Midtown Lunch

In April 2012, Foobooz declared that Tashan was the best restaurant you aren’t going to. This was based on the fact that the food is amazing, but the huge space is rarely filled with customers. The explanation given is that Philly people don’t like the idea of high end Indian food. I have to say, I am guilty of such thinking. Not that I am ok with sub par Indian food. But when Indian Restaurant makes a great chicken tikka for under $10, or when 80 cent samosas from a grocery store are the best I’ve ever had, and another grocery store close by does an amazing daikon paratha, and a chaat hut uses artistic levels of colors, flavors, and texture, I get accustomed to receiving a lot for my buck. However, I was willing to hand out $12 for Tashan’s 6 day a week lunch meal. Read more »

The Twisted Tail is located close enough to South Street you would think it would have been infected by it. Luckily, this “Southern inspired Bourbon house” is a nice escape from tourists and wayward teens. I was invited to try their lunch menu, available Monday through Friday, though many of the lunch items can be found on the regular menu.

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Last month Pennsylvania 6 took over the bi-level space on 12th street left vacant for quite some time, but formerly occupied by Tweed.  I was recently invited to try their  lunch menu, which just launched. Its an upscale menu that looks the part for a modern power lunch. Expect a raw bar and seafood, sandwiches, and a few classic American plates.

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The Victoria Freehouse opened a few months ago in Old City, as far east as you can go. The place serves British pub food, though it is  “freehouse” and not a pub, get it right!

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Sowe is a lovable neighborhood restaurant in Graduate Hospital. It is built for all occasions and cravings, they have lunch, brunch, dinner, happy hour, meat, vegan food, outdoor seating, and ice cream for dogs. Earlier this month, the chef updated the menu. I stopped for a leisurely lunch in the sun.

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For a while now Uzbekistan has been my spot to trek to for my Uzebeki food cravings and yes I do often enough  have cravings that only Uzbeki food can satisfy. A while back Craig LaBan recommended Samarkand, a bit farther and fancier than Uzbekistan, but offering a very similar menu and comparably affordable prices.

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Philly’s Restaurant Week is here (from now until January 25th and then January 27th until February1st). You know the drill, $35 for a 3 course dinner and $20 for a 3 course lunch. With so many participating restaurants, including some that are so not worth it, its hard to pick where to spend your time and money. I did some menu surfing and concluded that getting to try a whole slew of Jose Garces tapas at Amada for $20 was going to be worth it. Instead of putting out sub par dishes just for the Restaurant Week crowd, Amada lets you pick from tapas that are already on their menu.

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