Ringing in 2016 with a Bang - Pub and Kitchen

Ringing in 2016 with a Bang - Pub and Kitchen

2015 was a big year for PBB! I started a blog, surpassed 1,000 followers and ate an excessive amount of eggs benedict. It was awesome. So I decided to keep things going, and start 2016 with a BANG! While everyone else is making resolutions to work out more, my resolution is to go to brunch more. Sorry to all of my girlfriends, but your diet is going to have to wait until 2017 – there are bacon strips to eat and mimosas to drink!

The first Saturday of 2016 started with a visit from one of my best friends, who lives in New York City. She’s a veteran bruncher, but I still wanted to take her somewhere great. Another friend and I had just recently had a great meal at Pub and Kitchen, so when she suggested the three of us head there I jumped at the idea. I’ve been to Pub and Kitchen a few times, and have left every time feeling completely satisfied, obsessing over how delicious their burgers are. Once I found out that they served brunch, it was placed high on my list of places to go. This was the perfect opportunity. PLUS, pub and kitchen will take a reservation for brunch, which is always a great convenience. We made our reservation and once our friend arrived, headed to 20^th and Lombard.

Walking in to Pub and Kitchen, you are met with a rustic, yet not out-dated charm. It’s cozy without being too tight of a space, and comfortable without being too low-key. Think wooden accents and lights strung on the ceiling. The windows let in plenty of light, and our booth provided a great spot for the good food and good conversation we’d have. It was busy but not packed, so the atmosphere was lively but not too loud. 

We each ordered coffees, which were refilled throughout our meal before we ever had to ask.  I was disappointed to see that the duck eggs benedict had been removed from the menu, but was assured by our waitress that it could come back at some point! I’ll have to return if it does.

Shishito peppers with truffle ranch

To start, we ordered the tempura shishito peppers. They came out quickly. These long green peppers were coated in batter and fried to perfection. The tempura added some crunch and the peppers had just enough flavor. They came in a dish with truffled ranch dressing at the bottom. The truffle ranch was flavorful and not too heavy. It was a delicious complement to the peppers. The peppers satiated my hunger but didn’t fill me up.

Chop Chop Salad

Close-up!

Next up were our main dishes. My one friend ordered the chop chop salad. She loved it! The vegetables were fresh and she raved about how good it was. Even more, the dish was beautiful. All of the different colors blended perfectly on the plate. It looked as amazing as it tasted.

Spinach and ricotta omelette with side salad

I ordered the spinach omelette with ricotta cheese. This came with a side salad. The salad was fresh and was tossed in a light dressing. It was a great compliment to a lighter option. The omelette was delicious, and very large. The ricotta had melted a bit and was smeared throughout the inside. It was a different taste than your average omelette, and added a little something extra, though it wasn’t too strong of a flavor. I added home fries on the side just in case this option was too healthy.

The burger with bacon and an egg on top

My other friend got one of her favorites – a burger with an egg and bacon on top. TIP: if you ever go to Pub and Kitchen, whether for brunch, lunch or dinner, GET A BURGER. Everything there is delicious, but their burger is outstanding. One of my favorites in the city. My friend really enjoyed it. There were two meat patties stacked on top of each other, with gooey cheese in between. The bacon was crisp and cooked just right. And the bun was toasted just enough to add a little texture. She subbed the French fries for home fries and made it a brunch burger by adding the bacon and egg. My meal was fantastic, but seriously, her burger looked INCREDIBLE.

Once again, I was satisfied with my meal at Pub and Kitchen. Next time, I plan on ordering a cocktail, as I am sure they are delicious. We lingered a bit and finished our coffees, chatting as we enjoyed the ambiance in this cute spot. I’ll be back at Pub and Kitchen grubbing on burgers ASAP, and will be recommending it as a great option for brunch as well.

Pub and Kitchen

1946 Lombard Street

Philadelphia, PA 19146

http://thepubandkitchen.com

A Feast with a View

A Feast with a View - SkyBrunch at Top of the Tower

Months ago, I received a text from my sister saying "Have you heard about SkyBrunch?! You should post about it." I was intrigued - SKYBRUNCH?! What could that possibly mean? It had the word brunch in it so I was obviously sold. I looked into it, and it turns out that super-fancy venue Top of the Tower hosts a brunch buffet on Sundays. Their website boasts about incredible views 50 floors up. It sounded fantastic. With the $50 price tag, however, I thought I'd save it for a special occasion. In the meantime, I posted about it on Instagram with the hashtag #brunchbabedreams.

Weeks later, I found one of those deal vouchers for this fancy brunch with a heavy discount. Sky Brunch for 4 with a $115 price tag. I couldn't resist. I quickly created a group chat with my 3 most likely brunch dates, who all already knew about my Sky Brunch dream. "OMG guys, I found a deal for Sky Brunch for almost half the price. WHO'S COMING WITH ME?!" 5 minutes later, the voucher had been purchased. Quick tip, if you do purchase a voucher (and I've seen them a few times since), make your reservation right away and be sure to include a note in your reservation that you have the voucher.

