Thanksgiving Feast

Parc

This year for Thanksgiving, my family and I went out for an early dinner at Parc located on Rittenhouse Square. The reason why we chose to go here is because they had a great Thanksgiving special and they had something for my younger brother (he’s a picky eater, especially on this holiday).

Parc is a restaurant, café and bistro owned by the famous, Stephen Starr. This establishment offers an French, traditional cuisine with a comfortable, yet classy atmosphere looking through large windows onto the park. 

Parc’s French interpretation of a Thanksgiving dinner included: potato leek soup, turkey breast au jus (pommes puree, sausage stuffing, cranberry sauce, sweet potato gratin, green beans ammadine) and a choice of dessert (house-made pumpkin tart or pecan opera cake). My brother, Matthew got a burger with fries (I told you he was picky!) but he enjoyed it very much so.

Everything about the meal was perfect. What I loved most was the consistency of flavor and texture in the potato leek soup and the combination of all the sides with turkey. My family didn’t feel rushed with the restaurant being completely full and we felt very relaxed being able to enjoy each other’s company as if we were in our own home around our dining room table.

The quality and quantity of food was worth it between the comfort style and price of $38 per person! My family looked to go to other places at first, but who could compete with the service and beautiful location of being right on Rittenhouse Square?

I will definitely be back to Parc for any occasion. Their food, drinks and service is one of the best. I cannot wait to return again on a cold, wintry night to enjoy their famous French onion soup overlooking Rittenhouse Square.

Fall is Officially Here

Little Nonna’s

My mom, sister and I recently went to one of our favorite places to dine, Little Nonna’s to celebrate my sister, Catherine’s opening night of the opera, The Barber of Seville at The Academy of Music!

This restaurant is owned by the famous Marcie Turney and Valerie Safran who also own the restaurants and shops on 13th street, such as: Barbuzzo, Lolita, Open House and many more!

Little Nonna’s offers traditional, Italian-American cuisine located in Midtown Village. This restaurant seats 40 inside the restaurant and 40 in the outdoor garden, so reservations are hard to come by! I love the atmosphere of Little Nonna’s because it has an old charm to it that reminds me of being in my Italian grandmother’s home having one of her well-known Italian meals.

To start, we all shared the Antipasta which included: seasonal vegetables, Italian meats, fennel and chickpea salad, Italian olives and grilled bread. There was so much offered and it was only $17! It was definitely worth it.

For my entrée, I ordered the Rigatoni con Zucca which had fennel sausage and roasted butternut squash in a pumpkin-puree sauce. It was the perfect fall dish due to its comfort and seasonal flavors!

My mom got the Pan Seared Potato Gnocchi which included: wild & cultivated mushrooms, English peas, tarragon, leeks and baby tomatoes. My mom especially loved how the gnocchi were cooked, nice and browned. Catherine got the Eggplant Parmesan which was served with Japanese eggplant, mixed basil pesto, marinara and burrata cheese. She loved the presentation of the meal and loved the pesto!

If you’re looking for authentic, comforting Italian food, Little Nonna’s is the place to be! My family will definitely be back : )

Pho

Sang Kee Noodle House

My sister, Catherine and I recently went to SangKee Noodle House in University City because we have been dying to go and because I had purchased a Groupon.

SangKee Noodle House is an Asian Bistro a part of the SangKee Restaurant Group. It offers a modern menu with the traditional Asian Cuisine. I already knew what I wanted to order prior to arriving to then restaurant: Pho!

Pho is a Vietnamese soup made of beef stock, spices, thinly slice noodles and meat such as beef or chicken. 

I got the Well Done Beef Brisket Noodle Soup which included: well done brisket, bean sprout, jalapeno, red onion and thinly sliced noodles served in beef broth. It was very comforting having being served in a big bowl and having it on the first day of Autumn.

Catherine ordered the Shanghai Noodle Dish which included: udon noodle, shredded pork shitake mushroom, bean sprout, napa, scallion and carrot. Catherine loved the combination of the noodles and different type of vegetables.

I will definitely return to SangKee Noodle House again. The food was delicious and the service was up to standards between the friendly staff and quick time deliverance of the food.

Amada - Restaurant Week Style

Amada

Restaurant Week is probably one of the best weeks for a Philadelphia foodie, such as myself! My friend, Caitlin and I recently went to Amada to celebrate both our birthdays and Restaurant Week. Neither of us has been to Amada, so we excited to explore this restaurant!

