My new Phily Neighborhood
By Madelyn Miller, the Travellady
No, I have not moved to Phily. But the birth of my first
grandbaby, the handsome Hudson Rex Miller (doesn’t that name sound like a future
movie star?) is making Philadelphia my second home.
No, I do not have a real home here. But I will be testing
all the Phily hotels as I visit the young prince (his initials are HRM, after
all)
MY FIRST SECOND HOME
First up, The Radisson Plaza Warwick Hotel
This hotel built in 1926 is a landmark building designed in
English Renaissance style by local architect Frank Hahn. The property features a
spacious and elegant lobby, sits in the prestigious Rittenhouse Square district
and is popular with both leisure and business travelers. The hotel has recently
renovated guest rooms and amenities include a fitness center, business center,
room service, and valet parking.
The Radisson Plaza/Warwick Hotel has a new bar/lounge that
is popular and has a great happy hour. It is called Tavern 17. Be sure to check
it out while you are there.
Almost anything you could want is within walking distance.
What a great neighborhood.
Radisson Plaza-Warwick Hotel
1701 Locust Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Tel: (215) 735-6000
Fax: (215) 789-6105
www.radisson.com
WHAT’S IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD?
Restaurants, Shops, Bars And Coffee Shops In Rittenhouse
Square
Restaurants/Cafes:
Brasserie Perrier Café at Boyds – Located inside the venerable high-end menswear
store, this cafe is known for its inventive salads, paninis and French
specialties such as the cheesy croque madame. Desserts are from the Le Bec-Fin
pastry cart.
1818 Chestnut Street, mezzanine, (215) 564-1801
Continental Mid-Town – The global tapas menu, mini desserts
not meant for sharing and a see-and-be-seen penthouse patio bar draws hip
locals. 1801 Chestnut Street,
(215) 567-1800,
www.continentalmidtown.com
Di Bruno Bros. – Famous for its fine selection of Italian
cheeses and meats, this locally owned gourmet mega-store also offers
made-to-order sandwiches and wonderful cappuccino and pastries. 1730 Chestnut
Street, (215) 665-9220,
www.dibruno.com
La Creperie Cafe – This reasonably priced French café
specializes in both sweet and savory crepes—try the feta with tomatoes and basil
or fresh strawberries with cream. 1722 Sansom Street, (215) 564-6460
Le Bar Lyonnais – Still one of the best-kept secrets in
town, Le Bec-Fin’s intimate downstairs bar offers the delights of Georges
Perrier’s cooking at a fraction of the price. 1523 Walnut Street, (215)
567-1000,
www.lebecfin.com
Mantra – Patrons get in touch with their inner Zen at this
bi-level Asian restaurant/lounge, with globetrotting bites like Hoisin BBQ
chicken roll, Mongolian firepot and Persian nut rub drumettes. 122 S. 18th
Street, (215) 988-1211
Pietro’s Coal Oven Pizzeria – The crust on this top-shelf
pizza is thin and crispy thanks to the heat of the coal-fired ovens. Menu also
includes pasta dishes and salads.
1714 Walnut Street, (215) 735-8090,
www.pietrospizza.com
Sansom Street Oyster House – This venerable fish house
boasts a great raw bar and serves fried and grilled seafood and updated dishes
like sesame-crusted tuna served medium rare in a ginger-soy reduction. 1516
Sansom Street, (215) 567-7683,
www.sansomoysters.com
Smith’s Restaurant and Lounge – Start with the Schuylkill
spring roll (a new way to eat a cheesesteak) and move onto the inventive
sandwiches and flatbread pizza at this new contemporary American spot. 39-41 S.
19th Street, (267) 546-2669,
www.smiths-restaurant.com
Snackbar – This boutique snackery offers just eight tables
and a half dozen seats at the bar, but locals line up for pastries in the
morning and an intriguing small plates menu all day until 2:00 a.m. 53 S. 20th
Street, (215) 545-5655,
www.phillysnackbar.com
Striped Bass – Located in a former brokerage house, this
glam seafood restaurant features the inspired seafood creations of chef Rob
Boone, a great bar scene and a complimentary raw bar during Friday night Happy
Hour. 1500 Walnut Street,
(215) 732-4444,
www.starr-restaurant.com
Tavern 17 – This new spot at the Radisson Plaza-Warwick
Hotel Philadelphia offers New American small plates like mini-sliders, lovash
with garlicky dips and a tasty pulled chicken club. 220 S. 17th Street, (215)
790-1799,
www.tavern17restaurant.com
Tinto – Award-winning chef Jose Garces follows the success
of his Old City restaurant Amada with this cozy eatery serving pintxos, the
variety of tapas found in the Basque region of Spain. 114 S. 20th Street, (215)
665-9150,
www.tintowinebar.com
Tria – An eclectic wine bar and cheese lounge, Tria offers
boutique beers, a global wine list and a menu of tapas-style plates. 123 S. 18th
Street, (215) 972-5585,
www.triacafe.com
Twenty Manning – This sleekly modern neighborhood spot
serves up chef Kiong Banh’s outstanding Asian-influenced global fare. 261 S.
