Restaurant Week: Rouge

Rouge

I am so fortunate to have gone out for Restaurant Week twice for dinner this season! I had the pleasure to go to the impeccable restaurant, Rouge with my mom and sister. Rouge is a fine dining restaurant located right on Rittenhouse Square known for its quality of food and service. It is also known for its beautiful views overlooking the park. This is a great place for restaurant week to take advantage of the 3 courses for $35 deal.

For my appetizer, I got the French Onion Soup, and it had to be the best French Onion Soup I have ever had! What made it so unique was the bread was a garlic crostini and it consisted of the two cheeses: gruyere and provolone. You never see this soup with that type of creation! My sister got the Spicy Duck Soup and she said it was rich in flavor. My mom got the Bibb & Endive Salad and she said the key ingredient was the Roquefort cheese.

For our entrees, both my mom and I got the Rouge Burger which includes: caramelized onion, gruyere, bibb lettuce, tomato, dill pickle, challah roll and pommes frites! The burger was very flavorful and huge in size. So if you do order it, make sure you have a big appetite! My sister ordered the Herb Roasted Chicken because it was voted the Best Dish of Philly. Her favorite part was the garlic spinach the chicken was served on. She sees why it was voted the best dish!

And now for the final course, dessert! I got the Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding which was served with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream. Between the warmth of the bread pudding and the fresh taste of the homemade ice-cream, this dessert melted in my mouth! My sister got the Crème Brulee which was the perfect end to the meal. My mom got the Caramel Apple Pie. What she loved most was the cinnamon homemade ice-cream on top.

Everything was so delicious and I am glad I got to share this dining experience with the people I love. 

Restaurant Week: Bridget Foy's

                                                                   Bridget Foy’s

Well, the best week is back for a Philly foodie: Philadelphia Restaurant Week! You can go to any of the participating restaurants for a pre-fix menu. Lunch includes three courses for $20 or dinner includes three courses for $35. You really have to do your research on the different menus and which restaurant you really get your money’s worth!

My friend Caitlin and I chose Bridget Foy’s on 2^nd and South Street and we felt as if we got the best deal yet! With great food and service, we are happy with our selection. The restaurant week menu included a cocktail, two appetizers, an entrée and dessert all for $35! It was a lot of food for what you were paying for and we left full and satisfied!

For my cocktail, I got the Red Sangria and Caitlin got the Blood Orange Bellini. Our drinks were served with the first appetizer, which was a Mac & Cheese Fritter. Basically, it was macaroni and cheese fried in the shape of a ball encrusted with a potato chip crisp! It had a barbecue sauce to dip it with and it was out of this world!

For my second appetizer, I got the Harvest Salad which included arugula, roasted beets, butternut squash, goat cheese, pecan, apricot and bourbon soaked raisins. What really made this dish was the goat cheese and bourbon soaked raisins. Caitlin got the Roast Pork & Broccoli Rabe Spring Rolls and thought they were amazing!

For my entrée, I got the Eggplant Parmesan Stuffed Pepper which was stuffed with broccoli rabe and garlic marinara sauce served over creamy polenta. Everything tasted so fresh and what I loved most about this dish was the combination of the sauce and creamy polenta. Caitlin went with the Wasabi Crusted Salmon and loved the cashew fried rice it was served with!

Then, dessert came around and we were so full. But, we knew we had to make room for dessert though! I got the Apple Crumble which was served with Basset’s vanilla ice-cream. A nice, warm dessert was a perfect end to this wonderful meal. Since Caitlin loves chocolate, she tried the Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake and loved the different flavors of chocolate!

As you can tell, this was a lot of food! I highly recommend you come to Bridget Foy’s for Restaurant Week or any occasion for that matter!

Philly Tradition

4^th Street Deli

Everyone of Philadelphia knows the Famous 4^th Street Deli. They have been known as Philly’s best delicatessen for over 80 years! The original location is still located at 700 S 4^th Street, yet they have a location in Rittenhouse (38 S 19^th Street) and the famous cookie stand in Reading Terminal Market. I've only been to the location in Rittenhouse because it is right near my work.

I recently got into liking matzo ball soup and have been dying to try 4^th Street’s because it’s one of their main items that they are well known for. Now, if you never been, just to make you aware that the portion sizes are very large so make sure you go hungry!

The matzo soup is a perfect fit on a cold winter day! It is very hearty and filling that will satisfy you during these cold winter months. The matzo ball was huge and very flavorful. The broth was also very tasty because it had big pieces of shredded chicken. What made the whole dish taste fresh was the dill seasoning.

