Midtown Lunch

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 Danya whose credentials include working for Zagat, nice.

Name: Danya

Age: 36

Occupation: Web/Graphic Designer; Zagat Buzz Philadelphia writer

Where in Philly do you Work?: Bella Vista

Favorite Kind of Food: My ideal meal includes whole lobster, NY strip, arugula, roasted beets, asparagus, goat cheese, macademia nuts and chocolate.

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Hard to say. I don’t *dislike* any food that I come across, these days. I was a vegetarian for 12 years, so I used to dislike meat, but now it’s one of my favorites (see above). And when I was a kid I didn’t do seafood, but, obviously, my tastes have changed. I try not to be squeamish, and sample everything that crosses my path.

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Philly: Mexico on the Square (1511 Pine St.) is amazing. Could eat it every day. Carnitas burrito or tacos. Love the Bibimbap at Tampopo (104 S. 21st St.), spicy with tuna. Light and satisfying. Also the mid-size sandwiches from Marabella Meatball Co (1211 Walnut St.), any of the types of meatballs will do, topped with spinach & pave vecchio. And if I’m anywhere near RTM, I have a hard time choosing between the incredible pulled pork at DiNic’s and the oyster po’ boy at Beck’s Cajun Cafe.

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Recommended by Profiled Lunchers Thad, Hayley, and others, Little Thai Market was next on list of places to try in Reading Terminal. It seems like this little spot always has a line. Since there are not too many options to choose from, the staff quickly scoops up your order from the steam table and ushers you to the cash register.

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• Stick to the pizza at Coloesseo [CE Phood]
• Kennet has started making brick oven pizza [Meal Ticket]
• Spruce St Espresso is opening a cafe on 12 and Spruce [Meal Ticket]
• Corn Cafe has replaced Pico de Gallo, Foobooz has the menu [Foobooz]
• The crawfish bisque at Catahoula is delicious [Foodzings]

In December, The Kibbitz Room changed owners and became Schlesinger’s. Luckily, Center City did not lose out on a Jewish style deli, the general gist of the restaurant has been maintained. But the hours of been expanded and the menu has grown a bit.

I stopped by to check out the quality of the deli sandwiches. But the question on my mind was a serious one, what became of the briny heaven that I loved about Kibbitz Room, what happened to the pickle bar?

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Today, we are getting a report from profiled luncher Stephanie about a colorful dumpling platter and secret spot for coffee in Chinatown.

Tucked away at the edge of Chinatown on 9^th Street is a little eatery called Ray’s Cafe and Tea House. Unassuming and charming, Ray’s Cafe has been a neighborhood establishment since 1989, serving up delicious Taiwanese food, carefully curated teas, and a selection of truly remarkable coffee.

Scanning the menu for options, including standard lunch specials and a few enticing Taiwanese staples, I noticed that Ray’s Cafe leaned more towards home-cooked dishes you would find at an aunt’s house rather than restaurant fare. In fact, proudly printed on the menu was a health-conscious blurb that read: “No MSG and 0G Trans Fat!” — a practice more Taiwanese restaurants should implement.

When I noticed a section devoted to dumplings, my taste buds began to salivate. The simple dumpling often gets overlooked at restaurants, disguised as an appetizer or accompanying side. However, in Taiwanese cuisine, dumplings are much regarded as a meal in itself – and an especially auspicious food choice during Chinese New Year! I ordered the dumpling sampler, an assortment of ten handmade dumplings, featuring five different flavors, for $8.50.

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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 Michelle, the new Yelp Community Manager for Philly.

Name: Michelle

Age: Let’s just go with late twenties…

Occupation: Community Manager, Yelp Philadelphia

Where in Philly do you Work?: Technically speaking, I get to work from home (Graduate Hospital), but I am all over the city at any given moment!

Favorite Kind of Food: My grandmom’s Polish and German cooking (pierogi, kielbasa, pork and sauerkraut with a side of mashed potatoes and gravy) is tops. When dining out I’m all over the place with the types of food I like: New American, Northern Italian, Mediterranean, Thai, Mexican, Sushi, you name it. I’m also a junk food connoisseur.

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Fennel is my nemesis and I despise beets. I also have a very ambivalent relationship with asparagus.

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Philly: Han Dynasty: spicy cucumbers and dan dan noodles, always. Paesano’s II: pretty sure it’s a special, but the smoked turkey, sharp provolone, arugula, roasted red peppers and garlic mayo sandwich is crazy good. Good Dog: the Good Dog burger with sweet potato fries and garlic aioli dipping sauce. On weekends: Pub & Kitchen for a spicy pulled pork sandwich, fish & chips with mushy peas or pretty much anything else Jonny Mac whips up. I’m also dying to try the fried chicken Thursday lunch at Mémé. [Ed. Note: Me too, lets go!!!]

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