Al Fresco while the summer lasts....

It's that time of year where the summer lovers are fighting depression and the fall lovers are flaunting their victory of cooler weather.  I fall into the former and am seeking to savor every moment of outdoor enjoyment.  Earlier this summer, a fellow local blogger posted a helpful entry entitled "Lehigh Valley Patio Guide."

She made some intriguing suggestions, some of which I have not yet visited but are on my list.  Check it out, leave a comment of your own favorite spots for outdoor dining in the LV & B, and take advantage of these end of summer days.   You can also check out Evans' Eats 25 recommendations by clicking on "outdoor seating."

Destination Month-Week #3: Philadelphia, PA

Philadelphia, rightly famous for its deliciously comforting soft pretzels and cheese steaks, has becomingly increasingly known for its brunch spots.  Many of the hip, up-and-coming neighborhoods' restaurants are part of a growing competition for where the locals will frequent each weekend.  True to the character of the city of Brotherly Love, each of these is earth, art, vegan/vegetarian-friendly.  Here are a few I've enjoyed:

Honey's Sit 'n Eat
800 N. 4th St.
Hours: M-Th 7a-8p; F & Sat 7a-9p; Sun 7a-5p
(note: Cash only restaurant)

Serving breakfast, lunch & dinner, there is a perpetual out-the-door line during brunch hours.  Honeys' offers a casual down-home, country farm environment in the middle of Northern Liberties.  Committed to using local ingredients whenever possible including the free-range eggs, produce & bacon, it has a wide menu whose highlights include:

Enfrijoladas ($9-Two flour tortillas filled with scrambled eggs & beans, topped with salsa verde, black bean puree, sour cream, queso fresco, red onions, radishes and mixed micro green salad
Add Chorizo, Veggie sausage, Breakfast meat or substitute tofu for an additional charge)

Savory Tofu Scramble ($9-Green peppers, onions and tomatoes, served with hand-cut fries)
 
Whole Wheat Pancakes ($9-Filled with granola and berries, with maple syrup)

All eggs come with choice of cheese & onion potato latke, homefries or grits, & hearty bread selection:  buttered challah, country white, wheat, rye, corn muffin or biscuit)

Coffee is bold & delicious--and an outstanding feature is their fresh-squeezed orange juice--squeezed in sight behind the counter.  Certainly a fun vibe and tough-to-beat meal at Honeys'.


Sabrina's Cafe
3 locations:  Italian Market-910 Christian St. 
Hours: T-Th 8a-9p, F-Sat 8a-10p, Sun-M 8a-4p

 

Fairmount/Art Museum Area-1804 Callowhill St Hours: T-Sat 8a-10p; Sun & M 8a-4p

University City Drexel Campus:  227 N 34th St Hours: T-Th 8a-9m; F-Sat 8a-10; Sun & M 8a-4p

University City location

Visiting the Italian Market location, provided a quiet brunch spot with quaint outdoor seating.  University City offers the college campus vibe in a historic, picturesque building.  I especially enjoyed sitting in a room with large windows and generous natural lighting.  

Coffee was vibrant and delicious.  Menu highlights include:

Tofu Scamble

Tofu Scramble: ($7.89 spiced tofu, sauteed onions, shallots, garlic, peppers, spinach and mushrooms, with a side of Philly famous LeBus Multigrain bread and fresh fruit.

Egg white primavera Frittata:  ($9.99 made with assorted vegetables)

Stuffed french toast specials

Green Eggs Cafe



3 locations
N. Liberties: 719 N.2nd St
S. Philly: 1306 Dickinson St.
Midtown Village: 212 S. 13th St.
Hours: 8a-4p daily
cash only

Speaking only for the Northern Liberties location, I thoroughly enjoyed the hip, urban, open-air atmosphere.  Friendly staff serve high quality, delicious food.  Green Eggs has an earth-friendly philosophy--including recycling all paper products, glass, plastic and aluminum and composting all food and organic waste.  From their website I learned the grow herbs & spices in-house on a rooftop garden! 

