Press Release

FRIDA, FOOD AND FUN: A RECIPE ONLY FOUND IN PHILLY
Philly’s Mexican Eateries Come In All Sorts Of Shapes, Sizes And Styles

PHILADELPHIA, January 17, 2008 - In addition to her career as a groundbreaking surrealist painter, Frida Kahlo was a dedicated cook and food enthusiast. So when the first major Kahlo exhibition in 15 years stops at its only East Coast venue, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, from February 20 to May 18, 2008, it is only fitting that visitors continue the celebration of Kahlo’s life and the culture that inspired her with a visit to one of the region’s many Mexican restaurants. South-of-the-border specialties can be found across the city’s neighborhoods and the outlying countryside, running the gamut from delicate huitlacoche custard and hominy and pork stew in high-end dining rooms to arm-dripping carnitas tacos in neon-lit joints.

The Blue Tortilla

Photo by B. Krist for GPTMC

 

• In honor of the retrospective, Xochitl’s chef Dionicio Jimenez has created an authentic four-course $35 menu drawn from Kahlo’s real-life favorites like stuffed poblano peppers with ground beef, creamy walnut sauce and pomegranate seeds and Revoltijo (shrimp, cactus and potatoes in guajillo sauce). The warmly lit Headhouse Square resto-lounge will also be serving a special Kahlo cocktail: The Corazon de Frida combines pineapple, cilantro, blanco tequila and lime. 408 S. 2^nd Street, (215) 238-7280, www.xochitlphilly.com

• The Italian Market’s most prominent taqueria—fast-paced, no-frills La Lupe—serves tender goat barbacoa tacos, giant stuffed torta sandwiches and sumptuous tamales. 1201 S. 9^th Street, (215) 551-9920
• Taqueria La Veracruzana was the among the first authentic taquerias to hit South Philly, and it remains one of its best: The modest little eatery turns out superbly simple sausage tacos, smoky chipotle salsa and  hearty entrees like Aztec-style chicken breast. 908 Washington Avenue, (215) 465-1440
• The casual Northern Liberties takeaway Taco Riendo is a haven for tasty tortillas stuffed with organ meats (tripe, tongue, beef cheeks). But no need to worry: The faint-of heart will find the steak, chorizo and chicken fillings deliciously satisfying. 1301 N. 5^th Street, (215) 235-2294
• In an unassuming corner of the Loft District, the mainly takeout joint Jose’s has cornered the taco market with marinated shrimp, spicy chicken and flank steak-filled beauties. 469 N. 10^th Street, (215) 765-2369
• Tucked away in a Kennett Square strip mall, the piñata-strung Taqueria Moroleón has won fans for its lively atmosphere, Carne Asada and deep-fried red snapper. 345 Scarlet Road, Suite 15, Kennett Square, (610) 444-1210

• Tequila’s muraled and wood-paneled room is typically packed end to end with expectant visitors eager to indulge in grilled fish stuffed with guacamole in mango ginger sauce, flavorful margaritas and more than 90 different varieties of the eponymous liquor. 1602 Locust Street, (215) 546-0181, www.tequilasphilly.com
• A University City institution, the simply-decorated Zocalo specializes in contemporary-styled Mexican fare like shrimp with nopale cactus in a sizzling molcajete or rock bowl and classic flan. 3600 Lancaster Avenue, (215) 895-0139, www.zocalophilly.com
• Named for the bougainvillea flower, Las Bugambilias is a bright and fresh newcomer to South Street with a festive movie-themed ambiance and a cross-regional menu that includes delectable chicken mole and tangy sopas mariscos. 148 South Street, (215) 922-3490

• Chic 13^th Street favorite Lolita redefines Mexican cooking with clever concoctions like a pan-seared duck breast with toasted pecans, fried plantains, linvilla cider glaze, mezcal cranberries and apple jimaca slaw. The restaurant also provides fresh margarita mixes (blood orange-mint, strawberry-basil) for customer-provided tequila. 106 S. 13^th Street, (215) 546-7100, www.lolitabyob.com
• An early forerunner of the Northern Liberties renaissance, Las Cazuelas is a sunny spot with a consistently delicious, authentic cucina. Shrimp ceviche, enchiladas mole and a heavenly flan are among the must-trys. 426 W. Girard Avenue, (215) 351-9144, www.lascazuelas.net
• Willow Grove’s cheerful bring-your-own Tortillas! cooks up Mexican classics with California flair like garlic shrimp and pork with green chile sauce, while offering a complimentary salsa bar and breakfast on weekends. 634 N. York Road, Willow Grove, (215) 706-0777, www.tortillasrestaurant.com
• Catering to the family crowd, The Blue Tortilla is a small, laidback eatery with accessible, traditional fare that includes burritos, enchiladas and plenty of vegetarian and children’s options. 20 N. Main Street, New Hope, (215) 862-5859
• Strip mall gem Tamarindos is a neighborhood standby in Blue Bell, where its Yucatan platos (whole snapper, conchinita pibil and thin-pounded steak)  and complimentary margarita mix are wildly popular. 36 W. Skippack Pike, Blue Bell, (215) 619-2390
• Puebla cuisine is the focus at Bella Vista’s Molcajete Mixto, and the traditional dishes like chilatole soup (poblanos, masa and corn) and complex moles set this romantic restaurant apart from the pack. 746 Christian Street, (215) 413-0171, www.molcajetemixto.com
• West Chester BYO Senora’s Authentic Mexican Cuisine packs its dining room with festive artwork, sombreros and patrons eager for its fresh pico de gallo, shrimp quesadillas and overstuffed burritos. 505 E. Gay Street, West Chester, (610) 344-4950

• A hipster bar with indie music and high-falutin’ Mexican food, Cantina Los Caballitos pairs its slow-braised goat with pickled onions, turkey mole and vegan fajitas with fresh hibiscus cocktails and blood orange margaritas. 1651 E. Passyunk Avenue, (215) 755-3550
• The tequila flows at Blue Bell’s lively, terracotta-hued El Sarape, but the food, from the queso fundido to the flan, is another reason for celebration. 1380 Skippack Pike, Blue Bell, (610) 239-8667, www.elsarapebluebell.com
• With two locations, Coyote Crossing has a near-monopoly on the suburban Mexi-party scene. Both feature patios for outdoor seating, specialty cocktails and chef/owner Carlos Melendez’s inventive tequila lime salad, chile peppers stuffed with braised pork and hazelnuts and fajitas with chicken and chayote squash. 800 Spring Mill Road, Conshohocken, (610) 825-3000; 102 E. Market Street, West Chester, (610) 429-8900, www.coyotecrossing.com

Note to Editors: For photos of Greater Philadelphia, visit our Photo Gallery.

CONTACT:

Donna Schorr, GPTMC
(215) 599-0782, donna@gptmc.com

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