The best part of the meal is when you receive the bill, you receive two chocolate chip cookies complimentary. They are warm and fresh and make the perfect treat.

So next time you have a huge appetite and are in for a traditional, home-style cooked meal, stop in to 4^th Street Deli and treat yourself!

Hot Chocolate Floats

Cake and the Beanstalk

What I love about the local cafe, Cake and the Beanstalk is not only their homemade, delicious desserts, but how they bring in different treats with Philly's own, Franklin Fountain Ice-Cream!

For example, their M&M blondie sandwich with Franklin Fountain's vanilla ice-cream in the center is to die for! I think I have found my new favorite though. Cake and the Beanstalk's newest creation are Hot Chocolate Floats! 

A Hot Chocolate Float includes your choice of ice-cream flavor (I chose vanilla), homemade chocolate syrup and steamed milk with whipped cream! This dessert is so comforting because you get the warmth of the hot chocolate and the love of ice-cream all in one.

This is what I love most about Cake and the Beanstalk. It's my go to place. I know whenever I go there, any coffee and dessert will cheer me up! It's a very homey cafe with a friendly staff that welcomes you all the time. They are proud of their business and want you to enjoy their product. Their authentic, yummy deserts make you want to come back to try more!

So embrace the cold and try a Hot Chocolate Float!

Healthy Lunch on the Go!

Honey Grow

Are you ever in a rush for a quick lunch or dinner break, but tired of getting fast food? Honey Grow in Center City whose motto is "healthy eating & growing local" should be where you are going! They use fresh and local ingredients to create what they specialize in most: stir-fry, salads, smoothies and a honey bar all in a timely fashion!

I pass this place on my way to work every day and I finally got to see what it's all about. When you go in, there are screens to place your order. You can also pay with a credit card yourself attached to the screen. So if you have in mind what you want before you get there, that's even better!

I knew I wanted to try the honey bar because that's what Honey Grow is known for. What the honey bar includes is your pick of 4 fruits, 2 toppings and choice of honey all in one. I got strawberries, pears, Fuji apples, bananas, honey roasted cashews and sunflower seeds and raisins topped with wildflower honey. Everything tasted so fresh, that I truly felt I was eating clean. You are what you eat, right?

Honey Grow was rated #1 Healthiest Lunch of Philadelphia! I definitely want to go back to try a stir-fry or salad and I highly suggest you do as well!

Jake's Shake of the Month!

Jake's Sandwich Board

As well as being known for their pork sandwiches, Jake's Sandwich Board offers sweets such as milkshakes, root beer floats and chocolate covered bacon! Their milkshake flavors include: vanilla, chocolate, black & white and Philly's own, Peanut Chew. Their floats flavors include cherry and orange.

Each month, Jake's has a different flavored milkshake! For January, they have a Funfetti milkshake! It truly tasted like the cake!

Be on the look out each month, because you can get an amazing  shake for $5!

Green Eggs Cafe can be healthy!

Green Eggs Cafe

Usually when I go to Green Eggs Cafe, I go to splurge by trying one of their unique breakfast items. They are known for their large portions of savory and/or sweet offerings! But when I went this time, I chose something healthier. 

I went for lunch with my sister and didn't want to eat something too heavy, so I ordered the Coffee Chocolate Chip Granola. It' served with fresh fruit, sweet berry compote and Greek yogurt. 

I think this is by far my favorite meal there. Everything was so fresh and tasty. I loved the granola and yogurt because it was the right amount. I also loved the crunch of the chocolate chunks in the granola paired with the yogurt. It really made the dish!

Now if you're not a fan of the coffee flavor, they do have Mixed Berry Granola as well. I'll probably be back to try that!

Best $9 Deal

Federal Donuts

So, I think I have been on a fried chicken kick lately. Yesterday, I met my sister for lunch tat Federal Donuts. As well as being known for their fresh donuts, they are known for their fried chicken.

For $9, I think I've got the best deal yet: fried chicken, a donut and pickles! I only got the "half chicken" which includes the 4 pieces of chicken: split breasts, thigh and drumstick. To flavor the chicken, you can choose either a dry seasoning or wet glaze. Both my sister and I went with the buttermilk ranch dry seasoning. 

To accompany the fried chicken, the meal comes with a honey/lemon glazed donut and Japanese cucumber pickles. The donut is served nice and hot, so you know it's fresh. The pickles have a sweet taste to them so its unique and different.

I couldn't believe all of this was all for under $10! You definitely get your moneys worth. And you'll be full and satisfied!

Although the chicken was very good, I think I'll only return to  Federal Donuts for their famous donuts. Nothing beats a cup  of Philly's own La Colombe coffee, with local, fresh donuts.