Amada is owned by the well-known restaurateur, Jose Garces. Amada offers authentic Spanish dishes in which are small plates. Typically for Restaurant Week, it includes 3 courses for $35. But here the first and second course is each pick 2 items. Amada is a great place for sharing and trying new menu items! So you get a lot of food for the asking price!

Caitlin and I both had the Temporada which was the Watermelon Basil Sangria and it was very refreshing! To start, I got the Aged Manchego Cheese and Olives. This was probably the perfect cheese plate because the cheese was served with truffle lavender honey and sliced granny smith apples. The olives were tasteful being marinated in fresh olive oil. Caitlin got the Garrotxa Cheese and the Pimentos de Padron. The cheese was served with a garlic, caramel sauce and sliced granny smith apples which was nice and sweet! The peppers were fried with sea salt and we both loved the unique taste to them.

For our second course, we both got the Madre e Hijo which is chicken breast served with truffles with a fried egg on top. The truffles and fried egg made the dish! For my side, I got the Queso de Cabra which featured baked goat cheese, tomato, basil and almonds. This dish was very comforting with the baked goat cheese drenched in the tomato basil sauce. It was served with bread to soup up. For Caitlin’s side, h she got the Coca de Costillas de Ternera which is flatbread with beef short ribs, horseradish, parmesan and bacon. With all these ingredients combined, it was a great side dish!

By the time dessert came, we were so full but we had to at least have a try! The two dessert menu items Amada offers for Restaurant Week is the Crema Catalana which is traditional Spanish custard and the Pastel de Chocolate which is a chocolate cake served with caramel sauce. Both were light and refreshing!

Other than the amazing food, I love the atmosphere of this place. Between the spacious bar, dining room and open kitchen with a counter seating around, would definitely feel like you’re in a home enjoying home-style cooking. It’s a very enjoyable and relaxed environment.

Now I am sure it hard to make a reservation for Amada for restaurant week, but if you can, I highly suggest coming here! As you can tell, you get a lot of food and it’s a beautiful atmosphere to have company with.

Birthday Tradition at Mercato

Mercato

My sister, Catherine and I have made it tradition now that on our birthdays, we treat each other and indulge at one of our favorite restaurants, Mercato! Out of the entire city of Philadelphia, Mercato is my favorite Italian restaurant. It offers traditional Italian cuisine with a New Italian American Cuisine twist to it. I love the local market fresh ingredients that make the menu change daily.

For our appetizer, we got the Grilled Whole Artichoke, because it is a staple of Mercato. The leaves of the artichoke were cooked and crisp just right. A citrus aioli was served to pair with it.

One of the main reasons why I love Mercato is because they take the time to recognize their Guests and go above and beyond to make their dining experience memorable. Since it was my birthday, the pasta special of the night was sent to my sister and I compliments of the chef! The pasta special included: Cacio e Pepe which is pasta with breadcrumbs, cheese and pepper! The breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese made the dish unique and tasteful!

For Catherine’s entrée she got the Short Rib Ragu. It’s one of her favorites on the menu because she loves the homemade gnocchi and how that the meat is so tender, that you can cut it with only using your fork.

For my entrée, I got the Summer Corn Risotto which included: roasted Jersey corn, maitake mushrooms, corn veloute, pecorino romano, truffle and micro arugula. This was probably the best risotto I have ever had with the combination of the corn and truffle.

We were getting full, but there’s always room for dessert! Catherine had the blueberry sorbet, which was light and refreshing. Yet, I had the Chocolate Molten Cake served with vanilla ice-cream! It was moist with the warm chocolate and the perfect size. And to make it special, it was served with a candle on top!

So this is why Mercato is my favorite restaurant. The service and staff is exceptional. I don’t think I’ve been to a restaurant who pays close attention to detail and sincerely cares for their Guests like Mercato does. Also, the food is phenomenal! I suggest coming here on any special occasion!

The Affogato is Back!

Elixr Coffee

Elixr Coffee reserves two special days (this year: August 15^th and August 30^th) for their annual Affogato Day! Affogato is hosted by Philly’s own, Little Baby’s Ice-Cream and Elixr’s espresso.

