Full of modernist décor and daring menu offerings, Patagonia Bar and Grillgo is one of the more exotic finds in Bucks County. The restaurant, set in Richboro, is the special kind of place that can work for a casual lunch or romantic dinner.

Right when you walk through the doors at Patagonia, you know you’re in for a unique experience. Being greeted by a flowing waterfall and pond stocked to the brim with extroverted Koi makes the atmosphere warm and welcoming. The vivid bright yellow and deep orange wells set against the rich wood tables makes for quite the impression.

If you’re lucky, you’ll get seated next to the glass-paned waterfall that divides the two dinning room with a veil of flowing water. But if not, each table also is appointed with fragrant flowers that add an elegant touch to the minimalist table settings.

The menu of Patagonia features something for every taste, from multiple varieties of French crepes to Italian paninis. Start things off right with a plate of warm Brie or some light and crispy Asian potstickers. Seafood fans will love the selection of dishes on the dinner menu, like Costa Rican tilapia and sautéed grouper. The crème brulee at Patagonia is one of the best in the county, with a balance of cream and sugar that is perfectly executed.

Patagonia Bar & Grill
59 Almshouse Road, Richboro, PA 18954
(215) 354-9400
www.patagoniabarandgrill.com

If you’re looking for a quality brunch at an affordable price this weekend, look no further than Sullivan’s Steakhouse in King of Prussia. This neighborhood favorite (operated by the same people who brought us Center City’s Del Frisco’s) launched a new Sunday Brunch service earlier this month.

The menu offers classic brunch cuisine, including French Toast, Belgian Waffles, Eggs Benedict, and a Broiled NY Strip Steak, among other favorites. The real surprise here, however, is the value. Each entree comes with a starter (your selection of chilled asparagus bisque, a fresh fruit plate, an Iceberg lettuce wedge, or baby mixed greens with basil dressing) and a trip to the delightful unlimited dessert buffet, where anyone with a sweet tooth is sure to find something they crave. Bellinis, Mimosas and Bloody Marys are available at a very reasonable $5 each for the adults, and, to complete a family-friendly atmosphere, Sullivan’s also offers a children’s menu with entrees at $8.

Delicious food aside, Sullivan’s also offers excellent service from a very well-informed, polite staff. In fact, the quality service begins even before you walk through the front doors, with complimentary valet parking available as soon as you drive up. Sullivan’s truly is a five star experience at a three star price.

If you can’t make it for brunch, try to catch “Swingin’ at Sullys” on Thursdays from 4 to 11pm or Sundays from 3 to 10. This event offers half off the already affordable bar menu, $5 martinis, red wine and white wine, and live music in the front bar area. Fridays, enjoy classic steakhouse dinner selections with all wines below $200 a bottle available for half off.

This weekend, skip the shore and the traffic and the headaches and head the other way to King of Prussia instead to Sullivan’s Steakhouse!

Sullivan’s Steakhouse
700 West Dekalb Pike, King of Prussia, PA 19406
(610) 878-9025
www.sullivansteakhouse.com

Oh boy, it’s that time of year again. Get ready to experience some of the best dining University City has to offer, when University City Dining Days strikes at the end of July. Running from July 23rd to the 30th, UCity Dining Days dishes out an excellent array of restaurants, each serving up specialty courses for three fantastic prices; $15, $25, and $30.

If you visit the University City District’s official page for Dining Days, you can check out menus from Slainte Irish Pub, Vietnam Cafe, Bridgewater Pub, World Cafe Live, Marigold Kitchen, and Penne Restaurant & Wine Bar, however over a dozen more establishments are participating in dining days. So go check out the list!

Looking forward to visiting a specific restaurant? Tell us all about it.

University City’s Dining Days
July 23rd - 30th, 2009
www.ucityphila.org/diningdays

Derek's has a great location along Main Street in Manayunk; Photo courtesy of Derek's

This just in:

Derek’s on Main Street in Manayunk is introducing a great summer offer for dinner: a three-course prix fixe menu for just $18 all summer long. A selection of wines by the glass will be offered at $5.

More details and the full prix fixe menu after the jump.

“Derek Davis, former chef/owner of Sonoma and currently of Derek’s in Manayunk (4411 Main Street, Philadelphia, PA; 215-483-9400), is celebrating 18 years on Main Street by rolling back the prices. All summer long, Derek’s will offer a 3 course menu for $18, that reprises the greatest hits from the past 18 years. A selection of wines by the glass will be offered at $5. Derek’s will also be reintroducing their popular “Sale Wine List”, where wines are purchased at incredible prices and savings are passed on their guests. In addition, Coors light bottles and Yuengling Lager draft is priced at $3.”

