Monthly Top Five - December

Hey, remember the What's Weekly Top 5 feature? So do we. The only problem is that it rarely came on a weekly basis, so we're switching gears. In  High Fidelity, the characters compare their top fives in a variety of categories. Being big fans of both the film and novel, we here at the What bring you our Weekly Monthly Top Five, a feature focused on five fantastic things that you should become familiar with.

Reasons to Visit Philadelphia in 2012

The City of Brotherly Love is a fantastic destination for arts and culture. With a great selection of museums, galleries, and theaters, there is no shortage of fantastic cultural institutions to choose from. While many flock to New York for theater or Washington for museums, Philadelphia has the best of both worlds. In 2012, several exciting events and exhibits are scheduled to be the highlight of Philly's cultural calendar.


5. Philly (Insert Fun Thing Here) Week - Chances are that no matter where your interests lie, Philly has a week for that. During Restaurant Week one can sample a variety of delicacies from the city's stellar selection of top-notch dining establishments. Fashion Week comes twice a year and boasts the best of Philly fashion. After taking a sabbatical in 2011, we can only hope it returns in 2012! If not, one can always find comfort in Beer Week. Beer Week is likely my favorite of all the weeks, as it is the perfect way for Philly's excellent roster of brewers to show their stuff.


4. The Festival Circuit - Philadelphia has become a hotbed for a variety of festivals over the years. With fests celebrating Film, Craft Beer, and all things folksy leading the helm, there are two somewhat newer festivals that lead the pack. In only its second year, the Philadelphia Science Festival looks to be at the top of many to-do lists after a strong debut in 2011 (as discussed by the What here). Perhaps the most anticipated of the many festivals offered in Philadelphia, is the Live Arts & Fringe fest. With a brand new headquarters and an ever-growing roster of participants, the Fringe is always a fantastic fest.

Pickelodeon: 25 Burgers

Welcome to Pickelodeon, a little feature where we review all that is reviewable in the world. Pickelodeon is your one stop shop for the inside scoop on the best restaurants, bars, movies, music, events, and anything else you want to hear someone else's opinion on before you try it. Drop us a line in the comment box for any suggestions on what we should review next!

25 Burgers

Way back in April of 2010, the first article written exclusively for the What was about where to find the best burger in Philly. While we did discus some pretty tasty burgers in that piece, it was not until Tuesday, May 24, 2011 that I had the best burger ever. I believe that when you venture to the place in which I experienced burger nirvana that you too will remember the day well. In fact, you may be moved to say something along these lines:

“Just a Burger? Just a burger. Robin, it’s so much more than “just a burger”. I mean…that first bite—oh what heaven that first bite is! The bun like a sesame freckled breast of an angel resting gently on the ketchup and mustard below—flavors mingling in a seductive pas-de-deux And then…a pickle…the most playful little pickle! Then a slice of tomato, a leaf of lettuce and a…a patty of ground beef so exquisite; swirling in your mouth breaking apart and combining again in a fugue of sweets and savor so delightful. This is no mere sandwich of grilled meat and toasted bread, Robin: this is God…speaking to us in food.”  -Marshall on How I Met Your Mother

Four Nights in Philly or What to do when it's not Friday or Saturday night

Philadelphia is a fun, vibrant city with a ton of things to do on any given night. If you know where to go, you can find some sweet deals at bars, restaurants, theaters or any number of locations to have a good time. We decided to help you out with finding some of these deals by creating a little weekly calendar that will help guide you through the city and through the week.

Monday: Movie Mondays at the Trocadero (Chinatown)- While Movie Mondays have been going on for quite some time, I actually did not discover the event until Geekadelphia hosted a showing of Machete on January 10th. The cover for this event is $3, and that $3 goes a very long way. If you arrive between the doors opening at 6:30PM and 7PM, you will get a special ticket that is good for one free can of PBR and a small popcorn. Everyone who comes to Movie Mondays also gets a wooden nickel, good for $3 at the bar, and a raffle ticket for prizes to be given out later. In addition to the raffle, there will be trivia based on the film for additional prizes. To give you an idea of the potential for prize winning, as a result of my first time attending Movie Monday, I walked out with $50 of free swag. Not too shabby for a $3 cover. Check out the Troc's schedule to see what movies they have on tap.

