After Thanksgiving this year, we decided to grab some friends and head to Philadelphia to explore the Christmas Village and everything else the city had to offer during the holidays. Of course, while there, we had to cross off a few new (to us) restaurants off the list and hit up some old favorites.
Below are the places where we ate that you should add to your list.
Restaurants:
Parc: Rittenhouse Square. A French bistro with a great atmosphere and excellent food. This is our second time at this restaurant and we definitely highly recommend it. Here is what we tried: the French Onion Soup, Escargot, Scallops, Mashed Potatoes, the Mushroom Tart, the Tuna Carpaccio, and the Trout. All of the dishes were perfect.
Spice Finch: Rittenhouse Square (inside the Warwick Hotel). A modern-Mediterranean restaurant, self-described as "art deco-inspired style with a light and airy aesthetic." This was also our second time at this restaurant for brunch. Once again, we were left very happy. Here is what we tried: the Frittata, the Breakfast Flatbread, the Baked Cheese, and the Avocado Toast.
Mei Mei: Old City. This was our first time at this Taiwanese gem. Not only is the food really good, but the music makes you want to get up from your seat and dance all night. There is a downstairs as well that serves only drinks. The restaurant also has Instagram-worthy decorations, including cherry blossoms coming out of ceiling. I wanted to get the HUGE $30 fortune cookie, but we had no room in our stomachs. Here is what we tried: the Korean Fried Chicken, the Taiwanese Beef Noodles, the Mei Mei Fried Rice, the Short Rib, the Salmon, and the Lamb. The fan favorite were the noodles.
Moshulu: Unique dining experience on a ship in Penn's Landing. We did not know what to think when our friend suggested this brunch spot. However, all of the food was on point, and it was a very cool experience to eat on a ship. Definitely worth a try. We went a little overboard for brunch and tried the following: the Mediterranean Turkey Meatballs, the Spicy Tuna on Crispy Rice, the Burger, the Chef's Omelet, the Pumpkin French Toast, Eggs Benedict, the Steak Tartare, and the Crab Cake.
Bars:
Leda and the Swan: Midtown. A lounge-type of bar with fun cocktails and great snacks. Awesome happy hour specials. We stumbled upon this place and cannot wait to go back again. We tried the sushi, the fries, the bao buns, and the dumplings.
Tinsel: A Christmas bar open only during the holidays. Stop by for a photo and a drink. It is always super crowded. You've been warned.
Sassafras: Olde City. Low-key bar with good service. Great spot to go before dinner at Mei-Mei. The bar also has a menu with apps and sandwiches. If you try them, let us know how they are.
Other:
Don't forget to check out the Christmas Village if you are in Philly over the holidays. And, as always, Reading Terminal has some great food and treats. This time, we had the cookies, the cannoli, and the Mexican corn.
