Help me get to love my new Philadelphia neighborhood

[NYChristopher]

I am moving to a place around the corner from Termini Brothers on 8th.

For those who know the area, what should I be hitting? I must admit, most of my shopping in the past was done north of Washington.

Thanks!

[bonappetite]

Try Bibou, a new French BYOB, Chef Camel and his wife Charlotte are lovely and food is superb. He trained in France, then with Daniel Boulud and Le Bec here in Philly. Prixe fixe menu on Sunday nights, full menu Wed thru Sat. Delicious!

[lxc191]

I second the Bibou suggestion - fabulous dinner there last weekend. The place is tiny but somehow doesn't feel too cramped. Everything we had was delicious and we will definitely be back. I have a feeling it will be tough to get a table there after a few more weeks of people experiencing it.

[feklar42]

Just to round out the Passyunk Row list, I actually am fond of Michael's for brunch--it's nice to walk down with my dog and sit and watch the parade of people. And I also like Paradiso--high end Italian with a great wine by the glass selection. Again they have outdoor seating. And there is a capo giro between the two.

I've found Nam Phoung hit and miss, I now have 3 dishes that I find reliably good there, but I've tried a number of things I've been indifferent to. It's probably sacriligious to admit this on a foodie board, but I actually like the 'less authentic' or slightly more french Vietnamese places. I do wish I liked seafood enough to try some of their sea dishes. There's one where they bring out a portable grill and all sorts of seafood that looks awesome. The Laotian place across from Nam Phoung is very good. Devil's Den has an astounding beer list, but mediocre food. And El Jarocho on 13th has good mexican--not tex mex (so if you're looking for ceddar or chili or taco salads, it won't make you happy).

[Ali]

I'd say that there's nothing wrong with not liking Nam Phuong and prefering a less authentic, etc. spot - food is personal; nothing sacriligeous about it. (Besides, the now-uber-popular banh mi is pretty French, nothing slightly about it.) I'd guess that you like (or would like?) Vietnam Palace in Chinatown? Frankly, for all this board's raving about Nam Phuong, I'm just not a huge fan. Philly just doesn't have the same Vietnamese food scene as CA or TX, so it's just not worth the hike for me - if I'm in S. Philly for food, it's Claudio's, D'Angelo's, and the roast pork stall inside the market at 11th & Washington.

OP: As far as I can tell, no one has yet recommended Claudio's and I think it deserves a mention. Best customer service and great selection. I LOVE that place (even if I'm "relegated" to the CC DiBruno's these days). Between that and D'Angelo's, it's a fantastic neighborhood.

[NYChristopher]

Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa ... there's a roast pork stall INSIDE the market at 11h & Washington? How have I missed this? Where IS it?

[Ali]

It's the Chinese-style roast pork (as you might have guess from that market being Vietnamese/Chinese) with the delicious crunchy skin - I'm sucker for that skin. The stall in just inside. Walk in, turn towards the right where the veggies are, and you should run into the stall. The guy's really nice. (I don't know how much English he speaks, though ...) Better than anything in Chinatown, IMO.

[NYChristopher]

Oh right, I know who you're talking about. Funny, I never tried them. I'm going to have to obviously.

[feklar42]

Yes, I like Vietnam <Palace?> which ever one is on the west side. Both are fairly similar IMO, but I like the one that has the vegetarian fish sauce for the bun.

I live around the corner from NP, so I go there periodically. Things I found good:
1. Fried Tofu--better than any agedofu I've had anywhere else.
2. Country Style Beef Cubes--better than any other Vietnamese place I've been.
3. The Pho, though I find this is fairly similar to other places.
4. Some of their salad rolls are good too.

[hollyd]

My favorite pho place is the place next to Nam Phouong in the WIng PHat Plaza (closer to Washington Ave). What's that one called?

[barryg]

It's Pho 75.

Re: Nam Phuong, some of my favorite things on the menu:
The Banh Huo, specifically the one with the grape leaf stuffed with meatballs, shrimp on sugarcane, and grilled pork. Banh Hoi is the platters served with the vermicelli, basil, and rice paper that you roll yourself.
Clam with black beam sauce
Sweet & Sour whole fried fish of the day
All of the soups, they have a whole page of selection besides Pho (try finding this at Vietnam in Chinatown)
Chinese Broccoli with garlic -- order this along side anything, it's delicious.

