The 2nd Best Thing at Pizzeria Vetri is Still Not Pizza

Last year we wrote about Pizzeria Vetri and told everyone that the best thing to eat there isn't even pizza. It's the rotolo. Turns out the second best thing is still not pizza, but the calzone. 

The calzone didn't cross our eating radars until we dined at the kitchen counter at the new Center City location on Chancellor Street. The secret must be out, as the pizza creators were busy making calzones one after another. After spending an hour drooling, we knew the calzone was on our hit list. 

The prosciutto cotto and ricotta stuffed, folded pizza is a mouthwatering delight of tastiness. Vetri's light and slightly sweet pizza dough somehow tastes even better as a calzone than pizza. 

While the pizza is certainly some of the best in the city, trust us and go try the calzone. Of course, get a rotolo on the side and the daily thick crust (the third best thing!). 

*Kid-Friendly? Absolutely, especially the new location. It's down the street from our day care and has become the perfect spot for a bite and beer. There is plenty of room inside for your stroller. 

Two warnings though, First, the bathroom did not have a changing table. Second, be careful when you sit outside - the pizza oven vent is up above and at times can be unbearable. Kids or no kids, I'd suggest sitting just inside near the window to avoid the fumes. Awful. 

Four Ideas for a Quick Center City Lunch (and One Bonus Donut)

Desperate to get out of the office some days or anxious to start holiday shopping over the weekend? Here are a few ideas for lunch in Center City to fill you up with something quick.

Sushi Burritos

When Hai Street Kitchen opened this past spring, Philly was hard core buzzing about the crazy new "sushi burrito" place. I thought, ummm isn't that an awful lot of raw fish at once? I'm here to clear up that Hai Street a) does not exactly serve gigantic sushi rolls but that is what they look like, b) isn't the same at High Street on Market - can't tell you how many people have confused them - and c) is a good little spot to swing in for lunch.

Make your own nori (seaweed) wrap, rice bowl or salad bowl, or choose a signature item. Among the fresh, all-natural ingredients are yellowfin tuna and tataki salmon, but you can also opt for shrimp tempura, chicken, steak or pork and then add in all sorts of Japanese sauces, veggies and crunchy stuff like roasted peanuts or fried shallots. We tried the three Signature wraps seen below. Didn't quite live up to all the initial hype but  the Hai Street Chicken and The Crunch were good enough that I'd order them again. Each is $8-10, similar in price to your average Center City sandwich. Worth a stop in to try something new and a lot lighter on the stomach than a traditional burrito.

Signature wraps: The Crunch (shrimp tempura, spicy mayo, romaine, cucumber, mango and asparagus); Slammin' Salmon (tataki salmon, spicy gochujang sauce, romaine, cucumber, mango, red onion); and Chicken Katsu (lightly fried chicken, black pepper teriyaki sauce, red onion, red cabbage, green papaya salad)

Boneless Ribs and Tacos at RTM

If you're closer to Reading Terminal Market, two spots we tried lately are The Rib Stand and the newly refurbished 12th Street Cantina.

Run by the Pennsylvania Dutch, The Rib Stand is all the way in the northwest corner at RTM and only open Wednesday-Saturday. Grab a rack of ribs or the boneless rib sandwich you see here with a side of macaroni n' cheese. For a simple, well-stuffed and juicy bite you can't go wrong with the Rib Stand sandwich. Skip adding cheese when they ask, you don't need it.

For those in the mood for Mexican, you can make just about any taco, burrito, enchilada or tostada you want at 12th Street Cantina. But I wouldn't say it's the spot for for taco purists. While delicious, fresh and enormous, my steak and shredded beef tacos were more like the Americanized version. I guess that also depends on what I choose to put on top... also grab plenty of napkins because they can get messy!

Left: boneless rib sandwich and macaroni & cheese from the Rib Stand. Above: Giant steak and ground beef tacos from 12th Street Cantina. Both are in Reading Terminal Market.

 

Falafel Pita

A mere $7 gets you one of the best falafel sandwiches in Philadelphia from Mama's Vegetarian on 20th Street between Market and Chestnut.

The Middle Eastern shop stuffs their pitas with creamy hummus, tomatoes, cucumbers, cabbage and five soft falafel balls. Ask for the spicy sauce and call it day. Those looking for a lighter lunch can order the small version for $4, one of the better deals around.


