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Philly's "Gayborhood" Simmers With Delicious Dining
Gay-owned And Gay-friendly Eateries Offer Everything From Fresh Mex To Inspired Italian
Press Release
PHILLY’S “GAYBORHOOD” SIMMERS WITH DELICIOUS DINING
Gay-owned And Gay-friendly Eateries Offer Everything From Fresh Mex To Inspired Italian
PHILADELPHIA, October 5, 2007 - Good taste rules in Philadelphia’s diverse “Gayborhood,” a colorful nine-block swathe that includes dozens of gay-owned and gay-friendly cafes, restaurants and lounges. Whether the craving is for a designer martini at Bump or an Italian meal at Vetri, named “one of America’s top 50 restaurants” by Gourmet Magazine, the “Gayborhood” has a menu to fit the bill.
Lolita
Photo by G. Widman for GPTMC
- Knock Restaurant and Bar – Brothers Bill and Steve Wood sold Woody’s, the city’s venerable gay bar, and opened Knock, which features a New American-meets-global comfort-food menu in a chic setting in the heart of the neighborhood. 225 S. 12th Street, (215) 925-1166, www.knockphilly.com
- Marathon Grill – The latest location of this locally owned spot cooks up a wide range of dishes, from brunch and burger items, to sophisticated fare (grilled swordfish Provencal) and down-home items with a twist (truffled macaroni and cheese). 10th & Walnut Streets, (215) 733-0311, www.marathongrill.com
- More Than Just Ice Cream – Beyond the mammoth treats available at this old-fashioned ice-cream parlor, there’s a menu of homemade soups, entrée salads, tasty appetizers and dinner specials. 1119 Locust Street, (215) 574-0586
- Tria – The newly opened second location provides a daily changing list of wines, beers and artisanal cheese selections grouped in diner-friendly categories like “Luscious,” “Sociable,” “Invigorating,” “Stinky” and “Approachable.” There’s also a regular menu of bruschetta, salads and sandwiches—all in a casual yet stylish setting, with indoor bar and table seating and sidewalk service too. 12th & Spruce Streets, (215) 629-9200, www.triacafe.com
- Venture Inn – A friendly crowd gathers here for perfect martinis and options like fried pork chops with homemade applesauce and filet with blue cheese mashed potatoes. 255 S. Camac Street, (215) 545-8731, www.viphilly.com
French Bistro:
- Caribou Café – Perfect for pre- or post-theater dining, Caribou offers stellar French specialties (the cassoulet is outstanding), an inviting Art Deco bar and a relaxed two-tiered dining room. 1126 Walnut Street, (215) 625-9535 www.cariboucafe.com
- Vintage – A stylish crowd gathers at the zinc bar for the menu of bistro classics (escargot, charcuterie) and the choice of 60 wines by the glass. 129 S. 13th Street, (215) 922-3095, www.vintage-philadelphia.com
- Zinc - This bistro takes its inspiration from the typical Parisian bistro and its name from the handsome, refurbished zinc bar gracing the intimate storefront dining room. The menu covers all the authentic bistro bases, with an emphasis on fresh seafood, a large selection of cheese and charcuterie and gourmet salads. The wine list is presented on a chalkboard to allow for frequent changes and additions. 246 S. 11th Street, (215) 351-9901, www.zincbarphilly.com
Global Grazing:
- Bump – A swanky scene always and wall-to-wall boys during happy hour, Bump offers specialty drinks like a Chinese Cosmopolitan and Pumpkin Pie martinis, along with an international small plates menu (try the Thai beef salad). Their Sunday “beef and drag” brunch features drag queens and body builders. 1234 Locust Street, (215) 732-1800, www.bumplounge.com
- Grocery – Valerie Safran and Marcie Turney, Lolita’s enterprising owners and partners in life, serve gourmet sandwiches, pastries and rotisserie specialties. Try the beet and blue salad with beluga lentils or a Tuscan tuna sandwich with roasted garlic and rosemary white bean spread. 105 S. 13th Street, (215) 922-5252
- Pandora’s Lunch Box – The perfect spot for a cheap bite on the run, Pandora’s goes beyond burgers and pizza to offer Nicoise salad with fresh tuna, Caribbean chicken salad and chicken gyros—and everything’s under $10. 1221 Walnut Street, (215) 922-2333
Greek:
- Effie’s – This family-owned Greek BYOB is the real deal, offering a killer appetizer medley with warm pita bread, grilled specialties, fresh fish and, of course, baklava for dessert. 1127 Pine Street, (215) 592-8333, www.effiesrestaurant.com
Italian:
- Mercato – Chef R. Evan Turney creates a market-themed contemporary Italian menu at this cheery bring-your-own-bottle (BYOB) hotspot, with an emphasis on fresh local ingredients. Don’t miss the antipasto loaded with Italian meats and cheeses and grilled, marinated veggies. 1216 Spruce Street, (215) 985-2962, www.mercatobyob.com
