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!

Eat Clean

Pure Sweets & Co.

Wednesday came, so you readers know what that means- my weekly breakfast tradition with my sister, Catherine! We went to Pure Sweets & Co. because we both have been meaning and wanting to try it.

Pure Sweets & Co. is located in Rittenhouse two blocks away from the park. It is an all-day vegan, kosher parve café/bakery with gluten-free and organic dishes and sweets. They specialize in healthy and delicious food by using unrefined ingredients. Pure Sweets & Co. allows their customers to eat clean and feel good about what they’re consuming.

To start off we both ordered coffee which is from Philly’s own, Green Street Roasters. At the “coffee bar” and milk station, you can choose Brazilian Nut Milk and/or Coconut Sugar to accompany your coffee. A unique taste and way to spice up your morning rituals of coffee!

To eat, Catherine ordered the Vegetable Quiche which consisted of three layers: vegetable, egg and sweet potato. My sister loved the sweet potato flavor because you are not used to seeing that food item in a quiche.

I ordered the pancakes with shitake mushroom “bacon”. This dish came with three   quinoa   pancakes that were the perfect amount and size. Since Pure Sweets & Co. is vegan, the pancakes were served with a side of shitake mushroom “bacon” that were crisp and a substitute for actual bacon.  Everything from the presentation of this breakfast to the flavors was incredible.

The two things that I look for whenever I am trying a new café, restaurant or bar is the atmosphere and helpfulness of staff and this café passed the test! The atmosphere is very homey and relaxing. It portrays as if you are sitting on the patio of your backyard and you’re pulling the fresh vegetables from your own garden. The space was very comfortable and spacious. The staff is very helpful and friendly by bringing your meal right out to you.

Everything looked so good to eat! Inside there is a “to-go” case if you are on the go, or if you would like to dine in, you are more than happy to do so. Pure Sweets & Co. also specializes in cold-pressed juices, smoothies, soups, salads and snacks! Be sure to stop in for a healthy treat! Catherine and I will definitely be back!

Healthy & Local

Square One Coffee 

For this week's Wednesday breakfast tradition, my sister, Catherine and I chose Square One Coffee. Located in Midtown Village, this local, micro-roaster takes pride in their knowledge and specialty in coffee. They use a handcrafted approach of serving coffee to ensure their customers start the day off or have that afternoon pick me up just right.

Catherine and I both got the Yogurt Parfait which was a great way to start the morning! The granola and yogurt were very delicious and nutritious. It was the perfect amount. I got a regular coffee to accompany my breakfast and Catherine got a chai latte, which she said was absolutely perfect.

The atmosphere inside is very bright, modern and relaxing. It's a wonderful escape to go to from the busy city and enjoy good company.

Square One Coffee is based out of Lancaster, PA but also has a second location in Philly. So next time you're trying to searh for and try a new coffee shop, check this place out!

A New Take On Breakfast

Toast

My sister, Catherine and I have a weekly tradition together when we meet for breakfast every Wednesday before work. It’s a great thing to look forward to and be the highlight of our weeks. We always choose one of our favorite, local spots to go to. This week, we chose Toast Philly.

Toast is located right in Midtown Village, on 12^th and Spruce Street. This contemporary cafe features coffee & tea drinks plus specialty sandwiches for breakfast & lunch. They are most known for their “egg toasts” which are poached eggs on top of a homemade English muffin served with a side salad.

Catherine and I have been here numerous times, but we each wanted to try something different. She got the Mushroom, Shallot and Thyme Egg Toast and she loved the combination of flavors between the portobello mushrooms and thyme. I ordered the Avocado Egg Toast which included: roasted tomatoes and sprouts. I loved the freshness of ingredients and how healthy I felt eating it. The side salad served with both egg toasts has fresh fruit such as blackberries, blueberries and strawberries and fresh vegetables in a balsamic dressing that is just refreshing!

Toast Philly has a great, relaxing atmosphere if you want to share with company or to go and get work done. The staff is knowledgeable of their coffee and products and is generous by bringing your coffee and food out to you. Toast is great to go during any time of day: breakfast, lunch or weekend brunch : )

Family-Friendly Happy Hour

Nomad Roman 

My family was in the city and we needed a place to go for dinner. I have a mom, dad, 28 year old sister and a 13 year old brother. My brother can be a picky eater, which 13 year old isn’t? So we have a joke in our family, that the restaurant has to be “BF” or “bubby friendly” because “bubby” is one of our nicknames for my brother, Matthew.

Families who are dining out in Philly: if you’re looking for a great restaurant with an amazing deal, dine at Nomad Roman. I know finding places in the city can be tough to bring children, but Nomad is the place to be.

Nomad Roman offers locally grown, organic produce and all natural meats. The pizza is prepared in a wood-fired brick oven and cooked right in front of your eyes. Who wouldn’t love a delicious meal like that, something with fresh with local ingredients?

The best time to go is during their happy hour which is 4:30pm-6:30pm. During this time, all pizzas are $5 and $7, which is basically half-priced and beer is $4 and wine is $5. My family was in sort of a rush because my parents and brother still had to drive home from the city because my brother had an early morning at school. The service couldn’t have been more helpful and quick.

What’s great about the pies here are that they’re personal-sized and just the right amount. Matthew is a pizza connoisseur and loves their margherita pizza, so he ordered that. Both my sister, Catherine and my dad got the Spicy Soppressata which included: Italian tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, soppressata, oregano, garlic, red pepper flakes, parmesan, honey and sea salt. They loved the heat from the spicy soppressata. My mom got the Pepperoni Pizza which included: Italian tomatoes, mozzarella, Applegate Farms Pepperoni, parmesan and sea salt. She loved the size and flavor of the pepperoni. I ordered the Trenton Tomato Pie which was an “upside down” pizza which included: Italian tomatoes, mozzarella, oregano, garlic, crushed red pepper, parmigiano and basil. I loved how the pizza had a little “kick” to it due to the crushed red pepper.

Five personal pizzas for only for $35! Which family of five can say that they dine out in Philly for $35? I’m telling you next time you’re in Philly, try Nomad Roman for happy hour! It’s a great and affordable place to go with family or friends! Definitely will return.

January Special

Eat a Pita

A new month means new specials at one of my favorite local restaurants, Eat a Pita! Eat a Pita in Midtown Village is a great place to go for a healthy, quick meal made right in front of your eyes. Their specialties include pitas and salads. 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 (dressing).

Every beginning of the month, Eat a Pita offers two specials consisting of either a salad or a pita. January’s specials include a Winter Cous-Cous Salad or a Sweet Potato and Brown Rice Burger.  I decided to try the salad because it sounded delicious! I went with my sister Catherine and she “built her own pita” because that’s her go to whenever we go (we are regulars here, haha).

The Winter Cous-Cous Salad consisted of roasted broccoli, cauliflower, eggplant and crimini mushrooms, served over baby spinach with herb vinaigrette. This winter salad was definitely the healthy and perfect choice. What made the salad was the roasted vegetables and herb vinaigrette served with the cous-cous.

Catherine loves selecting her own fresh ingredients to put into her pita. She always gets the lemon-thyme vinaigrette though to pour over her pita. There is a variety to choose from.

We both love the quality of food and service when we dine at Eat a Pita. There is nothing than a better feeling when you walk into your local favorite restaurant/shop and they know you by name and you become friends with the owners. As always, we will definitely be back.

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.