[feklar42]

I do wish I liked seafood more--I've seean numerous things at NP that looked fun and interesting, but.... I've been working my way into eating fish, but so far I seem to only like the meatier types (tuna, marlin, swordfish). I'm also ok with the really light white fish like Tilapia, but sea bass and trout didn't work for me and I can't seem to eat shellfish at all. I barely kept crab down, had to spit lobster out, and shrimp is just unpleasant to me.

[wordbond]

I saw no mention of either bibou[1009 S 8th st] or l'angolo[1415 porter st]. Both are very good....french and italian byob's

[thehungrything]

i like Taqueria Los Taquitos de Puebla for tacos al pastor.

[Clobberella]

Seconded! It is a hole in the wall, but they have the best mexican I've tasted in Philly.

[hollyd]

Little Fish.
Cochon.
Sabrinas.
Bitars.
Pho 75.
Bebe's for BBQ.
Plaza Garibaldi for Mexican on Washington.
SARCONES for sandwiches. Yes.
there's some good pizza around but when I lived there I always ordered from Gianfanco.
And lastly, I will be beaten for saying so, but I love me some Villa di Roma.

[NYChristopher]

Wow you all are great. I know a few of these from personal experience (e.g., Mr. Joe's, Marra's) but wanted to ask one question before anything else: as someone who thinks Pho 75 on Washington is the bomb, how does Pho Ha compare? Or Nam Phuong?

Also, does Black and Brew sell beans? I'm an Anthony's loyalist, but it would be great to have a place in the area to go to from time to time.

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Pho 75
1122 Washington Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19147

Anis Cafe and Bistro
2974 Grandview Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30305

[barryg]

Pho 75 is good; I like Pho Ha a little better (not to be confused with Pho Hoa on 11th, which is also decent). Pho Ha also has a slightly larger menu, with summer rolls and Bun. Nam Phuong pho is great; probably as good as Pho Ha but Nam Phuong is a bit more formal and is a restaurant with a full menu. Pho Ha is a quick Pho joint, like Pho 75.

For anything coffee related, go to Ultimo. The beans they use and sell are Counter Culture and very fresh. B&B does sell La Colombe beans.

[micreynolds]

don't forget about Benna's at 8th and Wharton, my favorite coffee shop. also - in addition to everything barryg mentioned:

plaza girabaldi - IMHO the best mexican spot, very cheap but authentic (on washington, between 9th and 10th)
cochon - french BYO more on the expensive side but worth it (on passyunk around 6th)
MR. MARTINO'S - the BEST, I repeat, the BEST italian BYO. has the most charming atmosphere and is the most tasty of all italian spots in the city! (on passyunk between tasker and moore i think - opposite of cantina)

[barryg]

I like Benna's but I always felt out of place there as I don't have tattoos or kids ;-). Their second location, B2 @ Passyunk & Dickenson is nice too and it is larger.
Re: coffee shops, Black & Brew is nice also, but since Ultimo opened I always go there--the coffee is orders of magnitude better than these spots. But Benna's, B2 & B&B are good for sandwiches, bagel, smoothies, etc.

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5 Seasons Brewing
5600 Roswell Road (The Prado), Atlanta, GA 30342

5 Seasons North
3655 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, GA 30005

700 Drayton
700 Drayton St., Savannah, GA 31401

[micreynolds]

well, i don't have tattoos or children (thank god), and i enjoy bennas!

also - i am partial to cosmi's for my cheesesteaks/other assorted hoagies, however...chickies on 10th and federal also deserves an honorable mention. their 'chickie special' is fantastic.

[JanR]

Littlefish! Tiny, wonderful, byob.

[barryg]

You've moved into a great neighborhood, congrats!

