Restaurants in Pennsylvania
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Jim's Steaks
If you can brave the long lines - which bust out of the front door and snake around the side of the shiny art-deco building - you'll be in for a treat at this Philly institution, which serves mouthwatering cheesesteaks and hoagies (plus soups, salads and breakfasts).
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Amada
One of several Spanish tapas places to have opened in Philly in the last few years, Amada is run by renowned restaurateur Jose Garces - weekend dinner reservations are hard to come by. The long communal tables foster a bustling, happening and loud atmosphere and the combination of bold and traditional flavored dishes (try the crab-stuffed peppers) are phenomenal.
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Farmicia
Dedicated to simply crafted, local and organic foods, the meals at this BYOB spot - including an organic Angus burger with caramelized onions, and Alaskan salmon with roasted beets and lentils - are creative and soul satisfying. Vegetarians are well-cared-for, with a variety of tofu, pasta and veggie-and-grain plates to choose from. Weekend brunch rocks, too.
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Capogiro Gelato Artisans
Whatever you do, if you're up for dessert, don't skip Capogiro, which is not your average ice cream shop. The design here is slicker than a Barcelona nightclub, and the gelato, in dozens of outrageous flavours - like cilantro-lime and black walnut, all made from hormone-free cows - is perfection. Moo!
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White Dog Cafe
This 24-year-old institution is the kind of funky-yet-upscale place that college students get their visiting parents to take them to for special dinners or brunch. The local, largely organic menu offers creative interpretations of meat and fish dishes.
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La Viola
Facing off across the street from one another are the old and new La Violas - both BYOB. The former is a cramped and unpretentious dining room, while the latter is larger and more modern; the cuisine at both, however, is fresh and reasonably priced.
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G
Maoz Vegetarian
This tiny storefront, actually an outpost of a chain from Amsterdam, is always packed with healthy hipsters wanting in on the cheap, fresh falafel sandwiches, which you can pile high with marinated veggies, toppings and sauces.
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Pod
Part of the restaurateur Stephen Starr's empire, this space-age-looking theme restaurant has pan-Asian treats including dumplings and some of the best sushi in Philly, plus plenty of quirky cocktails and original desserts.
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Abay
This funky spot features great Ethiopian cuisine from chicken- to lentil-based stews, all served with a particularly good version of that spongy, delicious injera bread instead of cutlery.
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Original Hot Dog Shop
Affectionately nicknamed 'dirty Os' or 'the O' by locals, this is a favorite for its cheap dogs and mounds of crispy fries - especially after a night at the bars.
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Koreana
Koreana satisfies students and others interested in good, inexpensive Korean fare; enter from the parking lot in the back of the shopping plaza.
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Horizons
One of the few restaurants in Philly to satisfy the vegan gourmand, Horizons serves healthy, guilt-free dishes made of soy and veggies.
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Continental
A stylized old-fashioned diner, the specialties here are hip crowds, eclectic tapas and specialty martinis - as indicated by the huge speared martini olives that hang from the ceiling.
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Derek's
Main St is a bustling restaurant row and Derek's takes pride of place, cooking up quality seasonal dishes, with the three-course lunch or dinner a tasty budget option. Arrive a little early for one of Philadelphia's best cocktails or if you like your Sunday's very laidback drop by as the entire wine list is half-price.
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O
Lolita
This always-packed BYOB offers up tasty takes on the Mexican-fusion trend, such as epazote tamales and duck breast stuffed with fat cherries, plus a variety of margarita mixes you can pour into your BYO tequila. A lesbian-owned establishment, it's especially popular with the pre-nightclub gay crowd.
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UUBU 6
The first high-end eatery to open in the rapidly gentrifying South Side Slopes, this cozy newbie is housed in a spiffed-up old union lodge, and serves delicacies such as asparagus-and-peeky-toe-crab risotto (for lunch) and, for dinner, duck meatballs with mustard greens and seared basil swordfish.
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Le Bec-Fin
Totally over-the-top in its old-world snooty splendor, Le Bec-Fin is rated by many gourmets as the country's best restaurant for its setting, service and superb French food. Expect top-notch service, stuffy diners and rich and sophisticated meat and seafood dishes.
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Trolley Car Diner
Housed in a classic art-deco diner (moved here from its former site in Wilkes Barre, PA), this old-fashioned, family-style diner serves all the comfort food: club sandwiches, patty melts, fried shrimp, salads and a homemade, white-bean 'peanut butter' sandwich.
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Sam's Morning Glory Diner
With its bright indoor wall mural, sunny service and creative fare - try the asparagus-salmon frittata, tofu scramble or homemade pancakes - this is the perfect place to kick start your day. Fresh salads and sandwiches also make it a great lunchtime pit-stop.
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Eleven
The ubiquitous Big Burrito Restaurant Group (which also owns Kaya) has done it again with this slick, high-ceilinged, eclectic eatery, with top-notch fare such as gnocchi with broccoli rabe, Alaskan halibut and an elaborate vegetarian tasting menu.
reviewed
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La Locanda del Ghiottone
The name means 'the Place of the Glutton, ' and Chef Giussepe and Joe the head waiter encourage overeating. Small and modestly designed, unlike other nearby trendy spots, this place the gnocchi, mushroom crepes and mussels are recommended. BYOB.
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Gypsy Café
The purple floors and walls and brightly colored rugs make loyal patrons here as happy as the fresh, seasonal fare. Sample menu items include a smoked trout plate and a stew of shrimp, scallop and feta. Hours are changeable so call ahead
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Cuba Libre
Colonial America couldn't feel further away at this festive, multistoried Cuban eatery and rum bar. The creative and inspired menu includes Cuban sandwiches, guava-spiced BBQ, and savory black beans and salads tossed with smoked fish.
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Primanti Bros
A Pittsburgh institution on the Strip, this always-packed place specializes in greasy and delicious hot sandwiches - from knockwurst and cheese to the 'Pitts-burger cheesesteak.' Other outlets are in Oakland, downtown and South Side.
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Dish Osteria Bar
A tucked-away, intimate locals' fave. The simple wood tables and floors belie the at-times extravagant Mediterranean creations, which range from fresh sardines with caramelized onions to fettuccine with lamb ragù.
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