Midtown Lunch

Photo Courtesy of Vicky Wasik for Serious Eats

• Knead Bagels now serves lunch sandwiches under $10 [Zagat]
• This week, Serious Eats weighed in on their “best” cheesesteak in Philly [Serious Eats]
• Though I prefer the mushroom and tuna, Thad likes the chicken and pork Hai Street rolls [Philly Phoodie]
• The French rotisserie spot on 11th has opened and serves sandwiches for lunch [Foobooz]
• Weekend plans? Head to Mt. Airy for the Winter Brunch Sessions and the Holiday Pop Up Crafts Market (all indoors!) [Go Mt. Airy]
• I have a few spots open for afternoon Chinatown Food Tours this weekend (my morning tour is sold out!) Rain or Shine, I bring you to the best spots- hope you join us!

 Today Luncher John is checking out the only Brazilian food truck in town

Think of Brazil and what comes to mind: warm beaches, world class soccer, festive celebrations, barbecue. Don’t feel like traveling all the way to the Southern Hemisphere (or shelling out over $50 at one of the city’s Brazilian steakhouses) for the experience? Have no fear, as the BrazBQ food truck brings a little bit of Brazil to the streets of Philadelphia.

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A bit over a month ago, Nam Son on Washington Avenue changed owners and became Huong Tram. The menu is still Vietnamese, though slightly downsized from the seemingly infinite selection of the former menu.  The space is a bit remodeled but you can still enter from either 16th Street or through the shopping plaza on Washington.  The adjacent bakery is still under the Nam Son name.

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•  Hai Street and Jake’s, two places I really enjoy, are both opening 2nd locations soon in University City [The Insider]
• Another good meal at newcomer, Nan Yang [Phila Weekly]
• A Q & A with the owner of the awesome and tiny cheese and meat shop, Philip Mancuso [City Paper]
• Love fries? Here are 20 to try [Eater]

Kidari Sushi Yatai is one of those harmless neighborhood sushi places that you remember to check out when your Groupon for dinner there is expiring. Not that I haven’t had a decent sushi meal there, but you know what I mean. So, when I walked by and saw new lunch specials including one that incorporates bacon and kimchee, I was excited.

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• Well this is about as exciting as food news gets for me- a Latin steam table style spot is coming to South Street [The Insider]
• New bagel shop, Knead, has kimchee cream cheese [Penn Appetit]
• 22nd and Philly recommends Hai Street, The Rib Stand, and Mama’s for a quick lunch (and I agree) [22nd and Philly]
• Zagat Philly completed a massive restaurant survey and compiled useful lists, like this one of favorite sandwich spots [Zagat]

For a truly unique adventure that combines relaxation and ethnic food, consider a drive north and east of the city to the Southampton Russian Bathhouse. During the week, the space is open from 11am until 11:30pm (closed Mondays). Admission is $35 which allows you access to the different sauna and steam rooms, tanning bed, Swiss showers, a cold plunge bath, a pool, and a jacuzzi.  The balcony restaurant will serve you lunch or dinner without needing to pay the entrance fee, however we ate poolside and were able to leave our snacks at our table to nibble at in between sauna sessions.

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