City Tap House: Great Food, Craft Brewed
Posted by Samantha Lazar on May 28, 2010
After anxiously awaiting its opening for months, I finally got to check out City Tap House, the sprawling new beer hall and gastropub on the balcony of The Radian at 39th and Walnut. The restaurant has been advertising itself as having the region’s largest selection of beers on tap as well as inventive high-quality food and a unique atmosphere.
The wait was worth it. The laid back vibe puts you at ease right away, and the seating choices are numerous. You can grab a stool at the bar, enjoy a meal in the vaulted 120-seat dining room, or lounge at a table outside. Even more exciting, there are five stone fire pits on the terrace which are great for sipping beers later in the evening.
Though there’s a nice wine list as well as other beverages, hops and barley come first here. The beer list is more like a beer book, containing a whopping sixty brews on tap, and handed to diners on a clipboard. My boyfriend nearly squealed with delight when he saw all of his favorite ...
Read the rest of this entry »
Related Destination: City Tap House »
Related Categories: Dining + Food, Nightlife + Bars
New Patio at Mikey’s American Grill & Sports Bar Welcomes Summer and Baseball
Posted by Samantha Lazar on May 25, 2010
If you live or work around Drexel and are a sports fan, your go-to spot for sports-watching revelry this summer should be Mikey’s American Grill & Sports Bar. The true blue sports bar at the corner of 32nd and Chestnut opened up a fabulous patio space this spring which is perfect for kicking back, watching the game, eating and imbibing. And it’s spacious enough (it’s the largest outdoor space I’ve seen at any restaurant in the city, in fact) to accommodate the hoards of rowdy cheering students and their beer towers as well as a quiet couple of friends sipping drinks in the corner.
When I stopped by on a balmy Friday evening to watch the Phillies crush the Red Sox, most of the lively clientele was outside, leaving plenty of space and optimal tv-watching seats available inside for anyone averse to the elements. Wherever you sit, and whether you’re interested in eating or just drinking, it’ll take you a good while to peruse the menus. There are both food and drink specials every day of the week, including half-price apps all night on Fridays. The tasty southwest chicken egg rolls are a great choice (even more so at half price!), and the portion is even big enough to be an entrée. There’s a nice list of draft and bottled beers, as well as frozen drinks and specialty cocktails. All of your favorites are on the beer list, along with Mikey’s American Amber Ale, a nice easy-drinking ale which Mikey’s has specially brewed just for them. The list of cocktails is a lot of fun with one inspired by each MLB team, and all priced at just $5 during games. Like any good Philadelphian, I sipped a sweet and fruity “Phanatic,” made with Absolut Razz, Malibu, and Sprite....
Read the rest of this entry »
Related Destination: Mikey's American Grill and Sports Bar »
Related Categories: Dining + Food, Nightlife + Bars
Landmark Americana Tap and Grill Open for Business
Posted by Samantha Lazar on March 23, 2010
Those of us who’ve been anxiously walking past the sleek exterior of Drexel’s new rec center on 33rd and Market can finally rejoice – Landmark Americana, the bar/restaurant taking up the building’s ground floor, has finally opened its doors. On a recent night I found a lively mix of students, professors and business types, hungrily chowing down, tipping back drinks, and watching basketball.
If your initial impression is that this is just another sports bar, look again – it’s much classier than that. The walls are indeed adorned with flat screens pointing every which way, and there are beer specials aimed at the rowdy crowd (like $25 Bud Light beer towers on Friday nights), but none of it is intrusive; you can enjoy an intimate dinner and sophisticated fare without being bothered – or, like the girl at the table next to me, bring along your laptop and get some work done. The menu will please both types of diners, with sandwiches and bar favorites (including a half-priced late-night menu) alongside well-executed and inventive entrees. Similarly, the long lists of drafts and bottled beers is complimented by a refined wine list (I think I’ve found a new favorite wine, by the way – try the Alamos malbec). ...
