Little Fish: Fresh and Seasonal

Are you a seafood fan living in York North Apartments? Have you tried Philadelphia's Little Fish restaurant? Little Fish boasts a well-curated menu of fresh, in season fare, and each dish brings out the flavors of its ingredients. Dishes on the menu include lobster with foie gras, miso, trumpet mushrooms, and tofu, along with ravely-reviewed black cod. Little Fish changes its offerings from week to week, so you'll benefit from visiting again and again. And Little Fish offers one of the best deals in Philadelphia on its prix fixe menu: five courses for just $33. Reservations are a must, and since it's a BYOB wine is welcome. If you're a York North Apartments seafood lover, give Little Fish a try!

Little Fish
746 S. 6th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(267) 455-0172
http://www.yelp.com/biz/little-fish-philadelphia

Kraftwork: Fishtown Gastropub

A gastropub in the heart of Fishtown just a quick drive away from YoNo Apartments, Philadelphia's Kraftwork has quickly become a favorite among locals. The space has an incredible interior, conceived by local artist Andrew Jevremovic. The unusual materials fuse together into a stylish, welcoming eatery. Kraftwork's chef complements the style with great food from the kitchen! You'll enjoy dishes like the beer can chicken sandwich, with sharp provolone cheese, fried peppers, and onions, and the mussels in garlic Pilsner broth. A gastropub, Kraftwork also offers a variety of beer and cocktails.

Kraftwork
541 E. Girard Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19125
(215) 739-1700
http://www.yelp.com/biz/kraftwork-philadelphia

Standard Tap: Philadelphia Gastropub

Philadelphia has embraced the gastropub trend, and many bars have revamped their menus to expand beyond standard bar fare. One highlight of the gastropub invasion is Philadelphia's Standard Tap. First opened in 1999, this Northern Liberties favorite supports a wide variety of local breweries. There are over twenty beers on tap, many more in bottles, and even two cask-conditioned ales. It will take many visits here to make it through the extensive beer list. Standard Tap's food is equally ambitious, offering dishes using locally-sourced meats and produce to create some truly spectacular tastes. One of the most popular dishes is the chicken pot pie: this comfort food favorite comes in a soft pastry crust with delicious ingredients. The burgers here are also a crowd-pleaser. When it's warm out, Standard Tap's roof deck is a very popular spot!

Standard Tap
901 North 2nd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19123
(215) 238-0630

Tria: Triple Play

Tria specializes in the trinity of wine, beer, and cheese. Tria's strict walk-in policy (no reservations are required!) and casual dress code make it easy to stroll into the inviting space and to discover a new favorite drink. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, ready to help diners wade through the ever-changing and quite extensive wine, beer, and cheese lists. They'll help you choose pairings and will make your visit and all around enjoyable one. Tria also serves a menu of modestly priced yet quite delicious small plates. For a casual evening out, give Tria a try.

Tria
1137 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 629-9200

Ekta: Taste of India

Located in Philadelphia's Fishtown neighborhood, Ekta offers delectable — and authentic — Indian fare. Eaters of all tastes will feel welcome here. Ekta's menu features vegetarian delights like saag aur paneer, Ekta dal, and Bhindi masala. Meat eaters will find a range of entrees including lamb korma, shrimp tikki masala, and chicken vindaloo. Complement your meal with a flavorful appetizer (served with mint and tamarind chutney) and made-to-order, oven-warm naan. Ekta also takes pride in its traditional slow-cooked Tandoori meat dishes along with favorites like spicy Biryani rice. If you're eating in, Ekta's also a BYOB. In addition, Ekta offers takeout. Check Ekta's website for more details.

Ekta
250 E. Girard Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19125
(215) 426-2277

Cafe Estelle: Breakfast Paradise

Cafe Estelle has long been hailed as one of Philadelphia's best brunch spots. It's a must-visit for bunch-fanatics! The cafe's breakfast menu offers standard fare — at reasonable prices — throughout the week. On the weekends, Cafe Estelle expands its offerings into delectable dishes like Lancaster Raspberry Pancakes, Shirred Eggs, Shrimp Creole Today in the Hole, and even pizzas like the Duck and Gorgonzola. Cafe Estelle makes use of local and organic ingredients whenever possible, which makes for delicious meals. Be sure to call ahead on weekends if you hope to snag a spot at this hip Northern Liberties brunch spot.

Cafe Estelle
444 N 4th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19123
(215) 925-5080
www.cafeestelle.com

Vietnam: Saigon Spectacular

Vietnamese food is a culinary sensation surging across America. And for good reason! The food's fascinating and incorporates tastes from France and all over Asia. The blend produces some wonderful trademark dishes both delicious and healthy. Most famous, of course, is pho. Pho might be considered the national food of Vietnam — it's a rich beef broth based soup that's truly wonderful. Vietnam serves one of the best bowls of Pho in all of Philadelphia.

Vietnam's decor isn't too striking, but the mundane interior proves the adage about great Asian restaurants: "the worse the furniture, the better the food." In addition to the pho, diners rave about the grilled pork with broked rice, the tasty shrimp curry, and the hearty spring rolls. And if you'd like to begin your meal with a special beverage, try Vietname's Flaming Volcano. It's evern better shared!

Vietnam
221 North 11th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 592-1163 ‎
www.eatatvietnam.com

Cafe Lift: Up for Brunch

Love brunch? Well, Cafe Lift serves an array of delicious breakfast favorites. An oasis in a fairly deserted area, Cafe Lift exudes a hip, industrial aura entered into through a freight elevator. Entrees at Cafe Lift run around $8 apiece and the menu features all your brunch favorites. Egg dishes on the menu include the Jens Crespelle and fried egg paninos: two fried eggs, veggies, and cheese nestled in a warmed panini. The sweet stuff's enticing, too: try lemon ricotta pancakes, cannoli french toast, or even nutty monkey crespelle. Not in the mood for breakfast? Cafe Lift also offers panini sandwiches and salads. Cafe Lift's still a hidden gem, which means you likely won't wait long for a table.

Cafe Lift
428 N. 13th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19123
(215) 922-3031

Vetri: Intimate Italian Dining

Philadelphia offers a boatload of history and various hailed “institutions.” It's also got plenty of room for deserving newcomers. Compared to some of the city’s other Italian mainstays, Vetri is a veritable baby! First opened in 1998, Vetri's barely out of its first decade. But the quality of the food and service has earned the restaurant raves from chefs like Mario Batali (a man who knows Italian food). Vetri feels different from the moment you enter: instead of a sprawling dining hall, it presents an intimate space seating only a handful of lucky diners. Chef Marc Vetri has become famous for his handmade pastas. They're wonderfully fresh and tender to the tooth. Go on Friday and Saturday nights for Vetri's tasting menus, paired with perfectly selected wines.

Vetri
1312 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 732-3478
www.vetriristorante.com

Zama: Sushi Magic

Zama gets it. This top-notch Japanese restaurant wows Philly diners because they understand the beautiful simplicity of Japanese cuisine. Chef Hiroyuki Tanaka has long been a leading light on the local scene, and when the news broke that he was opening his own restaurant, there was a stampede for reservations. Things have calmed down a bit, but diners here always go home satisfied by the clever, perfectly-prepared food. Some highlights include the fresh nigiri plate, composed each day of the day's best market offerings – you’ll get some new taste experiences here, but it’s worth stepping out of your comfort zone. Rolls are also excellent, with diners recommending the Bronzizzle – a cucumber and avocado inside-out roll with branzino and yuzu-soy sauce. It’s sublime. Check the website for more information.

Zama
128 South 19th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 568-1027
www.zamarestaurant.com

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