September 21st, 2013
For 5 years I have looked for a gluten free pizza that would make my mouth water. I found it!! You know it had to be good when customers eating at The Couch Tomato in Manayunk were ordering it…they did not have a gluten allergy. In my family’s gluten free journey (celiac disease), I would say that you can pretty much substitute ingredients to make recipes just as good as any. Pizza? Well, that has been a different story.
The Couch Tomato has gluten free pizza that is truly delicious. Our choice was Bacon, Goat Cheese, Olive Oil, Caramelized Onions and Mozzarella. It looked and tasted sooo good.
The neighborhood of Manayunk has a Main Street lined with restaurants and boutiques. During any given day, customers enjoy outdoor dining in, practically, every restaurant.
The Couch Tomato is located at 102 Rector St., Manayunk, PA 19127. Tel. 215-483-2233. Website? http://www.manayunktomato.com.
The restaurant has a casual atmosphere, the staff is friendly, the food was very good, and the prices were reasonable.
Our choices, besides the pizza were:
Risotto Fritters – Vegetable and mozzarella fritters with a sweet fire roasted tomato sauce and pesto. They were crispy on the outside, the center was soft and perfectly seasoned.
Cheesesteak Bites: Sirloin, fried tortilla, caramelized onions and peppers, mozzarella and sharp provolone, and siracha ketchup. This was a big portion, perfect for table sharing…tasty.
The grilled Caesar was a salad that was thoroughly enjoyed….house croutons and topped with naturally raised chicken.
What’s Going on in Manayunk?
Kicking off Restaurant Week is the StrEAT Festival, Saturday, 9/21. Main Street will be lined up with Philly’s best food trucks from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Restaurant Week will be on going through October 5th.
Check out http://www.manayunk.com/signature-events/streat-food-festival-restaurant-week.
Saturday, September 28th is the 2nd Manayunk Tomato Trot, a 5K Trail Run, or Walk for LUNGevity. The Race will start at 4:30 p.m. First 250 registrant will receive a Free Manayunk Tomato Trot T-Shirt. The after party will be at The Couch Tomato where you can enjoy live music, free pizza, awards, and giveaways. Register at http://www.tomatotrot.com.
September 15th, 2013
The City of Philadelphia has 4 great Catholic Shrines. Philadelphia is a city where the foundations for our right to freedom and religion were laid.
The Shrines are: St. John Neumann Shrine, St. Katherine Drexel Shrine, Miracolous Medal Shrine and St. Rita of Cascia Shrine which is the one I visited.
 
People visit churches and cathedrals for their own reasons. I am Catholic.
On Friday I visited the National Shrine of St. Rita of Cascia, located at 1166 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA. Tel. 215-546-8333. Website? http://www.saintritashrine.org.
 
St. Rita is one of the most popular saints in the Catholic Church. She is known as the “Saint of the Impossible”. She has an amazing answer to prayer. St. Rita was born in 1381 and died in 1457.
Even though she wanted to be a nun, in obedience to her parents she married. Her husband was not very nice, to say the least. But with prayer he, in time, converted and became considerate and God-fearing. They had 2 sons.
Then, her husband was murdered.
Around the year 1411, St. Rita entered the Augustinian Convent in Cascia. In the convent, her life was of charity, and severe penances. Her prayers obtained for others remarkable cures, deliverance from the devil and other special favors from God.
“So that she might share in the pain of His Crown of Thorns, Our Lord gave St. Rita a thorn wound in her forehead. It was very painful and gave off a disagreeable odor, yet she considered it a very great grace.”
At the age of 76 she died and people flocked to the convent to pay their last respects. Many miracles took place through her intercession.
Her body was preserved perfectly incorrupt for several centuries, and at times it gave off a sweet fragrance. At the beatification ceremony, the body of the Saint raised itself up and opened its eyes.”
The life and spirit of Saint Rita of Cascia is reflected in the statuary and art throughout the Shrine, which occupies the lower level of the church.
Upstairs is the beautiful and majestic church, built in 1907. Even though the actual church was closed, they let me in and told me to take my time. Look how pretty it is.
At the altar, a prayerful atmosphere encourages private and meditative prayer, always in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. This you do not see in most Catholic churches.
Have a great day!
August 25th, 2013
 
