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Kisso Sushi<br />

205 N. 4th Street, 215–922–1770.<br />

($$) At Kisso, you’ll find traditional<br />

Japanese tavern food, from edamame<br />

(boiled soy beans) to sashimi to seaweed<br />

salad to broiled eel and classic<br />

sushi such as tekka maki (tuna roll).<br />

Wacky local inventions like the six–<br />

piece “hot dog” roll with broiled yellowtail,<br />

asparagus and scallions are a<br />

must. Non–sushi standouts include<br />

broiled salmon with ponzu, a soy–<br />

citrus–wasabi sauce. Web: kissosushibar.com<br />

Le Champignon de Tokio Sushi Bar<br />

124–126 Lombard Street, 215–922–<br />

2515. ($$) Enjoy the classic French<br />

and Japanese atmosphere with candlelight,<br />

fresh flowers, wine and sake.<br />

Swing–ballroom and Argentine tango<br />

lessons. Bed and breakfast. Sushi catering<br />

now available. Sushi workshop<br />

from Madame Saito. Web: sushi.madamesaito.com<br />

Maki House<br />

240 South Street, 215–351–0868.<br />

($$) Serving freshly made salads,<br />

sushi and hot Japanese food made<br />

to order. A variety of authentic Bento<br />

Boxes complete the menu. Catering<br />

orders and delivery also available.<br />

Web: yelp.com/biz/maki–house–philadelphia<br />

Mizu Sushi<br />

111 S. 40th Street, 215–382–1745.<br />

($$) Offers fresh–made sushi & noodle<br />

soups. Perfect for both on–the–go and<br />

sit down dining. Only the freshest and<br />

highest quality ingredients are used.<br />

Located right on campus, but also<br />

check out their two other Philadelphia<br />

locations in Rittenhouse Square and<br />

Old City! Web: mizusushibar.com<br />

Morimoto<br />

723 Chestnut Street, 215–413–<br />

9070. ($$$$) Morimoto is a cutting–<br />

edge restaurant serving contemporary<br />

Japanese cuisine. Chef Masaharu Morimoto<br />

of Iron Chef fame prepares traditional<br />

dishes with a modern flair. Sit<br />

at the bar or at a table – both options<br />

are great! Along with other Stephen<br />

Starr restaurants, expect modern decor<br />

and delicious food but at relatively<br />

steep prices. Web: morimotorestaurant.com<br />

Nara Japanese Restaurant<br />

4002 Spruce Street, 215–387–<br />

1583. ($$) Great sushi and teriyaki<br />

dishes right on campus. Reasonably<br />

priced, too. Web: yelp.com/biz/nara–<br />

japanese–restaurant–philadelphia<br />

Pod<br />

3636 Sansom Street, 215–387–<br />

1803. ($$$) Creative Pan–Asian<br />

cuisine and sushi shipped along an<br />

elliptical conveyer belt and a very innovative<br />

interior with seating arranged<br />

in ‘pod’ shapes. Web: podrestaurant.<br />

com<br />

Ramen Bar<br />

4040 Locust Street, (215) 243–<br />

9999. ($$) New Ramen Bar just<br />

opened by campus. Large bowls of<br />

fresh ramen with a full bar opening on<br />

the way. Web: ramenbarphilly.com<br />

Raw Sushi & Sake Lounge<br />

1225 Sansom Street, 215–238–<br />

1903. ($$$) Between the exotic sushi<br />

bar, traditional hot entrees, and<br />

overstuffed specialty rolls, you’re<br />

guaranteed to find something you love<br />

at RAW Sushi & Sake Lounge. The<br />

15–feet glass bar houses an impressive<br />

shelf of exotic sakes that caters<br />

to new tasters as well as sake connoisseurs.<br />

While you dine, take in the<br />

view of Japanese lamps floating from<br />

the bamboo ceiling, or step outside<br />

into the private outdoor courtyard and<br />

lounge under the stars. Web: rawlounge.net<br />

Sakura Mandarin<br />

1038 Race Street, 215–873–8338.<br />

($$) A Shanghai–style Chinese and<br />

Japanese restaurant with award–winning<br />

chefs. They offer authentic Chinese<br />

food with fresh ingredients. Also,<br />