An Affogato is a scoop of ice-cream topped with a shot of hot espresso. The two flavors of ice-cream included: blueberry ginger or smoked cinnamon. I decided to try the smoked cinnamon because I thought this flavor would pair well with the strong espresso. I was right!

Both flavors combined made it a delicious and unique summer treat! There is nothing better than ice-cream and coffee, so why not have them together? 

I also loved the presentation of the drink in a clear glass, so you can see how the ice-cream and hot espresso melt into one.

Make sure to make the next Affogato day which is on Saturday, August 30^th ! Pairings of the ice-cream and espressos will be different!

The Taste of Summer

Eat a Pita

Eat a Pita is definitely my go to place for a delicious and healthy meal. I recently went here to try one of their August specials which is the Grilled Peach Salad that I recently blogged about.

I went there again for lunch to try the other August special, which is the Crab Salad Pita. This pita had all the ingredients of summer into one and it was out of this world!

The Crab Salad Pita included: crab meat, “all the veggies”, roasted local corn and zucchini pickles served in a lemon-tahini dressing. All these ingredients are the seasoned foods of summer and it was so fresh tasting! As a side, I got the cup of faro salad which I absolutely love.

I love the feeling of eating clean and well after eating at Eat a Pita. I also love the exceptional service that is offered! I finally had a chance to meet one of the owners, Jamie! She is so sweet! Nothing beats going to a local establishment, where you feel welcome and like you belong!

If you haven’t already please go to Eat a Pita for a healthy and tasty meal!

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day!

Down Home Diner

There aren’t many classic diners here in Center City, Philadelphia. So when you do find one, it is a nice treat! Before my sister and I took the train home the other day, we treated ourselves to Down Home Diner, which is located right in the Reading Terminal Market!

Reading Terminal Market is one of the biggest tourist attractions here in Philly, so you know anything inside of food will be amazing! Down Home Diner offers country recipes of breakfast lunch and dinner. They are particularly known for their traditional breakfast items and most importantly...scrapple!

For my start of the day, I ordered the Bacon & Tomato Scram with Cheese and it was the most comforting meal! It was served with fruit, home-fries and a choice of breakfast meat. I got bacon of course! Everything was so delicious and fresh tasting. And the best part of it all is that you get all this food for only $6.99! That is pretty good for the city.

My sister, Catherine built her own scram with cheese and onions and got a side of cheesy grits! Catherine said it was one the best grits she’s had so far.

Visit Down Home Diner if you’re looking for a classic breakfast! There is something on the menu for everyone! I will definitely be back for the Philly Cheesesteak Scram!

It's Peach Season All Around!

Cake and Beanstalk & Eat a Pita

August not only means that summer is coming to an end, but it also means it’s the last chance to savor nature’s sweetest fruits, peaches! I feel like everywhere I go, peaches are being featured within the item of the month.

I recently went to two of my favorite places to indulge in their delicious peach items: Cake and the Beanstalk and Eat a Pita.

Cake and the Beanstalk is my go to place for a quick pick me up of coffee or to stop in for a delicious, homemade treat! I went the other afternoon when my mom came to visit because I wanted to try their new peach cake. This slice of cake was so refreshing with the taste of fresh peaches paired with peach cream cheese frosting! My mom got a bagel with cream cheese. But when she tried the cake, we both agreed that the icing was amazing and tasted just right with the amount of cream cheese flavor!

The second day of my mom visiting, we went to one of our favorite places for lunch, Eat a Pita. My mom built her own pita of chicken curry salad, but I tried the August special which was the grilled peach salad. This salad included: grilled peaches, “all the veggies”, bleu cheese, watercress and toasted pistachios. This was honestly the best salad I have ever had! I loved the unique blend of all the ingredients and it was the perfect summer salad. What really made this salad was the bleu cheese!

August has just begun, so make sure you stop by your local spots to see their incorporation of peaches this month!

I can’t wait to go home this weekend for the Peach Festival in Peddler’s Village! If you are around in Bucks County, the Peach Festival & Sidewalk Sale is August 9th-10h from 10AM-6PM. I am looking forward to live entertainment, summer sales and fresh local peaches with homemade treats! I am also going to Manoff Market Gardens for their peaches & black berries! Blog post to follow : )

Who says you're too old for PB&J?

Elixr Coffee

Elixr Coffee is a local, coffee shop located near Rittenhouse Square. Elixr’s staff offers the expertise and knowledge of the world’s best coffee to enhance your coffee experience! The coffee is served  hand-poured which makes it nice and fresh.