Derek’s 18th Anniversary $18 Rollback Menu
(3 courses for $18 per person, plus tax and gratuity.)

Small plates (choice of)

- steamed sweet potato and sesame seed dumplings, pan seared with sweet soy and cabbage leaf
- crispy thin onion rings, lightly floured and flash fried
- local-organic baby green salad, with pear tomatoes, diced cucumber and balsamic vinaigrette
- “best of philly” caesar salad, hearts of romaine with handcut croutons and grated romano cheese

Large plates (choice of)

- risotto primavera
arborio rice tossed with broccoli, peas, rapini, haricot verts, tomato, red peppers, basil, parsley, butter, and romano cheese

- grilled turkey breast paillard
marinated with basil pesto and served with shoestring potatoes and broccoli aglio olio

- fettuccine alfredo
spinach noodles and local grass fed heavy cream

- chicken and goat cheese piedini
is it a sandwich? is it a pizza? is it a wrap? yes! chicken confit with caramelized onions, raspberry barbecue sauce, arugula and chevre all rolled in pizza dough, served with baby green salad. a sonoma classic!

- grilled chicken breast and mashed potatoes
cardamom scented with fried shallot rings, balsamic glaze and italian greens

Dessert (choice of)

- classic crème brulee
I was fortunate enough to work with sirio maccioni in the 80’s at the original le cirque; the original recipe was perfected here and we still do it exactly as the master intended

- white chocolate bread pudding
this is a reprisal of the original kansas city prime recipe served warm with white chocolate sauce and berries

- chocolate trifle semifreddo parfait
layers of chocolate cake and berry laced cream

Derek’s in Manayunk is located at 4411 Main Street; (215) 483-9400.

CLICK HERE to visit Derek’s official website.

Chima is located at 20th and JFK. (215) 525-3233.

CLICK HERE to visit the Chima Brazilian Steakhouse official website.

$19.95 for a 1 lb Maine lobster. July 2 - 5, 2009 at McCormick and Schmick’s at 1 S. Broad St., right across from the south side of City Hall. (215) 568-6888

CLICK HERE to visit the official McCormick & Schmick’s website.

Barcelona Delusion Cocktail @ Fri Sat Sun

Work week got you down? Dreaming of a trip to someplace more civilized, more romantic?

Well then, grab a table at Friday Saturday Sunday and order up a Barcelona Delusion, and dream away. Prosecco, sherry and sweet vermouth. Mmm. All you have to do is mention it to your server and it’s on the house during dinner on Monday through Wednesday.

Nestled on a quiet little street just off of Rittenhouse Square, Friday Saturday Sunday is the “little restaurant that could.” Known for its great food, fair prices, and intimate atmosphere, they’ve been a neighborhood classic for 35 years. Give them a call and ask for outdoor seating.

Few things beat free drinks and fresh air. You might just become a regular.

Friday Saturday Sunday
261 S. 21st St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 546-4232
www.frisatsun.com

Taste of Philadelphia, June 26-28, at Penn's Landing

In most cities, Independence Day demands just a one-day celebration. Philadelphia believes that it takes at least a week of parties to sufficiently fete the birth of our country. So, despite the fact that the 4th of July is still a week away, Sunoco Welcome America kicks off this Friday evening at 5 p.m. with the Taste of Philadelphia down at Penn’s Landing.

Nearly 20 restaurants will be set up just off Columbus Blvd. at Walnut Street, selling samples of their signature dishes to all. Admission to the Taste is free, you buy your nibbles at each individual tent using tickets that will be available for purchase at various locations around the grounds.

Some of the restaurants who will be serving up delicious tidbits include:

• Cuba Libre
• Jamaican Jerk Hut
• Dave and Buster’s
• Lucky Strikes Lanes
• Joe Pesce
• Steaks on South

For the complete list of restaurants, click here. For the entire Sunoco Welcome America schedule, click here. To see a slideshow of last year’s Taste, click here.

UPDATE: Two local breweries are serving at Taste: Yards Brewing Co. and Victory Brewing Co. are both on hand serving some refreshing adult beverages.

The Taste of Philadelphia runs:

Friday, June 26th, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m
Saturday, June 27th, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday, June 28th, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

July 4th in Philadelphia [gophila.com]

As we tighten our belts during these frugal times, we’re training our take-out dialing fingers to cook up something in our very own kitchen.

