Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation

CONTACT:

Corie Cutler
Cathy McVey

GPTMC

(215) 599-0776

Philadelphia Journalists Pick Their Favorite Local Restaurants
Advice to Hungry Media Attending the Republican National Convention

PHILADELPHIA, PA, June 8, 2000 – Local journalists spend their time digging for stories. When the tables were turned and they were asked the questions, they had wonderful stories to tell and enjoyed offered their dining advice to the 15,000 media representatives who will be attending the Republican National Convention this July.

FOX Philadelphia Features Reporter Gerald Kolpan reminisced about proposing to his wife amid the hustle and bustle in Reading Terminal Market, a 100-year-old farmer’s market in the heart of Center City Philadelphia. The colorful market is still one of his favorite places to eat 17 years later.

"My favorite restaurants?" repeated Kolpan. "Continental, Circa, The Prime Rib, South Street Souvlaki, Penang Malaysian Cuisine Restaurant, Ishkabibble’s Eatery…"

News Anchor Steve Levy couldn’t name just one favorite, but enjoys Il Portico, Joseph Poon Asian Fusion Restaurant, Coyote Crossing, Treetops at the Rittenhouse and Philippe’s.

"I love Opus 251, and not just for the food," said Philadelphia Magazine’s Senior Staff Writer Maximillan Potter. "During the day it is perfect for lunch, with the sun pouring in from the garden. At night it’s a romantic place to take my wife."

Gar Joseph, politics and government editor of the Philadelphia Daily News, makes a living asking tough questions, but was hard-pressed to name a favorite. "I have a lot of favorites," he said, but chose Panorama for its great risotto and wine flights.

Philadelphia Daily News’ Stu Bykofsky calls choosing his favorite South Philadelphia restaurant like "choosing among your children." He has many favorites in the Philadelphia neighborhood that is home to dozens of family-owned Italian restaurants, as well several hip, new restaurants started by chefs who grew up watching their parents and grandparents serve traditional Italian cuisine.

Here’s the scoop on Philadelphia’s restaurants from a cross-section of Philadelphia journalists.

Howard Altman, News Editor, Philadelphia City Paper

All-Time Favorite: Tierra Colombiana, 4535 N. 5^th St., (215) 324-6086
Favorite Pub: Dirty Franks, 347 S. 13^th St., (215) 732-5010
Best Coffee House: Upside Down Café, 51 N. 3^rd St., (215) 733-0507
Near First Union Center: Bitar’s 10^th and Federal Streets, (215) 755-1121
Best Breakfast: Carmen’s Country Kitchen, 1301 S. 11^th St., (215) 339-9613

Stu Bykofsky, Columnist, Philadelphia Daily News

All-Time Favorite: Ruth’s Chris Steak House, 260 S. Broad St., (215) 790-1515
Favorite Pub: McGillin’s Olde Ale House, 1310 Drury St., (215) 790-1515
Best Coffee House: XandO Coffee & Bar, 325 Chestnut St., 1128 Walnut St. or 235 15^th St., (215) 413-1608
Near First Union Center: Mangia Italian Bistro, 2650 S. 15^th St., (215) 467-3317
Best Breakfast: Famous 4^th Street Delicatessen, 700 S. 4^th St., (215) 922-3274

Myra Chanin, Food Editor, Philadelphia Style Magazine

Favorite Pub: 8^th Street Lounge, 8^th and Callowhill Streets, (215) 925-1900
Late-Night Spot: Swann Lounge at the Four Seasons Hotel, 1 Logan Square, (215) 963-1500
Best Coffee House: La Colombe, 130 S. 19^th St., (215) 563-0860
Near First Union Center: Kristian’s Restaurant, 1200 S. 11^th St., (215) 468-0104

Christina Crews, Business and Health Reporter, Philadelphia Tribune

All-Time Favorite: Ivy Grille at the Inn at Penn, 3600 Sansom St., (215) 222-0200
Favorite Pub: Copabanana, 344 South St., (215) 923-6180
Late-Night Spot: 8^th Street Lounge, 8^th and Callowhill Streets, (215) 925-1900
Best Coffee House: Rhino Coffee Company, 212 South St., (215) 923-2630
Near First Union Center: Legends Sports Bar & Nightclub, Holiday Inn Stadium, 10^th St. and Packer Ave., (215) 755-9500
Best Breakfast: Meiji-En Restaurant, Pier 19, Columbus Blvd., (215) 592-7100