Tuesday:  Taco Tuesday (South Philly, West Chester) - Adding the word "taco" to it makes Tuesday my favorite day. I first discovered the joys of Taco Tuesday at Jitter's Sports Bar in West Chester when I had friends attending the school over there. Fifty cent tacos and $3 Coronas kept me coming back for years. These tacos are so good that I'd pay five bucks for a plate of them, so the fifty cent price tag is an amazing deal. For those not willing to make the trip to West Chester, Tres Jalapenos in South Philly gives you all you can eat tacos for $12.99 and Tattoed Mom's on South Street for $1 tacos. There is no shortage of Taco Tuesdays around, so keep your eyes peeled and get ready to enjoy some tacos!

Pickelodeon: PYT

Welcome to Pickelodeon, a little feature where we review all that is reviewable in the world. Pickelodeon is your one stop shop for the inside scoop on the best restaurants, bars, movies, music, events, and anything else you want to hear someone else's opinion on before you try it. Drop us a line in the comment box for any suggestions on what we should review next!

PYT

After reading several reviews of Northern Liberites' most banging burger joint, PYT, it occurred to me that I had yet to review it myself (save for this blip here), which is inexcusable. For an entire year, as I lived in South Carolina, I heard friends raving about this new place at some Piazza that opened up weeks after I left Philadelphia. For one whole year, I heard hype upon hype upon hype about how amazing PYT was, from the menu to the atmosphere to the staff. A twelve month stream of Facebook messages, texts, calls, and more all  hailing this bar as the greatest thing since beer. Yet somehow, despite the mountainous heap of praise I heard, once I experienced PYT for myself, it managed to surpass any hype I had heard. Let me break it down for you.

Pizza in the City of Brotherly Love

“Pizza is a lot like sex. When it's good, it's really good. When it's bad, it's still pretty good.” Whomever it was that said this was on the right track. Yet even though bad pizza can still be pretty good, it is still helpful to know where to go for the best pizza. Being that October is National Pizza Month, I felt that now would be a good time to highlight some of my favorite pizza joints in (and around) Philadelphia.

With that in mind, allow me to qualify what I am considering good pizza. To me, a decent pizza has a thin, somewhat crispy brown crust, a sweet sauce, and the perfect portion of mozzarella cheese. There are, of course, variations to this designation as pizza is quite the versatile food and can be served in a variety of ways. I will do my best to cover as much as possible, and I certainly welcome feedback as to which establishments you believe serve up the best pies.

Simply The Best Pizza

When asked what is my favorite pizza joint in Philly, I always immediately respond with Germantown Pizza, located where Germantown Ave. crosses 4^th and Jefferson streets in Old Kensington. Their crust meets the Goldilocks standard: just right. It’s crispy throughout with a nice, doughy edge. The guys at Germantown have found the perfect balance between mozzarella and their tasty sauce. It’s quite delicious. I’ve known several New Yorkers who, while usually snubbing Philly pizza, find the pies at Germantown to be just the way they like it. Aside from fantastic pizza, the staff is super nice and can boast a menu that has never let me down whether I’m ordering pizza, steaks, or anything else. Consider yourself lucky if you live in Germantown’s delivery radius, which stretches to Fishtown, NoLibs, and several other surrounding neighborhoods. If you’re not nearby, make the trip like I did when I lived in South Philly, it’ll be worth it.

