Taco Riendo

After biking past here for years, I finally ventured in!  This little Mexican establishment is weird, ordering is done at a counter and the whole place has a cafeteria feel.  Charlie and I were out after a long day of work on the house, and this meal certainly hit the spot.

We ordered chips and salsa to start, and the salsa was a weak, watery excuse for salsa. Although it provided some good heat, it still left something to be desired.

I ordered a spicy shredded chicken burrito.  Overall, it was filling and quite tasty; my only compliant was that it was not spicy.  Charlie ordered the special: salmon tacos and enjoyed his meal as well.  Portion sizes are decent for the prices.

It's BYOB, they sell Mexican (real cane sugar) soda, they use fresh ingredients, and it's pretty cheap.  To be honest, there are a lot of spots similar, but that doesn't mean Taco Riendo isn't enjoyable.  The service seemed a bit slow though.

Bottom Line: If you want great Mexican food in fancy taco bell atmosphere, this is the spot.  The prices and quality make this a great spot, but I'd opt forgo dine in for to-go next time.

Blind Pig

I love trying out new spots. I've been here twice, once for drinks, once for dinner. There's a lot of good beer here, some with prices from reasonable to outrageous. Still, the selection gives you options no matter what your goal is, from sipping at heavy stout to drinking cheap pounders. I really liked that they give you a pint glass even when you order can beer.

There is a nice, long wooden bar which is the best spot at The Blind Pig. They have a few TVs, and this is a good place to catch the Phillies. There's also outdoor seating, which is fantastic if the weather cooperates.

The food menu is standard; average. There is nothing that jumps out, although lots of people rave about the Thanksgiving balls: deep fried turkey and mash potatoes served with gravy.

There was one special that I was intrigued by: Alligator sausage. It was a 70-30 blend made with pork, and the meat was delicious and flavorful, like a more gamey chorizo. It was served on a small white roll with a salad on the side. The bread was terrible. Is it too much to ask for Amaroso or Sarcone in Philadelphia? The salad was okay; forgettable.

Emily ordered a beat salad and wasn't thrilled either. The menu, overall, just seems to have little or no effort. The service was ok, but not on par with other spots I usually visit.

Bottom Line: I like the can beer selection, even if some are overpriced. The draft list offers good options, but the food is nothing special. The Blind Pig needs to find it's niche to survive, because right now, there is not much going on. Nothing bad either, but that's usually not enough.

Corner of 2nd and Fairmount.

Liberties

I'm afraid that the secret will get out about this place. Because on Mondays, they have an order of wings and a pitcher of (admittedly cheap) beer for $10. Liberties isn't great, but that's paradoxically what makes it good, especially for Northern Liberties. This is a low key spot, and the beer is always cheap, Rolling Rock pounders go for $2 and Kenzinger pints are only .50 more. I ate here with a bunch of friends, and its a good place for a group. It's not overrun and there's a bunch of space. Several flat screen TVs pump out sports in HD.

The food here is just okay. My friend Chris ordered a Bacon cheeseburger, which came out piled high and looked awesome, but ended up tasting average. The wings were okay, but great for the price. I ordered hot but was disappointed by the lack of heat. There isn't much atmosphere here, but its a small time joint seemingly filled with locals and served only by one bartender, who is chill and accommodating.

Bottom Line: Liberties is a breath of fresh air from the normal No Libs joints. That doesn't make it great, but I reward points for challenging the status quo.

It's at 2nd and Fairmount.

One Shot Coffee

I've been to one shot a few times, and I have mixed feelings. I really believe that I should be able to order a cup of coffee for less than two dollars. I understand that they offer Stumptown, but the prices for drinks here still seem high. That being said, they do brew some delicious coffee, and I'd rather overpay for something I like then get a good deal on something that barely passes as coffee.

One Shot recently moved to a new location on George Street , and that whole place is beautiful. I met with my good friend Bryana and we sat outside and had coffee and breakfast. Charming 1940s music played inside and out, although Bryana told me this wasn't common. Whether inside or out, the atmosphere is great. Some people send hours in a coffee shop working on papers or other work, and one shot is the kind of place where you will almost enjoy yourself while typing away.

