Historic Reading Terminal in Philadelphia is over 125 years old. It is one of America’s largest and oldest public markets. Visiting the City of Brotherly Love, there is no way you cannot visit this amazing market. Usually is full of people. Lunch time? It will be hard to find a place to sit in order to enjoy some of the delicious food only Philadelphia offers.
The middle of the market was usually open with tables and benches and no “social distancing” because it was not necessary. Nowadays, you can still visit The Reading Terminal and as you can see from the photo above there are booths and partitions in order to avoid any contamination.
Just a few weeks ago, a little visit to have some lunch and buy a few things that here, in Rehoboth Beach, you cannot find.
Also lunch was going to be a must at Beck’s. If you like Cajun food this is the best place in Philly to get a good bowl of Gumbo.
We sat at their bar and surfaces were spotless. Look at this bowl of Gumbo. At this time of the year with Lent on my mind as well as Fat Tuesday and Mardi Gras, definitely this gumbo hit the spot. A little heat, full of flavor is not to be missed.
And trying to get it all in we also had this “delicacy” from Dinic’s to go with our gumbo.
What can I say? It may not be a good combination of foods but it is best here at the Reading Terminal.
So, don’t be scared. Wear your mask, get out of town and live a little.
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Everyone was driving south as I took for Philly driving north from Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. The DE beaches are so crowded. It is the height of the season. Hot summer days get everyone out of town. I love a Saturday and Sunday in a city. You can walk around with ease.
Such was last Saturday. I arrived at Rittenhouse Square. This is one of the prettiest squares in Philadelphia. Quickly we took a walk to South St. looking for a cafe that is very popular and very understated. Called Ants Pants Cafe, located at 2212 South St. Tel. 215-875-8002. The Cafe has a small terrace in the back if you want to eat al fresco. They offer breakfast, brunch, and lunch. They take cash only but there is also an ATM machine inside. Website? http://www.antspantscafe.com
The Ants Pants Cafe has offerings that could be found in any cafe in Australia. The coffee is from Australia’s Tobbys Estate. Ants Pants mean outstandingly good person.
Not knowing what the other table was asking I found out that they had ordered sweet potato fries. They looked amazing so I had to have them. They were brought in with sour cream and sweet chili sauces.
A Spinach Salad with baby spinach, goat cheese, green apples, walnuts, red onions with a balsamaic vinaigrette, dressing, topped with crispy bacon. An order of yogurt with fruit was also enjoyed. All good and fresh with very friendly service. Ants Pants Cafe offer smoothies, milkshakes and juice. It is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Walking back to Rittenhouse Square I could not believe how quiet the streets were. People usually do not see Philly this way. The beautiful streets with its grand row houses and flowers. The city is getting ready for the Democratic Convention and the Equality Forum.
Rittenhouse Square has so many shops, restaurants and cafes. This particular children’s shop caught my attention. I am putting it in the post because I have so many friends becoming grandparents. Check it out ladies.
From tailoring, reconstruction, and custom design, Irina Sigal is on Locust Street. Dressmaker Irina Sigal…www.irinasigal.com.
These people were having fun discovering the city. Exploring Philly like never before. It is a 15 guest bike. An open air tour bus. You are among other riders who might want to pedal around Philly during the day and during evenings stop at favorite bars. They offer history tours, food tours, fitness rides, kids’ parties, and a new history tour with Ben Franklin. Please visit http://www.bigredpedaltours.com
Time for coffee. The daily addiction. I remember not that long ago in Puerto Rico, they thought that Americans did not know how to drink coffee. Not strong enough, they would say. Well that has certainly changed with amazing coffee shops found all throughout the nation. One coffee shop being mentioned as one of the bests nationwide is La Colombe. I arrived at this coffee shop located at 130 South 19th street in Philadelphia. Tel. 215-563-0860. It was packed with customers drinking the most incredible coffee. This is not the only spot in Pennsylvania. They have opened coffee shops in Boston, Chicago, Washington, D.C., and New York. Check their website at http://www.lacolombe/blogs/cafes.
La Colombe takes an iced coffee to a different level. First ever Draft Latte, a take on the draft beers, except it is coffee. It even has the foam. Now you can even find it in a can!! It certainly was delicious sipped among others in this coffee shop which reminds me of a coffee shop in Europe.
Things cannot be that bad in the world as long as there is coffee…lol.
We could not get into this tiny bar called the Graffitti Bar. Through the alley way we went only to find it completely full. Oh well, another time.
There was a bit of thunder and a few sprinkles. Time to head back home but not before I saw this couple. Yes, romance is still in the air.
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Rehoboth Beach, Delaware is located only about 2 hours and 20 minutes from Philadelphia. Crawling Philly for the day is no big deal.
We arrived at Talula’s Daily in the afternoon. Come to think of it…..right before 5 p.m. Perfect timing, right? It is located at 208 West Washington Square, Philadelphia, PA 19166. Tel. 215-592-6555. Website? http://www.talulasdaily.com.
Talula’s Daily is part of the Starr Restaurant Group in Philly known for quality of food and unique restaurants.
Washington Square is part of the Washington Square West and Society Hill neighborhoods of Philadelphia. It is a U.S. National Register of Historic Places. Walking around these squares and neighborhoods is always a treat. Residents do enjoy the outdoors.
