Food & Drink
Pining for pita
Get OUT of here!" I bellowed, aggressively pushing over my sister after she had delivered the most miraculous, most awe-and-nostalgia-inspiring news: Maoz, the refillable pita place some friends and I discovered in Barcelona (and whose one remaining location in London and eight in Amsterdam we then continued to stalk and devour), was coming to Philadelphia.
Mi Casta, Su Casta Diva
Caffe Casta Diva 227 S. 20th St. (215) 496-9677 Walking into Caffe Casta Diva feels like walking into an Italian grandmother's living room.
Italian for beginners
Is that pretty young thang still keeping you up at night, cold and alone with only blue balls for company?
Ode to Franzia
We've been there before: Your reservation at some BYO whose name you can't pronounce is in half an hour.
I'll take the ravioli and the Red Sox
Ava 518 S. 3rd St. (215) 922-3282 Minutes before my reservation at Ava, I was glued to my computer screen, compulsively hitting "refresh" in an attempt to read/watch/whatever the online log of the last bits of a Red Sox game.
The Italian Job
Melograno 2201 Spruce Street (215) 875-8116 Sneak into Sink or Swim and pass on the $2 weenie this Wednesday, because you'll need every penny to afford some of the best Italian fare this side of the Atlantic.
My Big Fat Greek Franchise
Restaurants, like hip indie bands, are key when it comes to name dropping. Naturally, it's cooler to mention an unknown Italian BYO than it is to describe last night's meal at Pizza Hut.
Just missed saigon
While I've never actually been to Saigon, I have a good feeling this isn't what it looks like.
Bursarless boozing
While we all enjoy the challenge of surviving on bursar alone, the fact still remains that Houston doesn't serve martinis ... And without a swipe of the handy-dandy Penn card to foot the bill, eight dollars can seem pretty steep for a pomegranate-champagne infusion at some Stephen Starr institution.
The things we do for you
Here's the deal: we at Food & Drink think that dining should be an experience -- preferably a good one, with booze.
Sir mix-a-lot
If you can get your average Penn chick off her cell phone for long enough to stop and ask her what she had for lunch, chances are she'll whip off her J.Lo inspired aviators and purr one of three things: a Cosi Signature Salad, a Gia Pronto salad or a salad from our own illustrious Houston Hall.
Philling Up
As you walk into the Left Field Entrance at Citizens Bank Park, the new Philadelphia Phillies baseball stadium in South Philadelphia, you'll be struck by a few things.
Ol‚ Mol‚
Large groups looking for fast, friendly service and a BYO Tequila option should look no further than El Azteca.
Super Guay!
What do Burberry-clad yuppies, chimichangas and tequila have in common? All can be found in abundance at Mexican Post, Old City's numero uno Tex-Mex joint and arguably the best place for happy hour margaritas in Philly. At Mexican Post, don't expect five-star cuisine.
Survivor: Sushi
All-you-can-eat sushi for $20. Sounds too good to be true? I won't lie: Aoi serves up a mean buffet, along with some complicated bills. he restaurant looks humble enough on the outside.
Get (sake) Bombed
Walnut Street: home to a variety of Philadelphia establishments such as Le Bec Fin, Rittenhouse Square and Polo.
Bottle Full of Bub
A haven for Philadelphia's nouveau riche, Swanky Bubbles is just the place to drop a cool $400 on a bottle of bubbly in an attempt to impress that "special someone" sitting at the other end of the bar. A little over four years ago, Swanky Bubbles staked its claim as Philadelphia's only champagne bar and restaurant.
Metrosexual Paradise
The scene is all too familiar: you and your friends have decided to eat downtown. Violent arguments begin to ensue as you decide between one of the 89 Steven Starr restaurants in Philadelphia.
Queen of tarts
Tucked away amidst the brightly lit storefronts of Center City is this remarkable new gem, Miel Patisserie.