French Bistro

Vintage Wine Bar

Vintage Wine Bar is known for their extensive selection of wine and their french bistro menu items. I've always heard great things about this restaurant and I'm glad I finally got to experience it! Located on 13th and Sansom Street, or as I liked to call it, "restaurant row" of Center City, Philaelphia. 

My mom and I met my sister here for dinner after she got out of work. For an appetizer, we shared the Fig & Gorgonzola Bruschetta. Instead of a pear that you would usually see paired with Gorgonzola cheese, it included a pickled apples which was a nice change.

For my entree I got the "Vintage Burger" which entails bacon, Cabot cheddar, cornichon aioli, bibb lettuce, pickled onion and house cut fries. The burger was cooked just right and was rich in flavor from all the ingredients! The house cut fries were served with a tomato truffle aioli sauce which beat an ordinary ketchup any day!

Vintage Wine Bar uses local, seasonal items and I will definitely be back to try more menu items!

Chicken & Waffles

Varga Bar

Varga Bar is such a great place to go to on any occasion. I've been for happy hour, brunch and now dinner & drinks while rooting for the Eagles during the play off game against the New Orleans Saints (sad to say they lost though). It was still a great time!

I went with my sister because we haven't seen each other since the new year came and Varga is always one of our favorite restaurants to go!

Varga Bar is a bar and restaurant that's known for it's craft beers and comfort food. The theme has a fun twist to it, which is pin-up girls! 

The biggest reason why I wanted to go there was for their entree, Buttermilk Fried Chicken & Pumpkin Spiced Waffles. It was a unique combination with such great taste! There was three pieces of chicken placed on top of three sections of waffles. The waffles were smothered in whipped butter, and cinnamon orange syrup. This has to be one of the best dishes I have ever had of Philly!

The biggest reason why my sister wanted me to come here with her is for their one dessert: Cereal Ice-cream! She's had it before and said I had to try! In three separate bowls, there are three separate flavors of ice-cream consisting of Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Cookie Crisp and Fruity Pebbles. Each had actual pieces of cereal on top. You would never think to have cereal as a dessert but I highly suggest you try it!

Varga does have a great list of craft beers as well. I had a Yards Centennial Dry Hopped IPA. This IPA was hand-pumped which made it taste so refreshing!

If you haven't gotten to Varga Bar yet, you should definitely get on it! Like I said it's great for any event or gathering :)

First Meal of the Year

Green Eggs Cafe

What could be better than going to Green Eggs Cafe for brunch on New Year's Day? I met up with an old friend from work to have a late brunch because it's our favorite spot to dine and catch up!

I ordered the Huevos Rancheros because it's one of my favorite brunch dishes and I've always been dying to try it there! Now this wasn't your typical Huevos Rancheros. What made it so unique is that it was served on a bed of Ancho roasted pork and Chihuahua cheese taquitos with a black bean sauce and sunny side up eggs topped with ranchero salsa.

When you order Huevos Rancheros, you usually don't see taquitos included in the meal. The pork and cheese were both shredded, so they just melt in your mouth. The ranchero salsa wasn't your typical salsa. It was a cooked salsa with a spicy twist to it. All the ingredients blended in together to make this traditional Mexican breakfast dish a new favorite. As my side, I got the rosemary homefries which are addicting!

The Green Eggs Cafe in Midtown Village extended their hours into the evening, so you can be sure to enjoy at anytime and not have to worry about getting there by 4pm!

Comfort Food

Devil's Alley

Up near Rittenhouse Square on a weekend looking for a restaurant to dine for brunch? Devil's Alley is a great place to bring any age! My mom, sister, brother and I went after we attended the Pompeii Exhibit at the Franklin Institute. Devil's Alley offers American, barbecue, comfort food. Anyone could find anything they would enjoy off the menu.

I got the Baked Skillet Chili of the Day & Eggs and everything about it was amazing from the presentation to the taste of the food. On a large plate was a small skillet full of chili and eggs, with a bowl of salsa and sour cream served with two soft tortillas to accompany it. I loved how you can prepare the food yourself to how you'll really like it. The taste was unique yet delicious! The idea of homemade chili with baked egg mixed in is such a genius idea.

The atmosphere is great too. When you walk inside, you feel as if you're about to attend a barbecue with family friends. The restaurant has an open, lofty feel to it with brick walls to imagine you're looking down on a backyard or park at a picnic. The open kitchen adds the finishing touch to the theme.

Devil's Alley is a great restaurant for anyone to enjoy! My 12 year old brother loved his burger ad fries and he's a picky eater and can be a tough critic!