Read the rest of this entry »
Related Destination: Landmark Americana »
Related Categories: Dining + Food, Nightlife + Bars
Zocalo: Upscale Mexican Cuisine in a Cozy Authentic Atmosphere
Posted by Samantha Lazar on February 24, 2010
Mexican restaurant Zocalo has been sitting on the corner of 36th and Lancaster for over twenty years now. A couple years ago, though, it made the shift from “contemporary” Mexican food to more authentic dishes, under the new leadership of Mary and Greg Russell. Though you might not guess it from their name, the Russells’ experience with Mexican restaurants goes back decades, and they even met in Zocalo, serendipitously, when Greg was working in the kitchen under a different owner. They’ve redecorated the space, re-tooled the menu, and re-vamped the concept, and Zocalo now manages to be simultaneously bright (note the hand carved and vibrantly painted chairs), cozy, and traditional, while exuding the warmth of a family-run endeavor.
Read the rest of this entry »
Related Destination: Las Tarascas en Zocalo »
Related Categories: Dining + Food, Nightlife + Bars
Elena’s Soul: YOUCIE Karaoke in Baltimore Avenue’s Soul Food Mecca
Posted by Samantha Lazar on February 12, 2010
Elena’s Soul, described as a “showcase lounge and café” is a mix between a dark bar, a chill lounge, a hip café, a glowing den, and a raucous party – all with soul food thrown in. The place (for lack of a better term) is on 49th and Baltimore, and is filled with regulars seemingly every night of the week. One of the times it comes alive most, though, is Wednesday evenings when DJ Kev busts out the karaoke machine.
Karaoke at Elena’s Soul is a unique West Philly event, making it the perfect spot for the next YOUCIE event. YOUCIE is University City’s young friends group, and they regularly hold events throughout the year for young professionals and over-21 students to mix, mingle, and enjoy what the area has to offer. The event will be Wednesday evening, February 17th, and the bar will be running happy hour specials the whole time. But, even better, if you RSVP (address below), you’ll get your first drink free! ...
Read the rest of this entry »
Related Destination: Elena's Soul - Showcase, Lounge & Cafe »
Related Categories: Dining + Food, Entertainment, Nightlife + Bars
Bridgewater’s Pub, a Commuter Haven
Posted by Samantha Lazar on December 2, 2009
Someone should tell Bridgewater’s Pub that it’s in a busy train station. The delightful gastropub seems to be under the impression that it’s located in an English hamlet or a small German town. As soon as you walk through its wrought iron façade, the fact that the pub is nestled inside 30th Street Station’s food court seems to melt away. This makes it a go-to destination for travelers, commuters, and even savvy locals who pop by once the crowds dissipate.
Hoping to avoid the pub’s busiest hours (rush hour and lunchtime), I decided to check it out for dinner on a Saturday. There were still people filling up its tables and lounging at the bar, but a calm, relaxing feeling dominated as laid-back regulars watched the football game and a smattering of people stopped by for bites and brews. Bridgewater’s beer selection is formidable, with a lengthy list of fancy drafts and bottles, many imported from Germany (the influence and expertise of their German bar manager is apparent!). Unsure of what to go with, I told the knowledgeable waitress what I was in the mood for and she picked out the perfect beer for me....
Read the rest of this entry »
Related Destination: Bridgewater's Pub »
Related Categories: Dining + Food, Nightlife + Bars
World Café Live: Live Music and Tasty Food – a Perfect Combination
Posted by Samantha Lazar on November 24, 2009
World Café Live is a gem of a music venue. Just barely on our side of the Walnut Street bridge, it’s close enough to Center City to draw in a varied assortment of people (including those ignorant types who think anything west of the Schuylkill is a hike), and its proximity to 30th Street Station makes it possibly the most accessible venue in the city.
Always bustling, World Café is a two level music venue, the home of WXPN, and a fabulous restaurant all rolled into one. Their programming is varied and prodigious (check out the full upcoming schedule here), with shows playing almost every day of the week. They bring in local acts as well as big name stars, and the shows are usually aimed at adults (you won’t find many screaming teens in attendance, though you’ll probably spot a few people pushing sixty). ...
Read the rest of this entry »
Related Destination: World Cafe Live »
Related Categories: Dining + Food, Entertainment, Nightlife + Bars, Culture
30th Street Station: More than a Train Depot
Posted by Samantha Lazar on November 18, 2009
30th Street Station is awash with travelers at all hours, and you probably know it as the behemoth of modern transportation that it is – Amtrak, Septa, NJ Transit, PATCO, and countless buses (including our own LUCY) rumble through its labyrinths every day. In fact, after New York’s Penn Station, it’s the second busiest rail terminal in the country. But have you ever paused to look at the hub as more than just a quick stop en route somewhere else?