I have been to Elixr Coffee numerous times for either a quick pick me up, or afternoon lunch breaks. I recently met up with my sister, Catherine for lunch. I’ve been dying to try their PB&J Sandwich there, so we met up and went.

What I love about Elixr is that they support offer local businesses within the city. That is why I wanted to try the PB&J Sandwich because it featured crunchy peanut butter from PB&Jams Philadelphia and blueberry, bourbon infused jam from Spruce Hill Preserves.

The combination of these two spreads on grilled bread was probably the best PB&J I’ve ever had! The peanut butter is hand-crafted nut butter with local ingredients such as honey and maple syrup! And the jam comes from homemade preserves which are big on flavor and fresh!

Catherine got the grilled cheese sandwich which included: gouda, sharp cheddar and tomatoes in between grilled bread. She loved the combination between the two cheeses and the freshness with the tomatoes.

You can find either the PB&Jams Philadelphia or Spruce Hill Preserves online or at local markets or shops.

Definitely go to Elixr Coffee for these two sandwiches or their amazing coffee and other menu items such as pastries and yogurt parfaits (which are all delicious if I do say so myself)!

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Nature's Way

Eat a Pita

Whenever my sister, Catherine and I have been home and had the comforts of love from the family and of course, home cooked meals, we loved to eat healthy and detox at Eat a Pita!

I’ve written many food blog posts on Eat a Pita before. This restaurant offers delicious and healthy options of paninis, pitas, salads and soups. It is a great place to go for a healthy, quick meal made right in front of your eyes. The fun part to it all is you can order an item already with select ingredients or you can “Pick Your Own Pita” or Pick Your Own Salad”. This includes choosing your own produce, protein and pour. Eat a Pita has a whole list to choose from.

Catherine always selects to Pick Her Own Pita. I usually go with the specialty panini or salad of the month, but this time I was feeling one of their hand-picked salads. I got the Nature’s Way Salad, which included: dried fruit, granola and spinach topped with fig balsamic vinaigrette. I added chicken for $2. I loved the combo of the dried fruit and granola because you don’t typically see that in a salad. I also got a side of orzo salad.

Again, if you’re looking for a healthy option, Eat a Pita is the place to be! They offer many fresh menu items to fit your healthy lifestyle. You can either dine- or take out if you are on the go!

Indian Cuisine

Minar Palace

Every month I meet up with my friend, Ducky to catch up on each other’s lives. Whenever we meet up, we like to go out somewhere authentic to eat and a staple to a local, Philly restaurant. This time, she picked Minar Palace, which offers traditional, Indian cuisine. I’ve never had Indian food before, but I willing to try anything!

Minar Palace is at 13^th and Walnut, which is considered the Midtown Village of Philadelphia. This restaurant offers fresh ingredients with prompt service. Ducky and I agreed to both of these traits! We thought the food tasted great and thought the staff was very friendly and helpful.

A Minar, you can order anything off the buffet line for $12.99 or pick from the menu. We both picked from the menu because we both had our eyes set on something before we arrived.

To start, Ducky and I both had Naan which is a Tandoori Bread that is made of unleavened white flour which was served nice and warm. We didn’t want to eat too much though because we wanted to accompany them with our meal.

I got the Chicken Jalfrezi which included: boneless chicken cooked in a mild curry, garnished with fried onions, green peppers and tomatoes. I got this dish because I love chicken and because the sauce wouldn’t be too spicy! The sauce was just right! The dinner was served with basmati rice which was a great combo to soak up the sauce.

Ducky got the Lamb Vindaloo which included: lamb cubes cooked with chunks of potatoes in a highly spicy curry sauce. She got this because she loves lamb, as well as potatoes. She said the curry was very spicy, but she loved the taste of it all!

Now I don’t know much of the Indian restaurants here in Philadelphia, but I do recommend going to Minar Palace if you are in search of one! The food and service is worth it! 

High Tea

The Talking Teacup

My mom, sister and I have been going to The Talking Teacup for almost ten years now! The Talking Teacup is a tea room in a 250 year old farmhouse, located in Chalfont, PA. This full service tea room provides the coziness of a country style living room with homemade, comfort food. We usually come here to celebrate birthdays or just to have a girls’ day out.