The food menu here is small and hit or miss, but there are a few items that really shine. Bryana ordered the bagel topped with creme cheese, crushed nuts, and drizzled with honey. One look brings on a doling mouth and a bit of envy. I ordered a weird sandwich: bacon egg and mac-n-cheese. This sounds odd, but makes the perfect meal, whether breakfast, lunch or dinner. Sure, you quickly become a cheese gooey mess, but I don't remember the last time I had so much fun doing so. I believe that this sandwhich is their flagship food, and certainly should be enjoyed on the fluffy and buttery brioches roll. One shot also offers house made treats like biscotti, cookies, and such.

Bottom line: I think this is a love it or hate it place. Coffee is a bit pricey, while food is reasonable. Its a pretty place, and is certainly worth at least one visit. The mac-n-cheese sandwich is must try, if not for its taste then simply for the originality.

Swift Half Closed for good

This new came quickly and was under my radar, but as of 1/1/11, Swift Half is closed for good. I'm not sure the reason, and even though I gave the pub a hard time, it's certainly one of the better choices in the area. I'd love to believe this is a chance for a really great spot to open up, but I fear we'll see something along the lines of PYT, or worse...

Bar Ferdinand

Bar Ferdinand is a fancy place, and their brunch is no exception. Bryana and I visited on a beautiful Sunday . We ate outside, and the server brought over a water dish for Crosby. Throughout the whole meal, we had great service. The wait staff was attentive at bringing out and picking up dishes, which is crucial because you get so many during the meal. The menu for brunch is small, but offers interesting options. It was a prix fixe menu; each of the three choices was $15. They also offered tasty iced and hot coffee.

The presentation of all of the dishes is great. They also brought out all of the food as it was prepared. It's a bit weird having a side of bacon with nothing else to eat, but I don't know many people who'd be bothered by that.

My meal included the following: thin toast with a sweet tomato paste. It was a great way to start our meal. I followed up with a side potatoes, which were delicious and the most perfectly cooked potatoes I've ever had. My main course was a baked egg; a egg was placed in a bowl with tomato, chorizo, onions and peppers and put in the oven. Green beans were added, and major props for making them a breakfast food. It was an awesome dish. I finished with homemade granola and yogurt, lightly drizzled with fresh honey. I could have eaten a larger dish of this and been satisfied, it was that good.

Bryana and I shared a few things, and she got her own egg dish, which she also enjoyed. We both had enough food to eat, and were able to try a lot of different dishes that had a great variety of tastes.

Bottom Line: This is a great brunch spot. The outdoor seating, quick service, attractive presentation, and delicious dishes are all reasons to start your weekend at Bar Ferdinand.

Essentials:

1030 N 2nd St (at Liberties Walk)

215-923-1313

Takes Cards: Yes

Takes Reservations: Yes

Darling's Diner

I've been meaning to write about this spot for a while, and it kind of slipped my mind. At this point, I don't feel like going into too much detail, and there's too much to criticize. I hate the decor and atmosphere. This place has as much charm as a dumpy doctors office. The harsh lighting is horrible, especially at late night hours. There are booths to sit in, and you should be lucky enough to get one so you're not on a hard plastic chair stranded in the middle of a sea of diners. The space has high ceilings and lots of hard surfaces, so expect it to sound like a sporting event, even if there are only a few people.

Speaking of sports, why do you have three televisions, none of which are playing the Phillies when I walk in. There were no other sports going on. And when I ask for the game to be put on, no one working there even knows what channel to put on and my request is eventually ignored.

Which brings me to the service. I reserve some judgement because I caught a server during a shift change, but overall it was shoddy service. I shouldn't have an empty coffee cup on my table for a majority of the time I'm seated.

My last complaint is the prices. $22 for two coffees, and pies ala mode? Are you seriously charging $1.95 for two tiny scoops of ice cream along with my slice of pie? The slices of pie an enormous, and around $6 each. I don't want a slice of pie the size of Kansas. Just because we're American, we don't have to be fat and indulge in overeating every chance we get.

Bottom Line: The only reason I could see someone going here is if you're in Northern Liberties and you want to eat between the hours of 3 and 4 am. Before 2am, there are a million better choices, and between 2 and 3 visit the new Dapper Dog. There's so much wrong with this diner.

Pura Vida

I've pasted Pura Vida dozens of times on my bike, and for some reason, I've always been interested in eating here. I stopped in with Emily on Saturday night for dinner.