Last but not least, don't forget to pick up a perfect pumpkin spiced latte doughnut from Federal Donuts on your way back to the office or home while they're still on the fall menu. They are just as fantastic as you'd expect. Fruit not included. 

 

La Viola: Where You End Up with More Pasta After the Bill Arrives

I went to La Viola recently to try one pasta and instead ate three. Here's how.

A year ago my father called me about a pasta so delicious that he thought about ordering another.

While he went against his gluttonous instincts, I did not, but only because he accidentally told me the wrong thing earlier that night - the orrechiette alla romano instead of the fusilli estiva.

Newest obsession: Fusilli estiva at La Viola

By the time he discovered the error and texted me an emphatic and expletive-ridden correction, I had finished an espresso and was about to pay the bill. (The hostess actually came to take the bill twice!) But the fusilli was the sole reason we came to La Viola, so I had no choice but to order a second entree. It also didn't hurt that the average orrechiete made me wish for a more memorable pasta.

The homemade fusilli with cannellini beans, sausage and white onions in an olive oil sauce is one of the best pasta dishes we've had on the Nana Test. I could have ordered a fourth dish to go, ha!

How did the rest of the meal fare in The Nana Test?

Bank & Bourbon at the Loews Hotel

Admit it - you're a little biased against hotel restaurants, just like we are. Of course we had a superb meal at The Four Seasons but that's in a class of its own. And Lacroix in the Rittenhouse Hotel is supposedly excellent. But I won't deny that we generally have lower expectations for hotel food vs. the price and tend to avoid them at home and when we travel. Anyone else feel the same?

The popular Secret Knock

Bank & Bourbon, the new restaurant in Philadelphia's Loews Hotel, surprisingly exceeded our expectations on food but was a little rough around the edges on service.

It makes better use of the huge corner space than the last occupant, Sole Food, with dining tables, an open kitchen and lounge area, and a nice-sized bar extended out into the lobby. If I were from out of town and staying at the Loews, it would look like an inviting place to grab a drink.

Obviously bourbon is their "thing." Our bourbon-enthusiast friend enjoyed one of their bourbon flights and I was a big fan of the Secret Knock, a refreshing cocktail of house-aged whiskey, green tea, lemon and clarified milk. It's impossible to imagine what those ingredients taste like together so just trust me. The milk part sounds weird but it's practically clear, I promise.

Pastrami Short Rib

I'd advise the waiters to avoid freely admitting if they are "not a bourbon drinker," like ours did. No need for that awkward moment, just send over the bourbon master to help us choose. Service was also a little slow, bread disappeared just after the starters, and they never asked if we wanted second drinks... all a bit strange for having been opened a few months by now.

On the plus side, the food at Bank & Bourbon was pretty good. We all really enjoyed the beef short rib, pastrami-brined for something different and quite delicious, as well as the roasted corn salad, served with snap peas, parmesan, sesame granola and a citrus vinaigrette. Pea pierogies were a hit, but super tiny so if sharing among four don't expect more than two bites.

Good Stuff Eatery Brings More Great Burgers and a Celebrity Chef to Philly

Good Stuff Eatery opened yesterday on 18th St. between Chestnut & Sansom. It's the latest in a fast casual burger craze that has swept the U.S. over the past few years. Good Stuff comes to Philly with pretty big street cred - celebrity chef Spike Mendelsohn (Top Chef, Iron Chef, etc.) is behind it and has already captured the D.C. market. We had Good Stuff burgers a few years ago in D.C. and loved them so this Philly opening came with much anticipation. 

Details on the burgers below, and for lots more photos of opening day, check out our Facebook album.

The place was packed right away but seemed to keep people moving quickly. I was fortunate enough to enter an hour early and chat with Chef Spike. The most interesting part was actually witnessing the scene one hour before a grand opening - contractors screwing in last minute fixtures, gigantic crates of potato rolls being carted around, rugs still being rolled out, stuff literally everywhere. But it all came together in time for a nice ribbon cutting and celebration with the Mendelsohn family and Philly owners, George & Elaine. 

By opening time there was a line down the street and around the block! Filled up quickly. 