they have the best French–style Japanese<br />

food in town. Web: yelp.com/biz/<br />

sakura–mandarin–philadelphia–2<br />

Shiroi Hana<br />

222 S. 15th Street, 215–735–4444.<br />

($$) Offers impeccably fresh fish<br />

at the full–scale sushi bar. Start off<br />

from excellent selection of appetizers.<br />

Try the flavorful teriyaki, crispy<br />

tempura, or one of the famous special<br />

maki served by the helpful<br />

and an efficient staff. Consistently<br />

ranked by the Zagat Survey as one<br />

of the best Japanese restaurants for<br />

over 10 years. Web: shiroihana.com<br />

(PLEASE SEE OUR AD, PAGE 9)<br />

Tokyo Hibachi Steakhouse & Sushi<br />

Bar<br />

1613 Walnut Street, 2nd Floor,<br />

215–751–9993. ($$) Located at the<br />

heart of center city, Tokyo Hibachi is<br />

the proud home to deliciously exciting<br />

Japanese cuisine. Watch its talented<br />

chefs perform as they cook a variety<br />

of dishes right at your table! Perfect<br />

for any occasion, from birthdays to<br />

graduation parties (Students receive a<br />

10% discount with student ID). Web:<br />

tokyo1613.com<br />

Umai Umai<br />

533 N. 22nd Street, 215–988–0707.<br />

($$$) Umai Umai presents a peaceful<br />

atmosphere that complements<br />

its tasty menu. Sesame chicken and<br />

lamb chops are examples of the fusion<br />

food that is offered, and diners<br />

can choose from an extensive list of<br />

sushi. Web: yelp.com/biz/umai–umai–<br />

philadelphia<br />

Vango Lounge and Sky Bar<br />

116 S. 18th Street, 215–568–1020.<br />

($$) The hottest addition the Rittenhouse<br />

nightlife, Vango is open every<br />

day until 2 am. Food is served until<br />

1:30 am, there is a roof deck with<br />

a sky bar, and a DJ that plays every<br />

night! Web: vangoloungeandskybar.<br />

com<br />

Vic Sushi Bar<br />

2035 Sansom Street, 215–564–<br />

4339. ($$) Very small sushi bar (7<br />

seats) with take out and delivery. Excellent<br />

food at very affordable prices.<br />

Try the Shrimp Tempura Mango Coconut<br />

Roll (one of the best dishes in<br />

Philly!). Web: vic–sushi.com<br />

Zento<br />

132 Chestnut Street, 215–925–<br />

9998. ($$) Zento is a pleasant spot<br />

for sushi from the former Morimoto<br />

sushi chef Gunawan Wibisono. Signature<br />

rolls like the well–sized square<br />

roll of eel, avocado and plum topped<br />

with tuna are admirably understated.<br />

From the kitchen: tender steamed<br />

shrimp dumplings and overflowing<br />

bowls of udon. Web: zentocontemporary.com<br />

KOREAN<br />

Cafe Soho<br />

468 W. Cheltenham Avenue, 215–<br />

224–6800. ($$) Featuring several big<br />

screen TV’s, two floors, and beer, Cafe<br />

Soho is a sports bar done differently.<br />

Great for chicken lovers – their wings<br />

feature two flavors, a garlic/soy–sauce<br />

wash and a Korean style hot sauce<br />

wash that wing purists love. Web: yelp.<br />

com/biz/cafe–soho–philadelphia–2<br />

Giwa<br />

1608 Sansom Street, 215–557–<br />

9830. ($$) Fresh, delicious and<br />

healthy, Giwa offers Korean food that<br />

doesn’t disappoint. The signature<br />

Bibimbop, kim–chee pancake, and<br />

seafood pancake are just a few of<br />

their tasty fares. Web: yelp.com/biz/<br />

giwa–philadelphia<br />

Koreana<br />

3801 Chestnut Street, 215–222–<br />

2240. ($) A traditional Korean restaurant<br />

located in the heart of University<br />

City. Don’t miss their specialty dish,<br />

the bi bimp bap. Web: koreanafood.<br />

com<br />

Tampopo<br />

269 S 44th St, 215–386–3866. ($)<br />

Now located in University City, Tampopo<br />

offers filling food to locals seeking<br />

a good meal. Noodles, miso soup,<br />

and sushi are on the menu. Diners<br />