Right off the bat, I was surprised by how empty this place was. At 7:30 on a Saturday night, there were only two other tables. The decor here is awful; kitschy tropical themed pieces around the room outlined by Christmas lights. To top it if, terrible trance music was playing the entire time we were there. Seriously, who can take that much trance music?? Luckily, as if some kind of make up call, our servers were attentive and friendly. The service is as good as the atmosphere is bad.

Our appetizer was a grilled zucchini and cheese dish. It tasted good, nothing amazing, and was pathetically small for $7. We both ordered enchilada dishes for entrees. Orders can with rice, beans, a dollop of guacamole and three enchiladas. I mixed and got three different kinds of meat. The chorizo was pretty good, and the chicken was okay. I wish I would have gone with the shredded beef for all three because it was the only thing I ate that came close to impressing my palate. Emily was quite happy with her order of vegetarian chorizo however.

I like that this spot is a BYO, but there's not much to say about eating here. My experience was incredibly average. It looks like they have some outdoor seating, but not any when we visited.

Bottom Line: It's cheaper than most areas in the neighborhood, and also not as nice. I could provide several better recommendations, even if you're in the mood for cheap BYOB Mexican. They have Cuban sandwiches on the menu which may be the only thing that could entice me to return.

Essentials:

527 Fairmount Ave (6th and Fairmount)

215-922-6433

Avg Ent: 8-15

Cash Only: Yes

Reservations: They take them, but you'll never need them

BYOB: Yes

Koo Zee Doo

When I saw Koo Zee Doo receive several nominations from the James Beard Foundation, I knew I had to visit this spot before it completely blew up. On a personal note, I hate the name because I have a hard time remembering what it actually is, and it seems like infantile tri-syllabic mumbling. That effectively ends the negative things I have to say about this establishment. I'm afraid as I'm writing this I'm going to run out of different ways to say how much I liked my meal.

Quinn and I met on Friday night for dinner. We only made our reservations a day in advance, so there weren't any tables available. Instead, we reserved seating at the counter, right in front of the two cooks who were making all the food for the entire restaurant. It was quite a show, and I actually recommend sitting here if you have the chance. Along with the cozy, pleasant decor, everything makes for a great dining atmosphere. Our server was friendly and attentive, and the service overall is high quality. Our server was even paying attention to our wine glasses and kept them filled for us throughout the meal, which doesn't always happen at a BYO.

Currently, Koo Zee Doo is running a five course tasting menu. Our server told us it was an excellent representation of their kitchen, and gives several unique, strong tastes of Portuguese food. After deliberation, we ordered the recommended menu and chicken gizzards to round out the meal. The gizzards came out first, and they were awesome. They were perfectly cooked and extremely tender, tossed in a delicious marinade that I couldn't quite figure out what it was made of. Served alongside the gizzards were salt cod and potato croquettes. These were perfectly seasoned and crispy, and both dishes were some of the best appetizers I've had in a long time.

We next had soup with snails and mushrooms. This dish was pretty good, but the broth was too thick and oily. The snails and mushrooms, however, were great and complimented each other well. I didn't love the soup. Our next dish was deep fried rabbit with spicy aioli. This dish blew me away. The fried skin was perfectly crisp, and as I bit into the rabbit I tasted the fantastically tender, delicious rabbit meat. I can't put into words how good this dish was; you are going to have to try it for yourself. Our last dish was roasted lamb and potatoes, and it wasn't anything special, especially in juxtaposition to the last treat. Unlike all of our other dishes, the lamb was lacking and didn't seem to have a strong enough flavor to carry the dish. It was topped with

mandarin orange slices, which was a nice touch to the otherwise lacking dish.

Dessert was a caramelized almond tart, and this was a great way to finish our meal. It hones in on the restaurant's best skill: combining flavors that are not most commonly not mixed. For dessert, it was the almonds, chocolate, sorbet, and the bready crust of the tart. It's not unheard of, but exotic enough to make it really interesting. That statement basically sums up the whole dining experience here.

Bottom Line: Koo Zee Doo is exceptional. It borders on fancy, and dining here is and should be

a special occasion. Sharing is the best way to eat here, so visit with someone who has similar culinary tendencies. It is certainly making a name for itself and I hope it's the beginning of a restaurant revolution in Northern Liberties. I won't eat here often, but I already look forward to my next visit.

