasi Lemak was so delicious filled with bursting flavors. A dish consisting of coconut rice served with curried chicken and hard boiled eggs. The soupy Curry mee with Young Tau Foo was a spicy and aromatic blend of lemon grass coconut curry broth with vegetables, tofu, minced shrimp and fish. If you love soups, this dish should not be missed.

Dinner at Penang was cheap, delicious and different. After dining here, Malaysian food has been added to my list of favorite foods.

Food, Philadelphia, USA

Dinner at Audrey Claire- Rittenhouse Square (Philadelphia, USA)

May 23, 2013 5 Comments

Audrey Claire is one of the most charming BYO restaurants in Philadelphia located on the character filled corner of Spruce and 20th. The Mediterranean decor of white washed walls and apple motifs give it just the right touch. The menu is phenomenal with some great options to choose from. We went on a week night, a party of 5, and were surprised to be seated right away. Usually there is a minimum 2 hour line up on the weekends. Yet, I learned that reservations are taken during weekday hours (so make sure to get those reservations in before you go).

Our meal started with an order of the antipasti sampler, a wide tray of fresh grilled vegetables, mozzerella, olives and more. Usually a plate of grilled veggies does not excite me but this dish was so tasty. Each vegetable was grilled to perfection covered in buttery goodness. Next came the watermelon, feta and arugula starter. What a treat on a hot day in Philadelphia. It was the perfect combination of sweet and savory and something I’m used to having at home. It is a staple summer dish in my motherland.

Next came the sizzling fried Greek haloumi cheese on a sweet layer of whole fig jam sprinkled with candied figs. Again, a mix of salty pieces of haloumi cheese mixed with the sweet aromatic flavors of the jam compote made for a perfect combination.

For our main course, we ordered the feta crusted rack of baby lamb, oysters, crab terrine and grilled octopus salad.

The grilled octopus was served on a bed of salad, tossed with olive oil, feta and lemon. The octopus itself was extremely tender and cooked to perfection.The rack of lamb was also a big hit with tender pieces of lamb meat in a feta and garlic crust served with a side of green beans and couscous.

The jumbo crab terrine was served on a layer of tomatoes with pieces of granny smith apple (usually topped with avocado but on this particular night they had run out).

The Prince Edward Island mussels were served in a large bowl in a spicy chili flaked broth. Make sure to dip your bread in the broth and make good use of the aromatic flavors. Overall, our party of 5 was very impressed with every single dish we ordered. The ambiance, attentive service and amazing food made it a perfect meal for our out of town guests. It’s no wonder that people wait hours to be seated at this little neighborhood gem.