20th Street, (215) 731-0900,
www.twentymanning.com
Tea, Coffee and Confections:
Bonte – Belgian street vendor-style crispy waffles come
filled with everything from chocolate to bananas, with cups of La Colombe coffee
on the side. 130 S. 17th Street, (215) 557-8510,
www.bontewaffles.com
Café Hausbrandt – Brewing is an art form at this fragrant
Italian-owned coffee house, which offers free WiFi and excellent pastries. 207
S. 15th Street, (215) 735-2242,
www.hausbrandtusa.com
Empyrean Coffee – Comfy couches, rich java and great people
watching from the window seats up front make this spot a local favorite. 1921
Walnut Street,
(215) 557-9322
Great Tea International – This serene tearoom carries a
wide range of aromatic loose-leaf teas from around the world. 1724 Sansom
Street, (215) 568-7827,
www.great-tea.net
La Colombe – Daniel Boulud is just one chef who favors the
beans from this elegant European-style café, which serves its java in beautiful
flowered china.
130 S. 19th Street, (800) 563-0860,
www.lacolombe.com
Metropolitan Bakery – A Philadelphia institution,
Metropolitan features wonderful breads, spreads, scones and sweets, just off of
Rittenhouse Square. 262 S. 19th Street, (215) 545-6655,
www.metropolitanbakery.com
Miel Patisserie – Gourmet desserts, sophisticated sweets
and handcrafted, artisan chocolates line the cases at this sophisticated shop.
204 S. 17th Street, (215) 731-9191,
www.mielpastry.com
Premium Steap – Tea is the new coffee at this cozy
teahouse, featuring some 140 varieties of loose-leaf tea and a signature tea au
lait. 111 S. 18th Street, (215) 568-2920,
www.wayneteasalon.com
Remedy Tea Bar – This stylish café sells traditional teas
along with “nouveau drinks,” such as tea lattes, blended tea drinks and
mar“tea”nis. 1628 Sansom Street,
(215) 557-6688,
www.remedytea.com
Tuscany Café – This relaxed coffee spot goes beyond quality
lattes with fresh wraps, sandwiches, soups, salads and pastries. 226 W.
Rittenhouse Square, (215) 772-0605
Shops:
AIA BookStore & Design Center – Owned and operated by the
American Institute of Architects, this eclectic shop is the place for books,
gifts and collectibles relating to the design arts. 117 S. 17th Street, (215)
569-3188,
www.aiaphila.org
Benjamin Lovell Shoes – This shop is proof positive that
fashionable shoes don’t have to hurt. 119 S. 18th Street, (215) 564-4655,
www.benjaminlovell.com
Bluemercury – A one-stop shop for all things relating to
personal beauty care and cosmetics, this store stocks brands like Kiehl’s,
Bliss, Red Flower and more.
1707 Walnut Street, (215) 569-3100,
www.bluemercury.com
Coeur – Peruse this beautiful boutique for designer
lingerie from the likes of Dolce & Gabbana, along with accessories and some
menswear too. 132 S. 17th Street,
(215) 972-0373
Dahlia – Shop for treasures from the Holy Land at Dahlia,
which offers handcrafted jewelry from Israel, along with a wide range of Judaica.
2003 Walnut Street,
(215) 568-6878
Details – Home accessories, designer greeting cards and
invitations and unusual gifts invite browsing at this cozy shop. 131 S. 18th
Street, (215) 977-9559
Gallery 339 – Located in a stunning Center City space, this
modern gallery is the most ambitious venue for fine art photography in town. 339
S. 21st Street, (215) 731-1530,
www.gallery339.com
Kimberly Boutique – Trendy looks for the fashion forward by
the likes of Ed Hardy, Tibi and Betsey Johnson await shoppers here. Style-savvy
staff can help pull looks together. 123 S. 16th Street, (215) 564-1066,
www.kimberlyboutique.com
Lagos – Stylish museum-quality jewelry created by
internationally known local artists Steven and Ann Lagos is featured at this gem
of a boutique. 1735 Walnut Street,
(215) 567-0770,
www.lagos.com
Papyrus – All-things paper, from greeting cards to gift
wrap, gift bags, note cards, journals and unique gifts, can be found here. 211
S. 17th Street, (215) 545-2680,
www.papyrusonline.com
Petulia’s Folly – Brilliant print dresses, delicate
designer duds and upscale linens keep company with imported soaps and candles at
this fetching boutique. 1710 Sansom Street, (215) 569-1344,
www.petuliasfolly.com
Pooch – Rittenhouse Square’s hip pet boutique features
designs by Nancy Adler, who uses vintage fabrics to make collars and leashes
with matching belts for humans.