Essentials:

614 N 2nd St (just north of Spring Garden)

215-923-8080

Hours: Open for lunch and dinner, closed Tuesday and Wednesday

Avg Ent: 19-28

Cash Only: No

Reservations: Required

BYOB: Yes

Dos Segundos Brunch

I met with my good friend Bryana for brunch at Dos Segundos on Sunday. It was nice to sit outside, but overall, it was not nice to eat here.

As soon as we sat down, we were brought a bowl of chips and two kinds of salsa. I love their salsa verde here; it's tangy and has the perfect amount of lime. It's nice that you get chips here, even if you're just having drinks. I had coffee, and Bryana went with iced coffee. As the weather gets warmer, this option is (or should be) essential. I'm not if they were understaffed when we visited, but our server was not attentive. I had an empty coffee cup as often as it was filled.

I ordered the Huevos Dos Segundos, and I'm a firm believer that if you have a dish named after your restaurant, it should be one of the best meals on your menu and an excellent representation of your kitchen. I was disappointed with my meal. Two poached eggs were served over corn cakes with refried beans, which were both bland. The breakfast potatoes and the hollandaise sauce bordered on tasteless, as if the kitchen ran out of several key spices and decided to go on cooking without them. The worst travesty of my meal was the bacon, which was dry and looked as if it was prepared in a microwave. The presentation of the meal was pretty good, but that doesn't count for anything if the taste isn't there. My meal wasn't bad. It was mediocre, bland, and disappointing.

Botton Line: I like this spot for happy hour, half priced margaritas. For brunch, it is a poor option, and Dos Segundos is negligent on the little details that bring a dining experience up a notch. I've had better visits in the past, but nothing spectacular. With so many quality spots in the vicinity, this place needs to significantly step up the game to entice me.

The Abbaye's "Speed" Lunch

Shame on me. I keep going to the Abbaye, despite knowing what I'll inevitably encounter. Yesterday Dan and I hit up the Abbaye for lunch. We waited for about five minutes for beers. We were not even offered the speed lunch menu; I had to go snag it from another table.

For beer, I had Atwater Voodoo Vader, and then moved to Phoenix Pale Ale. All of the beers were warmer than usual (think cask temperature). We both decided to try out the sliders and split an order of wings. The wings are advertised as Chimay marinated, but I didn't taste it. They were served with side of pathetic, watery blue cheese "dressing." All in all, they weren't terrible, but I wouldn't recommend them. The sliders, however, are a great value. $6 gets you two little sliders with one topping. They come with a side of fries, a pickle, and the Abbaye's fantastic dipping sauce. Considering the meal alone, I was satisfied.

But when my credit card sits on top of the check for ten minutes, it's poor service. Lunch was busy, but by the time we were trying to pay, there were only a few people left from the lunch rush. The word "speed" shouldn't be allowed in the Abbaye's lexicon. And while I'm complaining, let's talk about "Keep the Glass" night. Cool promotion. But having four taps from one brewery days after the event? I'm not interested in any one of those four from Manayunk brewery (Despite the face the Alpha Dog is surprisingly good).

Botton Line: The food here is generally great, and there's always a decent beer, but the service is subpar. Terrible Horrible. Ect, ect.

Essentials:

637 N 3rd St (3rd and Green)

(215) 627-6711

Avg Ent: 9-16, Speed lunch $5-7, served M-F 12-2pm

Cash only: Card accepted and ATM on site

Reservations: No

A Full Plate

A Full Plate is a nice little BYO cafe in Northern Liberties. I met up with my good friend Manderson for dinner last week. But I'm having a hard time thinking of anything to write, because the overall experience is so...so....extremely mediocre. I hadn't visited in a while, because last time I was less than thrilled. This visit was no exception.

I do like the cool little vibe this cafe has going. It has a great atmosphere, and I like the friendly menu. Vegetarians, vegans, and glutenfrees will have no trouble eating here. Also, all of the food is fresh. The service wasn't great, but there seemed to only be two or three people working; weird for a weeknight dinner.

There was one fantastic part of the meal: The fries. We split a side of fries, which was a mix of hand cut sweet and regular potatoes. They were thick and perfectly cut. They were also a good compliment to my catfish po'boy, which had two huge pieces of fried catfish. Melissa ordered a salad that looked pretty good, but also pretty small. The prices aren't cheap, but they're not unreasonable either.