Mr. Joe's Cafe across from Termini's (same owner) is amazing for a red gravy lunch. Complimentary wed wine and Cannoli is included. Great homemade traditional American-Italian Food.
Cosmi's for hoagies and maybe cheesesteaks (I don't love their steaks but a lot of people do).
Franco Luigi's for pizza and delivery Italian food--their gravy and meatballs are excellent and there is not better pizza delivery except for..
Slice, great thin crust pizza. They deliver but better to eat there.
Marra's for sitdown pizza. Salad is fine there but the rest of the menu is poor IMO. They deliver but the pizza is much better right out of the oven. Try ordering it well done.
POPE for going out for a beer. Excellent beer list, cheap decent food, nice atmosphere and outdoor seating. Be warned, on weekend nights it gets very crowded with hipsters.
1601 for a beer and pretty good bar good. Less crowded than POPE and also has outdoor seating.
Cantina for hip gastropub atmosphere, good margaritas, good gringo and foodie-ized Mexican fare (though food can be hit or miss).
Tre Scalini for upscale Italian, BYOB.
Le Virtu for upscale Italian, not BYOB.
Pesto for Italian, nice but not as upscale as the two above, BYOB.
Vincenzo's for casual, authentic South Philly lunch counter.
Nam Phuong for superb Vietnamese food that is very cheap.
Pho Ha for great Pho.
Ba Le for great Bahn Mi.
Brew/Ultimo Coffee for the best coffee in Philly.
Cellini's for Italian grocery like olives, cheese, fresh bread. Not quite the selection of Di Bruno's or Claudio's but very good and much cheaper.
Artisan Boulanger Patissier for baguette and croissant.
Bitar's for middle eastern grocery.

Whew!

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Ristorante Pesto
1915 S Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19148

Pho Ha Restaurant
600 Washington Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19147

Sakura
1000 Arlberg Avenue, Girdwood, AK 99587

Seven Glaciers
1000 Arlberg Avenue, Girdwood, AK 99587

Southside Bistro
1320 Huffman Park Drive, Anchorage, AK 99515

Sullivan's Steakhouse - Anchorage
320 W. 5th Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99501

Arthur's Prime Steakhouse
27 Rahling Circle, Little Rock, AR 72223

Ashley's Restaurant - Capital Hotel
111 West Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72201

Bordinos
310 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville, AR 72701

Brave New Restaurant
2300 Cottondale Lane, Little Rock, AR 72202

Capi's
11525 Cantrell Road, Little Rock, AR 72212

Capriccio Grill - Peabody Hotel Little Rock
3 Statehouse Plaza, Little Rock, AR 72201

Ferneau
2601 Kavanaugh Blvd., Little Rock, AR 72205

Lulav
220 West 6th Street, Little Rock, AR 72201

Riverfront Steakhouse
2 Riverfront Place, North Little Rock, AR 72114

Ruth's Chris Steak House - Rogers
3529 Pinnacle Hills Parkway, Rogers, AR 72758

Starving Artist Cafe
411 Main Street, North Little Rock, AR 72114

[mazza3]

barryg nailed it i must say, but forgot about cafe de laos across the street from nam phuong and la lupe at 9th and federal. nam phuong has better pho that pho hoa, but that's just my opinion.

[coolgeek]

er, when was the last time you were in Cellini's? I was really looking forward to checking the place out. They had one bowl of olives. The rest of the bowls were filled with dust

[barryg]

No, it's been a while. What a shame. If they stepped up their game they could really do well with all the gentrification coming to E Passyunk. Oh well, there is a new gourmet market opening up soon. In the meantime, Bitar's sells good olives are pretty reasonable prices.

[NYChristopher]

Hit Artisan Boulanger Patissier TWICE this weekend. Where have THESE baguette's been my whole life. Better than anything I got, well, anywhere. Chewy, tangy, sour ... and a steal at $1.75 For those who have not yet been ... GO!

[Philly Ray]

Wait til you have one with a bowl of mussels...sigh

[Buckethead]

Ask for the sourdough baguette if you haven't already. He doesn't make them all the time, but they're the best bread I've found in the city.

[Bigley9]

oh and his croissant!

[bluehensfan]

Termini's is great for cannolis, raspberry pound cake (in the summer), almond souse and nirvana pastries (in the winter), dead bones around halloween, and bunny cakes at Easter.

In your area, be sure to check out Bebe's BBQ on 9th St. in the Italian Market area. It's by far the best in town!