Philly Aficionado

As summer is quickly escaping from my death grip, I thought it appropriate and necessary to take advantage of the popular summer fad in Media, Dining Under the Stars. On this splendid summer evening, my friend and I meandered down the blocked off streets of town in search of a gratifying dining spot. After reviewing several of the appealing options on State Street, we settled on a charming little restaurant called Lotus. Besides the fact that it seemed to be the only place at the time without a substantial wait, the eclectic vibe and farm-to-table concept piqued my interest. The cheerful hostess promptly seated my friend and I at a cute little table in the center of the street facing the restaurant. Since nearly every restaurant on the block participates in the event, we were seated alongside rows of people enjoying their own dinners under the night sky; a very unique and fun experience. Now for the food -- we were quite ravenous upon arrival, so we immediately ordered starters. I chose the iceberg wedge topped with pickled red onion, olive tapenade, radish, and a dried herb vinaigrette. While the presentation was lovely and the ingredients crisp and fresh, I did not find this salad to be extra special. My friend was also less than thrilled with his choice: red miso hummus with crispy onion, torshi (boring medley of pickled vegetables), and crostini (fancy, over baked toast). Dinner, however, was much more delightful for us both. The seafood was recommended by our server, who was very pleasant and attentive, by the way, so I ordered the chef's special: Red snapper with baby zucchini and smoked cauliflower in a spicy red tomato sauce. My friend went with the Shrimp & Grits dish, to which he gave a glowing appraisal while slowly savoring every bite. Both dishes were beautifully crafted with delicate care and precision. We washed our feast down with a bottle of Napa pinot noir that we brought, and later sipped on the house's divine Frenchpress coffee as the moon inched slowly over our heads. After dinner, we explored some of the shops which stay open well after normal hours; my personal favorite was Earth & State which features a wide array of art and home decor including handmade pottery, glassware, wine accessories, and intricate light fixtures. I was dangerously close to blowing my entire paycheck on wine trinkets and aromatherapy candles to soothe the back-to-school anxiety that has been steadily growing the past week, but restrained myself. As a whole, I found Dining Under the Stars to be quite a marvelous experience and I would definitely recommend checking it out while it still lasts until the end of September. A few extra side notes: make a reservation ahead of time to avoid long waits, check to see if the restaurant you're eating at is BYOB, and this event is family friendly, accommodating to large parties, and suitable for young children (if you must bring them). There really is something for everyone to enjoy. Bon appétit!

Whenever people find out that I’m a teacher, I nearly always hear the same line: “it must be nice having your summers off.” And you know what, it is. It affords me many opportunities, including visiting family, catching up with old friends, traveling, reading for pleasure, and of course, drinking beer in the middle of the day, on any given Thursday. Most recently, I recruited another teacher-friend to accompany me on a little brewery adventure in Pottstown. On this particularly warm and sunny Thursday, my friend and I arrived at the Sly Fox Tastin’ Room for lunch and beer sampling. Our selection of samples included: the Odyssey Imperial, the Hop Project, the Sawtown Lager, Jake’s ESB, the White Horse Wit and the brilliant Black Rasberry Reserve. To balance our alcohol, I ordered the Cold Smoked Salmon Salad, and my friend chose the Spicy Chicken Quesadilla with honey sriracha sauce and a side of fresh blackbean & corn salsa. While the food was of less concern on this bright afternoon, we did agree that both our plates were prepared with fresh, colorful ingredients and interesting flavor combinations. From our sampler selection, my friend declared the Hop Project, a single hop IPA made with sorachi ace hops, as his personal favorite.  The top performer for me was the Black Rasberry Reserve, a light, slightly sweet beer, made with red & black berries, which gives the beer a subdued fuschia color. I suspect its color and flavor profile deter much of the macho beer-drinking clientele; however, I found it to be a perfect summer sipper.  The bartender on duty was also very attentive, knowledgeable, and friendly, and even brought us a complimentary tasting of the brewery’s award winning Grisette, a refreshing saison style beer with a hint of banana and a tropical aroma. After our tasting, we enjoyed pints of the 113 IPA and the Black Rasberry at tables on the front patio. All around, a very pleasant experience! My friend and I plan to return in September for their Can Jam Free Music Festival which promises to be a great time.