Bottom Line: I like that this place is BYO. There are also a few other place I'd rather go within walking distance. I know a lot of people who really love this place, so maybe you should talk to them instead of me. I don't see myself visit again. Honey's for dinner seems to be a much better option, and is also BYOB.

Essentials:

1009 N Bodine St (Liberties Walk)

215-627-4068

Hours: M-TH: 11-9, F: 11-10, Sat: 10-10, Sun: 10-3

Cash Only: No

Reservations: No

BYOB: Yes

Hikari

I'm not a huge fan of sushi, but I love good company and trying out new places. So when my friends Diana, Greg, and Lauren invited me out for sushi, I decided to go for it. Hikari is a small BYO on Liberties Walk. It has a clean, modern interior with an open sushi bar. It always inspires confidence when you can see everything the chefs are working on. There are about ten or so tables, so it's not a big place, but it's comfortable.

We split a nice bottle of red wine and ordered edamame and fried dumplings. Both of these were nice appetizers, but I have my favorite spots for both of these dishes elsewhere in the city. We ordered six different rolls between the four of us, and it ended up being the perfect amount of food. I was impressed with the price, too. BYO helps a lot; the final check for the four of us was under $60.

We ordered eel, yellowtail, Philadelphia (smoked salmon and cream cheese), shitaki, spicy tuna, and another spicy one. I wasn't blown away by the taste on any of these, but I was impressed by the variety. Eel is a unique taste, and it's one of my top recommendations here. A lot of the rolls include avocado, which was a great addition. My one grip would be that the spicy rolls could have been a few notches hotter.

The service here was great. Our waiter was friendly and attentive. The menu is diverse and offers many rolls, including a few options if you're vehemently against sushi. Still, I recommend you try it regardless of your past experiences.

Bottom Line: This is a nice little spot and one of the more unique and enjoyable restaurants in Northern Liberties. I recommend bringing your own alcohol and a few friends and try out all of the different options the menu has to offer. I didn't discover a new found love for sushi, but I had a nice meal.

Essentials:

1040 N American St (Liberties Walk)

215-923-2654

Avg Roll: 6-9 (includes 6-8 pieces)

Cash Only: No

Reservations: Yes

BYOB: Yes

Las Cazuelas restaurant

Through the end of the week, Las Cazuelas is offering up any item from their menu for $7 between 11am-3pm. That's a pretty sweet deal. Dan and I stopped in here on a lunch break from work. We picked up a few beers from the Foodery and stopped by.

The spot is tiny, but nice. there are about ten tables across the dining area with a small, open kitchen. The walls are brightly painted, and there are several other endearing decorations. I don't usually go crazy over atmosphere, and one shouldn't expect anything from a place on 5th and Girard, but the decor is well done.

I don't want to make a blanket statement about the service but here are two of my observation's: Las Cazuelas and the Abbaye share some staff, to my chagrin. Second, my first choice on the menu wasn't available (the last two were served moments before). I'm not a restaurant manager, but running out of a dish before lunch (let alone dinner) is finished seems to be problematic. One plus are the free chips and salsa verde as soon as you sit down.

The food came out quickly. I ended up with a dish with rice and pan-seared shrimp, along with caramelized mixed veggies. Everything was acceptable, but I can't rave about anything. The portions could have been a bit bigger. Dan went with marinated beef tips, with refried beans and avocado. He said that the meat wasn't the best cut, and it marinade could have been improved upon. Neither of us could remark about anything other that the fact that we were getting a "good deal for the money."

For our drinks, we picked up Rouge's Chili Ale, which had a great pepper taste that didn't overpower. It was a great way to start our meal. We had the Hot Rock lager from Port Brewing to finish, which was a solid, but not outstanding, lager.

Bottom Line: I'd prefer not to bash a place that is offering such a great deal. I like the initiative to get in new customers. But with a plethora of good Mexican spots, one of my favorites only a few blocks a way, I can't see myself ever going back here.

