Philadelphia and the Countryside - Press Room

Situated amidst richly fertile farmland and home to innovative urban growing projects, Philadelphia is a market-goer’s dream. The open-air stalls dotting the city and countryside—from the bustling energy of the indoor Reading Terminal Market to the gingham-clothed tables of the Phoenixville Market—collectively connect consumers to freshly grown and produced food every day of the week. With many now accepting electronic payments, Philly’s growing roster of markets has made eating fresh, local food a way of life for its residents. Here are just a few places to find seasonal goodies and support area farms:

Year-Round Markets:

• The only farmers’

One hundred years ago, Philadelphia was known as the greatest brewing city in the Western Hemisphere, or the “Cradle of American Libation,” according to food critic Craig LaBan of The Philadelphia Inquirer. In fact, it was in Philadelphia taverns that the American Revolution took hold. Today, area craft breweries have reclaimed the region’s reputation by brewing some of the world’s best beer and earning the recognition as Maxim’s “favorite beer burg” and one of the “The 5 Best Beer Cities in America” according to GQ, among other notable designations assigned by the national press. Visitors can tour the facilities, sample

Already sampled Philly’s iconic cheesesteaks, hoagies and pretzels? Then go beyond these local delicacies to sample some of the city’s lesser-known culinary treasures. From the signature bloody beet “steak” at The Farm and Fisherman and the plantain-crusted fish tacos at La Calaca Feliz to the twice-fried chicken at Resurrection House and the butterscotch budino at Barbuzzo, flavor-seekers will find plenty to explore in the Philadelphia region. Here are 30 dishes and drinks for any visitor’s must-try list:

Appetizers:

1. Not many American cities can boast a Burmese restaurant, but Chinatown’s Rangoon has been going strong for 20 years with authentic

Philadelphia welcomes 2013 with a host of new and notable restaurants and bars. The big trends this winter? Italian cuisine and pizza, cocktails and coffee, and existing restaurants updated with new looks and concepts. From neo-Southern cuisine in Conshohocken to a Fishtown pizzeria from a local expert—along with a slew of new openings coming this spring—Philly’s kitchens runneth over. Here’s a look at some of the exciting flavors worth sampling now:

Tasty New Openings:

• Zahav’s Michael Solomonov enters the Main Line dining scene with the upscale glatt kosher restaurant Citron and Rose, where the delicacies include mushroom knishes with

Philadelphia’s restaurants are poised to cook up a whole new menu of deliciousness in the coming year. With increased attention from national press and an influx of talent from other cities swooping in to join the scene, local eateries are becoming ever more cosmopolitan, seeking inspiration from influences as varied as Southern and Japanese cuisines while still maintaining the region’s rootsy culinary identity. Meanwhile, chefs are going deeper into DIY to make their own charcuterie and spirits and working to elevate vegan eating to the next level of sophistication. In all, these trends should make for a very tasty twelve

Philly’s restaurants can fuel any power breakfast with high style and great flavor. In the mood for an organic smoothie? How about chipped beef? Maybe it’s a quiche Lorraine kind of morning? Here’s a look at some of the best bets around town for early meeting and eating:

Cosmopolitan Conferences:

• A mod restaurant at the base of the AKA Rittenhouse, a.kitchen serves a well-heeled morning workforce toasted bagels with smoked salmon, thick cut onion and tomato; homemade English muffins with country sausage and fried egg; Counter Culture Coffee; and pastries from local artisanal bake shop Au Fournil. Monday through

The canned beer revolution is gaining momentum, and Philadelphia restaurants and bars are embracing it in a big way. In August 2012, craftcans.com named “15 Cantastic Places to Get a Beer,” and three Philly places made the list, with Percy Street Barbecue topping it and Memphis Taproom and BAR following behind at #15 and #10 respectively. Meanwhile, canned beer is popping up all over town, from suds-snob hangouts like Craft Ale House and Grey Lodge Pub to burlesque bars and gastropubs such as Trestle Inn and Good Dog Bar. Here’s a look at some of the best places to sip,

With the world’s first pizza museum and shop, Pizza Brain, opening in the Fishtown section of Philadelphia in late summer 2012, pizza lovers finally have a place to explore the crispy, charred inner recesses of America’s favorite food. With more than 550 artifacts in rotation, Pizza Brain educates eaters about the cultural impact of the famed Italian import over the years, while serving up gas oven-fired pies topped with environmentally conscious ingredients.

And that’s just the beginning—there’s a world of pizza secrets to explore in the Philadelphia region, from a suburban “speakeasy” to some rightfully picky pizza makers to dough-throwing

Philadelphia is full of edible treasures, and national food shows are recognizing the region’s arrival as a delicious dining town by filming segments and entire programs that show off top restaurants, stellar dishes and expert chefs. Whether it’s the Throwdown with Bobby Flay episode showcasing Tony Luke’s classic cheesesteak, the Man v. Food segment featuring the enormous Mt. Vesuvius sundae at The Franklin Fountain or any number of The Best Thing I Ever Ate highlights, there’s real flavor behind the hype. Here’s a look at a few of the great local eats that have been given the television treatment:

Chef

The Prohibition craze that’s manifesting in the nation’s bars, bookstores and TV programs will spark even more interest when the American Spirits: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition makes its debut at Philadelphia’s National Constitution Center, which is curating and hosting the first-of-its-kind exhibition from October 19, 2012 to April 28, 2013. The exhibit contains 120 rare artifacts, including original ratification copies of the 18^th and 21^st Amendments, and interactive elements such a recreated speakeasy where visitors can learn to dance the Charleston.