Alternative Pizza

Family gatherings are always pleasant for many reasons, but one of the main reasons I look forward to having a bunch of relatives over is due to Marchiano’s Bakery. Marchiano’s is located at 4653 Umbria St. in Manayunk, which just so happens to be around the corner from my grandparents’ house. Nine times out of ten, when they come by, they’re bringing a tomato pie and some specialty breads. There’s just something about the sauce at Marchiano’s that makes it widely regarded as the best in Philly at preparing tomato pie. Furthermore, the talented bakers at Marchiano’s make some amazing breads stuffed with a variety of delicious things like pepperoni, cheese, cheesesteak, and so much more. There are few things more satisfying then scraping up the leftover sauce from your tomato pie with one of these breads. Be sure to swing by Marchiano’s before your next party, your guests will instantly fall in love with the amazing food you provided for them!

Me and Pizza Down by the Schoolyard

Enjoying Eddie's Pizza

When you combine a deep love for pizza with a fair amount of time spent on college campuses, you end up becoming something of an expert on which school has the best pizza. Call me biased, but no other school can lay claim to Eddie’s Pizza, found on the campus of my alma mater, Temple University. Situated in the outdoor food court next to the Tech Center, Eddie’s is the equivalent of heaven on earth for college students. Five bucks and five minutes gets you two slices and a drink for a quick bite between classes. Furthermore, the selection of pies rivals most larger pizza places in the city. I recommend a slice each of their chicken parm and BBQ chicken. In fact, Eddie’s is one of the few places that does chicken parm pizza the right way, with breaded chicken. While Temple may have a ton of potential places to stop for a bite, look no further than Eddie’s.

So Far Away – Pizza on the Edge of Town

With the holiday season fast approaching (don’t act like you haven’t seen the Christmas cards in Target), you may find yourself craving a slice far from Philadelphia and its fantastic pizza scene. Fear not, dear readers, for I have got you covered! For those of you who will make the trip to the Cherry Hill Mall, you’re only minutes from a pizza experience you’ve probably heard about on television but never experienced yourself. At 818 Haddonfield Rd, just around the corner from the mall, is Cici’s Pizza Buffet. For about seven bucks you have yourself unlimited pizza, pasta, breadsticks, salad, desert, and drinks. I first discovered Cici’s while living in Orlando and was beyond thrilled when one finally opened up in the Philly region. Should you decide to do some outlet shopping out in Lancaster county, you’re in luck. Not only are you near another Cici’s (2405 Covered Bridge Dr.), but also not too far from one of the best pizza places I’ve ever been to. In the world. Riviera Pizza is right off of exit 286 of the PA Turnpike on PA Route 272. Everything I said about Germantown Pizza is also true here, but Riv’s has the added bonus of seating. Speaking of added bonuses, if you do stop by and eat in the restaurant, you’ll get complimentary garlic knots with your pizza. To give you an idea of how much I like this pizza, I have ordered pies to go from Riv’s and driven them back to my apartment. In South Carolina. Now that’s some good pizza!

The Wind Cries Pizza

So, yes, bad pizza can still be pretty good, but no one should settle for anything less than the best. Certainly there are many more quality pizza establishments in the Philadelphia area, and you now have my opinion on where to find the best. I welcome any pizza joints you suggest so that I might try them out myself. Even if I didn’t mention your favorite place, give one of these pizza parlors a shot and I promise you won’t be disappointed.

Take Me To The Pizza

Germantown Pizza – 215.232.0100 – 1517 N. 4^th St. Phila, PA 19122

Marchiano’s Bakery – 215.483.8585 – 4653 Umbira St. Phila, PA 19127

Eddie’s Pizza – 215.763.8028 – 1835 N. 12^th St. Phila, PA 19122 

Cici’s Pizza – 856.910.2424 – 818 Haddonfield Rd. Cherry Hill, NJ 08002

Cici’s Pizza – 717.392.2740 – 2405 Covered Bridge Dr. Lancaster, PA 17602

Riviera Pizza & Restaurant – 717.336.3879 – 1405 N. Reading Rd. Reamstown, PA 17567

Pickelodeon: Positano Coast

Welcome to Pickelodeon, a little feature where we review all that is reviewable in the world. Pickelodeon is your one stop shop for the inside scoop on the best restaurants, bars, movies, music, events, and anything else you want to hear someone else's opinion on before you try it. Drop us a line in the comment box for any suggestions on what we should review next!