Essentials:

426 W Girard (5th and Girard)

215-351-9144

Hours: 11am-9pm

Avg Ent: 7-11

Cash Only: No

Reservations: No

BYOB: Yes

PYT - Burgers at the Piazza

PYT has definitely been generating a lot of press. After a lack luster review last week in the City Paper, owner Tommy Up offered a free burger to anyone who brought in a copy of the review. In my opinion, this is a genius move: Up is taking anyone who might be swayed by the review and giving them a chance to taste for themselves. This especially works out if you serve excellent food.

I've read a lot about PYT, and it's been all over the place. A few things keep coming up: the location brings out the bros, and the onion rings are fantastic. I went with my friend Quinn and we worked through the full treatment of the menu: burger, rings and shakes.

The alcoholic shakes are a gimmick. That being said, I'm sure a lot of people love these. These shakes are $10 a pop and come mixed with different ice creams and liquors; there are quite a few different ones for different tastes. Mine was a simple mix of vanilla and Maker's Mark, while Quinn ordered one with vodka and kalua. She seemed to like her's more than I enjoyed mine. We both came to the same conclusion: these are made with a heavy hand and aren't really akin milkshakes at all. They're more like mixed drinks that happen to use ice cream as an ingredient. I'm sure that was the goal for PYT, but next time, I'll just go with the regular shake.

The onion rings are different than any you've ever had. The breading is lighter and sweeter than anything else I've ever had. It evokes memories of funnel cake batter. These were good, but I am in the same boat as the shake; I'd rather have a good version of what I'm expecting.

Finally, the burger. It was cooked to order and overall, well made. It wasn't the "fist of meat" that far too many pubs serve up. Still, Sketch burger has become the gold standard to which I compare all other burgers. PYT just doesn't hold up. I ate my burger quickly, and enjoyed it, but there wasn't anything memorable about it. There were a few vegetarian options that looked appetizing; I'd go for one of these if I found myself here again.

Bottom Line: PYT will thrive on location alone. It has a few cool tricks up its sleeve, but in the end, none of them "wow" me. There are people who will hate this place, other who will rave over it. I fall squarely in the middle. It's definitely worth checking out to find out which person you are. Of if you absolutely need a good burger, head a few blocks over to Sketch. PYT also has a full bar if you're trying to avoid Swift Half.

Essentials:

1050 N Hancock St (Piazza at Schmidt's)

(215) 268-7825

Burgers: 7-12

Cash Only: No

Paesano's Sandwich Shop

Paesano's is definitely hole-in-the-wall. Besides the kitchen, there is room for about ten people to stand inside. There are two tables outside, but expect this place to be packed. The shop is staffed with a few people all taking orders and frantically whipping up delicious sandwiches.


With almost nothing else to remark upon, Paesano's has to make the food do all of the talking. And I'm glad to report that it's all good. Ten hoagies, all with delicious ingredients like roasted tomatoes, gorgonzola, broccoli rabe, and caramelized peppers all served next to perfectly roasted pork, beef, and other meats. Even if you don't eat meat, there's tuna fish and an eggplant option. The bread is great, the sandwiches are delicious and even thinking about them is making me salivate right now.

I am always searching for eateries that can dethrone the popular choice around my neighborhood. First it was Key, and Primo has nothin' on Paesano's. This picture looks as gross as the sandwich is good.

Bottom Line: Check the menu and call ahead to avoid the inevitable wait. Pick any sandwich; you'll be happy. Sandwiches come with recommended sides, but the staff with accommodate a substitution without the blink of an eye. I'll be visiting again soon.

Essentials:
152 W Girard Ave (2nd and Girard)
(267) 886-9556
Avg Sandwich: 5-8
Cash Only: Yes
BYOB: Walk your sandwich over to the Piazza and enjoy your beer and sandwich

Arbol Cafe

I've been trying to make it to the Arbol Cafe for a while. It's not open for dinner, and it seems that each time I want to eat here, they're about to close or already are. Despite that, I finally made it out yesterday for lunch.

First, let's set the scene. I was first introduced to Arbol Cafe walking by their courtyard as they projected movies on the wall of the building next door. It seemed like a nice thing to do, and as I stepped into the courtyard yesterday, I was impressed at such a nice little oasis situated right in the middle of Northern Liberties. Refreshing shade from trees and umbrellas, nice wooden tables and chair, and an overall clean and cheery atmosphere dare you not to love this place. Even if the food was terrible I'd still recommend grabbing coffee and just hanging out here. So if you're looking for a new coffee shop in this area, try out this spot.