can finish off with the sweetly satisfying<br />

egg cake. Web: tampoporestaurant.com<br />

KOSHER<br />

Shalom Pizza<br />

7598A Haverford Avenue, 215–<br />

878–1500. ($$) Inexpensive Middle<br />

Eastern food, delicious pizza, falafel,<br />

home–style couscous. Strictly kosher<br />

restaurant for those who want to<br />

sample Israeli fare and grilled fresh<br />

fish. Full service catering for any occasion<br />

from one to 200. Much more<br />

than a pizza place. Web: shalompizzeria.com<br />

MEXICAN<br />

12th Street Cantina<br />

1136 Arch Street, 215–625–0321.<br />

($) Located inside Reading Terminal<br />

Market, 12th Street Cantina offers<br />

a variety of homemade Mexican<br />

food and groceries. Pick up a bag<br />

of homemade blue corn chips and<br />

a side of chunky, onion guacamole.<br />

Try the burrito of the day, which can<br />

include a rich red chicken mole that<br />

offers a post–swallow kick or tender<br />

beef barbecue in a tomato tortilla.<br />

Tortas, flat flour tortillas layered with<br />

cheese, offer inventive combinations<br />

such as cinnamon–topped sweet potato<br />

and red bell pepper. Web: yelp.<br />

com/biz/12th–street–cantina–phila-<br />

delphia–2<br />

Cafe con Chocolate<br />

2100 S. Norwood Street, 267–639–<br />

4506. ($) Chef/owner Yoshiko Yamasaki<br />

is serving up some note–worthy<br />

authentic Mexican fare, including a<br />

flautas special (three crispy lamb tacos)<br />

and chilaquiles (fried homemade<br />

corn tortillas doused in fresh mole<br />

sauce) that arrive on as–big–as–the–<br />

table plates. Web: cafeconchocolate.<br />

com<br />

Cantina Los Caballitos<br />

1651 E. Passyunk Avenue, 215–<br />

755–3550. ($$) Mexican food goes<br />

gastropub on East Passyunk Ave.<br />

Alongside super margaritas and a stellar<br />

tequila list, this appealing South<br />

Philly cantina serves up Mexican<br />

favorites in addition to wide ranging<br />

nuevo touches and authentically rustic<br />

braised meats. Web: cantinaloscaballitos.com/main.html<br />

Chipotle<br />

3925 Walnut Street, 215–222–0632.<br />

($) Fresh and delicious mexican food<br />

made your way, quick and easy. Order<br />

online for even faster service. Web:<br />

chipotle.com<br />

Cucina Zapata<br />

S 31st & Ludlow, . ($) A food truck favorite<br />

serving up the best mix of Mexican<br />

and Thai foods. Web: yelp.com/<br />

biz/cucina–zapata–philadelphia<br />

Distrito<br />

3945 Chestnut Street, 215–222–<br />

1657. ($$$) Jose Garces, the mastermind<br />

behind Amada and Tinto, brings<br />

a Mexican City–themed restaurant to<br />

University City. The cuisine and drinks<br />

mainly stick to Mexican favorites such<br />

as margaritas (with over 60 tequilas<br />

to choose from), tacos, tamales, and<br />

ceviche. Web: distritorestaurant.com<br />

El Azteca<br />

714 Chestnut Street, 215–733–<br />

0895. ($$) Turquoise accents and<br />

colorful Aztec artwork add Mexican<br />

mojo to this casual BYOB taqueria.<br />

Service is prompt and friendly, catering<br />

to young people looking for cheap<br />

but flavorful eats. The menu mixes<br />

and matches tacos, burritos and tamales<br />

in every possible permutation,<br />

and the food runs big on portions.<br />

Web: yelp.com/biz/el–azteca–mexican–restaurant–philadelphia<br />

El Camino Real<br />

1040 N. 2nd Street, 215–925–<br />

1110. ($$) Opened by artist Owen<br />

Kamihira, who owns Bar Ferdinand,<br />

this self–proclaimed “cowboy border<br />

bar” splits its menu evenly between<br />

Texas and Northern Mexico. With a<br />

dusty Southwestern decorative motif,<br />

a full spread of Texican cocktails and<br />

cervezas, and a food list that easily<br />

