PhilaPhile

Cake

I recently had breakfast at Cake in their new home. They now reside in the atrium attached to Robertson's Florist at 8501 Germantown Avenue in Chestnut Hill (the CHill.) Currently, they are serving breakfast and lunch. On my visit I had the Breakfast Burrito, $10.00, which has scrambled eggs and black beans wrapped in a sundried tomato tortilla topped with chili sauce, guacamole, and sour cream. It was very good and filling. Add a cup of tea and a small glass of orange juice for a total of $14.31. I failed to enquire whether they have free internet access which, if they do, would make this a most desirable place to escape for a little blogging.

tags: Cake Chestnut Hill the CHill Philadelphia restaurant bakery
 

Top of the Hill Market

There's been some movement by two restaurants in Chestnut Hill. Cake moved out of their space and into the atrium at Robertson's Florist about a block away at 5 E. Highland Avenue. Top of the Hill Market expanded into the space vacated by Cake which was located right next door to their current location. This gives them much more indoor seating in addition to the outdoor area. They are located at 186 E. Evergreen Avenue and open Monday - Saturday 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM and Sunday 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM.

tags: Top of the Hill Market restaurant produce Chestnut Hill the CHill Philadelphia

Lucky Strike Lanes

I haven't been to Lucky Strike Lanes but here's an interesting look at their dress code titled, Indiscreet discrimination, as described by StyleStation. I guess I'll have to buy some new clothes in order to be allowed in to bowl.

tags: 19107

Palace of Asia

Recently four of us went to Palace of Asia for dinner where they serve "exotic indian cuisine." It is located at 285 Commerce Drive in Fort Washington right off of the Ft. Washington exit of Rte. 309. I often go there for take-out. The staff, some of them family members of the owner, started encouraging me to come in and have dinner there with my family. I was reminded of this on a recent trip we took to the Poconos. One night we went out for dinner and found an Indian restaurant called Tandoor that was very good. It was located on the premises of a hotel and had 2 train cars as part of the restaurant. I said to my wife that I feel guilty because we're sitting down at Tandoor and we still have not had dinner at the Palace of Asia.

Palace of Asia is located in a hotel and right next to it are 2 train cars that house a Subway restaurant. I ordered Shahi Murg Soup ($4.95), a traditional chicken soup, Shrimp Tandoori ($17.95), shrimp with mild seasoning, broiled on skewers over charcoal in the tandoor. In addition we had, Gobhi Paratha ($3.50), Moughalai Paratha ($4.25), Naan ($2.50), Raita ($1.95), Mango Chutney ($2.25), Tandoori Mixed Grill ($17.95), Vegetable Makhani ($8.95), Lamb Saagwala ($14.95). We also ordered several desserts and I had a couple of Taj Mahal beers, large size for $7.50 each.

The dish that I liked the most was the Shrimp Tandoori. The shrimp were nicely seasoned and tendor. We did not order anything spicey but if you tell you waiter the chef will prepare your food with as much spice as you desire. The final bill was around $165. Why I was surprised I don't know. I really like Palace of Asia and I've returned twice since our dinner there. It has a real family atmosphere and I often talk with people who go there as a result of staying in the hotel. Every person I've talked with say they love the food and were pleasantly surprised to find an Indian restaurant at the hotel. They felt it offered something different from the usual food they encounter on business trips.

tags: 19034

Shundeez Restaurant

We went to Shundeez Restaurant last night. It's a BYO located in "the CHill" at 8705 Germantown Avenue in the small mall where Rollers was formerly housed. They prepare Persian dishes where entrees average about $15.00. Shundeez also has a booth in the Chestnut Hill Farmers Market.

I started with a cup of soup called Ash for $5.00. It was served piping hot and included noodles, lentils, beans, and spinach. It was just what was needed on this cold night. My entree was Addus Polo and cost $16.00. This was a nicely prepared and succulent ½ cornish hen with basmati rice that included lentils, onions, raisins, dates, cinnamon, and saffron which was delicious. I had to eat fast so that my wife wouldn't eat most of it. For dessert I had Nam e Kamei which is a cream filled pastry sprinkled with pistachio nuts. My enjoyment of the dessert was somewhat tempered by a hint of rosewater in the filling which I don't really like.

The bill for the two of us came to $53.00 for a soup, an appetizer, two entrees, and a dessert. We very much like this new addition to "the CHill" and look forward to returning soon.

tags: 19118

Limpopo Restaurant

Update 10.28.06 - Unfortunately Limpopo is now closed.

We went to Limpopo on Saturday night. A BYOB restaurant located in Mt. Airy at 6825 Germantown Avenue. Limpopo serves international African cuisine. It's a very friendly atmosphere with excellent service and food. I made reservations using email on their Web site and received an email and phone call confirmation.