Delicious coffee accompanies a superior menu with these recommendations:  

Veggie Benedict:  ($9-Portobello mushrooms, sauteed spinach and roasted peppers on toasted brioche rounds topped with two poached eggs and a rich hollandaise sauce  (all eggs served with an excellent choice of signature or rosemary potatoes)

 
Stuffed French Toast ($10-Brioche slices stuffed with fresh berries, ricotta cheese topped with Chantilly cream, fresh berry compote, and blackberry coulis) 

Quinoa Porridge ($6-Agave nectar, cinnamon, cardamom, golden raisins, and cream topped with fresh berries and fresh berry compote, vegan option available)

Granola ($6-Artisan made mixed berry or coffee chocolate chip granola with fresh fruit, sweet berry compote and greek yogurt)

If you have another favorite Philly brunch spot, include a comment with your suggestion! 

 

Destination Month/Week #2: Newport, Rhode Island

Last summer was our first time visiting Newport, RI for our 10 year anniversary celebration get-away.  We were hooked.  A perfect combination of quaint New England/beach town, offering great places to stay, walk, relax and eat.  Here are a few of our highlights that we can easily recommend from our 2 visits:

First of all, if you are traveling from the Lehigh Valley, we encourage strategic road trip meals.  We stumbled upon Sea View Snack Bar
145 Greenmanville Ave Mystic, CT
 in Mystic, CT last year.  Directly off the exit from Route 95, a scenic outdoor view with casual seating and full menu, including New England seafood.  We had our first lobster roll experience.  It was worth the $15/roll.  Perfectly toasted roll, and lightly dressed and seasoned lobster contribute to this delicacy that brought us back on the return home.

In Newport, Le Maison de Coco 28 Bellevue Ave Newport RI

became one of our favorite stops for a mid-morning refresher after the cliff walk.  We have yet to experience their french-influenced menu including quiches, salads, scones and tarts, which include a variety of local products.  In addition, they only use organic sugars and flours, and dairy

products made from sustainable farming practices (pesticide-free; no growth hormones).   You can view their website to learn more of the owner and chef's on-site french training. 

We enjoy the quaint environment, friendly staff and iced drinks. They have my vote for the best iced coffee--
I was privileged to learn the secret-they blend their iced drinks, giving it a smooth texture with a froth.  Another winning touch is their offering of natural sweeteners including stevia and agave syrup.  We sampled a delicious gluten free cookie and one of their specialties, "tea-infused chocolates."   If you are visiting Newport, it's a necessary stop.     

Lunch recommendation:
Flo's Clam Shack  
4 Wave Ave  Middletown, RI 02842

We were again privileged to stumble upon this gem.  Truly a New England clam shack experience. The lines proved 2 things: the service takes their time & the crowds keep coming back.  Overlooking the beach, there is ample outdoor deck fresh seafood dining.  Whether going for lunch or dinner, be prepared to take your time, but definitely worth the wait.

Dinner Recommendations:

 
Best view/Fresh New England Seafood experience:  Aquidneck Lobster Co. Bowens Wharf 
The entrance has the feel of

salmon

walking into a fisherman's wharf, viewing their freshly-caught lobster.  It opens up to a large bar, indoor dining and deck overlooking the

calamari & caesar salad

water.  


Beautiful view and delicious food with a casual atmosphere. 

Family-friendly/cost-effective: 

The Fifth Element    111 Broadway    On the less "touristy" side of town is a young "bar meets grill" restaurant.  Generous seating, friendly service and a hip atmosphere accompanied our order:  a Boston Bibb salad and their "pizza of the moment"-a white pizza with fresh oregano, zucchini and tomatoes.  Delicious!

Fine Dining: 

22 Bowen's     22 Bowen's Wharf Bar & Grille - Bowen's Wharf      With ample indoor and outdoor seating overlooking the water, the food selections will be just as exquisite as the view.  Well known for its steaks, we were satisfied with a generous-portioned salad and appetizer for our meal. 

  

Ice cream: To watch the sunset over Bannister's Wharf, visit New England-based,  Ben & Jerry's.   For a Newport classic, visit Kilwins 262 Thames Street, located in the center of town across from the wharfs, offering a variety of unique flavors.  

Destination Month-Week 1: Ocean City, NJ

An inevitable aspect of most summer vacations is increased dining out.  For many, this enhances the total experience.  When you ask your friends, "How was your vacation?", many will respond by sharing their activities:  the tours, the attractions & sites.  For us, we willinevitably resort to telling you about a great meal we had or the experience of a local restaurant.  Let's be honest:  Food brings people together & makes memories.

