Culinary cliche just feels good!

Dante & Luigi's Italian Market Philly

Venerable hundred year old Philadelphia institution may very well someday be reconstructed stick by brick in the Smithsonian much like Julia Child's TV kitchen. Mussels, roasted peppers, ling/clam, sauteed spinach, escarole or bitter broccoli, they're all there with perhaps the Chicken Caesar salad the only menu item that may not have appeared on their original blackboard over a century ago. Spaghetti with chicken livers and mushrooms particularly satisfying. There's no foam or fusion but the food is earnest and timeless.

Vinnie T's - Do not fuggetaboudit!

Vinnie T's Wynnewood, PA

Cavernous former movie house in tony Wynnewood is an outpost of a Boston chain whose motto appears to be, if 2 people can finish one entree, it's not big enough! Huge, really big portions are the order of the day here. Excellent quality pork chop perfectly done in garlic and balsamic vinegar and served with roasted potatoes and vegetables. This dish with their apple, Gorgonzola and walnut salad the reason to go and share both plates. With a glass of their signature lager, 2 people will leave neither hungry nor broke. Ton-o-pasta dishes make this the place to go for carbo loading jocks. Congenial and pretty proficient staff. Can get unspeakably busy some weekends with 2 hour waits possible.

Go to the Devil? Anytime!

Devil's Alley Chestnut St. Philly
Despite its vaguely Goth appearance to a passersby view, this cool spot has the only lights still glowing after 8:00 PM on this stretch of Chestnut Street at 19th . Prize winning beers with a flight of four 4 ouncers a fun way to imbibe a pint. Food is different and very good across the menu with one of the best turkey burgers in town. The puff pastry on the chicken pot pie is as ethereal as roti and poufy enough to hide a big head of dregs. Dry rub chicken wings unusually meaty, spicy, filling and terrific. Young staff eager and willing and seem to be having a good time. Outstandingly eclectic juke box with Bruce, Stones, U-2 and most artists from the sixties on who ever produced great stuff

The moule Boss, the moule

Zot Head House Square Philadelphia, PA A Belgian bistro which has not completely perfected that which makes it Belgian; its mussels! On several visits, the moules were marred inexplicably by jarred garlic, on another by an overpowering dose of pancetta. Co-owner and host, a former British diplomat unfailingly gracious if not entirely aware of how little he knows about how restaurants work but is learning fast. Encyclopaedic listing of great beers, most served in the correct glass at the appropriate temperature for type. Chef co-owner is determined and capable of making the standard, with interesting exceptions, Belgian menu work. Employs one of the city's most efficient and knowledgeable servers. Unfortunately, her back up team is among the most clueless.

Great Food, Prison View

L'Oca - Fairmount Ave - Philadelphia, PA Very well prepared food with the seafood saffron fettucini a standout. Ethereal gnocchi and seldom seen lamb shoulder done perfectly rare with a blistered outside display superior cooking skills. Stylish room and open kitchen create a pleasing sophisticated minimalist look. With the exception of one skillled pro, service neither indifferent nor polished; mostly tentative but willing. Polenta and snails app excellent as is the roasted chicken. Recent meals show that this chef has the ability to make L'Oca the premier northern Italian kitchen in the city. BYOB

Here we spell service TIPS!

Fresko Cafe - Bryn Mawr, PA - This attractive and nicely lit cafe in Bryn Mawr with the Greek influenced menu features well prepared food and the most arrogantly professional staff in the metro region. The servers know what to do and do it, but the dollar signs are clearly in their eyes with each gesture. The tramasalata, hummus and other meze standbys are uniformly good and prices are not out of line with value. Nonetheless, if the gratuity does not meet approval, expect to be reminded or at very least suffer an icy stare. "Thank you for coming" not in the cards here if you are not a regular as you can leave with only the door closing behind you as a farewell.

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