Whether it’s a fresh lunch option or a place you've seen getting ready to open in your neighborhood, great new restaurants have been popping up all over the city. We took a closer look at five of the up-and-coming spots.
Walnut Street Café
University City
Breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner are all available at this classy but comfortable new destination for modern American cuisine. Coffee and simple dishes start the weekdays for under $10 but the fancier weekend brunch menu is the bigger draw—don't miss live jazz in the early afternoon on Sundays to accompany your pork belly sandwich, black scrapple or steak and eggs. Dinner features a raw bar, pastas, seafood and meat entrees (with prices into the $20s) plus an extensive wine list and full bar. Reservations recommended.
The Bagel Place
Queen Village
This neighborhood-focused new bagel-maker has even been pleasing some New Yorkers with its version of this glutenous favorite. Nearly two dozen types of bagels ($1.50 alone) form the foundation for more than a dozen types of spreads ($3-$4), and a creative selection of breakfast and lunch sandwiches ($5-$9). Don't miss bagel options like rosemary and cracked pepper or "French toast," spreads like cheddar horseradish, and sandwiches like croque madames, Cubanos, and smoked beet reuben. Did we mention bialys, the smoked fish selection, or matzo ball soup? The menu has it all; seating is somewhat limited but delivery is also an option.
D'jakarta Cafe
South Philadelphia
Authentic Indonesian food is hard to find in most of the country, but this diverse area of the city has served up a bright new sit-down spot where you can get easy wins like chicken satay($5), and traditional dishes like soto betawi, the favorite soup of Jakarta. It includes beef, tripe, tomatoes and potatoes, cooked in coconut milk and served with white rice on the side ($6.5). You can get full here for under $10, unless you were to, say, add the iced sweet dessert called es cendol for an additional $3.
Chengdu Famous Food
Powelton Village
Named for the capitol of China's Sichuan province, this new fast-casual restaurant has been quickly winning over Chengdu natives and the rest of Philadelphia alike. Dan dan and tian shu noodles, Chengdu-style burgers, pigs feet in chili oil and ice jelly are some of the favorites so far, and almost every dish on the menu is under $10. If you've had Sichuan food before, you know to come prepared for lots of flavor, spice and heat.
Fezziwig's Sweet Shoppe
Old City
Done with dinner? Go put yourself into a sugary food coma via a generous helping of homemade ice cream, kettle corn, water ice, pastries, or maybe a combo version like the "Walk Away Sundae" — your choice from the daily sundae specials menu, packed into a jumbo waffle cone. Out of the many classic and new ice cream flavors to choose from, Cookie Monster (blue-colored cookies and cream) and Death By Chocolate are two standouts so far. Prices can climb above $10 if you get the biggest servings, and watch for a burger-focused dinner menu to get introduced soon.
