Over a year ago I enjoyed the choux creme puffs at Small Oven Bakery, at the back of Tutti Frutti on Walnut Street. A few months ago they added savory baked goods to the menu, quiches and croissants from the Mainline’s Art of Bread by Georges Perrier.
Posted at 9:34 am, January 10th, 2012 under snacks.
Empress Garden is one of my favorite spots in Chinatown. The pork chops in particular are a dish I always recommend to people looking for suggestions in that area of the city. A few months ago the restaurant was slightly renovated, making it more inviting, and the menu changed a bit. Luckily my favorites are still available. One new dish is called a meatball dumpling or Taiwanese meatball.
Posted at 11:28 am, January 6th, 2012 under Lunch Links.
Burger.org serves organic and kosher burgers on South Street in a bright, modern setting. Haters of beef will be please to find that veggie, chicken, turkey, and fish burgers are also on the menu. The base price for each burger, regardless of what died to make it, is $6.95. The prices go up from there with the toppings you choose.
Posted at 11:23 am, January 5th, 2012 under burger, kosher, vegetarian.
This week, Profiled Luncher John satiates his sweet-tooth.
Whenever there are events, such as birthdays, wedding showers or retirement parties, at work, we always have cake. And the cakes that people bring in most often come from Swiss Haus, a bakery located on 19th Street between Market and Chestnut. While I’ve been enjoying Swiss Haus cakes for years, I finally checked out the shop to see if it could serve as a viable lunch option.
Originally known as the Swiss Pastry Shop, the bakery has been serving Philadelphians with its cake and pastry recipes for over 80 years. In 2007, after the Swiss Pastry Shop went out of business, new owners hired the chef and re-opened the bakery as Swiss Haus.
Posted at 10:05 am, January 4th, 2012 under dessert.
As is customary at Philly Lunch, every Tuesday we turn over the site to a different lunch’er for his or her recommendations for the best lunch in Philadelphia. This week it’s Mason, who isn’t afraid to schlep for a good meal and is looking for Thai in town.
Name: Mason
Age: 30
Occupation: Graphic Designer
Where in Philly do you Work?: Home office located in Fishtown
Favorite Kind of Food: This is a seriously hard question. Anything asian (are you surprised?) and any pork product (my jewish mother will be so disappointed)
Least Favorite Kind of Food: I just can’t get over the concept of corn and beans in asian desserts. Vile.
Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Philly: I have to categorize this based on the following:
Quick & Healthy: Brindle Cafe on Girard Avenue- this is the place that I go to often (would also fall into my “go-to” lunch category) based on the fact that it is close-by, tasty and surprisingly very healthy- so I feel good eating out several times a week (my Jewish guilt coming into play here). My favorite is a toss between the slow roasted beef sandwich with horseradish and a smokey roasted pepper-cardamom sauce or the Thai beef salad which is spicy, reminds me of Thailand and really hits the spot.
Long lunch touching on my dad’s roots: Nam Phuong on 11th and Washington Avenue- I go to this place when I am craving some good old Vietnamese food and feel like a nice bike ride. Their pho hits the spot for a cheap and tasty lunch. When I have company with me and I feel like splurging $16 on lunch, the Tilapia clay pot is simply divine.
Long lunch touching on my mom’s roots: Famous 4th St. Deli on 4th and Bainbridge. I usually don’t eat dinner if I eat lunch here. Even the regular hot Pastrami sandwich is gigantic. When I am brave I try the Zaftig. Top that off with a large cookie and I am toast for the rest of the day. But so worth it.
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Posted at 12:14 pm, January 3rd, 2012 under PROFILE: Philly Lunch'er.
Philly’s Cafe is a welcoming spot on Walnut Street offering sandwiches, soups, and pastries along with a list of caffeinated beverages. On a warmer day, grabbing a sandwich and sitting in Washington Square Park would be a solid idea, but enjoying a warm drink and relaxing inside the cafe while watching everyone else bustle about is perfect for a January afternoon. I knew that the space was formerly occupied by Danny’s and served Vietnamese hoagies. I was happy to find out that I did not blow my chances of banh mi and tea because Philly’s Cafe is serving them.
Posted at 9:20 am, January 2nd, 2012 under cafe, sandwiches, soup.
