While Firehouse Fish Market -- located at 49th and Baltimore -- isn't exactly the ritziest locale around, its quaint neighborhood feel compensates for the lack of frills. Residing in a former firehouse, the Firehouse Fish Market boasts of a lot more than just fish. While it does command a fresh bounty of seafood options both for immediate consumption and for cooking, its vendors also sell fresh produce, baked goods, teas and coffees. If you like the Green Line Caf‚ down the street, you'll find a small excerpt from the caf‚ represented at Firehouse with caf‚-made pastries and drinks. Although the produce is fresh, the prices match those of Freshgrocer, making a journey just for produce -- for lack of a better word -- fruitless. The meats are reasonably priced and sure to be well-appreciated by any meat-lover. Firehouse also sells spices and random sauces for anyone advanced beyond the wonderful world of Easy Mac.
Amble slowly back to campus and witness ten beautiful blocks which are well worth the walk. The friendly neighbors, giant Victorian homes, and sun gleaming over tall trees lining the blocks combine for a picturesque atmosphere. The beauty of going this "far" west lies in the pure joy of seeing the scenic Clark Park, elegant homes and life beyond Penn's white gloves: a picture of West Philly rarely envisioned by many.
