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!