Talula’s Daily is not a big restaurant but when you come in you can see how cozy it is. The Farm Table or Communal Table is in the middle of the room with smaller tables around it. It is the “it” table to grab. We, actually, did but I can see that for dinner it might be a quest.
The restaurant offers a wide range of foods….from soups to nuts and anything in between with drinks to accompany your choices.
We were fixed up with a variety of cheeses. That’s all we wanted.
Great presentation. All cheeses delicious with my particular favorite….the Beemster Goat Gouda.
St. Agur, a French Blue
Vintage Gouda, a Holland, Cow’s Milk
Truffle Gouda, another Holland, Cow’s Milk
Ossau Iraty, Basque, Sheep’s Milk
Beemster Goat Gouda, Holland, Goat’s Milk
Moses Sleeper, Vermont, Cow’s Milk
Note: Please check the website. If very informative with plenty of dining events that look so much fun!! And, “Like” them on Facebook.
Have a great week-end!!
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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.
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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.
I don’t think so. Getting hungry, is what I told Michael as we finished checking the Eastern State Penitentiary. We had a target Food Truck in mind; Don Memo. Michael had found it; it has been the Food Truck talk of the town for years now.
A food truck craze, it seems. I know there were always food trucks coming to work sites. Now, they are all over the place. In Philadelphia, the food trucks are diverse; just like the City.
As with anything, some food trucks are better than others, some more gourmet and some specializing in different types of foods including desserts.
I love street food and eat it with total abandon. In Puerto Rico, food carts are a way of life. That’s where I grew up. Starting with my piraguas, or snow cones, to alcapurrias, churros, tacos de jueyes, piononos, etc….I still remember the kiosks in Luquillo Beach.
It was lunch time. Tacos Don Memo is located at 38th Street between Walnut and Sansom. Right behind the University of Pennsylvania. Tel. 610-529-2039. Website? www.donmemophilly.com.
There were several food trucks there, but I understand that during the school year there are even more.
Don Memo had a line. It happens every single day. You can call your order in. Otherwise, be prepare to wait. First of all, everything is prepared to order. You can’t rush food, you know that.
Food Trucks are an evolution from the traditional food cart. Actually, I found that Don Memo’s was more like a cart. It was small but immaculate. I am not kidding. We were all anxiously waiting.
Leo Saavedra is the grandson of Don Memo. Him and the other gentleman did all the cooking.
It was time to use my Spanish. Oh, well, by the time our food was ready they knew I was, originally, from PR and that Michael would be stopping by again and again. Michael was mortified.
There was a menu on the truck. Customers had a choice of meat: bistek (steak), pollo (chicken), pastor (marinated pork) and carnitas (seasoned pork). It seemed that the pastor was the most popular one.
When we arrived Leo was putting together some burritos. They looked gigantic. Then he was ready to fold them. Wait until you see mine.
I almost got a Torta. This is a Mexican Sandwich. The roll is almost like the one from a sub. You start with your choice of meat and then they will add mayo, beans, tomatoes, queso fresco, lettuce, jalapenos, onions, pickles and fresh sliced avocado.
What they called a Tostada was a puffy taco. The customers waiting were ordering mostly tacos and burritos.
Michael got 3 Pastor (marinated pork) Tacos. The taco shells were doubled; made out of corn flour. Tomatoes, onions, a fair amount of heat and packing a lot of flavor. The diced crispy pork was very very good.
I ordered the Burrito. This was an education; Burrito 101. It was so big. I also got the Pastor choice of meat. Then it was stuffed with Mexican rice, beans, avocado, onions, cilantro, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese and sour cream. Heat? Of course. He was surprised. He said the Puerto Ricans that have come to eat there did not want any hot sauce. Are you kidding? I could not belive that.
This burrito. Take a look. Was so perfectly folded. I could have thrown it up in the air and it would have stayed intact.
The inside was so good; great combination. Loved the cilantro and the freshness of the ingredients.
We sat on a bench on the street and ate it all before my brain started to register; about to tell me that food coma was next.
After we finished we took a walk back to the car, but not before checking a few of the other trucks on that street.
The Sugar Philly Truck had French macaroons, which were already sold out. Apparently, very popular. It also had chocolate molten cake, pineapple custard, creme fraiche cheesecake and even creme brulee. The majority of the trucks cook everything on site. This particular truck fixes the desserts at a different location and bring them in. Their website is www.sugarphillytruck.com.
There was the house of Pita.
The chicken truck.
The Japanese Truck.
The Fruit Truck.
And, the Caribbean Soul Food truck.
We saw other street food bounty trucks by Drexel University, as well. But, they would have to wait for another time.
For all food truck aficionados there is a website; http://www.mobimunch.com, where you can find food trucks all over the country.
Note: Tacos Don Memo has a restaurant located at 57 Garrett Rd., Upper Darby, PA 19082. Tel. 610-352-2376.
FYI: If you are in Philadelphia, please check www.wawawelcomeamerica.com. Going on at the present time; festival, showcasing “The Taste of Philadelphia”. Fireworks will be at Penn’s Landing and the concert with The Roots as the headliners will be at Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Info is on that website so check it out.
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