My family always comes for lunch time for their High Tea. The High Tea includes: scones with preserves and Devonshire cream, a cup of soup or salad, assorted tea sandwiches and a variety of sweets served with your own choice of tea in an individual pot! All of this is only $18.95 and it worth it because you are getting so many offerings of fresh and homemade food, so you know it’s good! And the best thing is they don’t rush you here because they really want their customers to enjoy each other’s company.

I recently came here with my mother to treat her for her birthday. To start, they serve your choice of tea with two different types of scones. My mom got the Earl Grey tea because it’s her favorite and I got the Blueberry tea in season for summer. We each got two different types of scones: honey lavender and raspberry. You know they are fresh because they are still warm when they arrive to the table and they taste delicious. They taste even more delicious with the preserves and cream.

For the second course, my mom chose the salad and I chose the cup of soup. My mom enjoyed her salad because it full of fresh blackberries, cherry tomatoes and pecans. My soup was broccoli cheddar and what I loved most was the presentation of the soup because it was in a teacup!

For the third course, we both got a selection of tea sandwiches that each have their own filling, such as: a cranberry cream cheese, cucumber with sour cream and chive, roasted red pepper cream cheese and many more! They know there that my mom doesn’t like egg salad and ham so they gladly substitute the sandwiches for us.

For the final course, dessert is served of a teapot cookie, chocolate chip almond pound cake and an apricot cake. At this point you are so full, but you have to finish the treats because they are so good!

The Talking Teacup is like a second home to us. The staff is like family and dining there brings us such comfort and joy. We always feel welcome there and I think that’s why we always go back!

4 Course Meal

Ela

Ever since my dad, sister and I went to the restaurant Ela on our bacon and beer tour, we've been wanting to go back to try a full meal there!

Ela is located in Philly's Queen Village that offers new American cuisine using local and seasonal ingredients. The menu is always changing with the chefs, creative twists on the fresh ingredients.

Ela is very affordable getting a great deal of both quality and quantity of food. This restaurant offers 4 courses for $45, 5 courses for $55 and 6 course chef's tasting for $65. My sister and I both decided on having the 4 course meal, which there are a lot of "bites" to choose from!

For starters, my sister and I thought we enjoy our dinner with "elixirs". My sister, Catherine got the "180 by Summer" which is white wine, watermelon and Thai basil. I got "We Were Younger Then" which is dark rum, smoked pineapple, lime, falernum, and mint. These drinks were perfect for a hot, summer day!

For my first bite I got the Gazpacho which was made up of mangoes and hibiscus. I never had gazpacho with mangoes before, so it was nice and refreshing for a cold soup! Catherine got the Hiramasa Crudo which featured au poivre, fig, black truffle and concord vinegar. She loved the black truffle sauce!

For our second course, I got the Gnocchi which was served in crispy potato skins, sour cream and onion. It tasted just like a baked potato! My sister got the Porcini Pasta which had fava beans and saffron ricotta. The saffron ricotta was so fresh and something you're not used to having, so it was a treat!

For the third meal, I got the Lancaster Chicken which was tender cuts of chicken wrapped in ham served with parisian potatoes and asparagus. This was probably the best chicken dish I've ever tasted! It tasted like chicken pot pie without the crust. Catherine got the Rohan Duck Thigh which was served with goat cheese grits, romaine and blueberries. Now Catherine love grits and she said this was the best she's ever had, especially paired with the blueberries!

Surprisingly we had room for the "final bite" or known as dessert! I got the Cookie Dough which was warm cookie dough topped with vanilla ice-cream. This was so rich and delicious in flavor, it was one of my favorite desserts I've ever had! Catherine had the Strawberry Rhubarb Soup which had angel food cake and coconut mascarpone. It was a unique dish being served in a cold sauce, but she enjoyed it very much.

As you can see, this is a lot of food! But it's definitely worth $45, and I highly suggest going to Ela to see what it's all about!

Healthy Fast Food

Sweet Green

I am sorry I haven’t posted any food outings in a while, but I have been so busy! I have been cross training positions at work and current co-administrating the Friedreich’s Ataxia Ambassador blog (http://curefa.org/ambassadors)! I will try to return and be blogging more often now a days : )

On the go, but want more of a healthier option? Sweet Green is new to Philadelphia which is the perfect choice for eating clean. Sweet Green offers local and organic ingredients for the both their consumers and business partners well-being. This company also supports local farmers and uses sustainability to benefit the environment by using recyclable products.

