BEST OF THE GAYBORHOOD AND BEYOND: Restaurants
A table spread at Marie Turney and Valerie Safran’s enchanting Little Nonna’s, which gets our prize for Best New Gayborhood Restaurant. Photo courtesy of Jason Varney.
GAYBORHOOD RESTAURANT: Amis
You don’t have to spend the mortgage at Marc Vetri’s eponymous townhouse to get that delicious Vetri Italian cooking. This exposed-brick, slightly industrial-feeling space has food that will simply knock your socks off, including our fave, the addictive tonnarelli. Sit at the counter, sip some very good wine, and watch the masters do their thing. 412 S. 13th St., 215-732-2647, amisphilly.com.
NEW GAYBORHOOD RESTAURANT: Little Nonna’s
Marcie Turney and Valerie Safran’s latest is a step back in time to the cozy kitchen of some little Italian granny—one who wants to put some meat on those bones. Loosen your belt and dive head first into the homemade meatballs sopped in “Sunday gravy” and a plate of the fluffiest gnocchi this side of Trastevere. 1234 Locust St., 215-546-2100, littlenonnas.com.
Chef Joncarl Lachman’s Noord wins Best BYO. Photo courtesy of Michael Klein / philly.com.
BYO: Noord
Jovial out chef/owner Joncarl Lachman is part of the draw at this slick Dutch-inspired restaurant on East Passyunk. Bring a bottle of robust red to complement his menu of gutsy Holland staples, like tangy pickled herring broodjes and a scrumptious rabbit leg confit. 1046 Tasker St., 267-909-9704, noordphilly.com.
ROMANTIC RESTAURANT: Bistrot La Minette
After honing his culinary chops in the City of Light, chef Peter Woolsey has brought an authentic slice of Paris’s enchanting bistro culture to Queen Village. Whether you’re out to impress a first date or already half of tried-and-true lovebirds, the gauzy gazing here is an predictable as the tasty cuisine. 623 S. Sixth St., 215-925-8000, bistrotlaminette.com.
FIRST DATE SPOT: M
If George Washington and John Adams had been dating, they’d have come here. 231 S. Eighth St., 215-625-6666, mrestaurantphilly.com.
Best Health Food goes to Rittenhouse to-go joint HipCityVeg.
HEALTH FOOD: HipCityVeg
With a location in Rittenhouse and a new addition in University City, HipCityVeg spreads “100 percent plant-based quality ood that is fresh and fast” all over. Order the Udon Noodle Salad (dressing on the side), sweet potato fries, and a “Groothie” (it’s signature smoothie) for a meal worth its price in flavor. Bonus: Cute delivery boys will bike to your doorstop between Fourth and 24th streets and Washington and Spring Garden. 127 S. Broad St., 215-278-7605, hipcityveg.com.
COBB SALAD: Jones
Cobb salad is a gay staple for a reason: It’s a salad and low in carbs, so you feel healthy, but it tastes good, so you don’t feel like you’re cheating on your trainer. There are many places that serve a good version, but few can match the bountiful, tossed glory of greens, eggs, avocado and tomatoes served at Stephen Starr’s hip Society Hill corner stalwart. 700 Chestnut Street, 215-223-5663, jones-restaurant.com.
A slice of bourbon caramel peach pie at Magpie, our choice for Best Sweet Treats.
BRUNCH: Kanella
Greek? For brunch? Honey, you have no idea. 1001 Spruce St., 215-922-1773, kanellarestaurant.com.
SWEET TREATS: Magpie
Yes, yes, we know you don’t eat carbs, and you feel horribly guilty if you do. Trust us: The butterscotch bourbon pie here is worth third-degree-murder guilt. And so is every other slice of heavenly pie coming out of this place. 1622 South St., 267-519-2904, iluvmagpie.com.
DRUNK MUNCHIES: Midtown II Restaurant
Two words: Munchie Combo. 122 S. 11th St., 215-627-6452, midtowniiphilly.com.
