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