Grilled Cheese Gets Fancy at Meltkraft in Reading Terminal Market

A long-time staple sandwich for kids across America, the ever-dependable grilled cheese has been taken up a notch by sandwich entrepreneurs lately, as us grown-ups search for a more sophisticated grilled cheese experience.

Last year, the cheese gods at Valley Shepherd Creamery launched Meltkraft in Reading Terminal Market, where you can find creations that would make any foodie salivate.

Some highlights include the Somerset (cured ham, 12-18 month gruyere, pickles and mustard), the Brielle (brie, cranberry chutney, caramelized onions and pine nuts on brioche) and the Melter Skelter (raclette, picked green tomatoes, jalapenos, BBQ chips and watercress).

It was the Valley Thunder, however, a grilled cheese stuffed with brisket, cheddar and baked mac & cheese, that piqued my taste buds most.

The year-aged cheddar was flavorful and cooked to a nice gooey consistency in a panini-like grill, and the brisket was nice and moist. The bread was tasty albeit a tad overcooked on the edges, a common occurrence with many grilled cheeses.

Overall, though, the Valley Thunder didn’t quite match the sky-high expectations I had for a sandwich that sounds like heaven. It was a solid grilled cheese, but not amazing.


Three subtle changes would help perfect Meltkraft's Valley Thunder:

1. Spread the brisket and cheese more evenly. The outer inch of the bread didn’t have any bite of brisket and, in some cases, no cheese either. Spreading the ingredients evenly is a reasonable ask if you’re trying to make the upper echelon of Sandwich Quest and charging $8.75.

2. Bake or even fry the mac & cheese to a crisp. I was hoping the crispy part of the mac & cheese (you know, like from edges of the pan??) would shine through, but that slightly burnt sensation, and even more importantly the texture, was nonexistent.

3. Add a condiment to boost the flavor. I’m thinking some caramelized onions and/or a horseradish aioli would have done the trick for the Valley Thunder.

My best endorsement for Meltkraft is that I want to go back with Kristy to try some of the other options. It's another great place to try in Reading Terminal Market, which keeps turning out some of the best sandwiches in Philadelphia.

Has anyone else been to Meltkraft?

Inside the Valley Thunder, not as much or evenly-spread filling as I'd hop

Avance + Border Springs = The Best New Burger in Philly?

Border Springs lamb, onion marmalade, harissa mayo and feta on a sesame potato bun. Those, folks, are the ingredients for the next great burger in Philly.

Avance burger with a side of chickpea fries

Readers know we’re big fans of Border Springs Farm. Their lamb sandwiches are some of the best in Philly and their founder, Craig Rogers, is passionate about making lamb more mainstream. (listen to our podcast interview with Craig)

When we heard that Avance, the new restaurant in Le Bec Fin's old space, was using Border Springs lamb in its burger to rave reviews, we knew we had to check it out. It's definitely one of the best burgers in Philly, if not the best.

We are not alone in this feeling: both Craig Laban and Adam Erace loved the Avance lamb burger, too.

The healthy-sized burger comes with the refreshing and flavorful twist to traditional toppings listed above. The bartender raved about the sesame seed potato bun and we couldn't agree more. It was soft, tasty, almost like a slightly denser brioche. The lamb meat was cooked to an absolutely perfect medium rare. There was nothing to dislike about this burger. Even the $18 price is worth it. Go. Get. It. Now!

(keep reading for more tips about drinking/dining at Avance)

Inside the Avance lamb burger

If you need another reason to go, local writer and foodie extraordinaire Joy Manning, who ate a nearby table, said the dry aged duck was one of the top five things she’s had in Philly. High praise indeed from an expert.

Even better, you don’t need a reservation to get the burger, duck or anything else off the Avance menu. Just head to the downstairs bar, which reminds us of a high-class gastropub/cocktail bar. It filled up quickly by 7:30 on a Friday night. The scene was low key and the bartenders were conversational. With this undertone and a menu that brings in local providers like Border Springs, it represents well chef Justin Bogle's goal to create a dining experience that fosters community among the local farmers, the kitchen and its guests.

Speaking of the bar, we sampled a variety of cocktails and all were quite good. Toe to Toe is a nice, lightly fruity option for the tequila drinker. Run 'n Gun really does remind you of sitting around a campfire, as the bartender described. We didn’t try the Panda at the Disco, but the glass is covered in liquid nitrogen first so we got a show every time someone else ordered it - apparently it's popular.