In an effort to avoid the world of bland, I’ve been spending more time in the Italian Market Spice Store. Beyond the go-to staples of salt, pepper and your basic herbs, the Spice Store is stocked with every dried spice that you’ve ever heard of on the Food Network. Yes, that’s right. You can finally make those dishes that call for the unknown herb or spice. From lavender, to cayenne, pickling spices, jalapeño powder, pumpkin pie spice, olive dipping spice, and countless other spices from around the world, I’ll guarantee they have enough spices to please the pickiest foodie’s palette.

But the flavor overload doesn’t stop at dried seasoning, as they also carry an array of flour (almond flour, semolina chestnut flour), coffee and loose tea, along with an assortment of dried fruit/nuts and other baking ingredients.

And to make this deal even sweeter (or saltier depending on your tastes), you’ll save by buying these spices in bulk rather than overpaying for the fancy schmancy grocery store brands. Make sure to leave your plastic cards at home, as they only take cash.

Italian Market Spice Store
949 S 9th St Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 627-8039
www.italianmarketspice.com

A family picnics outside the Mann Center, Photo by M. Kennedy for GPTMC

Summertime is Mann Center time, when Philly’s premiere outdoor arts venue springs to life in Fairmount Park. The center’s performances range from pop, jazz, R&B, rock and contemporary, to dance theater, opera, and classical. It’s also the summer home of the Philadelphia Orchestra (and has been since 1930!). And if you haven’t checked out the orchestra at the Mann Center yet, now there’s even more reason to do so: Picnic Competitions!

Pack your picnic basket and head out to the park on June 30th, July 21st, or July 28th. Tickets to spread out your blanket and watch the orchestra from the lawn are just $10 – a great deal even if your culinary creativity is lacking. There’s a different theme, paired with the music, each night.

June 30th the orchestra will perform Mozart and a Midsummer Night’s Dream, and the theme will be “Animal Night.” On the 21st an appropriate “Star Wars” picnic theme will pair up with the orchestra’s Hollywood Classics Under the Stars: Star Wars and More, and on the 28th Verdi and Rachmaninoff’s theme will be “Fall in Love Again.”

Creativity and costumes are encouraged, and celebrity judges will consider picnic presentation as well as culinary excellence. Prizes each night will include tickets to the Please Touch Museum, Franklin Institute, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, other Mann Center shows, and sets of designer picnic plates. Check out their website for more details.

So dig out that wicker basket and head over to the Mann Center to strut your (picnic) stuff while relaxing under the stars to the strains of one of the world’s best orchestras!

Picnic Competitions at the Mann Center
June 30th, July 21st and 28th

The Mann Center for the Performing Arts
5201 Parkside Avenue , Fairmount Park , Philadelphia, PA 19131
www.manncenter.org

Outdoor dining at the Swift Half

If you read the bottom of the cocktail menu at the Swift Half, you’ll spot an all too familiar quote. “There’s No Such Thing As Just One.” And you know what? They’re correct.

This new addition to The Piazza sits innocently in the corner and draws in an eclectic crowd of hipsters, preps, and small dog owners for what they assume will be a quick drink. Don’t let the name fool you—no visit to this Northern Liberties watering hole will be swift.

The menu serves up sophisticated bar food that compliments the long beer menu and innovative cocktail list. Being averse to beets, I was shocked at how much I enjoyed the beet-and-goat cheese sandwich, accompanied by perfectly crisp fries. The meal, while fantastic, was overshadowed by what turned into a day-drinking event with Swift Half’s incredible drinks menu.

Traditional bar food isn’t the only thing getting an upgrade at The Swift Half; classic cocktails have also been given an elegant (and potent) transformation. Take the Ghost of Mary, a drink that boasts the all the flavors of a classic Bloody Mary in a grapefruit juice-like liquid, accompanied by olives. This cocktail packs a punch; drink these wisely. The Dirty Tom on the Rocks puts the timeless dirty martini in a tumbler over ice, but don’t assume these changes reduce the potency of the drink. And if beers and wine are more to your liking, your only problem will be choosing one from the lengthy list that The Swift Half provides.

Whether it be for dinner, to watch the Phillies, or for some good weekend day-drinking, plan on visiting Swift Half this summer.

The Swift Half
1001 N 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19123

How do you like your (deviled) eggs?

On July 1st, to kick-off National Picnic Month, Supper Restaurant will get you egg-static with 12 different variations on the traditional Deviled Eggs!