Positano Coast

Positano Coast, located on the second floor of 212 Walnut Street in Old City, is the best restaurant in the city. A lofty statement, yes, but true nonetheless. As a part of Aldo Lamberti's family of restaurants, this restaurant and wine bar has been providing primo Italian cuisine to the area for years.

I first discovered this gem about eight years ago when it was simply known as Lamberti's. At the time I was a poor college freshman stunned by my ability to set foot in such a classy establishment after years of dining at Ruby Tuesday's. Since then, the restaurant somehow managed to notch the class up a bit more and improve on the food that I found flawless. To this day each time I visit this establishment I am impressed by the relaxed Mediterranean atmosphere, exquisite menu selections, and impeccable service.

Benvenuto
The atmosphere of Positano Coast is aided by the fact it sits on the second floor. Upon entering the restaurant you are instantly on another level, rising above the sights and sounds of being on the street. Everywhere you look in the dining room you see blue, whether it be giant photographs of the actual Positano coast in Italy or the rich, blue colors of the floors and accent walls. The overall tone presented in the room has a relaxing effect and prepares you for your culinary experience before you even take your seat.

Once you are seated, you are presented with a clean, easy to read menu with a tremendous variety of plates to choose from. Before too long, your server arrives with a friendly greeting and the customary "Have you dined with us before?" Though many establishments insist on their staff asking that, it is actually relevant inquiry in this place. Positano's menu was created in "the tradition of the Amalfi coast," which is to say they serve smaller portions and encourage sharing. Feel free to chat with your server about this, and anything else for that matter. The staff at Positano Coast is extremely knowledgeable when it comes to recommending a meal based on your taste or suggesting the proper wine to accompany your dinner.

Alimento e Vino
Your server will leave you with some water and a fresh, fantastic crusty bread complete with dipping oil to dabble in as you choose your plates. Each time I go to Positano Coast, I tend to order a selection from the Let's Go On portion of the menu complimented with something from the On The Side section. Again, feel free to ask your server what side would best compliment your meal. My favorite is the Scottish Salmon Limoncello with the Capellini and Clams, both of which when paired with a white wine will send your taste buds into a frenzy of delight.

On the subject of wine, be prepared to have a bit more than the typical glass. The majority of the wines selected personally by general manager Marianna Coppola are served in a quartino. A quartino is a carafe of sorts, and at nine ounces translates to roughly one and a half glasses of wine. This, like the smaller portions of food, is to encourage sharing and tasting with your table mates.

L'esperienza
Once your meal is in full swing, a dining experience unlike any other is to follow. Whether with a group or on a date, the conversation will flow freely as you sample different plates and glasses. Your fellow diners will be impressed by your selection and very pleased with their meals. This is the ideal restaurant for a serious date, especially with the Ritz theater situated directly across cobblestoned Dock Street. It also would serve well for a business dinner or just a nice way to cap off a day in the city. In the warm weather, Positano Coast has the benefit of outdoor dining without the worry of cars parallel parking next to your table.

On a typical dinner date for two, the bill usually comes to about $130 including dinner, drinks, an appetizer, and a generous tip. I assure you that every penny is worth it, Positano Coast does not disappoint. And don't be afraid to try something new. Even foods I haven't liked elsewhere are delicious when prepared by the phenomenal chefs at Positano Coast.

For more information, you can call Positano Coast at 215-238-0499 or visit their website. Do yourself a favor and swing by for a meal this summer, you can thank me later.

Suggestions:

• Scottish Salmon Limoncello, Capellini and Clams, and a white wine recommended by your server
• Eggplant Napoleon, Homemade Gnocchi Gorgonzola, and a red wine recommended by your server