Go to Strangelove's for Beer, Popcorn and Gumbo

A dinner at Strangelove's earlier this Fall came with hits and misses. Perhaps the location at 216 S. 11th St. (between Walnut and Locust)  is cursed, with The Boilermaker only lasting six months there and The Butcher & The Brewer barely a month after that. It's tough for any new bar/restaurant to thrive without some unique appeal, unless it's the first in its neighborhood. We'll see how Strangelove's holds up... it comes from the same owners as Memphis Taproom, Local 44 and Resurrection Ale House, so they know to create success. We'd go back, especially for a beer and light bite, but only if convenient to the rest of our whereabouts that day.

Off the "sips and nibbles" menu, the wings were solid and the $5 popcorn was a nice shareable treat for the table. I swear it only cost $3 a few weeks ago, but the online menu says $5. Either way, it's just as big and more flavorful than a small movie popcorn that would probably cost you $8. Maybe even too rich to finish, with chilis, cojita cheese and brown butter lathered throughout.

While the smokey french onion dip itself didn't taste much better than the Ruffles jar I get (often) at the grocery store, the house-made chips that accompany it were great. You can get the chips with a sandwich (advisable) but don't go out of your way for the dip.

If you aren't starving, order the gumbo off the appetizer menu as your dinner. It's a healthy but not stuffing portion of duck and sausage meat with rice, green onion and other veggies, and it offers just a little heat to balance out with your craft beer. Best thing we ate that night.

Little Nonna's vs. The Nana Test

It's a food fight for the ages - Little Nonna’s vs. the Nana Test.

In case you live under a food rock, Little Nonna's is the new, highly-anticipated Italian restaurant from Marcie Turney and Valerie Safran, proprietors of several brilliant places along 13th St. such as Barbuzzo and Jamonera.

Romantic outdoor seating behind Little Nonna's

The restaurant's name and menu are billed as being inspired by the home cooking of an Italian grandmother, "the Nonna." Sound familiar? It should be because it is as if Turney and Safran read our introduction to the Nana Test last October and came up with the marketing for Little Nonna’s. The concepts are just about a perfect match.

Talk about a match made in heaven for the Nana Test. Let’s see how Little Nonna’s fared.

Podcast with Craig Rogers, Founder of Border Springs Farm

If you read our last post on Border Springs Farm, you know we’re big fans of their lamb sandwiches.

Our curiosity was piqued to find out more about the people behind this great new addition to Reading Terminal Market. What started as a phone interview meant for a short Q&A with founder Craig Rogers turned into 22nd & Philly’s first ever podcast.

Craig's passion for lamb, his farm and Philly shine through. You’ll gain a greater appreciation for Reading Terminal and learn some interesting tidbits including:

1. Why the Border Springs t-shirt has the tagline "more than a great rack"
2. How Border Springs is aiming to educate Americans on the heritage of lamb
3. Which local market is a carnival for the senses
4. How to cook lamb with three simple ingredients
5. The best part of the lamb to eat
6. Craig’s favorite Border Springs sandwich and why
7. The event that is the most awesome potluck of food and drink ever assembled in a sheep pasture
8. What it means to get called up the major leagues of food markets

Enjoy and please let us know what you think.

Border Springs Farm: The Baa-st New Sandwich in Philadelphia

You can buy from the meat counter, too

The next great sandwich place in Philadelphia has arrived.

Border Springs Farm in Reading Terminal Market has reignited the chase for the top spot on Sandwich Quest. Their lamb sandwiches are simply put → awesome.

How good? Well, we started with one sandwich each and subsequently ordered a third to split (really for me to eat) because the first two were so good but writing about only two just didn't seem right. In the end, the Root Beer BBQ, "Name That Sandwich" and Pulled Lamb Shoulder are all worth getting. Like, now.

Note: The "Name that Sandwich" is really a gyro, but since Olympia Gyros is RTM's exclusive gyro provider, it can't be called as such. For now, Border Springs is open to other suggestions. 

Lamb shoulder with piri piri sauce

Melograno Takes The Nana Test

We wrote about Melograno in 2010 and thought it would be fun to do an update by giving the Center City restaurant The Nana Test.