Manayunk is a neighborhood of Philadelphia. With its small town charm, boutiques, specialty shops, and plenty of restaurants, it sorts of reminds me of a town with similar attitude in Florida…Delray Beach. Minus the palm trees, though.
Manayunk has the Towpath, which is accessible from Fairmount Park to the east and from the Schuylkill River Trail to the west. Lots of joggers, cycling, and walkers on this tranquil and beautiful path.
Overlooking Main Street, sitting above it, the town is hilly, is Pretzel Park. I could not find out why it has that named but it has been mentioned that it could be because of the pretzel shape of the sidewalks or because for many years a pretzel vendor was selling Philly pretzels.
A dog park, benches, playground and on Saturdays the Farmers’ Market makes Pretzel Park its home.
During the day the streets are quiet in Manayunk but come happy hour there is a different scene. Most restaurants have dining al fresco. On week-ends tables at sidewalks are filled with patrons ready to taste great food for every discriminating palate.
Our choice was Winnie’s, located at 4266 Main St. Tel. 215-487-2663. Website? http://www.lebusmanayunk.com. It opens for breakfast, lunch, brunch (Saturday and Sunday), and dinner.
Taking center stage at Winni’es is its bar. Then, dining on both sides of the restaurants and outdoors, as well.
Healthy comfort food..their baked goods are so delicious. Don’t push that bread basket away. Their corn bread is very good. They also sell it at the restaurant.
So, this is what we had:
Soups are made daily at Winnie’s and on that particular day their sweet potato corn chowder was full of flavor and very tasty.
An order of sweet potato fries accompanied with a dipping sauce of sour cream, horseradish, and I believe honey. It had some sweetness to it. We ordered the fries without salt. I love fries that are crispy and these ones were perfect.
The Crisp Pear Salad – Mixed greens tossed in citrus vinaigrette with bosc pears, crumbled blue cheese, roasted peppers ad spiced walnuts. This salad was topped with their Colorado Chicken, which is the best. It is grilled with ancho chili.
A Healthy Brown Rice Nut Salad had brown rice, broccoli, carrots, peppers, onions, sunflower seeds, almonds, raisins and walnuts, tossed in tahini dressing and served with feta cheese, hummus, roasted peppers, calamata olives and pita. Topped also with the Colorado Chicken, it made a heck of a lunch!!
The Veggie Burger – Whole grains, vegetable spices and herbs, grilled and topped with guacamole and salsa on a wheat bun with those delicious sweet potato fries. Very good!!
The traditional Caesar Salad was also ordered and again, the Colorado Chicken was ordered to accompanied the salad.
No dessert was necessary….I think we ate enough!!
On the run? Want something to go? In a corner of the restaurant there is take out. And, freshly baked breads.
There is a lot on the schedule for Manayunk:
The StrEAT Food Festival kicks off on September 21st from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. Main Street will be lined up with some of Philadelphia’s best food trucks with specialties from ice cream to Asian delicacies. Plenty of options at affordable prices.
The restaurant week will be ongoing until October 5th. 22 restaurants are participating with special 3 course menus offered at $10, $20, and $30 price ranges.
More info? Please visit http://www.manayunk.com/signature-events/streat-food-festival-restaurant-week/fall-streat-food-festival.
Have a great day!! This pooch was enjoying one beautiful day in Manayunk!!
August 5th, 2013
When it is sunny in Philadelphia the visitors and residents really come out to enjoy the beautiful weather. Sunny skies, low humidity, and cooler temperatures, that’s what everyone in the city was enjoying on Sunday.
Parc is one of those restaurants that sit overlooking the square. Outdoor dining in a cafe atmosphere…great music playing in the background.
Parc is located at 227 S. 18th St, at Locust St., Philadelphia, 19103. Tel. 215-545-2262. Website? http://www.parc-restaurant.com. Parc is also part of Starr Restaurant Group.
It was late in the afternoon, but nevertheless, Parc was crowded and still serving lunch. They open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and Sunday Brunch.
The bread is baked in-house and smelled delicious. Since I have been eating gluten free, I have almost forgotten how dense bread really can be.
A few appetizers were ordered:
The Steak Tartare was made with chopped filet, capers and a quail egg on top.
This appetizer is one of my favorites at Parc. Chicken Liver Parfait with red wine gelee. It is a filling appetizer, perfect for sharing, as well. I didn’t, but you know what I mean.
An Heirloom Tomato Salad offered the taste of summer!!
Our server mentioned that he loved the Trout Amandine with Haricots Verts, and lemon brown butter. And he was right….delicious!
I decided on the Sunday Special. I think the Coq Au Vin makes its appearance at Parc every Sunday…so if you are there, I recommend it. It is so tasty and it really falls off the bone.
Parc offers wonderful desserts, but to tell you the truth we were totally satisfied…..so a little walk it was all that was needed.
Talk to you later.
January 9th, 2013
Cruising through the t.v. channels I stopped at one that was interviewing a jewelry designer by the name of John Wind. If I remember correctly, it could have been MPT, but I am not 100% sure. I was looking at his story and not the channel, really.
The name of his company is Maximal Art. It is located at 200 Racoosin Drive, Suite 111, Aston, PA 19014. Tel. 800-573-3308. There is so much to know about this designer that has been in business for over 25 years. To know more about him and his designer jewelry pieces, please visit http://www.maximalart.com. You can also find John Wind-Maximal Art of Facebook.
Meet my “Gotta Have It” “Cotton Ball” Pearl Necklace.
The vintage necklace holding the cotton ball is made from materials that are plated and then antiqued. I have not worn my enough to enhance its vintage look, but I am getting there. I almost forgot to tell you…very affordable.
The “Cotton Ball” definitely caught my attention. Made from genuine cotton, lacquered and pearlized. It is a charm which I attached to my necklace. The cotton balls can be irregular. That’s how they are. They can dent if struck on a hard surface. And, they will “shrink” if wet. They also come in different sizes.
As with any jewelry, it is bet to be kept away from water, hairspray, or makeup.
Every time I wear this necklace I get so many compliments. So much so, that I decided that a post was needed….word of mouth, and I am not the only one doing this.
I am wearing and enjoying it!! Talk to you later.
Note: Please visit John Wind Maximal Art’s Facebook page to find out where to find them at the Atlanta Gift Show.
November 15th, 2012
Monday was the day…balmy temperatures, sunny skies; a beautiful fall day. Off we went to spend the afternoon in Philadelphia. To tell you the truth, just in the past year is when I have been discovering this city. Just a little bit at a time. Having lived in Baltimore, Maryland for about 5 years, I went more that way. Some friends are very protective of Philadelphia. All I have to say is that I like BWI better and they turn on me like crazy. Okay, okay. Let’s leave it at that.
 