The station was built by the Pennsylvania Railroad around 1930 to serve the bustling city of Philadelphia, replacing the old “West Philadelphia Station” that was a couple blocks farther from Center City. The art deco style main concourse (in case you’ve never opened your eyes when passing through) is almost the size of a football field, with gorgeous marble floors and a soaring coffered ceiling. And of course you’re familiar with the exterior’s eye-catching ...
Read the rest of this entry »
Related Categories: Dining + Food, Nightlife + Bars, Goods + Services, Culture
Bubble House: a Restaurant, Tea Room, and Bar All in One
Posted by Samantha Lazar on November 3, 2009
Bubble House has been one of my favorite University City spots for years. On the adorable 3400 block of Sansom Street, next to New Deck and White Dog, Bubble House is perfectly located and cozy as can be. It’s great to pop in for a fancy cup of tea on a cool fall day or a bubble-filled iced tea if the weather’s warmer. It’s also a great spot for a relaxing drink later in the evening, as their full bar serves up regular drinks as well as sakes, liqueurs, and a wide range of uniquely delicious spiked bubble teas. And, of course, it’s a restaurant! The kitchen cooks up pan-Asian fare for lunch and dinner, and always has a nice mix of students, professors, and locals filling up its tables.
I stopped by for dinner recently, intent on sampling the best of their menu. I started off with a Bubble Tea cocktail to sip while deciding on the food. The special cocktails are a reasonable $8 and come hot or cold. I couldn’t resist a ...
Read the rest of this entry »
Related Categories: Dining + Food, Nightlife + Bars
MidAtlantic Restaurant and Tap Room
Posted by Samantha Lazar on October 27, 2009
Ever since hearing the news of Daniel Stern’s new restaurant coming to University City, I’ve been anxiously awaiting its opening. Well, the wait is over - and it was worth it. MidAtlantic Restaurant and Tap Room is up and running at 38th and Market, blending the feel of a cozy neighborhood bar and a sleek modern restaurant that reaches back to Philly’s roots. The fare is heavily influenced by Pennsylvania Dutch traditions, and is a locavore’s delight. Inspiration is also drawn from the eastern coast’s specialties (as the name would suggest), creating a winning combination.
The bar features six drafts, along with a cider and a root beer always on tap, and the local brews (think Yards, Dock St., and PBC) are supplemented by a lengthy list of bottles. Stern has also created a bunch of signature cocktails for the classy tippler, including “The Standpipe,” which is kind of like a more interesting version of the classic rum and coke, but with root beer instead (“an adult version of a root beer float,” as the bar tender describes it). There’s also the exciting “Rumpringa,” which created a pleasant feeling of ...
Read the rest of this entry »
Related Destination: Midatlantic Restaurant & Tap Room »
Related Categories: Dining + Food, Nightlife + Bars
Cavanaugh’s: Penn’s Favorite Sports Bar
Posted by Samantha Lazar on September 21, 2009
Cav’s has been a favorite University City hangout since it first opened at 39th and Sansom 25 years ago. Which is exactly why owner Brian Pawliczek decided it needed a facelift; the well-loved and well-worn bar just completed renovations and is ready to show off its new look.
The renovations feature a brand spanking new bar, as well as tons of booths, so you and all your friends can watch the game in comfort. Which game? Any game – or any 7 different games, simultaneously! The walls are literally lined with TV sets, so whatever showdown you’re after – professional, Big 5, or anything else – is bound to be playing.
Thanks in part to its spaciousness, Cav’s manages to cater to the sports crowd without overwhelming the people who are just looking for a cold pint and some grub. In fact, the beer list and menu are ...
Read the rest of this entry »
Related Destination: Cavanaugh's Restaurant »
Related Categories: Dining + Food, Nightlife + Bars
Panda Bar
Posted by Samantha Lazar on September 3, 2009
UPDATE (2010): PANDA BAR IS NOW CALLED MAR BAR AGAIN. Remember Marbar, the bar and lounge that used to be above Marathon Grill, next to The Bridge? Well, it is no more. In its place is a brand new creation, Panda Bar. Why the name “Panda?” Why not? They’re cute, furry… everyone loves them. Put off by what seemed to be an exclusively undergrad crowd at Marbar, the new owners have added a touch of sophistication (the vintage wallpaper behind the bar is a nice touch, too). The idea behind this new place is to create a bar and music venue that appeals to everyone.
