Home-Cooked Meal Out

Schlesinger’s Deli

This Center City deli is one of the best places to go for an authentic meal. This deli’s traditional dishes including home-cooked meals, cured meats and fresh pastries that will have you coming back for more. This staple to Philly is one of my sister, Catherine and mine’s favorite restaurants to go for a good, comfort meal.

I had the chocolate chip pancakes that were very filling and comforting.It came with three big pancakes. Catherine had the potato pancakes because she said she hasn’t had them in a while. She loved the consistency of flavor in them.

What’s great about Schlesinger’s is that they have work week breakfast specials on Monday-Friday, 7-10:30 AM. They include:

     The Harvey – 2 Eggs, Home Fries, Toast & Coffee 4.50

     The Smokey – 2 Eggs with Turkey Bacon or Turkey

     Sausage, Home Fries, Toast & Coffee 5.95

     Nova, Eggs & Onions – with Home Fries, Toast or Bagel &Coffee 8.95

     Peter’s Pancakes – with Coffee 5.95

I recommend coming here for a relaxing, home-cooked meal that you can sit back and indulge before starting a long day at work!

Happy Birthday and Hour on a Saturday

Varga Bar

My family and I recently went to Varga Bar to celebrate my sister, Catherine’s birthday. Varga is one of our favorite bar/restaurants to go to in Midtown Village of Philadelphia because of its delicious food and wonderful staff. We went on Saturday at 5pm which was great because they offer Happy Hour (half off drinks) from 4pm-6pm. I don’t know of many places that do that on a Saturday.

 Varga Bar features All-American craft beers and comfort food in a casual, pin-up themed bar/restaurant. It’s nice because if you’re indecisive of which brew you would like to drink, the staff recommends an acquired taste and lets you try. Catherine didn’t know if she would like the Smuttynose Smoked Peach Short Weisse, so she got a sample and loved it! She decided to go with it. My dad got the Captain Lawrence IPA and I got the Susquehanna 6^th Generation Stock Ale. My mom got one the special drinks, “Miss March” which is a grapefruit margarita! Of course, my brother Matthew had water because he’s only 13!

To accompany our drinks, for an appetizer, we ordered the Beer Battered Pickles which come with a smoked paprika aioli. These pickles are so delicious that you could eat a whole serving yourself!

My dad ordered the sausage sandwich which was one of the specials for the night, my mom ordered the Varga Salad, Catherine ordered the cheese plate where you can choose your pick of three cheeses, Matthew ordered the Kobe Burger and I ordered the Eggplant Sandwich.

Since I gave up meat for lent, I decided to go with the Eggplant Sandwich. Now this isn’t your typical eggplant parmesan sandwich. This meal included: manchego, parmesan, sprouts, pickled red onion, organic greens, heirloom tomato, rosemary aioli, marinara, mixed green salad. I loved the twist of having manchego cheese and the sandwich being on a ciabatta roll. The bread really soaked up all the flavors.

Varga Bar never fails to disappoint. The atmosphere, drinks, food and staff are simply amazing. Varga is also great for brunch, so be sure to check them out!

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!

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)!

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!