The nostalgia of the Evans' family annual vacation spot:  Ocean City, NJ, includes many eating traditions.  While some may refute the jersey shore as an adequate beach, preferring Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina or Florida, we cherish the peaceful, quiet north end of this therapeutic island and crave the spots that have become routine.  

After enjoying a morning walk on "the boards," a highlight is meeting my sister in laws at 1 of 2 hot-spot, rivaling coffee shops for an iced coffee.   

4th St. Cafe', on 4th & Atlantic, is an ideal location and favorite amongst the locals.   I love sitting outside under the awning with one of their delicious baked goods and flavorful iced coffees.   They make an incredible breakfast panini and if it's not too hot, I'll get the oatmeal.  If that doesn't sound appealing because oatmeal is part of your daily routine at home, you may want to reconsider--it's extra special, made with steel-cut oats and your choice of peanut butter, flax seed, bananas and dried cranberries.  4th st. also serves lunch--(but we have another lunch tradition so I've never tried it!)  With a laid-back casual interior garbed with local art, we most value their wide selection of unique baked goods (ie. orange chocolate chip muffin; banana lime coconut cake, etc.)


We also frequent
"Who's on First Cafe'.
Self-proclaimed as "the Original 4th St. Cafe'", they are now on 1st & Asbury Ave and baking up daily fresh scones.  While they have a limited selection (2 different flavors & usually 2 types of muffins), the scones are top-notch & they serve la Colombe' coffee--also ideal.  We prefer 1st street for it's ample outdoor seating and $.50 iced coffee refills!   

A light breakfast leaves room for our favorite lunch spot.  The Evans' Family certainly invests in Berenatos' Deli, 1st & Atlantic.  When it comes to sandwiches in OC, they can't be beat.   One of the main reasons is their fresh, ideal rolls...like the box says from their source, "It starts with the bread."   Whether you prefer an italian or turkey hoagie or a cheese steak--you can't go wrong.  Our favorites include the bbq chicken cheese steak or buffalo chicken cheese steak (with hot or sweet peppers). Depending on your appetite, a full can feed 2-4 people.  
If we are not in a rush to hit the beach, we love eating out under their awning.  By the way, you'll get the true Italian attitude from the owners--don't be offended--we've come to find it endearing. 


 What does the boardwalk have to offer?  If you are craving a slice of boardwalk pizza, we recommend "Three Brothers" (944 Boardwalk).  Manco & Manco, formerly known as Mack & Manco, may be the most well-known, but as far as quality and size--we consider this the best.  They offer a variety of toppings and it's pricey & large--but feeds the whole family. 


This year we finally visited the infamous 
Smitty's Clam Bar.  For those who are willing to cross the bridge, Somers Point has a good thing going--from the casual, family-friendly atmosphere to the waterside view of the bay, you'll enjoy a classic seafood experience.  


I was thoroughly pleased with one of the daily specials, baked tuna with a sesame-soy glaze, accompanied by a corn salad.  The rest of the party tried the classic oyster po boy sandwich and crab melt.   While we went for lunch, rumor has it to expect a wait for dinner--but it's an enjoyable seaside atmosphere--food and service are worth the wait!


 
Vacation should include at least one dessert splurge.   While the self-service, pay per pound yogurt craze has hit the Jersey shore,  we are Kohr Brothers custard loyal fans.  An enjoyable selection of flavors (where else can you get mint-chocolate, strawberry-banana, coffee-caramel or chocolate-peanut butter soft serve?) with the creamiest consistency.  A simple and consistent product keeps the line moving quickly & pleases the entire family.  (Secret: kid size is not on the menu, but is an ample smaller portion given upon request.)


Finally, one of the boardwalk's best kept, healthy secrets is Bashful Banana.  Serving a broad menu for breakfast, lunch, dinner and desserts, this is truly the place to visit for fresh food, gluten free, vegan or special diet concerns.  My favorite item on their menu is their unique Banana Whip.  Made with just bananas, it undoubtedly has the consistency of frozen custard.  A variety of other frozen fruits can be added and toppings include an all fruit fudge sauce.  Thanks to Bashful Banana, no one is left out of the boardwalk cuisine!  (Another special touch--the only known place to order a Green Mountain flavored iced coffee!)


This sums up a perfect day of Evans' family traditional favorites at our annual vacation spot.  What are some of yours?