- Portofino – Dripping with romance, this newly refurbished Italian restaurant serves up delectable pastas and grilled specialties, with live music as an added bonus. 1227 Walnut Street, (215) 923-8208, www.portofino1227walnut.com
- Vetri – Marc Vetri’s honest, precise rustic Northern Italian cuisine makes a reservation a must at this 35-seat restaurant, hailed by Mario Batali as “possibly the best Italian restaurant on the East Coast.” The spinach gnocchi with shaved smoked ricotta and brown butter is just one of the reasons this restaurant receives such widespread accolades. 1312 Spruce Street, (215) 732-3478, www.vetriristorante.com
Japanese:
- 1125 Raw Sushi and Sake Lounge – Suede couches, Japanese lamps, hardwood floors and a glass bar set the scene at this sleek new Japanese hotspot. In addition to an extensive sake menu, Raw offers a full sushi bar, along with other Asian dishes served with a new American twist. 1225 Sansom Street, (215) 238-1903
- Aoi Japanese Restaurant – An eclectic, low-key spot for sushi and sake offers a quirky all-you-can-eat deal that charges for leftovers by the piece. 1210 Walnut Street, (215) 985-1838
- Wasabi House – Good feng shui and well prepared sushi and maki rolls make this corner sushi shop popular with the locals. 1240 Pine Street, (215) 732-4790
Medi-Latin:
- Valanni – This hip lounge attracts a well chiseled crowd for perfect cocktails and innovative Mediterranean Latin cuisine. The popular tapas sampler includes an oversized tasting of hummus, spicy empanadas, kabobs and more. The lively bar scene continues into the wee hours. 1229 Spruce Street, (215) 790-9494, www.valanni.com
Mexican:
- Cafe Centraal – An eclectic menu of Mexican specialties and Persian kebabs are prepared to order in a casual no-frills setting. 1218 Pine Street, (215) 735-1880
- El Vez – Tableside guacamole, a huge margarita menu and delicious rare tuna tostadas draw a diverse see-and-be-seen crowd to this lively spot. 121 S. 13th Street, (215) 928-9800, www.elvezrestaurant.com
- Lolita – Chef Marcie Turney creates contemporary Mexican dishes at this intimate café, done up in sultry red and black against a backdrop of exposed brick walls. This BYOB is also BYOT—as in bring-your-own tequila to add to fresh margarita mix. 106 S. 13th Street, (215) 546-7100, www.lolitabyob.com
Sweet Indulgences:
- Capogiro – The creamiest gelato is made here fresh daily in flavors both traditional and original, from Nutella and pistachio to bitter chocolate, spearmint and blood orange. 119 S. 13th Street, (215) 351-0900, www.capogirogelato.com
- Naked Chocolate Café – Euro-style hot chocolate, stuffed cupcakes, chocolate fondue and mocha fudge cake keep this popular spot buzzing year round. 1317 Walnut Street, (215) 735-7310, www.nakedchocolatecafe.com
A Caffeine Fix:
- Brew HaHa – On a busy corridor near the popular 12th Street Gym, this cafe features plenty of indoor and sidewalk seating and serves a full range of coffee and espresso-based drinks, along with sandwiches and salads. 212 S. 12th Street, (215) 893-5680, www.brewhaha.com
- Cosi Coffee & Bar – It’s a chain, but a good one, with strong java, along with build-your-own salads, sandwiches and wraps. 1128 Walnut Street, (215) 413-1608, www.getcosi.com
- Joe Coffee Bar – Fair trade beans, breakfast pastries, sandwiches and salads draw a loyal crowd. 1100 Walnut Street, (215) 592-7384, www.joecoffeebar.com
- Last Drop Coffeehouse – Free WiFi and frothy cappuccino are served in an eclectic, comfy setting. 1300 Pine Street, (215) 893-9262
- Mochima Café – This Hispanic-owned café puts the emphasis on Latin coffee varieties, casual eats and a terrific selection of flavored flans for dessert. 1101 Spruce Street, (215) 923-2113
- TBar – Tea and chai lovers will swoon at the more than 70 leaf selections, along with hot and frosty clarifying combos offered at this funky tea emporium. 117 S. 12th Street, (215) 625-3936, www.tbarteas.com
The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) makes Philadelphia and The Countryside® a premier destination through marketing and image building that increases business and promotes the region’s vitality. 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.
Note to Editors: For photos of Greater Philadelphia, visit our Photo Gallery. On the pressroom, you can also subscribe to RSS feeds to receive updates on topics that are specifically of interest to you: What’s New, Dining, Events, Seasonal Travel, Hotel Packages and Tourism Research.
CONTACT:
Jeff Guaracino, GPTMC
(215) 599-2290, jeff@gptmc.com
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