You can order from the menu either a la carte or prix fixe. Prix Fixe, at $25.00, is the better deal if you're ordering all 4 dishes. You may choose any combination of 4 dishes with one entree. I started off with the Congo Salad. A fruit and vegetable salad with Congo dressing. It was excellent. For the Starter I chose the South African Malay Cornpuffs which are crispy cornpuffs with coriander and a sweet chili sauce. The chili sauce reminded me of a sauce that I've enjoyed in Thai restaurants. It was very good. For the Main course I had the Nigerain Jollof Rice with Chicken and Herbs. This was also quite good. It was served with a side dish of a vegetable that I liked but can't identify. For Dessert I ordered the South African Caramelized Pudding and Custard. I found that to be a bit dissapointing.

The owner/chef Zanele Karl was quite friendly. She came around and talked with everyone in the restaurant. Seeing my camera reminded her that she wanted to take pictures as well. Soon she came out with her camera and asked each of us if we would mind a photo. On their Web site they indicate that the menu changes every 2 weeks. I'm looking forward to returning and trying some new dishes.

Hamlet Bistro

We went to the Hamlet Bistro, located at 7105 Emlen Street, on Thursday night. We did not make reservations, showed up around 8:15, and were seated with no problem. There was one waitress for the entire restaurant. It didn't seem to be a problem. No liquor license, BYOB. For an appetizer I had the shrimp and scallop dumplings. As described in the menu, "Marninated scallops and shrimp, wrapped in a dumpling and pan seared, served with a soy and fig sauce. $8.00" It was delicious.

For the entree I had the Curried Chicken Costarring a Colossal Samosa, $16.00. It too was excellent. A slightly spicey curry with a large samosa and boneless, skinless, whole chicken breast over spinach. The meal was quite filling. I very much wanted to order dessert but I was stuffed. My only complaint is that I thought the chicken breast was a little dry. Which is almost expected when cooking whole chicken breast without skin. My wife tasted it and loved it. The spinach and curry sauce made for a nice balance. I'm looking forward to going again and saving room for the brownie sundae.

tags: Philadelphia Hamlet Bistro Mount Airy restaurant

Cafette

I went to Cafette today for lunch. Cafette is a real neighborhood restaurant. It's located off of The CHill's main drag, Germantown Avenue, one block east at 8136 Ardleigh Street. They have outdoor seating, great staff, BYOB, Sunday brunch, fried chicken on Friday's, and chocolate chip cookies from 4th street deli, the best. Lately, I've been arriving around 3:30 - 4:00 when they take the cookies out of the oven. So Ginny was surprised when I said I wanted to sit down for lunch. I sat inside although people were sitting outside squeezing one more outdoor experience out of this extended indian summer.

I started off with a cup of turkey and rice soup for $2.50, scrumptious. I then added one of my favorites, Dave's Italian Hoagie for $7.25 with a blackcherry soda, $1.75. Total around $12.50. Dave's isn't the biggest hoagie but it reminds me of the hoagies I sometime had as a kid. They make it with quality ingredients soppressata, prosciuttino, capicola, mild and sharp provolone, and a very soft hoagie roll. It's delicious and, at my current age and size, quite filling.

Cafette feels like my spot. I like a place where I know and like the people who work there. It's a good feeling made even better because of the great food. Check it out.

tags: Philadelphia Chestnut Hill restaurant The CHill Cafette 19118

Rollers at Flying Fish

My wife and I went to Roller at Flying Fish last week. Roller's has moved from the Top of the Hill Plaza to their Flying Fish location at 8142 Germantown Avenue. Thus the combined name change. Roller's is one of my favorite restaurants for several reasons. The food is always great, it's casual ( Philadelphia Weekly named it "Best Unpretentious Eatery"), Paul Roller is an incredibly nice person, and I've been going to the restaurant and market since their opening.

For an appetizer I had Lobster Ravioli covered with shrimp in a cream sauce, $9.00. My main course was Sautéed sea scallops with spinach, julienned vegetables, rice, roasted peppers and pine nuts, $16.75. For dessert I had the chocolate divinity cake with whipped cream icing, $5.75. I ate well that night. Everything was excellent. I always recommend Roller's without hesitation.

tags: Philadelphia restaurant Chestnut Hill The CHill Rollers Flying Fish19118

Deuce Restaurant & Bar

Had lunch at Deuce on Tuesday. Just stumbled across it while in Northern Liberties. Was told that they just opened last Friday. There are a bunch of new houses and apartments in this area. Deuce is in a new office/apartment area called "Liberties Walk." Across the street is the old Ortliebs Brewery that has been torn down. More new establishments for the neighborhood as Center City marches northward.

I had the Smoked Salmon Pizza with a coke. The Pizza was good but small. It had capers, red onion, smoked salmon, drizzled wasabi, and a cheese that I can't remember. It reminded me of pizza that I had a long time ago on a small island near Guadeloupe called Terre de Haute. The pizza was $9.00, total bill around $11.30. Deuce appears to have snacks, salads and sandwiches priced $6.00 - $12.00. They also serve brunch on Saturday and Sunday. It's the kind of place where you would order 2 or 3 items with drinks.

tags: 19123