As a reminder, The Nana Test is our unique way to grade Italian BYOBs. It consists of five elements that best describe meals my Italian family shared at my Nana's house while growing up. Each restaurant is graded according to five criteria and given a score between 1 and 5 (5 being the best).

Let’s see how Melograno fared.

Atmosphere: The big front windows are inviting if you get a seat near the entrance and the open kitchen is lovely if you’re in the back. We’ve had loud conversation over the years and no one seemed to notice or care. Importantly, there is never a push to rush the meal, which creates a relaxing atmosphere. Great place to eat out with a group of friends or on a date; reservations are recommended, especially after summer ends.
Score: 4 out of 5

Simplicity: Melograno has an appealing mix of dishes ranging from pasta to meat to fish. While a straight pasta with red sauce is not on the menu, you can find amatriciana and cacio e pepe - two simple dishes - alongside more elegant options like sweet potato ravioli or char-grilled quail. One of our favorites is the Pappardelle Al Ragu di Cinghiale, or wild boar pasta. It’s a simple dish usually done well.
Score: 4 out of 5

Pappardelle Al Ragu di Cinghiale

The Best Cheesesteak in Reading Terminal Market

Is the best cheesesteak in Reading Terminal Market not really a cheesesteak, or even a sandwich? It is if you ask me.

Regular on the left, chicken cheesesteak on the right.

The cheesesteak-stuffed pretzel from Pennsylvania dutch vendor Miller’s Twist is one of my favorite bites in all of Reading Terminal Market and something you have to try at least once. The cheesesteak devil on my shoulder tells me to get one on every visit to RTM, even if I've already had another sandwich.

Combing two of Philadelphia's most popular foods, the salted, buttery soft pretzel is pulled directly out of the oven and filled with a hearty serving of steak and cheese. Served all warm n' gooey, it is like heaven on earth. And at $4.50, it's a good deal, too. Miller's Twist also stuffs its homemade pretzels with chicken cheesesteak, sausage and broccoli rabe, ham and cheese, and hot dogs.

Pennsylvania Dutch Sandwiches in Reading Terminal Market

The Grill at Smucker’s and Dienner’s Bar-B-Q Chicken, are two Pennsylvania Dutch stands serving sandwiches in Reading Terminal Market.

You can’t miss Smucker’s, as it is right up the alley from DiNic’s Roast Pork and the main seating area. I was drawn to Smucker's after seeing the sign at left claiming it to be the "home of the tender pot roast beef sandwich." Did it live up to it’s own hype?

Sandwiches at Reading Terminal Market

Over the next several weeks, we’re going to write about some sandwiches in Reading Terminal Market, my go-to spot for Sandwich Quest and one of our overall favorite places to eat in the city.

Because the in RTM options can be overwhelming, it's easy to just pick the popular spots and neglect others. Therefore, this series will spotlight some lesser known stands, some old favorites and what we think is the next great sandwich stand in Philadelphia.

Stay tuned for the first two reviews tomorrow.

In case you missed our previous blog posts about sandwiches at Reading Terminal Market, check out our review of DiNic's Roast Pork and the Train Wreck Po Boy from Beck’s Cajun Café.

RTM Sandwich Quest Posts:

1. Hershel's and Original Turkey
2. Pennsylvania Dutch Sandwiches
3. The Best Cheesesteak in Reading Terminal
4. Border Springs Farm
5. Salumeria

Train Wreck Po Boy from Beck's

Meatball sandwich from DiNic's

Classic DiNic's roast pork, half with broccoli rabe, half with long hots

Ramen Take Over

In the past year, a new type of noodles n' broth has taken over our city: ramen. And it's not the cheap stuff you used to heat up in your college microwave. It's restaurant-quality Japanese noodle soup with intricate flavors and textures. Real and self-proclaimed ramen aficionados have had plenty of time to debate what's authentic, but to the average local eater like us, the two ramen houses we've tried so far - Nom Nom Ramen and Terakawa Ramen - were both very good.

If you haven't explored Philadelphia's ramen scene yet, we highly encourage you to give it a try, especially on a rainy day. For more in the history of ramen and the start of Philly's ramen explosion, read this City Paper article from Drew Lazor from last year.

