PHILADELPHIA RESTAURANT NEWS
May 2005

Bring Your Own And Bring It Often

With above-average food and below-average prices, bring-your-own-bottle dining establishments — known as BYOBs to those in the know — continue to thrive in the Philadelphia region, where there are now literally dozens to choose from. Many new BYOBs are opening in Center City, but even more are thriving in off-the-beaten-path neighborhoods such as South Philadelphia, Northern Liberties and Bella Vista, encouraging both residents and visitors to explore the city’s diverse and bustling communities. Below is a sampling of some of the newest BYOBs in and around town:

In the City:

An Indian Affair – This Indian restaurant is a new addition to the dining scene in Manayunk.  Some of the menu items include laziz pasliyan, cashew flavored spicy lamb chops in a curry sauce; and prawn malai curry, jumbo shrimps cooked in a mustard oil, coconut and coconut milk sauce. The restaurant even offers a buffet lunch on the weekends. 4425 Main Street, Manayunk, (215) 482-8300, www.anindianaffair.com. Nearest liquor store: 6174 Ridge Avenue

Bistro 7 – Chef/owner Michael O’Halloran cooks contemporary American/Mediterranean dishes such as wild striped bass and white bean stew at this small dinner-only restaurant in Old City. 7 N. 3^rd Street, (215) 931-1560. Nearest liquor store: 2^nd Street between Market & Chestnut Streets

Café de Laos – This spot is one of the many new Asian restaurants popping up in the Italian neighborhood of South Philadelphia. Menu items include Thai and Laotian dishes such as ox liver with chile sauce and banana leaf-steamed snakehead fish. 1117 S. 11^th Street, (215) 467-1546. Nearest liquor store: On 11^th Street (near the Acme supermarket)

Lolita – This restaurant distinguishes itself as a BYOT—that’s short for bring-your-own-tequila—and that makes for some yummy margaritas to wash down the spicy intensity of the Mexican fare. Lolita doesn’t accept reservations for Friday and Saturday, so visitors are encouraged to get there early to enjoy such dishes as grilled salmon with applewood-smoked bacon and corn tortillas with orange-glazed pork. Cash only. 106 S. 13^th Street, (215) 546-7100. Nearest liquor store: On Chestnut Street between 12th & 13th Streets

Mandoline – This dinner-only restaurant in Old City focuses on simple modern American dishes such as bowtie pasta with chicken, penne with jumbo crabmeat and rack of lamb.
213 Chestnut Street, (215) 238-9403. Nearest liquor store: 2nd Street between Market & Chestnut Streets

Marigold Kitchen – Specializing in American cuisine, Marigold is located in a charming, Victorian twin in West Philadelphia. Menu items include chicken croquettes, pork chops and rainbow trout. 502 S. 45^th Street, (215) 222-3699. Nearest liquor store: 4049 Market Street

Mimosa – Chef Angela Iovino dishes up southern Italian cuisine such as veal piccata with peppers and pollo marsala at this casual BYOB restaurant on South Street. 9th & South Streets, (215) 238-0144. Nearest liquor store: 8th & South Streets

Pumpkin – Owned by newly engaged couple, Chef Ian Moroney and Hillary Bor, this casual 28-seat neighborhood bistro has become so popular that reservations need to be booked far in advance. The dinner entrees change daily, but diners are guaranteed to find some type of fish entrée on the menu. Cash only. 1713 South Street, (215) 545-4448. Nearest liquor store: 19th & Chestnut Streets

The Terrace Street Bistro – This new addition to the Manayunk dining scene specializes in French and American cuisine. Favorite dishes includes rack of Lancaster lamb, macadamia nut-crusted chicken with tropical fruit and duck a l’orange. 3989 Terrace Street, (215) 508-2775. Nearest liquor store: 6174 Ridge Avenue

In the Countryside:

Café Fresko – The menu at this casual, Mediterranean BYOB highlights such dishes as dijon-crusted rack of lamb and lamb osso buco with toasted orzo. Cash only. 1003 Lancaster Avenue, Bryn Mawr, (610) 581-7070. Nearest liquor store: Across the street

Johnny K’s – Fresh fish and grilled meats are the specialty at this new dinner-only Delaware County restaurant owned by Johnny and Helen Kleinstuber. 5 Brookline Boulevard, Havertown, (610) 446-2780. Nearest liquor store: 2012 Darby Road

Meridith’s – Formerly a breakfast and lunch bistro, Meridith’s has just added a dinner option Tuesday through Sunday. The pistachio chicken is a favorite here. 10 Leopard Road, Berwyn, (610) 251-0265, www.meridiths.com. Nearest liquor store: On Lancaster Avenue, around the corner from the restaurant

Sola – Chef-owner John Wolferth serves modern-American cuisine at this intimate Bryn Mawr restaurant. 614 W. Lancaster Avenue, Bryn Mawr, (610) 526-0123. Nearest liquor store: 922 W. Lancaster Avenue

New Restaurant Openings

Byblos – This Rittenhouse Square bistro has a Middle Eastern flair. The affordable Mediterranean cuisine includes an octopus appetizer and a seafood paella entrée.
116 S. 18^th Street, (215) 568-3050, www.byblosphilly.com

Restaurant Alba – This casual suburban BYOB uses locally grown artisanal foods to prepare in specialties cooked in a wood-burning grill. Menu highlights include handcrafted pastas and charred tuna with romesco sauce and aged balsamic vinegar. 7 W. King Street, Malvern, (610) 644-4009, www.restaurantalba.com. Nearest liquor store: Depot Shops on Lancaster Avenue in Paoli.

Southwark – This new South Street neighborhood bistro has the feel of a European café and serves French dishes with many seafood selections. 701 S. 4^th Street, (215) 238-1888

Sovalo – The husband and wife team of Joseph and Karey Scarpone has opened this attractive, romantic Italian restaurant in Northern Liberties, with specialties such as roasted polenta.
702 N. 2^nd Street, (215) 413-7770

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The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) builds the region’s economy and image through destination marketing to increase the number of visitors, the number of nights they stay and the number of things they do in the five-county region. For more information about travel to Philadelphia, visit www.gophila.com or call the Independence Visitor Center, located in Independence National Historical Park, at (800) 537-7676

2005

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