I have dined at some really exquisite and delightful places this summer, but the one that perhaps takes the cake, would be Styer’s Garden Café in Glen Mills. Styer’s Terrain, located near the Concordville Town Centre on Baltimore Pike, is Pennsylvania’s little slice of botanical paradise. At their gracefully landscaped grounds, you can shop for a wide variety of flowers, herbs, and vegetables in their greenhouse, peruse their magnificent collection of ornate patio furniture, and tour their capacious barn filled with a plethora of boutiquey gifts and household decor for every nook and cranny of your home. On this particular night, though, I had planned to meet my friend Jerry, who had recently moved to the area, for dinner at their charming little cafe. Although it was a beautiful summer night in August, we chose to take a table among the intricately designed cafe indoors; however, they do offer outdoor seating as well. The locally grown, organic menu options, nicely compliment the rustic garden vibe of the cafe. My friend and I were quite intrigued. Upon being greeted with a ceramic flower pot of warm homemade bread and maple butter, we descended into a whimsical food eden. We started the meal with the grilled octopus and pork-belly platter. While I was somewhat distracted by the large octopus tentacles on the table, my daring friend claimed this was a sensational combination of flavors and textures. Next, I enjoyed a bowl of Chickpea Stew, comprised of whole curried garbanzo beans cooked in a five-spice medley, with a pinch of red pepper and a dollop of cumin yogurt. Utterly delicious; I could have eaten two more bowls. My dinner choice was less exotic than usual, but still incredibly flavorful and dynamic. This House-Made Locally Grown Spaetzle included expertly baked tofu (which could be considered exotic to some), marinated in an Asian barbeque glaze, grilled eggplant wheels, roasted Kennett Square mushrooms, and an organic carrot jam. I assure you this dish was far from boring. I never select the hippie vegetarian dish when dining out, but seeing as I was embarking on a plant-infused experience, I figured, “when in Rome.” In addition, I had a few bites of Jerry’s unconventional Cioppino entree, which consisted of a seafood assortment: shrimp, mussels, sea bass, and impeccably seared scallops, in a yellow saffron broth with Yukon potato wedges. An innovative and satisfying meal from beginning to end. We would have stayed to enjoy some selections from their tempting dessert and coffee menu, but we had tickets to see Longwood Gardens’ amazing Nightscape show. I highly recommend checking out this precious jewel for lunch, dinner, brunch, or leisurely botanical-inspired shopping.

When I rose up [Saturday] morning, to three little birds singing pure and true, they told me to eat at the Jamaican Jerk Hut on South Street. Actually, the melody came from my little sister who has been dying to eat there for the last year. So we went. This itty little cafe claims to serve authentic Caribbean cuisine with a reggae inspired atmosphere. Both proved to be true. Sort of. Upon entering, a brutish Jamaican woman instructed us to sit at an open table at the front of the restaurant. We seemingly got lucky as all other tables (totaling four) were occupied. Waiting for our server, we began gabbing and drawing doodles on our paper tablecloth with the crayons they provide diners -- because apparently they feel they don’t need any actual decor or they didn’t realize that most of their guests were over the age of six. After quite a bit of time had passed, a waitress came over and asked what we wanted to eat. No introduction, no list of specials, not even a crack of a smile. Having had ample time to memorize the menu, we ordered the Coconut Shrimp to start and the House Jerk Chicken (obviously) entree to split. I forgot to mention that the cafe is BYOB and sister and I failed to fulfill this task, so we were growing a tad cranky. Although the waitress was mildly annoyed with our presence at her table, she did successfully take our order on her second attempt which anyone can understand, seeing as the two items we requested were so complex. Fortunately for us, the coconut shrimp did make it to the table (at the same time as the jerk chicken) and they were pretty damn delicious. However, I was getting dangerously close to gnawing at my shoe, so it’s difficult to say exactly how accurate my palate was. Nevertheless, our vulture forks tore the food to shreds and we engaged in humorous sisterly dialogue which kept us entertained. My favorite part though, was at the end of the meal when I literally walked up to the register to pay, cash in hand, and the waitress completely ignored me. I realize I have the rare ability to turn invisible, but I assure you, there was no plausible way this woman missed my face. She did eventually take my money (and momentary joy) and freed my sister and I from her responsibility. The Hut has the potential to provide its consumers with a genuine Jamaican cuisine experience, but the managers need to return to the drawing board. I apologize if I offended any Philadelphians who cherish this special little place; I hope you endure a better experience than I did.

Being Italian, I tend to be an extra rigid critic when it comes to restaurants that claim to serve “traditional Italian cuisine” or anything within that realm. Therefore, when a friend invited me to meet for dinner at Teca in West Chester, I was intrigued but skeptical. The restaurant had earned a reputation for being trendy, and what my great Aunt Luisa would call “uppity”, so I went in to the experience with high expectations. When my friend and I arrived, the place was overflowing with young, well-dressed, diners. The outdoor area was bustling and the inside bar was teeming with cheery comrades guzzling cocktails. The hostess seated our party of two at a lovely booth inside, and equipped us with a decent amount of reading material. The wine list was beautifully scripted inside a fancy, gold leather binding, and our dinner menus were in similar, multi-page portfolios. I went with a wine from my family’s origins: Montepulciano D’abruzzo, and my dining mate went with a generic India Pale Ale they had on tap. (He’s a non-Italian, so we won’t hold this against him). At first, this seemed as if it were going to be your run-of-the-mill, swanky Mediterranean restaurant, but once the first plate arrived, Teca had my undivided attention. In approximately three minutes, we had demolished the grilled calamari -- a beautiful plate of flawlessly prepared rings, tossed with ripe cherry tomatoes and an aged balsamic reduction, over a bed of fresh field greens. My entree did not disappoint either. I ordered the Veal Caprese and left no survivors on my substantially portioned plate. This absolutely breath-taking dish comprised of grilled eggplant and zucchini, in between two tender pieces of veal, topped with lightly marinated asparagus, melted mozzarella, and was cloaked in their homemade tomato sauce. This gourmet creation was outstanding, and by far the best Italian meal I’ve had in a long time (sorry Nana). I was so enamored by the flavors on my plate, I barely noticed the presence of my darling friend who ordered the Norwegian Salmon, which he apparently enjoyed, but admitted to experiencing some food envy on the other side of the table. As per usual, I could not partake in a third course, but I absolutely left with a big smile and a full belly. Teca gets this Italian girl’s stamp of approval!

