Passing thru Philly, looking for Local/Slow Food
We are flying in to Philly on a Friday and are driving up to Jersey for a wedding for the weekend. We are trying to find a reasonably easy place to get to in Philly where we can get a couple of craft beers, and then walk somewhere close by for dinner (so we can try two places). We prefer to avoid a bar atmosphere for our dinner on this night, but don't want to deal with BYOB. Sorry if we seem picky!
Zot was recommended to us but the S.O. isn't too down with Belgian food (but we love the beers of course haha).
White Dog also, but it seems to be getting lukewarm reviews now.
Thanks for any help fellow Chowhounds!
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Well we went to get some beers at Triumph Brewing and went down to Amada to see if we could get in at the bar. We got lucky and got to sit in the back bar and had a great time. Good service, OUTSTANDING food. We then finished off with a few beers at Eulogy.
We are already planning on checking out a few of the places you recommended on the next trip (provided we can work some beer bar stops in as well). Thanks everyone for the help. -
Southwark on 4th and Bainbridge focuses on locally grown/raised/produced food. Interesting menu, great bar and nice atmosphere. Could walk there from Old City if you don't mind a 15 min walk.
Chick's on 7th between South and Bainbridge has a great bar as well, interesting wine, beers and cocktails. Great food as well.
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Standard Tap for craft beers. (they also have inside/outside dining). Food written up in Gourmet and Bon Apetit. If you want to dine elsewhere you can walk to Copper, Sovalo, Bar Ferdinand, Azure, Swallow. All of these restaurants are in Northern Liberties. Copper and Swallow may be BYO, not sure. Haven't been to either Copper or Swallow, but I've heard good things about the food at both locations.
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Not sure what you mean by "easy to get to." Are you going to be in the center of town?
If so, there's Valanni, on Spruce betwen 12th and 13th, Mediterranean, continental menu.
Bistro Zinc, on 11th near Locust (may be between Walnut & Locust) - French.
Estia, on Locust near Broad for excellent fish/seafood.
All these have bars, all good.If you want street parking, then you're better off with Old City or South Philly.
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re: sylviag
it sounds like we would be in Old City since a few of the beer bars we want to check out are in the area.
I originally tried to get a reservation at Amada but they said to call 4-6 weeks in advance. Then I thought I should try to find a local/fresh/Slow food place to narrow our choices down.
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This is a tough request as it's hard just to find a non-BYOB focusing on local ingredients, let alone one within walking distance of a good beer bar...
Off the top of my head, I would recommend Ansill (www.ansillfoodandwine.com). Really interesting and tasty food (small plates mostly) and a great beer and wine list. I know you mentioned wanting to try two places, but Ansill would probably meet both your needs really well. If you are set on two places, head to Zot (either the bar downstairs or the bar upstairs specalizing in draughts) for some brews and then head to Ansill for dinner. Ansill is on 3rd and Bainbridge and Zot is literally 3 blocks away on 2nd and Lombard. I think you'd find parking pretty easy in that area if you are driving.
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re: Chimpo
Ansill is a great idea! They're actually doing a special Earth Day dinner through Friday focusing on local ingredients:
http://foobooz.com/2008/04/earth_day_...
I hate to go on like a broken record, but Ansill is definitely my favorite restaurant in the city. You can't miss there.
For a couple of great beers beforehand, I'd hit the very comfortable bar at Southwark, it's only a block away from Ansill. Zot is close by too if you'd rather go there for beers, but I wouldn't eat there.
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