The more I visit Philadelphia, the more I like it. That’s what I said the other day. Driving around the city; the different neighborhoods are so well defined.
I have been dying to visit the Reading Terminal Market. This market is an institution in Philadelphia. It is 120 years old. It has seen its ups and downs. It is also one of America’s largest and oldest public markets. The Reading Railroad opened the market in 1892, below the tracks of their train shed. In 1990, the building was sold to the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority. They re-built the Market to strict historic preservation standards. Today, about 80 independently owned small businesses are thriving in the market. They represent a diversity of nationalities.
You will find fresh produce, imported fresh foods, seafood, and prepared meals. You can park at the Parkway Garage at 12th & Filbert Sts., then get your ticket validated with a purchase of $10 or more.
Cooking classes at La Cucina at The Market – State of the art demonstration kitchen offering classes. For info. and registration, please visit http://www.readingterminalmarket.org.
Market tours are held every Wednesday and Saturday. Stories about Philly’s food favorites. Reservations are required. Please call 215-545-8007.
I knew I was at the market when I saw the unloading of veggies. The carrots were gigantic.
 
As I stepped into the market I was stopped on my tracks by the huge collard greens. Never seen them that big and beautiful.
Even though we knew where we were going, I still had to stop and absorb it all.
The Reading Terminal Market wants you to shop, eat , and stay awhile. Plenty of tables, and chairs.
First stop was going to be Dinic’s, Roast Pork and Beef. In particular, we wanted the roasted pork. Usually, this is served in their bread, which I understand is delicious. Due to gluten allergies, no bread was ordered; we got it with hot peppers and cheese. It did not disappoint, at all. It is exactly as they had described it to me. Succulent, mouth watering and juicy. The wait was about 25 minutes. The line was wrapped around. Tommy Dinic’s has been around for many years. Last year it was featured on Man vs. Food and now their usual fans have to make the lines with the newly discovered fans.
The sign of gluten free food made me look and stop. Nanee’s Kitchen serves Indian and Pakistani food. All fresh made daily; a tasting available. The majority of the dishes are gluten free. The samosas are not. Tel. 267-918-0786.
We had our sights sets on Peking Duck. It has been said that the best Peking Duck can be found at Sang Kee Peking Duck. Besides having a restaurant in Philadelphia’s Chinatown, they also have one inside the Reading Terminal Market.
The ducks were hanging. Sorry about the picture, but that’s the best I could get.
I placed my order and I could hear…chop, chop, chop. The pouring of sauce and my take out was good to go.
We continued with our take-outs and we decided to stop at Pearl’s Oyster Bar. They serve broiled and fried fresh seafood platters, homemade snapper soup and oyster stew. Their telephone is 215-627-7250.
They did not mind that we were also bringing other food to their counter. A couple of orders of oyster stew were placed on our table. It was very good; plump oysters, milk, and for me, oyster crackers.
What a combination of foods; oyster stew, roasted pork, with hot peppers and cheese, and Peking Duck!! Right choices; loved them all.
Could have stayed at the Market but we on our way to visit other places in the city. Rittenhouse Square is so beautiful and as one of Philadelphia’s open space parks, it is a place to relax and enjoy a fantastic day.
Right at 18th & Locust St. is a restaurant called Parc. It is part of the Starr Restaurant Group. It opens 7 days a week. They say their Sunday Brunch is to die for. Tel. 215-545-2262. Website? http://www.parc-restaurant.com. Our server was Stephany and she made sure that what we ordered was gluten free.
Parc is reminiscent of a French brasserie, bistro, and cafe. Very open, large open windows overlooking the park, outdoor seating…great background music, as well.
 