identifies its BBQ vs. its burrito<br />

items, everyone in a group with divergent<br />

tastes can leave satisfied. Web:<br />

bbqburritobar.com<br />

El Vez<br />

121 S. 13th Street, 215–928–9800.<br />

($$) A contemporary Mexican restaurant,<br />

El Vez offers many unique items<br />

such as mahi mahi tacos, ahi tuna<br />

tostadas, carne asada and adobo rack<br />

of lamb. Enjoy their made–to–order<br />

guacamole & margaritas with fresh–<br />

squeezed juices. Top off your meal<br />

with “The El Vez,” flourless chocolate<br />

cake, peanut butter mousse and carmelized<br />

bananas. Web: elvezrestaurant.com<br />

Guacamole Mex–Grill<br />

4612 Woodland Avenue, 215–307–<br />

3162. ($) Operated by the de Luna<br />

family, whose culinary expertise arose<br />

from their grandmother’s mole business<br />

in Mexico, this taqueria has already<br />

become popular with those living<br />

and working around the University<br />

of the Sciences of Philadelphia. Many<br />

recommend the carne asada tostadas<br />

and the gorditas al pastor! Web: yelp.<br />

com/biz/guacamole–mex–grill–philadelphia<br />

Honest Tom’s<br />

261 S. 44th Street, 215–620–1851.<br />

($) After tasting a killer breakfast taco<br />

in Texas, Drexel grad Tom McCusker<br />

decided to serve them up in Philly.<br />

Tom serves both tacos and burritos,<br />

with breakfast available until 1 pm on<br />

Saturdays and until 2 pm on Sundays.<br />

Arrive early to try your taco or burrito<br />

with scrambled eggs and home fries!<br />

Web: yelp.com/biz/honest–toms–taco–<br />

shop–philadelphia<br />

Inesperado Hot Tamales<br />

1805 John F. Kennedy Boulevard,<br />

215–557–9009. ($) It’s not the<br />

“Mex” that you’d expect. Best of<br />

Philly ’96. Best of City Paper ’96 and<br />

’97. Best Buy Zagat Survey ’97. Best<br />

of Philly Weekly ’97. Best Buy Zagat<br />

’98.<br />

Isabel<br />

2601 Pennsylvania Ave, Ste 5, 215–<br />

475– 8088. ($$) Isabel is a Mexi–<br />

Cali BYOB in the art museum district.<br />

Web: isabelbyob.com<br />

Jose Pistolas<br />

263 S. 15th Street, 215–545–4101.<br />

($$) Jose Pistola’s was opened by two<br />

local bartenders hoping to add a different<br />

flair to Philadelphia’s already<br />

impressive beer scene. The combination<br />

of a large international beer<br />

selection and carefully crafted and<br />

fresh Mexican fare offers Center City<br />

a unique environment for lunch, dinner,<br />

or just hanging out. The downstairs<br />

bar offers a cozy, more intimate<br />

feel, while the three high–definition<br />

TV’s make the upstairs bar a bit livelier<br />

and the ideal place to watch your<br />

favorite sporting event. The menu and<br />

happy hour deals change periodically,<br />

so please check the website and see<br />

what’s going on. Web: josepistolas.<br />

com<br />

La Lupe Restaurant<br />

1201 S. 9th Street, 215–551–9920.<br />

($) La Lupe boasts some of the best<br />

Mexican food in Philadelphia. Their<br />

main specialty is their tacos, but they<br />

offer a wide variety of other authentic<br />

Mexican dishes. Web: yelp.com/biz/<br />

la–lupe–restaurant–philadelphia<br />

Las Bugambilias<br />

148 South Street, 215–922–3190.<br />

($$) Carlos Molina offers high quality,<br />

freshly prepared, traditional Mexican<br />

food from three different regions in<br />

Mexico. The desserts at Bugambilias<br />

are homemade on the premises.<br />

Dishes like the $14 cochinita pibil,<br />

a slow–cooked mountain of shredded<br />

pork and the extra–beefy empanadas<br />

are on target. Web: lasbugambiliasphilly.com<br />

Dining Guide<br />

34TH STREET Magazine February 13, 2013<br />

41

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