November 15th, 2012
Out & About…Historic Reading Terminal Market, Tommy Dinic’s, Nanee’s Kitchen, Sang Kee Peking Duck, Pearl Oyster Bar, Restaurants, Eateries, Brasserie, Parc, Rittenhouse Square…Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, A Beautiful Day on the City of Brotherly Love
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.
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