And if you're looking for amazing sandwiches, try this spot. As a caveat, I must mention that this place doesn't seem good for vegitarians. While there are options, every sandwhich I looked at has steak on it, and it seems like Arbol's specialty are their sandwiches. Check out the menu for yourself. (It's not the full menu, but gives you an idea). I ordered the Lomito Especial, which had thin sliced steak, a over-hard egg, peppered ham, letteuce, mushrooms, peppers, and onion on a buttery roll. Are you drooling? Because I am just thinking about it again. This sandwich was awesome. I was dining with my good friend Holly, and she ordered the "Warrior" sandwich, which was similar to mine. In addition to being delicious and awesome, these sandwiches are large. We ordered a side of seared potatoes, and they were fine, not

totally my thing. We both ordered iced coffee, and seemingly like everything at Arbol, it was great.

Arbol is run in a self serve manner. You order at the counter and are given a table number, and after a short wait one of the workers will bring out your food. I think the owner was working while we were there and she was really pleasant. Arbol Cafe only has a small indoor area, so it's best to hit this spot when you want to be outside.

Bottom Line: The Arbol Cafe seems to have everything I want. They have an extensive menu, but also a sandwich good enough I'd be happy eating it every time. Throw friendly staff, delicious coffee, and a cute little courtyard into the mix, and there's not much else you need for a perfect lunch spot. Really, the only downside to this place is that they're just not open more. The menu is a mix of American and Paraguayan cuisine, and my first encounter with Paraguay receives top marks.

Essentials:

209 Poplar St

(215) 284-5788

Avg Ent: 7-10

Cash Only: Yes

BYOB: Yes. This spot is right across from the Foodery, which is prime.

Swift Half

I've been to the Swift Half about four times since it opened, so this is a pretty well thought out review. Although I don't have any pictures from my trips, I do have a good amount of insight. Here it comes:

I expected this new Good Dog outpost to have excellent food. I went recently with Allie, John, and Rachel and they were all ready for dinner. They ordered mussels, fish and chips, and cucumber sandwiches, respectively. I had a few mussels, and they were decent, but this is clearly not the spot you want to hit for mussels. The fish and chips looked delicious when they were served, but further investigation revealed that they were overly breaded and couldn't keep up with Memphis Taproom. Rachel commented that her small appetizer was good, but also that she could have made something better at home. Needless to say, the food is not a selling point.

To be honest, I'm also disappointed with the beer list. In fairness, Swift Half has some good beers on tap. But when a week passes in between visits and not a single tap changes, I'm not inclined to return anytime soon. The beer list is not totally uninspired, with Southampton, Flying Fish, Stoudt's, Brooklyn, even Chimay represented on tap. The bottle list is extensive and well priced. One nice part of the menu is the inclusion of small plates of meat and cheese that could be matched to beer, if you're so inclined.

Currently, they have the Six Points Sweet Action on tap, which I raved about ever since the first time I had it at Sidecar. It's not as amazing as my memory made it, but I was glad to see this hard to find beer on tap. It's still excellent, and a nice find for a rare style: American Blonde Ale.

Service here is meh. It's not bad, I think it's pretty hit or miss depending on who's working. My favorite thing about this spot, and the reason that I keep coming back, is the outdoor seating. The piazza is a really cool area, and it's great when the Phillies are on the big screen. Inside

Swift Half is a normal bar, and I wouldn't eat or drink inside. Outdoor seating is closed at 11:30 on weeknight, which can be annoying if you want to just hang out, or are shoo-ed inside as you're finishing your last pint.

Bottom Line: This is just another spot on my list of places that are most remarkable for outdoor seating. As the list grows, Swift Half loses favor in my book. The food is okay, but I wouldn't want to come here for a meal. Really, this spot is only a go to for me if they continue to have beers that aren't available elsewhere in the city.

Essentials:

1001 N 2nd St (Piazza in No Libs)

(215) 923-4600

Avg Ent: 9-16, menu here

Cash Only: No

Reservations: No

The Abbaye

For some reason, the Abbaye consistently make my list of favorite bars. It's kind of pecular, because this place isn't amazing. I'm going to start out with the things that I dislike, just to get them out of the way.