Panda Bar’s motto is “Good food, good music, good drinks,” and they’re preparing to do just that. They’ve already gotten the drinks underway ...
Read the rest of this entry »
Related Destination: Mar Bar »
Related Category: Nightlife + Bars
Summer Session at Dock Street Brewery & Restaurant
Posted by Samantha Lazar on August 10, 2009
If you live in West Philly, you know Dock Street. If you live anywhere else in Philly, you’ve probably heard of it - and if you haven’t been there yet, you should get to the brewery/restaurant ASAP to check out their awesome food and indulge in some award-winning suds.
Dock Street is a microbrewery that’s at the forefront of America’s craft-brewing renaissance. And it’s Philly born and bred: founded over 20 years ago, it was named after Old City’s Dock St., which was the revolutionary-era brewing centre of the city. It recently moved into its awesome space in the old firehouse at 50th and Baltimore, and has been drawing in the locals as fast as its 10 tanks can transform fermenting ingredients into liquid gold....
Read the rest of this entry »
Related Destination: Dock Street Brewery and Restaurant »
Related Categories: Dining + Food, Nightlife + Bars
Sprucey Juice
Posted by Kelly White on July 7, 2009
They've got only one beer in a bottle. It's the draft list you'll have to study at Local 44, for a serious rundown of lagers, ales, and casks. There's even a gluten-free beer, to further up the beer game at 44th and Spruce's own happy hour haunt. Owners Brendan Hartranft and Leigh Maida popped open this space shortly after the success of their first pub, the Memphis Taproom in Fishtown. What's different out west? There's a mix of no-frills eats like Cuban sandwiches, double-decker veggie burgers, and a chicken & french toast special. Energy for the late-night walk up Spruce Hill, perhaps....
Read the rest of this entry »
Related Destination: Local 44 »
Related Categories: Dining + Food, Nightlife + Bars
Capogiro Gelato
Posted by Samantha Lazar on June 24, 2009
After living in Italy for a year, American ice cream just doesn’t do it for me anymore. Not even a pint of Haagen-Dazs or Ben and Jerry’s can compare to just one bite of the rich, creamy, fresh, flavor-infused ambrosia that is Italian gelato. I used to think there was something about the air in Italy that made their gelato (don’t call it ice cream!) taste so delicious. But I was wrong – Capogiro, which just opened a new branch on 39th and Walnut, makes gelato that’s every bit as transcendent as what you find in the gelaterias of Italy....
Read the rest of this entry »
Related Destination: Capogiro Gelato »
Related Categories: Dining + Food, Nightlife + Bars, Coffee Shops
Tips
Have a dining, entertainment, or nightlife tip?
share it with us!
About Us
Recent Entries
The Live Arts & Philly Fringe Festival Starts this Weekend!
An Unexpected Ice Cream Destination: Desi Chaat House
Atiya Ola’s: Raw Foods on Baltimore Avenue
“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” – Free Shakespeare in Clark Park!
Marrakesh Express: Authentic Moroccan Cuisine, Like You’ve Never Had Before
Silk Road Summer Nights: a Pay-What-You-Want Wednesday Evening Music Series at the Penn Museum
Penn Museum Teams Up with The Franklin Institute for the Ultimate Egyptian Experience
Free Jazz in Cedar Park Puts Some Swing in Your Step Friday Evenings
Recent Comments
cheapdater on Silk Road Summer Nights: a Pay-What-You-Want Wednesday Evening Music Series at the Penn Museum
Katie on City Tap House: Great Food, Craft Brewed
Katie on Bobby’s Burger Palace: Milkshakes Fit for a King
lori on Savas Brick Oven Pizza: Big Slices, Cheap Prices
Brad on Pecha Kucha Night at Studio 34!
UCD Neighbor on Desi Chaat House: Indian Food with the Flavor Kicked Up a Notch and the Price Dialed Down
Naomi on Interactive Map of Powelton Village: Uncovering History
Naomi on Interactive Map of Powelton Village: Uncovering History
Dietra on MidAtlantic Restaurant and Tap Room
Warren on The Gables Bed & Breakfast: a Victorian Getaway in the Heart of University City