Sweet Green offers products such as salads, soups, wraps and unique beverages to fit the lifestyles of their target market. Before I try any new food establishment, I always check out the menu beforehand to have my eyes set on which I would like to try. When I went to Sweet Green, I already knew I wanted the Kale Caesar Salad which is probably the best Caesar salad I’ve ever had.

The salad included: shredded kale and chopped romaine, roasted chicken, shaved parmesan, grape tomatoes and parmesan crisp topped with Caesar dressing and fresh squeeze lime juice. This salad was only 460 calories! I also got a side of the gazpacho soup which tasted so fresh and was out of this world! I felt so energized and refreshed knowing that I was eating clean.

Sweet Green has select locations of only a few states: PA, DC, MA, MD, and VA. Each menu is different according to local farms and seasonal ingredients. Each season has select food items, so make sure you are up to date with the menu changes!

Hospital Stay at CHOP

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Blog

I recently stayed as a patient at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia for a clinical trial to benefit the research and studies to help find a cure for the rare disease I have been faced with- Friedreich’s Ataxia. In a short version, Friedreich’s Ataxia or FA, is a debilitating, life-shortening, degenerative neuro-muscular disorder. About one in 50,000 people in the United States have Friedreich’s Ataxia. FARA is the research alliance group that conducts these clinical trials.

My doctor is a brilliant, individual based out of CHOP at UPenn. I am so fortunate to be local to the Philadelphia area because he is the “go to” person. With this disease being so rare (15,000 people worldwide), it is important to be connected and up to date with the news on any research because things are changing daily.

During my clinical trial, I was required to stay in the hospital for three days. Dr. Lynch is an easy-going person that loves to connect with his patients. Since he knows that I write for a food blog, he asked if I could write a food blog on the hospital stay! He even added to make suggestions if any! So here you go :)

I mostly had to be in my room throughout my stay because of testing and all, so my mom and I ordered “room service” for all our meals except for before I was omitted and the last night of our stay.

Before I checked-in to the hospital, I was allowed to have one last meal out. So my mom and I went to Gia Prontos, which is right across the hospital. Gia Prontos is a café that serves of variety of salads, pizza, paninis and café items. My mom and I each got a slice of artisan pizza and it was out of this world! Then afterwards we got a treat at Ben & Jerry’s :)

The “room service” selection of my stay was not so bad! The food always arrived in a timely manner and the quality and quantity of food was just right! I have to say my favorite meals were the breakfast portions! I loved the banana pancakes and omelet with the potato stars (hash browns)!

The presentation of the food and menu was adorable! Since, I was at a children’s hospital, everything was very cute and fun to entertain the kids! The menu was very feasible to order from and adorable with all the pictures and drawings of cartoons. The only issue I have is that almost every time my mom and I ordered food, an item was missing in our order.

Every day to get a change of scenery, we went downstairs to the café to get our afternoon pick-me-up. Or, we would go to the Library for some coffee, tea and afternoon snack.

All my mom and I feel like we’ve done this hospital stay is eat! We were overall satisfied with the hospital food, but by the fourth day we were running out options!

Banana Pancakes with Side of Fruit

 

Chicken Quesadillas with Side of Pears

 

Pasta with a Side Salad

 

Build Your Own Omelet with Potato Stars (Hash Browns) and Fruit!

 

Chicken Stir Fry

I thought I'd be healthy the last day and get Fruit & Yogurt with Granola!

 

Cute menu :)

Toast Philly

Toast

Toast has always been one off my favorite places to go to for either breakfast or brunch. Toast is a cozy cafe that offers local roasters, breakfast and lunch in Midtown Village. I love it here and will always return.

When I come here, I usually have one of their Egg Toasts, which is what they are mostly known for. All egg toasts include a homemade English muffin,  hollandaise sauce and poached eggs served with a side salad that typically has fresh fruit in it. 

I wanted to change it up though this time and I got the french toast topped with mixed berries because I love french toast. This meal was very comforting and the fruit  was very fresh! I definitely will be back to try more variations because you can get french toast with caramelized bananas or apple cinnamon! 

  Toast has great coffee and lattes too,  so if you are a big coffee drinker, you won't be disappointed!

