University City’s Marigold Kitchen already has a reputation for being one of the top BYOB destinations in the city. But now the restaurant and executive chef Erin O’Shea have one more notch to add to their belt.
Bon Appetit’s May issue names MK as one of the “Top 10 Brunch Spots” in the country. They highlight the spot’s southern flair and mention the collard green and mushroom frittata, the Surry sausage and mushroom crepe and, of course, the grits.
In related MK news, April is its “Country Ham” month. Check out the full menu here. What are your top brunch spots in the city?
Article on Bon Appetit via Phoodie
Marigold Kitchen
501 S 45th St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 222-3699
www.marigoldkitchenbyob.com
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Our pals over at Foobooz have posted a rather comprehensive New Years Eve guide to dining, drinking, and all-around partying here in Philadelphia. They’ve even got a handy little key that lets you know more about each pick. Is there a champagne toast or an open bar? Is the place vegan friendly? A BYOB? Etc. Etc.
Take a look, and see why I’m jealous that I didn’t think of this myself. Well done Arthur!
Foobooz New Years Eve Guide
www.foobooz.com/2008/12/new-years-eve-guide
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For years, West Philly resident Benny Lai was asked when he was planning on opening a restaurant in the area. After all, the Chinatown location is doing so well. As we all welcomed 2008, the Lai family thought it’d be the perfect time to open Vietnam Cafe since West Philly had already been booming with new residents, new restaurants, and even a brewery.
As I took the 34 Trolley down Baltimore Ave- I was greeted with the familiar neon sign that reminded me of its older brother. Before walking in, I noticed the sign BYO. I knew I forgot something! Apparently no one else did, because every other table had wine on their minds. It’s quite cozy with pictures adorned of his homeland Vietnam and modern look accompanying the 12 full tables.
My lady friend Janine had never tried Vietnamese cuisine, let alone use chopsticks- boy was this going to be an adventure!
As I sipped on my soda chanh (vietnamese lemonade), a simple mix of lime juice, sugar and club soda, the server brought out 4 mouthwatering appetizers that brought tears to my eyes. They were all so good!
We first sampled Bo Nuong La -stuffed grape leaves with grilled beef that exploded with smokiness the second it touched my tongue. Our grilled shrimp were plump and juicy, perfect for sharing with four on each wooden skewer. Crispy spring rolls? It’s not often that traditional favorite is served in bite size bites with a sweet vinaigrette. Our final dish was char-grilled pork rolls served in rice paper with a hosin dipping sauce.
There was still room (somehow) for dinner, which included salted pepper chicken and the house special vermicelli that was loaded with meats balls, char-grilled chicken and pork and of course, those crispy spring rolls.
After polishing off my 5th lemonade, I had nothing but praise and a full stomach for Vietnam Cafe. Much like the original, the prices are very reasonable and perfect for a first date. Just ask the couple next to us!!
With University City Dining days starting this week, what more encouragement do you need?
Vietnam Cafe
814 South 47th Street, Philadelphia, PA
(215) 729-0260
www.eatatvietnamecafe.com
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By Kelly White
When deciding upon a name for their Pennsport BYO, Nicholas Matteo and Nicholas Sweeney stuck with the simple: Nicholas. The same-named chefs shared spots on the line at Striped Bass and Morimoto, and have now united to run their own contemporary kitchen. When a gelato cafe vacated its space near Matteo’s home, another Nicholas was born.
The South Philly-bred duo do all their own shopping at farmers markets and bake the bread in-house. The 30-seater is open from Thursday to Sunday, and has mixers for those bearing bottles. Entrees are set at affordable prices under $20, making it a welcome addition to the under-served Moyamensing crowd.
The New-American menu changes weekly, tweaking regular offerings like mussels and pasta with seasonal updates. Not quite an appetizer and not yet an entree, grilled flatbread pizza is dealt in two different ways. The Veg Plate is described as “all the good stuff from the other dishes, minus the…”, and regular staples include grilled meats and seafood. Chocolate cake gets similar descriptors, evolving from “Yes, We Have Chocolate Cake” one week, to “Better than Sex” Chocolate Cake the next.
For something more inventive, the Sweet Dough dessert also gets a weekly update with spur-of-the-moment sauces. The consistently-revolving menu should keep Nicholas’ tables turning.