The Stone Rose holds a very special place in my quasi-black heart. Years ago I was introduced to this fantastic restaurant by my good friend and now roommate, Charity. (Yes, that is her real name). We used to frequent the tiny, but supremely charming establishment when we were both waitresses with appetites of queens living on shoe-string budgets. The ambiance is probably the most notable quality about the Stone Rose, as it has a quiet elegance to it while also emitting an eye-catching sparkle from one end of the restaurant to the other. What makes this place a personal favorite though, is their stellar menu of chef’s creations. On our most recent ladies’ night out, my roommate and I enjoyed dinner at dusk outside on their adorable front patio. We clinked glasses to two heavenly cocktails: hers the Ginger Martini, made with Domaine De Canton Ginger Liquor, citrus vodka, triple sec, and fresh lemon juice; and mine (which is now my new favorite cocktail), the White Cosmo, comprised of citrus vodka, Cointreau, white cranberry juice, and a wedge of lemon -- pure oral bliss. We then devoured the sweet and spicy calamari for an appetizer. This is not your grandmother’s calamari. This bowl of perfectly cooked squid is topped with serrano peppers, black mayo, and the most amazing red chili glaze you ever tasted -- Charity always asks for extra on the side (bless her heart). For the main course, I chose the Pan Seared Diver Scallops, beautifully accompanied by sunflower risotto and roasted green beans over an Asian pear reduction. This is my faithful Stone Rose dish, however, I have also savored their Roasted Veal Chop, Wasabi Pea Crusted Yellowfin Tuna, and Grilled Mahi Mahi in past experiences. For dessert, I opted for alcohol, while Charity went with the Chocolate Caramel Bread Pudding. My espresso martini was the perfect ending to a wonderful meal, but my friend was less impressed by her sweet indulgence. In her own words, “this is not true bread pudding. They’ve dried it out to stale bread with caramel drizzled on top.” She claims that she had the dish before and it was warm, gooey, and delectable. Unfortunately, they missed the mark on this try. Regardless of this fluke faux pas, we will undoubtedly be back again. Probably tonight.

I have lived in Chester County, only the majority of my life. I even spent three years living in the borough of West Chester during my graduate studies, yet I somehow managed to overlook the funky, fresh Vudu Lounge on High Street. On an unlikely Sunday evening after some impromptu Sunday bar hopping, my friend suggested we dine at the fabulous house of creole fusion sensations. Having a strong adoration for spicy, ethnic style cuisine, I thought it might be a worthwhile food adventure. The interior of the establishment is... quite purple. The kind of purple that is only used for Disney movies, children’s birthday decorations, and Mardi Gras. There is also a very colorful artwork on the back wall, intending to capture the spirit of New Orleans. We were seated at one of the lovely tables inside the cozy cafe and were quickly greeted by a bubbly waitress. My companion and I started with the  Voodoo Crawfish, which were advertised as jumbo crawfish, sauteed in a triple X spicy (key phrasing) sauce, over rice and velvety sour cream. While we both enjoyed the dish, the sauce was hardly spicy, forget about scandalously spicy. My entree, however, did not leave one taste bud unsatisfied. I ordered the Ahi Tuna which was blacked with creole herbs, seared rare, and served with a magnificent parsnip puree and side of mixed vegetables which I somewhat neglected because the protein on the dish was so perfectly done. I paired my dinner with a draft of Bell’s Oberon -- a light summery beer, a selection from their extensive and interesting beer menu. My friend enjoyed the Seafood Jambalaya, composed of shrimp, sausage, bright-colorful vegetables, rice, and the restaurant’s homemade creole sauce. I only had a few nibbles, as I was more focused on the plate in front of me, but the flavors bursting from those bites were exceptional as well. Neither one of us had room for dessert that night, but I would 100% return again to indulge in more of their exotic cuisine. Both the restaurant and its food exude a unique spirit and personality of their own. Definitely a spot you could go for a date or bring the whole family for something fun and different.