I don’t know many people who can say they’re not all about that “food truck life.” Working outside the city, I don’t get to hit up as many trucks during the lunchtime hour as I’d like, so festivals and markets are usually my best bets to check out the scene. I had heard of the Vendy Awards for years, but had never known anyone who attended. When they reached out with tickets, promising I would taste 15 of Philly’s best food trucks, I was (OBVIOUSLY) excited to check it out for myself.
5 Things to Do in Philadelphia This Fall
I seriously can not believe it is the end of freaking September. I just can’t. While I have had something to do outside of work every. single. day this month (resulting in approximately 14 loads of laundry I need to do, amongst other things), I do think the weeks ramping to fall are so fun. I love this season. My favorite perks include: the fact that it is now socially acceptable to wear tights, the many excuses to go shopping, and lots and lots of festivals. Because there are so many fun ones coming up (festivals, not tights), I’ve picked five of my favorites to share with you.
Flavors Of The Avenue Is Back!
One of my favorite things about Philly is the access to all of the amazing festivals and markets. It seems like every weekend, there is an opportunity to visit a new neighborhood and discover lots of wonderful things in one place.
Hands down, one of the best festivals I went to last year was Flavors of the Avenue. Held on the beautiful East Passyunk Ave, the event brings together some of the best restaurants in the city for all all-you-can-eat, all-you-can-drink day of fun.
I attended the media preview earlier this month for a taste test of this year’s event. In addition to getting to hang with my buds Jade and Al, our group got to sample some grub from seven of the spots serving at Flavors. We visited POPE, Ippolito’s Seafood, Fond, Noord, Chiarella’s, Izumi and Marra’s. All of the food was fresh and delicious, but I can’t comment on Fond’s chicken liver mousse, because I’m lame and unadventurous and can’t make myself eat that. I’ve also realized I basically love everything I’ve ever tried from Ippolito’s and need to start going more often. I picked out three of my standouts from the night . . . (mouth. is. now. watering.)
Tuna tacos with spicy mayo from Ippolito’s Seafood (1300 Dickinson Street)
Pizza from Marra’s (1734 East Passyunk Avenue)
Pork Gyoza from Izumi (1601 East Passyunk Avenue)
Okay so it’s settled, you’re going, right? This year’s event takes place on Saturday, April 26th from 1-4pm. Tickets are available for $30 and, as you can see, it’s well worth it. I will be there with my parents, so come on out and hang with my crew. Hope to see you there! xx
150 Fun & Fab Things To Do In Philadelphia
Philly, you are the best city of all the cities. In honor of your loveliness, I’ve teamed up with four other fab Philly lady bloggers to bring our readers the ultimate list of all the things you must do, see, eat, drink, and visit in our fair city. A Philly bucket list, if you will, filled with unique things to make you say “hmmm that sounds interesting,” and more obvious things to make you go, “duh! Why have I not done that yet?”
By the end of reading this I expect you will be ready to book your Philly vacation! Before you do, check out these philadelphia vacation rentals from Stay Alfred. Whether your here for pleasure or business, these luxurious rentals means you can stay in style.
Below you’ll get my contribution to the list, and when you’re done, click over to the rest of the list on each blog. Here goes!
{Date Night Idea} Mt. Airy Street Fare: Sip, Savor, Stroll
It’s a known fact that I rarely leave Center City, so when I do, I am usually in constant (mostly good) shock of what I find. Mt. Airy is a cute neighborhood in Northwest Philly that, until recently, I never would have never known to visit. Last week I was invited to the Press Preview of the upcoming Mt. Airy Street Fare, and I was super impressed with my whole experience in this comeback-kid neighborhood.
During the Street Fare, multiple food trucks (you know Philly loves a good food truck) and restaurants in Mt. Airy will be opening shop for some awesome bites & drinks. To help give you a taste of what to expect at this Thursday’s event, I’ve counted down my Top 5 Must Try spots on Germantown Avenue. Take a peek . . .
5. Wine Thief Neighborhood Bistro (7152 Germantown Avenue): Relaxed New York inspired restaurant opened by lifelong Mt. Airy resident.
Must try at Street Fare: the Mojito! Refreshing & so, so good.
4. Avenida (7402 Germantown Avenue): Cute Latin American joint housed in one of the first three homes ever built in Germantown.
Must try at Street Fare: the Housemade Sangria. YUM.
Owners Edgar & Kim
3. Little Jimmie’s Bakery and Cafe (6669 Germantown Avenue): Friendly, professionally trained Southern chef whipping up some delish baked goods + a whole new Southwestern menu. You know I love that.
Must try at Street Fare: the Sweet Potato Cupcakes with cream cheese frosting. Yep.
2. Earth, Bread + Brewery (7136 Germantown Avenue): Awesome neighborhood restaurant complete with a microbrewery & wine on tap. Plus they have slammin flatbread pizzas.
Must try at Street Fare: the delicious beers (you’ll have to take Stephanie from My Tiny Philadelphia Kitchen‘s word on this – you know I’m more of a hard cider gal.)
New friends Stephanie & Jackie!
1. Jyoti (7220 Germantown Avenue): The result of wanting to bring fresh cooking to Mt. Airy after a 30-year Indian food canning business, owned by literally the most adorable woman in all of Mt. Airy.
Must try at Street Fare: the Kati Rolls – fried Indian bread rolled in chickpeas topped with lettuce, onions, cilantro and this chutney that was amaaaaazing.
Jyoti & her son Anuj, our Mt. Airy tour guide!
———————————————————————————————————
Mt. Airy Street Fare is taking place this Thursday, September 19th, from 6:00 – 10:30 pm. There will be over 40 food trucks & restaurants, live music, and an outdoor simulcast of the Eagles game! The drive up to Mt. Airy on Kelly Drive was beautiful and it would be a nice, quick getaway for your & your boo.
Will you be attending Street Fare? What are you looking forward to trying? xx
