Midtown Lunch

• Eater did a handy tabulation of all the suggestions Ruth Reichl received via Twitter on where to eat in Philly, no shocker, Solomonov wins 1st and 3rd place [Eater]
• Very sad to hear of a fire at Sky Cafe [NBC]
• Thrillist’s 15 best foods under $10 features Los Jimenez, Matt & Marie’s, and Dim Sum Garden  [Thrillist]

photo via I-Sushi

Do you ever have a long ass day where you just want to treat yourself with sushi? I do and I did. I saw the Vampire Bowl, described as “tuna in fried avocado” on the sushi appetizer menu at I-Sushi and I hoped a fried avocado lovingly filled with tuna would perk me up.

But the trick was on me!

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A few years ago, Luncher Zoe wrote about the char broiled meat sandwiches at Nick’s Charcoal Pit in South Philly by the Snyder Station. While in the area looking for a restaurant that I found out had closed, I saw the Nick’s sign, remembered her report,  and came up with my plan B.

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• I guess there is a Cheesesteak Festival which includes a cheesesteak eating contest this weekend [Phila Weekly]
• Or you could join Brooklyn Mash’s 3 Headed Beast lunch tomorrow featuring great beer and 3 whole animals [Mash]
• Triangle Tavern has begun lunch service [Eater]
• Zagat recommends 5 spots for a “leisurely” lunch [Zagat]

Khmer Sweet Basil is a 6 month old Cambodian and Beer take out spot (with a pretty decent beer election). A combo that would only fit in South Philly. The small amount of seating required a take out order, but the real issue was the insanely long wait for our order. We were told everything is made fresh as we waited. Most customers stopping in were looking for beer. Maybe the kitchen wasn’t ready for food seeking customers? Read more »

photo via Facebook

Unfortunately, I find myself assuming restaurants on Market Street in Old City are guilty (of being lame) before proven innocent. Something about the cheesiness of being ushered in along with a few underwhelming experiences. Silence Dogood opened on Market Street in April without much fanfare/press and I was of course, skeptical. The pub is also associated with the Big Red Pedal Tours- that bike powered roving bar that I have never known anyone to use.  But while ordering a flew of flat breads for my group, I was told they make their own ricotta and my hope rose like dough.

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• Tickets for the Chinatown food and architecture group tour I am a co-leading of are almost sold out (I am always available for private groups though) [Squad Up]
• The Sansom Kebab House move to South Street has happened, I will miss their close to Rittenhouse prior location [The Insider]
• Andrew Zimmern visited the Italian Market recently, but mostly stuck to out of the city locations for the Bizarre Foods shoot [The Insider]
• Sweetgreen has opened a Rittenhouse location [Eater]