Midtown Lunch

This week,  Luncher John tries Sister Cities Park’s Milk and Honey.

If you walk over to check out the remarkable art collection at the Barnes Foundation, you may pass by the city’s newest park, Sister Cities Park. Located right on Benjamin Franklin Parkway, the park is technically part of Logan Square but is a distinct section with a fountain spout plaza (already a favorite for young kids), boat pond (for rental model wooden boats) and discovery garden. The one building in the park is home to Milk & Honey, an outpost of the original market location in West Philly. On a hot day, you can’t help but stop in for the air conditioning and to get a beverage or bite to eat.

Milk & Honey is a small café, featuring about 20 seats inside and plenty more outside, where you can sit and check out the different aspects of the park. Most of the food and drink options are either on the main counter or on the refrigerated shelf. It doesn’t have the full sandwich selection of the West Philly location, though there are a couple of solid hoagie and panini choices.

I ordered up the signature sandwich, the Italian Market Hoagie ($8.50), and had it grilled. Milk & Honey’s version of an Italian features prosciutto di Parma, Genoa salami, ham, provolone and arugula. The meat and bread were tasty, particularly after being heated. You also do not get cheated on greens, as there was a significant portion of arugula (which is a good thing). Overall, it was a solid sandwich.

The Coppa Caprese panini ($7.00) was another good selection. It has Italian Market cured pork, mozzarella from Claudio’s, housemade basil pesto and tomato. The panini bread was soft after being grilled, and the mozzarella particularly stood out as delicious. Basil pesto always adds some flavor to sandwiches.

For desserts, there are banana and zucchini breads, fruits, cookies, brownies and other treats. Hoping for a milk shake, I was disappointed that though this location served ice cream, it doesn’t do shakes. I settled for a small mango and pineapple smoothie ($3.50). Fortunately, it was refreshing and hit the spot, though next time, I’d probably order the larger size.

Milk & Honey is by no means a food destination spot you absolutely need to visit. It’s more like a nice little spot you pick up a sandwich, snack or drink while checking out the park or on your way up to a Parkway attraction.

THE + (What somebody who likes this place would say)

• Tasty hoagies and paninis, especially when grilled
• Very refreshing smoothies
• Outdoor seating to relax while enjoying the park’s features

THE – (What somebody who doesn’t like this place would say)

• Small selection of pre-made sandwich options
• No milkshakes

Milk & Honey, 18^th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway, 215-665-8600