We made our reservation about a month out. After a very long month, it was finally the beginning of December! I took a break from studying for finals to indulge in an excessive brunch buffet, complete with a complimentary cocktail. 

The space is set in a high rise on Arch Street. We were asked for our reservation name upon arrival, and were then directed to the elevator and instructed to head to the 50th floor. Once we reached the 50th floor, we were directed through a lobby area, which held several food stations, and sat at a table for 4. 

The views were amazing!

The website wasn't lying - the views really were incredible! We took a moment to appreciate the view before we sat. There were several options on the cocktail menu to choose from. I went with the bloody mary. Our waiter then told us he'd bring the drinks over, but that we should feel free to start in on the buffet. Now, this wasn't your average brunch. Normally we'd sit and chat, have a laugh over a cocktail, replay the previous night's activities and cringe at the texts we'd sent the night before. But that day, there was no time for that. Brunch was served.

The first round

We took our time perusing the endless stations. The large main room had an omelette and short rib station, as well as quiches, fruit, bacon, and sausage. As if that wasn't enough, the hallway between the main room and the lobby contained even more stations, with items ranging from dessert to sushi. It took several minutes just to figure out where to begin! 

Chicken over french toast

Our first round began with fried chicken over french toast, one of the highlights of the meal. The combination between sweet and savory was perfect. Syrup added some extra sweetness, and it all melted together in your mouth.

Lox Station

Another favorite was the lox station. There were several different types, including a blackened smoked salmon. This station provided bagels, cream cheese, and all the fixings. 

Charcuterie

In addition to the breakfast foods, there was charcuterie and roasted chicken. The au gratin potatoes, another standout, were just the right amount of cheesy. Yet another station held a sushi plate and enough shrimp cocktail to feed a small army. Everywhere I turned there was another station - and it was all delicious! 

Just a few desserts

Our last round was dessert, and we each carefully selected a few small cakes or pastries from the delicate display. The cakes were moist and flaky, and were the perfect sweet ending to our indulgent feast.

Classic bloody mary

An hour and three (okay fine, maybe four - but dessert doesn't really count, right?) plates later, my friends and I had had enough. After paying our bill, we slowly peeled ourselves out of our chairs and walked towards the door. Sky Brunch had been great, but it was time for a nap. My recommendation for all of those considering this brunch: get a deal if you can, take some time to appreciate the views, and come hungry.

Another incredible view

SkyBrunch at Top of the Tower

http://www.skybrunch.com

1717 Arch Street, 50th Floor

Philadelphia, PA 19103

Suppa: Not Just for Supper

I'm a planner. I love to plan. So when Friday night rolls around and I don't have plans for brunch the next morning I start to panic: Where will I go?! Who will come with me?! Booze or no booze?! (Hint: The answer is usually YES - Booze).  So it likely came as no surprise when I texted my friend Kristen and asked her Friday night if she would attend brunch with me in the morning. Kristen's a great friend, and she obviously was interested. Who wouldn't be?! It's BRUNCH.

The outdoor area and entrance at Suppa

We woke up in the morning and took our time before deciding where to go. When the time came, we threw out a few ideas but couldn't make a decision. Then -- it happened. We saw a friend and fellow Instagrammer's post about Suppa, and instantly knew we had found "the one." We headed via cab to Northern Liberties, where Suppa is located on Liberties Walk. It was easy to find, though one might not know where to go if you are not familiar with the area. Liberties Walk is a quaint little area near the Piazza where a few business are placed along what can't be classified as a street, but rather a square. It's a really great spot, off the beaten path so you aren't backing up to traffic but still in a great central location in Northern Liberties. We arrived and because it was such a beautiful day, decided to sit outside at one of the several wooden tables they had set up. BONUS - THE TABLE WASN"T WOBBLY!

Cinnamon Pull-Aparts at Suppa

 Once seated, our waiter came to greet us and give us our menus. He was a very nice guy, and was happy to entertain my shpiel about seeing a post and being "super excited to try this place!" Being a newbie, I had to ask for some recommendations. Our waiter suggested that most people like to start with the cinnamon pull-aparts. At 4 dollars, we couldn't say no. Boy were we glad we ordered them. They came out hot and gooey, icing dripping. You could probably eat them with your hands but we opted to use forks and knives like the ladies we are. That's not to say I wouldn't have bathed in the icing, however. It was sweet but not too rich, and was the perfect compliment to the doughy cinnamon bites. We had only spent $4 and tried one item at this point, but we were already raving about Suppa.

Next up were our entrees. It was difficult to decide what to get. The menu was extensive and everything sounded delicious. It was later in the day, so I had a craving for a more lunch-centered entree. I went with Chicken and waffles. Kristen went with the burger. 

The Brunch Burger at Suppa

Chicken and Waffles at Suppa

The brunch burger came out literally oozing cheese. It was a tall tasty stack of bun, beef, tomato, fried egg, and caramelized onion, covered in melting cheese. The sight of it was glorious. Based on Kristen's reaction, the taste of it was as well. It was so large and stacked she had to cut it in half,  eating one half at a time. She opted for the sautéed potatoes on the side, which were complimentary and also delicious. Kristen thoroughly enjoyed her entree, and I enjoyed staring at how graciously the cheese dripped over the sides of the hearty burger.

