Philadelphia Pizza: An Evolving Tradition Unlike Any Other

I can’t think of too many other foods more universally enjoyed than pizza.  Whether it’s lunchtime office meetings, kids birthday parties, late night post-bar food and especially any time college students are around – pizza is a good choice and brings smiles to people’s faces.  I personally think it’s Italy’s best creation and export, slightly ahead of Tuscan wines and significantly ahead of slicked-back hair.

Pizza comes in different types and styles for everyone.  There’s thin crust and deep dish, tomato pie and white pizza, chewy crust and crispy crust, round pie and square slice, traditional Neapolitan and modern American style.  I think all you need are mint chocolate chip and pralines n’ cream styles to have 31 flavors.

 

Best Burger in Philly: Choosing From Many Excellent Selections

On its online site, Philadelphia Magazine is currently hosting a bracket for people to vote on the Best of Philly Burger.  In addition to helping decide the award-winning burger for the magazine’s annual Best of Philly issue, voters also have an opportunity to receive an invite to the exclusive Best of Philly party.

Just as it is with the NCAA Basketball tournament, any time you have a limited number of spaces in the bracket, you’ll always have potential competitors feeling left out and others feeling slighted by “seedings.”  For this bracket, with only eight contenders, there’s definitely some “controversy” (as much controversy as there could be for a made-up competition) regarding who’s in it and who’s matched up together.  There’s presumptive top seed Village Whiskey going up against the Piazza at Schmidts’ PYT.  Nationally-acclaimed Rouge faces off against local favorite Royal Tavern.  Stephen Starr’s Butcher & Singer matches up with neighborhood tavern Standard Tap.  Finally, gastropub Pub & Kitchen meets up with “dive barGood Dog.

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Kennett Restaurant: Close to Perfect New Bar

If I was opening up a new bar/restraunt in Philadelphia, it would have most of the qualities of Kennett, the recently-opened establishment at 2nd and Christian at the old Lyon’s Den.  It’s tough to find fault with a place that hits all the current hot trends in the food and beer world.

Small plates?  In the words of Charlie Sheen, “Duh!”  Farm to table and locally sourced food?  Of course.  Pizza?  Yep, in a wood-fired oven, no less.  Burger?  Three different varieties, including lamb and veggie.  Craft beer?  16 taps and 13 bottles worth, including such top beers such as Founders Breakfast Stout and Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald.  Cocktails?  A full page on the menu.

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