We decided to have a little tasting of something…how could you not? An order of Chicken Liver Mousse with pickled shallots and grain mustard. I have had this appetizer before and can’t say enough about it. Really, very good.
An order of Charcuterie of artisanal meats, country pate, and chicken liver mousse, accompanied by an assortment of their homemade breads.
 
The afternoon was so nice….but, it was time to drive back to the beach. Another visit to Philadelphia soon; that, I am sure of. Talk to you later.
September 20th, 2011
An adrenaline rush? A thrill? Well, today is when tickets go on sale for this much awaited season at Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia. It is their Terror Behind The Walls. The best way to buy tickets and check the schedules is by visiting www.terrorbehindthewalls.com, the website www.easternstate.org/tickets, or by just going to their box office at 21st Street and Fairmount Ave., Philadelphia, PA. The box office is open every day from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. on show nights.
Also, they are celebrating their 20th anniversary with a special Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, November 11th.
When you visit the above mentioned websites, please click on “New for 2011”. You will be able to see what they will be offering.
Please note that children of ages 7 -12 years old need to go on the designated days for Family Nights. Every Sunday evening, Wednesday, October 12th, Thursday, October 13th, Tuesday, October 18th.
The ultimate Halloween experience will be the Eastern State After Dark VIP Tour. The evening will begin with an hour-long, guided flashlight walking tour of this historic prison.
Eastern State Penitentiary was built in 1822-1836. It was closed in 1971. It was once the most expensive prison in the world.
On this VIP toup the highlights will include the cellblocks, Death Row, Al Capone’s cell, and the underground isolation cells under Cellblock 14. Afterwards you will be escorted to the front of the Terror Behind the Walls’ lines. This tour is limited to 20 people per tour group. The cost is $79 Sundays through Thursdays and $99 Fridays and Saturdays, only available on show nights only.
For this coming week-end 9/23 and 9/24, all tickets for the VIP tour are Buy One Get One Free. You can also call their group sales dept. at 215-236-5111, ext. 16 for pricing.
Note: Terror Behing the Walls will start September 23rd until November 5th.
Daytime Prison Tours are available from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Have a great time!!! Talk to you later….
June 23rd, 2011
I had heard it before; Philadelphia has a reputation for culinary excellence; the immigrant population having contributed to a large mixture of tastes.
I read a paragraph by Mark Glickman who wrote The Foods of Philadelphia and he described it best. You can find representations of these foods (soft pretzel, Philly Cheese Steak), elsewhere. But, only in Philadelphia and its environs can you find the real thing. You might get a soft pretzel at a mall in Cincinnati, or a Philly Cheese Steak at a cafe in California and wonder “What’s the big deal? Come to Philadelphia, and you will find out.
It is definitely different and I am enjoying learning about it.
In my last post I told you that there was more walking to be done. Leaving Parc located at Rittenhouse Square we kept on a good pace but something caught my attention when a door opened. I was not even paying attention, but the produce looked beautiful. Of course, we had to go in. What a surprise!! What a market!! Thank God I had just eaten, and thank God I was walking and could not carry anything else with me. Otherwise, watch out!!
This was Di Bruno Bros., located at 1730 Chestnut St., Tel. 215-665-9220. Website? www.dibruno.com/locations/rittenhousesquare.
Yes, in Center City, in the heart of Philadelphia. The original Italian market opened in 1939 at 930 S. 9th St. and it is still standing there.
This market is unreal and so is the service. I noticed the regular customers were known by name. I was just absorbing it all.
Here are some of the pictures I took.
Prepared Foods
Beef Department
The biggest cheese section I have ever seen with cheeses from all over the world.
 
Olive Oils to pick and choose.
Did not know that there were so many bitters.
Smoked Salmon
Hams and sausages
Breads
The Bakery? Cookies, Tarts, Cakes and Pies
Are you hungry yet? You know, on this particular post, it was best to be somewhat quiet and let the pictures do the talking. No way I could have explained all of this in simple words.
P.S. They also do catering.
Have a good one….got to go to my daily trip to Giant in Rehoboth Beach…. talk to you later….Chifa and the Food Trucks are still to come….
 
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