Nicholas BYOB
2015 E. Moyamensing Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19148
nicholasphilly.com
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So what do you do when you’re bored and hungry? Have a craving for Mexican? Try Taco Riendo! I was introduced to this place a few moths back and just had to keep going. What more can I ask for? It’s a great location, has a variety of food and the best part… it’s a B.Y.O.B.
If you like Las Cazuelas, you’ll definitely fall in love with this place; they’re both owned by the same family. Located in Northern Liberties, you are greeted with a big smile as soon as you walk in the door.
Taco Riendo also lives up to their slogan, “La Salsa Hace la Diferencia!” (The sauce makes the difference). Every little bite counts when eating at this authentic Mexican taqueria, choose wisely too. Come in before noon and enjoy some breakfast or come after to choose from a variety of guisados (Mexican stews), enchiladas, burritos, quesadillas, tostadas, sopes, tortas, or the 15 plus choices of tacos. Be sure to ask for the soup special of the day. I personally enjoy the steak platters with added rice, black beans and tortillas.
So grab your 12-pack, cash and a healthy appetite and head on over to one of Philly’s best Mexican joints.
Taco Riendo
1301 N 5th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122
(215) 235-2294
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La Viola is an adorable BYOB in Center City, where reservations come in handy, and the service is almost as noteworthy as the food. Almost. The food is fantastic, and reasonably priced. Best of all is the Grigliata di Calamari appetizer.
The outsized slabs of fresh squid are the perfect texture–not too chewy; not too soft–and marinated in garlic, lemon, and oil, and topped with tomatoes, they are flavored quite nicely too. Maybe what makes this dish so special is its presence among the appetizers in the first place: the novelty of calamari that’s been grilled instead of fried. Or that some tentacled bunches are included. Or that it comes crispily charred in all the right places.
The recipe seems simple, but that may be La Viola’s key to calamari- deliciousness. Next time I’ll just order two more of those appetizers for dinner and dessert.
La Viola
253 S 16th St (Btwn Latimer & Spruce), Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 735-8630
Cash Only.
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Post by Zack Cyphers
Salento, a cozy BYOB by the owners of L’Angolo in South Philly, has all the right ingredients for a great date night. The intricate but comfy Southern Italian menu made it difficult to choose! Seafood abounds, as well as a variety of pasta dishes. A mozzarella appetizer looked as good as it tasted and my linguini with shrimp was more than enough.
The Chianti we brought along left us pretty toasty by the end of the heartwarming meal, but we remember that Salento’s interior was small and tastefully appointed. Other couples discovered this spot too and were enjoying their home-brought wine with their meals.
Salento isn’t a boisterous place where you have to strain to hear the person across from you. It’s a place to take the one you love for handholding between bites of pasta. It’s affordable, too! Our two entrees and an appetizer were under $50. For those of you looking for a good date spot, consider Salento at 23rd and Walnut followed by an evening jaunt through Rittenhouse Square to burn those pasta calories.
Salento
2216 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 568-1314
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Post submitted by Leonard Heckenberger
My wife and I stop for dinner in Philadelphia every Thursday evening on our way from Allentown, PA to Ocean City, NJ. We try a new BYOB as often as we can. Our favorite place by far is Copper Bistro, located at 614 N 2nd St. It is a very pleasant environment, friendly with attentive staff, and just great food. This place should not be kept “the best kept secret in Philadelphia”. It’s too good to miss.
The menu is not extensive but eclectic. The nightly menu includes fish, chicken, beef, lamb and there has been a Vegetarian selection each time we were there. Nightly specials are also available. The wait between courses is leisurely.
The kitchen is in the front dining room, which is also interesting. There is also seating in the back room which would be great for a private party. The executive chef/owner is Daniel Connelly.
Reservations can be made by calling (215) 627-9844 or visit Copper Bistro’s official website.
This place is well worth the trip and we should know because we’re traveling pretty far to get there. Don’t miss it.
Copper Bistro
614 N. 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123
(215) 627-9844
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This Italian BYOB located slightly off the beaten path, is a great Old City dinning alternative for anyone trying to avoid the trendy, crowded, striped-shirt, meat-market, hot-spots of Market Street. If you don’t mind eating with Grandma and the kids the food will surely not disappoint, though not quite the ideal location for a special romantic occasion. The ambiance is “abbastanza” (enough) as the Italians might say, but my personal experience would surely have been enriched had I remembered to bring a bottle of wine and chosen instead to sit outside. The staff is quirky but very attentive and the outside dining tables provide enough green vista to let you forget that you’re neighboring the I-95 turn-off.