2020 Locust Street, (215) 735-0793
Shops at Liberty Place – High-end specialty boutiques such
as Caviar Assouline and Linde Meyer Gold & Silver mix with national chains like
Express, J. Crew and Ann Taylor Loft on the bottom floors of this high-rise
building. 1625 Chestnut Street,
(215) 851-9055,
www.shopsatliberty.com
South Moon Under – What started as an Ocean City Maryland
surf shop is now an eclectic resort wear boutique featuring designs by Betsey
Johnson, Shoshanna, True Religion, Ella Moss, Ben Sherman and more. 1731
Chestnut Street, (215) 563-2298,
www.southmoonunder.com
Town Home – This store is the place to go for designer home
accessories, the kind of stuff found at Barney’s, Fred Segal or Bergdorf’s. 126
S. 19th Street, (215) 972-5100,
www.townhomephila.com
Nightclubs and Entertainment:
Bar Noir – Black-and-white film noir clips set the stage
for a late night DJ scene at this underground haunt. 112 S. 18th Street, (215)
569-1160
Bob and Barbara’s Lounge – One of the best juke boxes in
town, occasional live music and the city’s longest-running drag show on
Thursdays makes B&B’s a funky, diverse spot. 1509 South Street, (215) 545-4511
Chris’ Jazz Café – Local and national jazz acts take the
stage here every night but Sunday. 1421 Sansom Street, (215) 563-3131,
www.chrisjazzcafe.com
D’Angelo’s Ristorante Italiano – This Italian restaurant
turns into a disco on the weekends when an older crowd of partiers hits the
dance floor. 256 S. 20th Street,
(215) 546-3935,
www.dangeloristorante.com
Good Dog Bar and Restaurant – Ideal for a drink and some
conversation, this friendly bar has a great juke box, good bar food and a
whimsical canine theme. Try the blue cheese-stuffed burger. 224 S. 15th Street,
(215) 985-9600,
www.gooddogbar.com
Helium Comedy Club – Stand-up comedy goes for the laughs
Wednesday through Saturday nights at this intimate venue, which also offers
drinks, snacks and desserts.
2031 Sansom Street, (215) 496-9001,
www.heliumcomedy.com
Loie – Mild-mannered restaurant by day, this classic French
bistro morphs into a late night scene with DJs spinning at 10:00 p.m. 128 S.
19th Street, (215) 568-0808
Nodding Head – Besides award-winning microbrews, this
second floor eatery goes beyond bar food with a menu that includes tasty
vegetarian selections.
1516 Sansom Street, (215) 569-9525,
www.noddinghead.com
Prime Rib – The bar at this dressy, retro-cool steak house
features live jazz standards and sultry vocals. 1701 Locust Street, (215)
772-1701,
www.theprimerib.com
Roxy Theater – Foreign and indie films are screened at this
cozy art movie house.
2023 Sansom Street, (215) 923-6699
Rum Bar – Feast on Caribbean flavors and sip premium island
rum while late night DJs heat up the scene. Two-for-one mojitos bring crowds in
on Monday nights.
2005 Walnut Street, (215) 751-0404,
www.rum-bar.com
Tank Bar – Located upstairs at Friday, Saturday, Sunday
restaurant, this longtime favorite spot for romantic encounters features a
135-gallon tropical fish tank and an intimate setting. 261 S. 21st Street, (215)
546-4232
Ten Stone Bar & Restaurant – Belly up to the bar for a
friendly, Brit-pub experience that offers a good opportunity to mingle with
locals from the ’hood, along with a yummy sandwich menu. 2063 South Street,
(215) 735-9939
Tritone – This hipster hideaway features a quirky schedule
of bands and DJs playing everything from jazz and blues to rock-and-roll
cabaret. 1508 South Street,
(215) 545-0475,
www.tritonebar.com
JUST A FEW MORE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PHILY
FOR MORE INFORMATION
visit
www.gophila.com and check out the blog
www.uwishunu.com
Philadelphia Independence Visitor Center (800) 537-7676.
GREAT SAVINGS
www.citypass.com
BEST DESSERTS
Naked Chocolate Café
1317 Walnut Street
Philadelphia. PA 19107
www.nakedchocolatecafe.com
215-735-7310
Open Monday to Thursday 10AM-11PM
Friday and Saturday 10AM to 11:30PM
Sunday 11 AM to 9PM
Maron Chocolates
1734 Chestnut Street
215-988-9992
www.maronchocolates.com
BEST PLACE TO GET CONNECTED
Ing Direct does more than just save you money. It gives you
a free wireless internet connection. They even have about a dozen computers you
can use for free to surf if you are in the neighborhood without your computer.
1636 Walnut Street
FAVORITE STORES
P.H.A.G
Philadelphia Home Art Garden
1225 Walnut Street
215-627-0461
www.thephagshop.com
Show of Hands
a collection of crafts
1006 Pine Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
215-592-4010
Showofhandsphila@aol.com
GREAT GUIDEBOOKS
ACCESS PHILADELPHIA
By Beth D’Addono
Harper Resource
www.harpercollins.com
THE THIRTEEN COLONIES
Travel Historic America
Fodor’s
www.fodors.com |