Nom Nom Ramen

Nom Nom Pork Buns

Nom Nom Ramen on 18th Street between Market and Chestnut is the ideal escape from the Center City bustle. We have been couple times, usually around 2pm when there is still barely a seat available. The simple wipe-off board menu only offers 3-4 ramen options, plus pork buns and crab buns. We usually get the most traditional Shio ramen, which is broth seasoned with salt and white soy sauce and pork, kikurage mushrooms, naruto, bamboo, scallions and pickled ginger, and the soy-based Shoyu with mostly the same stuff added in. The pork buns serve as a fine appetizer but don't think ramen, won't fill you up. It's not a heavy meal but you are consuming a lot of liquid and noodles, after all.

For a Special Occasion: The Fountain at The Four Seasons

The trend among Philadelphia restaurant openings today leans heavily toward gourmet pizza shops, food trucks and high-quality-yet-affordable eateries where jeans are always acceptable. Jacket-required, $$$$ restaurants may be on the way out, but recent experience tells us that there is still a time and place for the white tablecloth.

Case In Point

A few weeks ago we took our sister- and new brother-in-law to The Fountain at The Four Seasons as their wedding present. When it comes to family, spending time together over an outstanding meal beats out stainless steel cookware and fluffy towels any day. 

Sauteed jumbo sea scallop

We will disclose upfront that a good friend of ours is a veteran server at The Fountain so he'd been begging us to come for a long time. He provided generous pours of wine and ensured our service was A+ but we paid full price for our meal.

Also keep in mind that chef William DiStefano's five-course weekend tasting menu at The Fountain is $100 per person, plus $60 each for wine pairings, so we're talking about a big night out. 

This was an exquisite meal paired perfectly with wines that we would probably never have otherwise and service that really does make you feel like a million bucks. For the right and rare occasion, it's worth considering.

Giorgio on Pine Leads in The Nana Test

Giorgio on Pine is an Italian BYOB located just off Broad Street on, you guessed it, Pine Street.

This is the first time we've put a restaurant through the Nana Test with a large group of 15 people. [Click for our previous Nana Test reviews.] Did Giorgio’s live up to a true large Italian family experience? Yup.

Atmosphere: Giorgio's is your typical small BYOB with tables close together. Conversation throughout the restaurant was plentiful, relaxed and loud like any Italian meal should be. A highlight of the night was a couple sitting next to us who asked why our group of 15 was there (answer: dinner before a Mask & Wig show). This led to a hilarious exchange about members of each party dating, the pleasures of drinking wine and fond experiences with the laugh-so-hard-you-cry Mask & Wig club.

Any place that enables such a conversation gets a perfect score on the atmosphere portion of the Nana Test. My family would fit in at Giorgio's anytime. 5 out of 5 points

A Delicious Brunch at Green Eggs Cafe

Green Eggs Cafe recently won the 22nd & Philly Scarpetta Award for the best brunch we had during 2012. I have to say the 13th Street location is also one of my favorite places to take pictures because the large front windows let in so much natural light. Green Eggs has two other locations in South Philly and Northern Liberties.

I managed to get back there already in 2013 and add to our small collection of mouthwatering brunch photos. Here is a quick run-down of some awesome dishes at Green Eggs, though I can't imagine you'd go wrong with anything on the menu.

Peanut Butter Crunchy French Toast  – $11. Brioche slices stuffed with whipped crunchy peanut butter cream cheese, topped with chantilly cream, fresh berry compote and blackberry coulis. I mean, COME ON. Just LOOK at it. It was delicious, but super sweet. Unless you can handle a mega-sugary meal, order savory dishes and then get one of these to share among the table.

Sandwich Quest: Bulgogi Cheesesteak at SK Pastrami & Things

I have walked past SK Pastrami & Things, a deli on 18th Street between Market and Chestnut, countless times and never once thought about entering. But my interest was piqued several weeks ago upon seeing a sign outside advertising a bulgogi cheesesteak. Memories of the Koja Truck’s bulgoki sandwich left my mouth watering so I went back one weekend to try it.

Verdict: while Koja still takes leads the Sandwich Quest category, the bulgogi cheesesteak at SK is a darn good sandwich worth stopping in to try.

The finely chopped bulgogi meat comes with their spicy house special sauce, grilled onions and sesame seeds. The spice was just about right although Koja’s offers a bit more kick to the get the forehead sweat going. The roll was average yet slightly toasted to give a nice airy crunch with each bite.