The menu is classic, fresh Italian with daily fish and pasta specials cooked to perfection. I had a bell pepper and sharp provolone antipasto with four of the tiniest, saltiest sardines imaginable. I had forgotten just how delicious half a sardine could be. Though my father and I probably should have ordered slightly differing dishes we were both happily placed in “buon appetito” mode and beyond content with our choices. I had “Penne con Frutti di Mare” with gigantic, delicious scallops in a creamy pomodoro sauce, while my father had “Penne Totto” pretty much the same dish without the seafood and a slightly creamier sauce. If you’re a seafood lover the choice is easy, if not the Penne Totto is starting to put this place on the map.
Radicchio Café
402 Wood St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 627-6850
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Photo by Jim Leff @ Chowhound
Nestled in the small Asian shopping community around 11th Street and Washington Avenue, Café de Laos stands alone as the only Thai restaurant. One night, when I was really hankerin’ for my favorite green curry, I wandered into Café de Laos. It wasn’t exactly what I was expecting—it was a little more serene and fancy than I’m used to in a Thai/Lao restaurant, but I was happy to see some familiar items on the menu.
Café de Laos is a BYOB with an ample menu full of traditional Thai and Lao dishes. Red curries, green curries, yellow curries and Pad Thai are some of the dishes you might recognize, but there are other more exotic (and spicy!) options available to adventurous diners. I’ve visited a couple of times and have had a Thai Iced tea to satisfy my sweet tooth, Gang Kiew Wan (or Kang Kiew Warn depending on how it’s transcribed), a spicy green curry dish that I ordered with fried tofu, coconut soup, spring roll, and some other hot noodle dishes, but they also have various vegetarian, fish, chicken, beef and pork options, so there’s sure to be something you’d like. Furthermore, Café de Laos’ lunch special is a great option if you’re short on cash. It features three choices from a set menu for a modest price.
Café de Laos is a quiet and mood lit small space with friendly and helpful servers. The prices are reasonable for most items and the flavor is fresh. While the portions look a lot smaller than they are, both times I’ve visited I’ve left quite full. So if you’re looking for a tranquil dining experience and some great food, checking out Café de Laos might just be the ticket.
Café de Laos
1117 S 11th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 467-1546
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Vientiane Café is quite possibly West Philly’s most beloved BYOB. It’s primarily a Lao restaurant, but its menu features all of the classics of Thai cuisine as well. The Penang curry deserves every bit of its stellar reputation, and everything else I’ve ever eaten there has been excellent too. So having made the disclaimer that the entrees leave nothing to be desired– having eaten my vegetables– I can now move on to dessert.
The first person in history to try combining bananas and chocolate must have been a genius. Vientiane’s Banana Chocolate Spring Rolls are a tribute to this genius. I order them even when I’m full, and doing this always makes me wonder why it never occurs to me to swing by Vientiane after dinner, just for dessert. (But, again, the entrees there are so good, that I would wonder why I hadn’t just given up any attempt at home-cooking for the night!)
The Banana Chocolate Spring Rolls come freshly prepared in their thin, crispy spring roll wrappers, and served in a puddle of peach sauce. The chocolate is melty; the banana is creamy. My most recent time there, a woman sitting at the table next to me, in Vientiane’s cozy setting, leaned over to ask me what the spring rolls were. They looked so good, she had to order them for herself.
Vientiane Cafe
4728 Baltimore Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19143
(215) 726-1095
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If you’re looking for Latin American food, the international aisle in the Supreme grocery store in West Philly is a pretty good place to start. They stock everything from Chilean jars of Manjar (Dulce de Leche) to Mexican Nopalitos (prickly pear cactus stems). But a grocery store aisle is no substitute for a sit-down restaurant– booths, recipes and chef included. Sazon, on Spring Garden, is not only the perfect answer to all of your Venezuelan dining needs, it is actually, as its website claims, “Pennsylvania’s First and Only Traditional Venezuelan Restaurant.” (The site also boasts that Sazon won “Philadelphia’s Best Date Spot for 2007.”)
As if those endorsements weren’t enough already… the food is good too. My appetizer of fried sweet plaintains sprinkled with cheese hit the spot. Then I tried an Arepa– a traditional corn patty– stuffed with a mixture of chicken, avocado, mayo and cilantro. The corn flour bread set the Arepa apart from other types of sandwiches, and worked especially well in the especially toasted spots. The inside of the sandwich was a tasty reminder of the way nature must have intended avocados to be eaten.
