Angie Walls
(photos by author)
Published in Too Shy to Stop Magazine, January 15, 2009

Just as exciting as Philadelphia’s museums and art galleries, the culinary experience is right up there the city’s quintessential itineraries. Oversized soft pretzels, steamy cheese steak sandwiches, Tastykakes, scrapple, and hoagies are the true “bread and butter” of this fabulous metropolis. In addition, Philly is packed with one of the largest collections of ethnic eateries, boasting something for every taste, no matter how discerning.

Reading Terminal is a great place to start. Over 100 years old, this famous indoor market has spice shops, freshly baked goods, row after row with artisan chocolates, Chinese eateries, fresh meat vendors, international cheeses, customized hoagies, used books, handmade crafts, and much more. Across the whole city, there’s a wide list of dining establishments that your stomach will never forget. Here are a few highlights from my recent Philadelphia vacation, which are some of the area’s tastiest spots to meet friends and indulge your appetites.

Alma de Cuba

Philly has a few spots to enjoy Cuban cuisine, and Alma de Cuba is the perfect setting for a romantic dinner or to celebrate a special occasion with family or friends. They’ve got the largest selection of ceviche I’ve ever come across including Ecuadorian-style shrimp, Thai snapper, and “Vuelve La Vida” (translated “return to life”) ceviche – a mix of fresh seafood, garlic, cilantro, and jalapeños. Many of their dishes have a lot of vibrant colors and spices to awaken your sense of smell and taste, from Chilean sea bass, served with sweet chili sauce and stuffed peppers, to their rack of lamb rubbed with spicy chorizo quinoa.

Penang

Their Chinatown has a variety for every palate – Korean, Vietnamese, Burmese, Malaysian, Thai, and Hong Kong style. Whether you’re in the mood for the town’s best dim sum, Peking duck, Szechuan, or “pho” rice noodle soup, you will find the most authentic and savory dishes here. Penang is a delectable Malaysian restaurant in the middle of Chinatown, with many tempting offerings – crispy squid covered with the chef’s special sauce; Malaysian fried noodles with egg and Chinese cabbage; spicy and sour rice noodles; chicken fried rice with ginger and scallions; and more. Start off your meal with their traditional “roti canai” with curry sauce, their popular family recipe.

Bliss

New Year’s Eve was the picture perfect holiday in the city, all thanks to a romantic dinner put on at Bliss. A special menu put on for the occasion, every detail meticulously planned to spark magic, from the decorations to the desserts to the complimentary champagne. Once inside, you’ll be charmed by the tall ceilings sporting contemporary designs and dim lighting, and the soothing live jazz music down by the bar. My entrée was a delicious Chilean sea bass with a light, flaky shell and covered in mango salsa, which was the best ending to the symphony of flavors. Resting underneath the sea bass, the “forbidden” black risotto was creamy and tasted of fresh black truffles. The meal ended with a grand finale, a light strawberry cream pastry with chocolate sauce.

This little treat in Center City has the coziness of a neighborhood coffee shop and the aromas of an Asian spice market. The inside is filled with calming colors of mint green, brown, and maroon. The menu of Asian teas, categorized by steep, shake, and fizz, have appealing names such as “Fast Forward,” “Liquid Yoga,” and “Tame the Elements.” Many of the detailed descriptions are so tantalizing, you’ll want to try every single one. Choose from oolong, jasmine, green, black currant, Korean ginseng, and chai teas, and enjoy a side of madeleines and other light pastries.

Alma de Cuba
1623 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA
(215) 988-1799

Penang
1179 N. 10th Street
Philadelphia, PA
(215) 413-2531

Bliss 
220 S. Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA
(215) 731-1100

Tbar
117 S. 12th Street
Philadelphia, PA
(215) 625-3936