Nearly every time I'm here, my server is just straight up weird. They don't necessarily provide poor service, unless you think being creeped out while eating or drinking is bad. To top it off, last time I was here I asked my server a simple question about the beer on tap, something along the lines of "Which of these two is more hoppy" and she responded with "I don't know, I don't drink beer." That was it, nothing about going to ask, or that she'd find out for me...not cool. It seems that you can't parade yourself as a beer bar and simultaneously employ that type of attitude. Boo.

The tap selection could be better. To be fair, there is almost always something that I want to try, but I expect more from a supposed Belgian bar. During Christmas they were pouring $6 goblet of Mad Elf, and that was awesome.

On to the good stuff: The food here is awesome, and pretty well priced. I've eaten dinner here, and brunch a few times, and the Abbaye never disappoints. The dinner menu can get pretty hearty; I've had chicken cordon-blue and stew, while the breakfast menu includes normal options like huevos ranchero and other egg dishes. If you ever have a chance to try any other th

eir BBQ, do it.

The atmosphere is nice here, with a log bar and decent seating. There's also outdoor seating when it's nice, and a dart board. This place has the tendency to get overrun with hipsters on certain nights.

Once a month the Abbaye runs a "keep your glass" special from 6 to 8. For $10 you get all you can drink of two different brews from a crafter brewery, like Trogs, Stoudts, Brooklyn, ect. Usually they are the two most basic and/or cheap brews from said companies, but it's still a great deal, and a lot of fun. Just prepare yourself for abysmal service during these specials: (Slower service=less beer for them=more money for them=less fun for me).

Bottom Line: My taste is changing, but I still like these place a lot. It's best bet to reel me in is dinner. I don't recommend that anyone goes out of their way to eat here. This is simply a solid place where you can enjoy good food and drink; a safe bet.

Essentials:

637 N 3rd St (3rd and Green)

(215) 627-6711

Avg Ent: 9-16

Cash only: Card accepted and ATM on site

Reservations: No

Standard Tap

I went to the Standard Tap recently. For some reason, I had been avoiding it in the past few months.  My avoidance was passive; I think there are a few better spots within walking distance. Still, when the weather gets just right, it's hard to beat the roof deck.  Also, I heard that Standard Tap has a slamming burger.  And with my Mom was in town it was a great night to grab dinner closeby.

Beer selection at Standard Tap closely mimics Johnny Brenda's: slightly overpriced, but with the availability of pitchers.  Again, like JB, your best bet in terms of price and quality is from a local brewery (PBC or Yard's).  Other taps include choices from Troeg's, Victory, Stoudt's and Dogfish Head.  The tap list is adequate, but not the reason to visit this joint.

The food at Standard Tap is good.  They have two different sections on the menu: sandwiches and entrees.  The entrees sound delicious and are pretty large, but have a substantial increase in price compared to the sandwiches.  I had the burger, and it certainly is good.  But that's all I can say.  To be fair, my hamburger standards are extremely high.  I finished my meal satisfied, but not impressed.  The burger is thick and juicy, so if you just want a lot of meat, this might be your favorite burger.  The bun and toppings are better than average, too.  I was with my mom, Chris (Hi mom!) and her husband , Charlie.  Charlie enjoyed his salmon BLT, and Mom had the portobello sandwich, which was probably the best out of our three dishes.  We were too full for dessert, but I like that they offer four different options.

For the few times I've been at the Standard Tap, I've come to expect subpar service.  While this past time I had the best service I've experienced here, the staff could be a bit more attentive and friendly.

While everything at the Standard Tap is average or better, the atmosphere is the part that puts it over the top.  Downstairs includes a nice bar and great tables to chill in a dark, relaxed atmosphere.  Upstairs has a smaller bar, and some bigger rooms and tables for larger groups.  And as already mentioned, the outdoor deck is the best spot around.  Really, it can't be beaten on a nice summer eve.  

Bottom Line:  The Standard Tap is good.  It serves a specific purpose, but with such a variety of options for food and beer within a stone's throw, it's hard to really campaign for the Standard Tap.  That being said, you'll probably see me there a few times this summer.  Because no matter what I say, you can't beat a few pitchers of good beer overlooking NoLibs with s nice breeze.

Essentials:

901 N 2nd Street (2nd and Poplar)

(215) 238-0630

Avg Ent: 9-16

Cash Only: No

Reservations: No (ask the bartender upstairs for a spot on the deck)