From 5:00 to 8:00 PM, for $1 apiece (or $9 for all 12 varieties) you can try chef Mitch Prensky’s modern interpretations such as: Sriracha Deviled Egg with pickled daikon, carrot and coriander; Pistou Deviled Egg with ratatouille; Horseradish Deviled Egg with steak and Roquefort, and more… I recently tried the Black Truffle Deviled Egg, and let me tell you… they are evil. That egg will lure you in and make you want to try more.

And to help you get all those eggs down, add to you egg-feast, a can of Sly Fox Beer, such as Pikeland Pils, Phoenix Pale Ale or Royal Weisse Ale for only $3.00.

“I hope our guests will feel inspired by these easy-to-make goodies and perhaps create signature deviled eggs of their own at home,” says Prensky, who counts more than 20 varieties of deviled eggs in his repertoire. Anyone up for a throwdown?

If you miss the kick-off event, or if you’re up for more, through out July patrons will be able to enjoy Supper’s daily changing selection of four deviled egg halves and a can of Sly Fox for $6. What a fun way to get your daily dose of protein!

Supper Restaurant
926 South Street, Philadelphia, PA
(215) 592-8180
www.supperphilly.com

Photo by J. Smith for GPTMC

My comrade Marisa wrote this great post about Taste of Philadelphia, a three-day food fest that kicks off tomorrow.

Part of the city’s massive Sunoco Welcome America! festival to celebrate July 4th, Taste of Philadelphia includes almost 20 restaurants set up along Penn’s Landing — ranging from Cuba Libre to Steaks on South — selling samples of their signature dishes. Consider it fine dining at fast-food prices.

Admission is free. Now, that’s patriotic!

Taste of Philadelphia follows this schedule:

Friday, June 26th, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m
Saturday, June 27th, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday, June 28th, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

CLICK HERE to see the full list of restaurants. [americasbirthday.com]

Taste of Philadelphia [gophila.com]

The 20th Annual Manayunk Arts Festival takes place this weekend and it’s sure to be as popular as ever.

Local and national artists exhibit their work along historic Main Street in Manayunk, showcasing more than 260 artists and their artwork including jewelry, ceramics, sculpture, photography, painting, glass and mixed media.

And, oh yes, there will be food as well.

Manayunk restaurants set up shop along Main Street offering their goods to the hungry masses. So another reason to check it out is for a tasting tour of the neighborhood.

Participating restaurants this year:

- Bella Trattoria
- Cactus Restaurant and Bar
- Caputo’s Pizzeria
- Chabaa Thai
- Chloe’s Corner
- Couch Tomato Café
- Dairyland
- Derek’s (120 seats outside fronting Main Street and there will be a outdoor Martini Bar as well)
- Jake’s Restaurant (Jake’s $8 crab cake sandwich will be served outside all day, $10 with a homemade lemonade)
- Kildare’s (plentiful outdoor tables right on Main Street)
- Machismo Burrito Bar
- Manayunk Brewery and Restaurant
- Mango Moon
- Sapphire
- Saxby’s
- Sole of Manayunk
- Winnie’s Le Bus Manayunk

Bonus: Canada Dry is a festival sponsor, so they’ll be there to keep you hydrated with complimentary Snapple, Nantucket Nectar juices, Honest Tea, Vitamin Water and Hydrive Energy drinks. And ABSOLUT, another sponsor, will be on hand serving complimentary adult summer beverages featuring ABSOLUT’s first tropical flavor — ABSOLUT Mango

Saturday, June 27, 2009: 11 am - 8 pm
Sunday, June 28, 2009: 11 am - 6 pm

Manayunk Arts Festival [gophila.com]

Visiting Philly for the 4th of July and looking for unique way to celebrate? Or maybe you live here and just want to shake up your routine. Perhaps you know that they best way to enjoy fireworks is with a full belly. Get in the spirit with City Food Tour’s Red,White & Blue tour to sample some patriotic colored food while visiting classic Philly institutions.

You’ll start in Center City in the private dining room at Solefood, where a cheese expert will answer all your questions about moldy cheese as you sample American blue cheeses and accompaniments. Moving on to Tavern 17 the historic Radisson Warwick Hotel, toast to independence with a flight of red California wines, while an friendly expert takes the intimidation out of wine tasting. Ready for dessert? Stroll to the popular Naked Chocolate Café and feast on several desserts made from white chocolate (make sure to ask for the recipe!).

Plan ahead for this July 4th and order advanced tickets at www.cityfoodtours.com, or call 1-800-979-3370.