The chicken and waffles were equally as aesthetically pleasing. The plate consisted of a thin maple waffle, though not too thin as it was the perfect amount of sweet to go with the savory fried chicken piled on top. Both the chicken and waffle were draped in a savory gravy, with scallions added on top for extra flavor. The plate also offered a small side of syrup, which was sweet and not too thick or sticky. It was the perfect compliment to an otherwise amazing dish. The chicken was crispy and hot. It was cooked to perfection. The waffle was just substantial enough to stand up next to the chicken, rounding out the perfect combination. The gravy was heavy but savory. It added an extra flavor to what was already a great duo. The portion was plenty, as I wasn't even able to finish it. It was truly a stellar dish.

Our waiter was then prompt with our check, and it's notable that he had a smile on his face throughout our entire meal. Nothing tops off a great meal at a restaurant like great service. We paid our check and left full and happy. We found yet another great brunch spot in Philadelphia, and we'll absolutely be returning.

Totally worth mentioning: Suppa is dog-friendly.
This little guy was at the table next to us and they even brought him a doggie bowl!

Suppa
1040 N American St #1101
Philadelphia, PA 19123
http://www.timeforsuppa.com

White Dog Cafe; Philly's Best New Year's Eve Hangover Cure

I wanted my first post to be something special - a reflection of one my favorite brunch experiences to date. The first thing that came to mind was the White Dog Cafe New Years Day Pajama Brunch. Think it sounds awesome? Well, it was. 

This isn't just any brunch; you wear your pajamas. To be clear, this means trekking through the city clad in your fuzziest, coziest, most public-appropriate PJs. My boyfriend promised he'd take me to this annual brunch, as he'd gone for years as a kid and knew how much I'd love attending. We made reservations well in advance, which I believe is a wise choice as it was quite busy. The night before, we spent hours drinking champagne and counting down the seconds until midnight. 

The Lancaster 3-Egg Omelette at White Dog Cafe

It was only right that we cured our champagne hangover with some brunch the next day. But once we dragged ourselves out of bed we realized there was a problem - my boyfriend forgot to bring his pajamas to my apartment the night before. HOW were we to attend pajama brunch sans-pajamas!? It was, really, a catastrophe. But with a little quick thinking, and a few awkward moments of my boyfriend trying to squeeze into my PJ bottoms, we found a solution. Moments later, we left my center-city apartment - me in my flannel heart pajamas and my boyfriend in the most spectacular pink fluffy robe. We were quite the sight. As we rode the subway to University City, we ignored the stares from passersby and happily reveled in our extreme comfort.

We finally made it to White Dog Cafe, just in time for our reservation. We were seated right away, in a room filled with beautiful high-back chairs and paintings of - you guessed it - DOGS. But these weren't just any dogs. They were regal, poised and posed. The paintings were works of art, really. Our service was prompt and speedy, and before I knew it we were ordering from an extensive menu filled with items that included a delightful mix of breakfast and lunch. I chose the Lancaster County 3-Egg Omelette and he chose the Avocado BLT. We sipped our tasty, strong coffee while we waited for our food. 

Avocado BLT at White Dog Cafe

When the food came, we were starving and dug right in. The omelette, filled with goat cheese, tomatoes, bacon and spinach, was a satisfying mix of all four items. The flavors meshed well and offered a unique taste for brunch. The side home fries with sautéed onion were tasty, though I prefer a crunchier potato. A side salad rounded the meal out. Overall, the dish was tasty and flavorful. Goat cheese on an omelette is starting to become more popular, though it is not as common as other cheeses, such as American or cheddar. I highly suggest it.

My boyfriend's BLT was the real star of the show, however. The bread was buttered and toasted just right. The avocado, tomato and lettuce were fresh. And the bacon was crispy. The cheese, though delicious, was just an additional added flavor, and while usually a star, was topped by the other fresh and perfectly-paired ingredients. He was ranting and raving about this sandwich from the very first bite.

We finished our meals totally satisfied - and ready for a nap! We paid the bill, and took a look around before we headed out. He remembered an old gift shop in the restaurant, but we discovered that it was no longer there. We made our way out of White Dog Cafe happy and full. If you're looking for a brunch that is both delicious and comfortable at the same time, look no further. White Dog Cafe's New Year's Day Pajama Brunch is the way to go.

White Dog Cafe - University City
3420 Sansom Street
Philadelphia PA, 19104
http://www.whitedog.com/home.html

Welcome to PhillyBrunchBabe.blogspot.com!

Welcome to PhillyBrunchBabe's Blog! After much debate, I've decided to start blogging about my Philadelphia brunch adventures. Get ready for some enticing reviews, and please feel free to share your comments and suggestions with me as well. Also, I'm new to this whole blogging thing, so please bear with me as I figure it out. Happy brunching! :)