Midtown Lunch

 *new weekly feature for 2016: brief photo recaps + not lunch

I don’t even usually like cannolis, but a sugar craving led me to Cafe Crema in the Italian Market for a chocolate and nutella cannoli that blew my mind.

Cafe Crema, 1205 S 9th St, 267 928-4501

At Imli Indian Kitchen on E Passyunk, I was really impressed by their butter naan. Chicken tikka and chicken thigh kebabs are other good choices.

Imli, 769 E Passyunk Ave, 267 858-4277

In a different state, I did some more adventurous eating.

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You could easily walk by Vallari Brothers in South Philly and not notice it, the corner building is pretty run down and there is one small sign indicating there is anything being sold at all there. That is usually an indicator of a product that speaks for itself. Inside, there were bags of bread and rolls strewn around and not much for decor. We waited for an older gentleman to realize we had entered and asked him about the tomato pie advertised casually in the window.

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Pretty much every time I visit Sarcone’s Deli, I order some rendition of an Italian Hoagie. The layers of high quality meat and cheese on that beautiful bread are too perfect to resist. But a hot, saucy sandwich on a cold day seemed like it could be a nice change of pace.

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I was told I was too early  and the food wasn’t ready at  the new Vietnamese place in that weird food court that exists in the basement of the Bellevue.  In my sulk, I went in a completely different direction for my (early) lunch time hunger, Italian from Soprano’s. I hadn’t really noticed Soprano’s before, it very well could be newer to the basement space, who knows what goes on down there.

The sandwich list cheered me up a bit- an Italian hoagie, mozz and prosciutto, meatballs, roast pork, and all that comforting Italian jazz that works in between bread.

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Sometimes I get major Italian hoagie cravings that take over my mind. This can happen at any time of day. The problem around Philly is that our hoagie shops are so amazing that they often run out of bread and close. And then I turn in to the Hulk. Nobody wants that. Such was the case, when a late lunch craving hit. I was out of luck at Ricci’s and Chickie’s. Luckily, for me and anyone in the path of my death stare, I discovered Cosmi’s was not far by and open until 9pm.

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Revolution House in Old City has a solid beer list and an eclectic menu with cutesy things like mac and cheese topped with chips and meatloaf “bites”. But most cutesy sounding of all were the “lasagna cupcakes.”  I had to have that.

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Strolling around Old City, looking for something hearty, I saw a sign advertising “Mom’s Homemade Lasagna” in front of Old City Pizza. I had never been to this place before and it was pretty crowded inside.

Besides pizza, sandwiches, and appetizers, the menu has a few specialty items, including some Greek Food. I was tempted by the spanikopita, but I looked at it behind the counter and the lasagna seemed more of a full meal.

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