Whether you’re looking for a new BYOB in the neighborhood, or are just really really curious about their Venezuelan Cheesesteak, Sazon’s the place.
Sazon
941 Spring Garden St., Philadelphia, PA 19123
(215) 763-2500
www.sazonrestaurant.com
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To celebrate our third anniversary, we dined at Matyson; it was our first visit there since Restaurant Week 2005 and we were excited to taste their seasonal, new American cuisine again. Matyson is a cozy, warmly lit BYOB on 19th Street that features weekly prix fixe menus for $45 per person. Each Monday, on our walk to work and school, we anxiously await viewing the new tasting menu they have posted in their window each week. Sometimes, it’s a cheeky themed ode to fast food; other weeks they focus on one luscious ingredient like lobster or vanilla.
Unfortunately, a prix fixe choice was unavailable when we dined there. Our server, Jonah, informed us that the owners of Matyson recently welcomed a new baby and were understandably distracted. Despite this wrinkle in our plan, we were able to dine on three succulent courses. For a starter, we shared an order of tempura softshell crab with avocado, heirloom tomatoes, and a thin gazpacho sauce. The crab was perfectly done, not too oily, and well complemented by its accompaniments.
We shared two dishes: the pan-seared scallops with corn and bacon hushpuppies (the rich, silkiness of the scallops was well complemented by the smoky crunch of the bacon) and the grilled amberjack (a fish similar in taste and texture to swordfish or tuna) with a zucchini pancake.
The innovative cuisine far surpassed our expectations and was very filling. However, it being a special occasion, we splurged on the strawberry special of the night: a buttery, yet dry, scone-like shortcake that came with vanilla custard, rather than whipped cream; and coconut cream pie, which was lined with a thin layer of chocolate between pie crust and cream.
Surprisingly, the crowd at Matyson was older than we expected, with most groups consisting of 50-somethings. Clearly, Matyson has the ability to impress both novice and experienced palates.
Matyson
37 S 19th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 564-2925
http://www.matyson.com/
Hours:
Mon - Fri 11:30am-2:30pm
Tue - Thu 5pm-10pm
Fri - Sat 5pm-11pm
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You don’t have to be a native Philadelphian to know Philly’s awesomeness. Take me, for example—I left my beloved Small Wonder four years ago to come and sing the praises of the City of Brotherly Love (and Sisterly Affection). Another example is Myles, pulled from the streets of the Windy City to add her own brand of awesomeness to the Philadelphia mix.
Myles brings This Time, a street art installation and her screen printing expertise to my favorite den of creativity, Conspiracy Showroom in Northern Liberties, on Thursday, June 14th from 6-9 pm. In Philly’s famous Bring-Your-Own tradition, you can B.Y.O.Tee shirt (or any wearable duds, really) and walk away with your own personally screen printed item for $5. If you’re lucky you’ll be blessed with one of her specialty skulls.
And oh yeah, there will be a dj a-spinning and cocktails for a-drinking.
Conspiracy Showroom
910 N. 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123
www.conspiracyshowroom.com
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There are a bunch of great restaurants lining 2nd Street in Northern Liberties. Old favorites like Standard Tap and Azure, and upstarts like Bar Ferdinand and Deuce (both in Liberties Walk). Oddly, the place my girlfriend and I end up going to most, seems to be the one with the friendliest staff and consistently open tables. Koi, located a half block north of Spring Garden on 2nd street, is a perfect place to get a sushi roll, tasty shrimp dumpling, an intricately flavored Korean-style beef dish, or tempura.
Having restaurant that we can go to at 8:30 on a Friday and know we are going to get a table is enough of a reason for us to go, but the food is on par with the best sushi in town.
They start with a fresh green salad that has one of my favorite dressings (a ginger-orange concoction). The sushi rolls and sashimi are all top notch, but the signature Northern Liberties roll (a tempura shrimp rolled up with a combination of sweet and sour sauces) is the real winner on this menu. If you are looking for something heavier the Beef Bulkogee is a glazed beef dish served with rice and a salad.
Until recently, they served some sake-based mixed drinks, but they recently lost their liquor license and are now operating as a BYOB.
Koi
604 N. 2nd St., Philadelphia PA 19123
(215) 627-1393
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