Gar Joseph, Politics and Government Editor, Philadelphia Daily News

All-Time Favorite: Panorama Ristorante, 14 N. Front St., (215) 922-7800
Late-Night Spot: Upstairs at Varalli, 1343 Locust St., (215) 546-4200
Best Coffee House: XandO Coffe & Bar, 325 Chestnut St., 1128 Walnut St. or 235 15^th St., (215) 413-1608
Near First Union Center: Tony Luke’s, 39 Oregon Ave., (215) 551-5725
Best Breakfast: Treetops at the Rittenhouse, 210 W. Rittenhouse Square, (215) 790-2533

Michael Klein, Food Writer, The Philadelphia Inquirer

All-Time Favorite: Carambola, 1650 Limekiln Pike, Dresher, (215) 542-0900
Favorite Pub and Late-Night Spot in One: The Plough & The Stars, 123 Chestnut St., (215) 733-0300
Best Coffee House: La Colombe, 130 S. 19^th St., (215) 563-0860
Near First Union Center: Tony Luke’s, 39 Oregon Ave., (215) 551-5725
Best Breakfast: Ralph’s Italian Restaurant, 760 S. 9^th St., (215) 627-6011

Gerald Kolpan, Features Reporter, FOX Philadelphia

All-Time Favorite: Continental Restaurant & Martini Bar, 138 Market St., (215) 923-6069
Best Coffee House: Rhino Coffee Company, 212 South St., (215) 923-2630
Near First Union Center: The Italian Market, 9^th St. between Christian and Wharton Streets, (215) 922-5557
Best Breakfast: Morning Glory Diner, 735 S. 10^th St., (215) 413-3999

Steve Levy, News Anchor, WCAU-TV

All-Time Favorites: Il Portico, 1519 Walnut St., (215) 587-7000; Coyote Crossing, 800 Spring Mill Ave., Conshohocken, (610) 825-3000;
Treetops at the Rittenhouse, 210 W. Rittenhouse Square, (215) 790-2533;
Philippe’s, 1614 Locust St., (215) 735-7551;
Joseph Poon Asian Fusion Restaurant, 10^th and Arch Streets, (215) 928-9333;
Mamma Maria Restaurant, 1637 Passyunk Ave., (215) 463-6884;
Reading Terminal Market, 12^th and Arch Streets, (215)922-2317

Kathy O’Connell, Host, Kid’s Corner, WXPN-FM

All-Time Favorite: Philadelphia Fish & Company, 207 Chestnut St., (215) 625-8605
Favorite Pub: Society Hill Hotel, 301 Chestnut St., (215) 925-1919
Late-Night Spot: "Any diner, the area is full of them."
Best Coffee House: Philadelphia Java Company, 518 S. 4^th St., (215) 928-1811
Near First Union Center: Pop’s Homemade Water Ice, 1337 Oregon Ave., (215) 551-7677
Best Breakfast: Broad Street Diner, Broad and Ellsworth Streets, (215) 334-1611

Maximillan Potter, Senior Staff Writer, Philadelphia Magazine

All-Time Favorite: Opus 251, 251 S. 18^th St., (215) 735-6787
Favorite Pub: Bridgid’s, 24^th and Meredith Streets, (215) 735-6787
Best Coffee House: La Colombe, 130 S. 19^th St., (215) 563-0860
Best Breakfast: Silk City Diner, 435 Spring Garden St., (215) 592-8838

Peter Van Allen, Special Reports Editor, Philadelphia Business Journal

All-Time Favorite: Fork, 306 Market St., (215) 625-9425
Favorite Pub: The Plough & The Stars, 123 Chestnut St., (215) 733-0300
Late-Night Spot: Rock Lobster, 221 N. Columbus Blvd., (215) 627-7625
Best Coffee House: Old City Coffee, 221 Church St., (215) 629-9292
Near First Union Center: Melrose Diner, 1501 Snyder Ave., (215) 467-6644
Best Breakfast: Blue in Green, 7 N. 3^rd St., (215) 928-5880

Joel Weiner, Food Writer, Philadelphia Gay News

All-Time Favorite: Blue Angel, 706 Chestnut St., (215) 925-6889
Favorite Pub: Woody’s Bar & Restaurant, 202 S. 13^th St., (215) 545-1893
Late-Night Spot: Cheap Art Café, 12^th St., between Spruce and Locust Streets, (215) 735-6650
Best Coffee House: Millennium Coffee, 12^th St., between Walnut and Locust Streets, (215) 731-9798
Near First Union Center: Roselena’s Coffee Bar, 1623 E. Passyunk Ave., (215) 755-9697

Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation is a non-profit organization dedicated to generating awareness of and visitation to Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery Counties. For more information about travel to Philadelphia, visit www.gophila.com or call (888) GO-PHILA.

###

Back to News Release List