Outside the Constitution Center, visitors can partake in the Prohibition party at bars, restaurants and

Soda as we know it had its early origins in Philadelphia, thanks to a few enterprising doctors and pharmacists: Many historians believe Dr. Philip Syng Physick sold the first flavored carbonated beverage, while transplanted Englishman Joseph Hawkins patented a device to pump bubbly water for dispensing in his apothecary in 1809, thus setting the stage for drugstore soda counters. Today soda is enjoying a resurgence in the region, with local chefs, bartenders and craft producers adding fresh new twists to the carbonated soft drink. With newfangled flavors like jalapeño lime or an old-school specialty like Black Cherry Wishniak, Philly’s sodas

A Philly summertime favorite, water ice is just the tip of the frozen dessert scene in a city where artisan purveyors, trendy restaurateurs and brilliant pastry chefs are reimagining the possibilities for ice cream, popsicles, shakes and sundaes. From the just-opened Shake Shack (replete with locally themed shakes) to the artisan vegan ice cream sold from Little Baby’s tricycle to a dip-your-own popsicle in chocolate fondue, there are all sorts of ways to get and stay cool in Philly this summer.

For a full look at Philly’s best summer events, treats and must-dos, check out uwishunu.com’s Summer Guide, available

There’s only one place for beer lovers to be this summer, and that’s Philadelphia, where beer gardens abound and where craft beers are king. The newest addition to the city’s beer garden scene, Morgan’s Pier, boasts a can’t-be-beat view of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, a picnic-inspired menu developed by David Katz and a beer list that’s 20 drafts and 20 cans strong.

Here’s a look at the city’s beer gardens—all concentrated in the close-in-proximity neighborhoods of Old City, Northern Liberties and Fishtown—where suds devotees can enjoy warm temps and laid-back vibes, along with pale ales, pilsners and porters aplenty.

• Now

Dining is big business in Philadelphia, with visitors spending $1.4 billion on food and beverage in 2010, according to Tourism Economics. Those in search of healthy choices are thrilled with the region’s vast and ever-evolving dining scene. From upscale white tablecloth with inventive vegetable creations to raw foods and gluten-free dishes, Philly’s veg-friendly scene offers possibilities aplenty. Here are some spots worth checking out:

Destination Dining:

• Blackbird Pizzeria, an entirely vegan pizza shop experience right off of South Street, serves up can’t-resist favorites like the nacho pizza, with caramelized onions, jalapeños, avocado and dairy-free cheese, and sandwiches including the

A city reveals itself through its street food, and Philadelphia has always had a bountiful spread of on-the-fly options. Locals and visitors can taste food truck fare en masse at Night Market Philadelphia, scheduled for two Thursday evenings this season, May 24 in Northern Liberties and June 28 along Washington Avenue, or at Philadelphia’s second-annual Vendy Awards, in which the city’s best food trucks vie to be the best, this July. Of course, foodies can always taste the yummy creations the original way, on city streets. Local food trucks run the gamut from student grub in stainless steel

In Philadelphia and The Countryside®, more and more people—especially those with children—have developed an interest in understanding where their food comes from and finding ways to get involved in the local food scene. Whether they want to buy fresh food for their family, get a taste of new local flavors or teach their kids that milk comes from a cow not a carton, a growing number of visitors and locals are finding answers through agritourism—agricultural activities on or sponsored by farms.

Here’s a look at some of the region’s family-friendly offerings:

Easy Pickins:

• Active Acres Farm, located just north

Reading Terminal Market Expansion
A favorite of residents and tourists alike, Philly’s preeminent indoor market and local food hub has been around since 1892, but in 2012 the Reading Terminal Market is getting bigger and better. With increased sales, a growing city population and the recently enlarged Pennsylvania Convention Center stretching its capacity, the market—housing all of Philly’s classic foods (cheesesteaks, hoagies, soft pretzels and more) under one roof—is in the midst of a $3.5 million revamp. Storage has been moved to the basement, opening up stalls for five new retailers, and bathrooms are getting a needed update, in addition

According to local lore, the original hoagie-makers were Italian immigrants who sold their wares from carts or dockside luncheonettes. Today, the region’s favorite sandwich knows no bounds: From South Philly to the suburbs, there are go-to hoagie shops in every town and every neighborhood, and many even send their sandwiches through the mail to sate long-distance cravings. Whether it’s a traditional combo of spicy meats and fragrant dressing or a creative variation with artisan ingredients, there’s no shortage of the city’s signature cold sandwich. Here’s a look at some of the most sought-after hoagies in town:

All Over Town:

Here in Philly, cheesesteaks and hoagies are civic icons, tourist draws and cultural obsessions. Often imitated around the world, the sandwiches are rarely duplicated successfully outside of Philadelphia. Here’s the lowdown on the cheesesteak and hoagie.

What Is A Cheesesteak?:
A cheesesteak is a long, crusty roll filled with thinly sliced sautéed ribeye beef and melted cheese. Generally, the cheese of choice is Cheez Whiz®, but American and provolone are common substitutions. The art of cheesesteak preparation lies in the balance of flavors, textures and what is often referred to as the “drip” factor. Other toppings may include fried

A new wave of coffee has officially hit Philadelphia and The Countryside® like a red-eye with an extra shot. Included in the craze are cafes roasting their own signature beans, baristas who specialize in perfectly engineered espressos and coffeehouses that use one-of-a-kind La Marzocco machines. From an Australian flat white to a Chemex-brewed cuppa, the possibilities for delicious caffeination are endless. Here are just a few local favorites:

Signature Beans:

• Offering its own Fair Trade Certified, Certified Organic beans roasted in-house, Newtown Square’s Burlap and Bean distinguishes itself as an ambitious independent spot with a cozy, welcoming atmosphere. 204