Santa Fe Meets Ireland

Moriarty's Pub

Moriarty's Pub on 11th and Walnut is a Logan staple and one our favorite places to go. With it's great atmosphere, food and drinks and service, you can never go wrong with this Irish bar! My family always returns here because of those reasons and it is always one of our "go-to" places to eat..

This time, I thought I'd try something different and get the Santa Fe Burger. This burger  has monterey jack cheese, guacamole, lettuce and tomato served with french fries. I haven't had a burger in a while and was craving one. This one definitely hit the spot!  The meat was so juicy and what made this meal was the fresh guacamole. It gave the burger a refreshing, lively taste.

If you haven't gone to Moriarty's yet, I highly suggest  that you make a point to! They are voted best wings of the city and have a great list of craft beers!

Zavino Has It All!

Zavino Wine Bar Pizzeria

Located on "restaurant row" of 13th Street in Midtown Village, Zavino Wine Bar Pizzeria is the place to be! This restaurant offers daily specials of authentic Neapolitan pizza, homemade pasta, and meats and cheeses all incorporating seasonal items. These seasonal items are fresh and local ingredients that make the restaurant so unique.

I recently went to dine at Zavino Wine Bar Pizzeria with my mom and sister for lunch one day. We've always been wanting to try it there. They're aren't that many pizza places in downtown Philadelphia, so we were excited to see what Zavino had to offer!

My mom,  sister and I each got our own pizza because we  weren't sure of the size of the personalized size pizza. We thought it would be the right amount for one person. But two people can definitely share one of these pizzas! 

My mom and I each got "The Stache" pizza which includes: whole wheat crust, pistachio pesto, mozzarella, parmesan, lemon vinaigrette and baby arugula. My sister got the "Garden Pizza" which is the chef's seasonal selection. My mom and I loved the pistachio pizza and my sister loved the freshness of the seasoned vegetables.

We will definitely be back to try more of Zavino's creations! Now is the perfect time to go as well because with the warm weather. You can dine outside enjoying the beautiful sights of Philly and people watching!

Best Chicken Parm

Little Nonna's

I am so fortunate to live in an area full of amazing bars and restaurants! I am also lucky that Little Nonna's recently opened on the same block as me. Little Nonna's is owned by Marcie Turney and Valerie Safran, which owns the restaurants and shops on 13th street, such as: Barbuzzo, Lolita, Open House and many more!

Little Nonna's is an Italian American restaurant that seats 40 and has an outside garden for seating as well. Little Nonna's offers traditional Italian dishes and has a setting that you're enjoying Sunday dinner at your Italina grandmother's house.

I love to treat myself after a long week of work. So I recently went here for lunch with my friend Matt to catch up. I've been here for dinner before, but my friend Matt has never been. So I suggested we go here because I knew he would love it!

I got the Chicken Pepperoni Parm Sandwich which included: buffalo mozzarella, sarcone’s seeded bread, roasted peppers, pepperoni marinara and basil. Now I am a huge fan of chicken parm and this has to be by far the best I've ever had! What I loved most was the bead because it was fresh garlic bread and the pepperoni because it added so much flavor! Matt got the Roast Pork & Sharp sandwich which includes: herb crusted pork shoulder, sharp provolone, horseradish aioli, rabe and sarcone’s seeded bread. Both sandwiches were served with rosemary fries.

I will definitely be back to Little Nonna's again! You get such a great deal for the value and quality. It's a great place to go to for a home-style, comforting meal!

Comfort Food Meets Barbecue

Devil's Alley

Ever have the cravings of a childhood favorite known as chicken tenders? I recently went to Devil’s Alley and had a dish that brought back those memories.

One day after work, my family surprised me and took me out to dinner. It was such a nice treat after a long week of work! We went to Devil’s Alley, because it is near my work and my younger brother loves it there because of their burgers.

Since the restaurant is located near Rittenhouse Square, the interior incorporates the look of the park with an edgy feel to it. The cuisine includes American comfort food mixed with barbecue type food. This is how I got my chicken tenders. But not ordinary chicken tenders!

The entrée I got was Walnut Breaded Chicken Tenders which is crispy tenders with spicy fries, coleslaw and jalapeno apple jelly. The chicken was cooked just right and very tender. What made this dish out of the ordinary are the spicy fries and the jelly to dip them in. Both fries and jalapeno apple jelly had a nice kick to it.

Next time you’re in the mood for some comfort food, definitely go to Devil’s Alley!