Midtown Lunch

The 4 Seasons Food Court was a place I passed by a million times but never went it. I think I was just confused by the name, but there is no relation to the fancy hotel. When I finally realized it was a decent by the pound buffet  type place, I made it there for an early lunch. Buffets are always better when the first open. Its safe to say the quality decreases as hungry locals file in each hour. Get in before noon and you are golden.

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Photo Courtesy of Thrillist 

• Thrillist’s top picks for pizza [Thrillist]
• …though Slice might suggest they add Kermits [Slice]
• Back to Thrillist- Secret Menu items around town, I like the sound of the corned beef cheesesteak at McGillin’s [Thrillist]
• Fairmount is getting a new cafe/market [Foobooz]

El Gallo Pinto and its Nicaraguan delicacies had been on my mind. It was over 2 years ago that I visited the spot on 7th and Federal and learned the scoop, a Mexican grocery store with Mexican and Nicaraguan food served out the back. It seems that soon after my visit, ownership changed and instead of Nicaraguan and Mexican food, they now do Honduran and Mexican food and call themselves Tamalex. The signage outside still reflects the old name. As Honduras and Nicaragua are neighbors, and the layout looked unchanged, I was optimistic I would still enjoy the impending meal.

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The corner spot on 12 Spruce has seen a lot of tenants in the past few years, “Oddfellows” in the Winter of 2012, then “YOLO” from October-December. These places changed too fast for me to get the chance to visit, though like many Philadelphians, I was not going to step foot in a place called YOLO.  As of January, we now have “Toast”, and this time, it has been stable enough that I was able to have lunch there.

Inside, expect a lot of light from the 2 walls of windows, magazines to read, little pots of succulents on the tables, and a relaxed atmosphere without trying too hard. Order at the counter and get served at your seat.

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2 summers ago I was very impressed at the quality and bounty of food provided in the bento box from Misora Express, centrally located on 15th and Chestnut Street. The beef negamaki and piles of side dishes made an excellent lunch package for under $10. I revisited Misora to see if the sushi based bentos were similarly appealing.

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Photo courtesy of Serious Eats

• A better way to eat Chinese take out [Phoodie]
• A Japanese BBQ chain is coming to Philly (heads up based on the one I have visited in NY, its hella overpriced [The Insider]
• A cross county food-centric road trip slide show [Serious Eats]
• Next Tues the 10th from noon til 2pm, Geno’s Steaks is doing 50 cent cheesesteaks to celebrate their 47th year  and will also be taking donations for Cancer Research
• Insane shwarma making [Gawker]

The weather was just right for a picnic in Washington Square Park – way less crowded than Rittenhouse, I don’t understand why more people don’t make the few block journey east. I saw the picnic as my chance to finally try a range of goodies from Talula’s Daily. Talula’s Garden is out of my budget. The addition of the newer, next door cafe allows us to experience the high quality fare at a more reasonable price plus the option of takeout.  I knew it was going to be a good meal when the woman next to me saw me get excited over all the choices, and informed me she has been eating here every day for a month.

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