North of Old City along 2nd Street, with the Piazza, Standard Tap's gastropub model since 1999 and a tight cluster of breweries and cocktail rooms.
Street Side in Philadelphia is a small Vietnamese BYOB on West Girard, an Asian street-food counter with hand-rolled rice paper rolls, kroeung beef skewers.
Signature: Pho, Pork belly rice paper roll
Order: Pork belly rice paper roll; kroeung beef skewer; pho with the side plate of herbs.
Tip: BYOB. Bring a Vietnamese lager or a crisp Riesling. Tight room, so go early or get it to go.
Street Side in Philadelphia is a tiny Vietnamese BYOB on West Girard, an Asian street-food counter with hand-rolled rice paper rolls, kroeung beef skewers.
Signature: Pho, Pork belly rice paper roll
Order: Pork belly rice paper roll; kroeung beef skewer; a bowl of pho with the side plate of herbs.
Tip: BYOB. Bring a Vietnamese lager or a crisp Riesling. Mostly a takeout-friendly counter, so go early for a seat.
Standard Tap in Philadelphia is the Northern Liberties gastropub since 1999, with a daily chalkboard menu, all-Pennsylvania taps and the chicken pot pie.
Signature: Chicken pot pie, Steak frites
Order: The daily chicken pot pie; steak frites; whichever oysters are on the chalkboard that night.
Tip: The roof deck opens April to October. No reservations; walk up and put your name on the list.
Honey's Sit 'n Eat in Philadelphia is the Northern Liberties comfort-food counter at 4th and Brown since 2005, with challah French toast, latkes.
Signature: Challah French toast, Latkes
Order: Challah French toast; potato latkes with sour cream and applesauce; the brisket-and-egg plate.
Tip: No reservations. Aim for 10:00 weekday or 09:30 Saturday. Cash and cards land equally.
Ortlieb's on North 3rd in Northern Liberties is the independent Philadelphia music room and hot dog bar, with funk, jazz and indie bookings nightly.
Tip: Tuesday jazz jam runs free, hosted by former owner Pete Souders. Cheap tacos at the bar; the back room is the music space.