Melograno's, Philadelphia, Pa.

Located in center city at 21st and Samson St. the 7 year old Melograno is one of the best italian BYOB restaurants in the city. The new space, they moved almost 3 years ago is larger with an open kitchen situated in the back of the restaurant. Fridays and Saturdays are crowded and demand a reservation earlier in the week.
For starters you must, must, must order the pappardelle tartufate it is simply amazing. Oh course you need to like mushrooms. The melograno salad is also a fine choice for you salad fans.

The entrees are diverse and yummy. My date had the skate the other night and it was really good served with mash potatoes. The pork chop is also very big and meaty and always cooked to perfection. The lamb is slow roasted and well prepared. Another item i like is the breaded chicken with tomatoes and prosciutto. Melograno is a modestly priced restaurant which should be on everyone's list.

Fond, Philadelphia, Pa.

Oh how I am so fond of you. This 3 year old BYOB in the quickly maturing East Passyunk neighborhood has quickly become a favorite of mine. The staff is so professional and the chef is a professional.
The restaurant is small and on one trip it was very noisy so be prepared. The restaurant is simple, soft yellow walls and hard wood floors. The chef, Lee Styer was vetted at two of the most exclusive places in town. Le Bec and La Croix. Mr. Styer knows exactly what he is doing in the kitchen. A handsome young man in his late 20's Lee is going to be around for awhile.

The menu will change with the season but if the yellow fish tuna is on the apps side order it. One of the better apps this city has to offer. The frissee salad and the foie Gras are also very good app choices.

As for dinner I have enjoyed the Pork Loin and the Steak. Their are also some wonderful fish dishes that I would not sleep on. Make a reservation to Fond you will not be disappointed.

Bella Pizza, Philadelphia,Pa.

A friend of mine suggested that if I want a good Mexican meal go to the Pizza shop on the corner. Yeah strange very strange. I did not see any Pizza but the food was fabulous. From the outside and inside it looks like a pizza shop with a few tables for eating. Looking at the menu you can get traditional pizza shop fare but I did not see anyone do that. I always know an international restaurant is going to be good when it is supported by their friends. On this occassion I was the only blue eyed non spanish/mexican native in the place. As my dining experience continued I also rounded up a few conversations with some of the daily customers. When gentleman who has been in the U..S. from Mexico for three years told me this was the best authentic Mexican in the region. Wowser big praise.
When you walk in their is a specials board which changes daily and the regulars told me to always check out first.
At 3 for $5.00 the Tacos are a steal and good. Also the Tostados at 3 for $5.00 are very filling and very tasty. The regulars told me everything is fresh and yummy. They also have authetic drinks and ice cream... Enjoy...1140 S. 9th Str.

FridaySaturdaySunday, Philadelphia, Pa.

For over 30 years FSS has been a staple within the Philly restaurant scene. The ownership and staff have mostly been there from day one. The other evening your intrepid food critic ventured back after a hiatus.

The restaurant is cozy, dark, and warm. Tables on the ground level are tight, there is a little more room upstairs. The menu has had a few changes over the years but for the most part it has remained the same and for good reason. Although i did not order it the other evening the Duck may be the best in the city. The salads are also wonderful. Our group shared the beet salad, which was nice but a little short on the beets. We also got the asparagus with chunky tomato vinaigrette which was lovely and plentiful.

For my entree I ordered the bone in thick cut pork chop which was awesome. Grilled and served with a funky light colored sauce that had a peanut taste to it.

One of my companions had the fillet steak in a great tasting brown sauce that was simply perfect, well grilled, rich in color and so soft and smooth. A delicious steak.

One of the nicest thing about the restaurant is there wine list and their promise that no bottle is sold for more than $10.00 cost... The bill was mild with most entrees in the mid $20.00 range. I can highly recommend this wonderful just behind center city restaurant.

Le Virtu, Philadelphia, Pa.

OK, let's start off quickly Le Virtu is the best Italian restaurant in Philadelphia.... Period... Located in south Philly on Passyunk Ave. this little gem is a must try.

Start your meal with an antipasti, tell Freddy, one of the owners to whip something up for you, he knows how to do it and most of the cured meats are freshly prepared in their basement meat locker. The salads are also wonderful they currently have 2 on the menu, the radicchio is ridiculous...

The poached house made pork sausage with lentil is amazing so warm and inviting please order this...

All the pasta dishes are off the hook wonderful.

Friends I could talk about this place for hours, I could review every dish because I have had ever dish, just go.

Le Virtu is the best Italian restaurant in a city that has made it's name from italian restaurants, Le Virtu is the Index...

Down home diner, Reading terminal, Philadelphia, Pa.

If you ever make a visit to The Reading Terminal in Philadelphia, Pa. stop by the done home diner for a bite to eat. They serve breakfast and lunch either sit down or you can do take out. I have always eaten in. The other day a friend and myself ventured over for lunch. My guest had the BLT sandwich on whole wheat toast. She loved the sandwich and said the extra large thick cut bacon delicious. I had the French Onion soup and I was amazed at how good it was. I have had Onion soup thousands of times but this variation was really good because of how much sherry that was used to make it. Rich and sweet and delicious. A must order if you like onion soup.

I also ordered the southern pulled pork unfortunately it was spicy, not what I was expecting. I like Kansas city sweet barbecue pulled pork. I will say this though the pork was very high quality.

On other occasions I have had the meatloaf, maybe best in the city and the fried chicken dinner which is also a big crowd pleaser.

The service is great, the prices are cheap, and the food comes out fast... Enjoy this little treasure.

Ventura's, Margate, NJ

Located next to the largest elephant in the world is the sprawling Ventura's greenhouse in Margate, NJ. For years this beach front restaurant with the massive deck was known to me as a nice burger and wings joint that served expensive drinks. It was a little oasis after a long day of sunning yourself. Popping in at 4:00 for a snack and cocktail made sense, going at 8:30 for fine dining did not.

Well a friend of mine told me I was wrong and I should check the place out. I have now made two stops into the restaurant and I am happy to report the food and the menu are nice. The inside dinner menu offers an array of veal dishes that we sampled and loved. Their meats, rack of lamb and steaks are also well prepared and nice cuts. The seafood choices for a restaurant on the beach are limited, a little disappointed. But they do offer some nice pasta dishes that incorporated some additional seafood that does even things out.

We found the service to be very professional and Ken the upstairs bartender is very versed in his wines. The prices were average. The wine selection is vast and they always have a few specials. In all Ventura's is a restaurant that I can recommend to others.