3 new restaurants to try
Please note: This article is published as an archive copy from Philadelphia City Paper. My City Paper is not affiliated with Philadelphia City Paper. Philadelphia City Paper was an alternative weekly newspaper in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The last edition was published on October 8, 2015.
A new BYO Vietnamese spot, the return of a beloved water-ice institution and more.
NOW SEATING
Stock | Zahav alums/married couple Tyler Akin and Nicole Reigle have opened their much-anticipated Fishtown BYO Vietnamese spot, Stock. Prices are on par with the pho joints on Washington Avenue — nothing over $10 — but Akin and Reigle are upping the ante with stocks made with the bones of grass-fed cattle and mushroom-based vegan pho options. Beef cheek and duck sausage banh mis are on the lunch menu as well as small plates and salads, including watercress with lotus, green daikon and durian; and raw flank with cured egg, kaffir lime and annatto plus a cooling papaya salad for dessert. Akin and Reigle are sourcing their pho spices from La Boîte, a high-end epicerie based in New York, making for some seriously aromatic broth with perfectly toothsome rice noodles and ultra fresh herbs for garnishing. Extra points for excellent Vietnamese iced coffee spiked with chicory. Dinner, Thu.-Mon., 5:30-10:30 p.m.; lunch, Sat.-Sun., 11 a.m.-2 p.m. 308 E. Girard Ave., stockphilly.com.
Federal Donuts | Continuing their fried chicken and fancies world domination, the fifth outpost of Federal Donuts is open for business in Poplar. The biggest yet, FedNuts features lots of local love with coffee from Elixr and a collaboration doughnut sundae made with Little Baby’s Ice Cream. Look out for new Thai curry fried chicken and lots of thrilling doughnut options, including chocolate cake with milk glaze, lemon crème, blueberry mascarpone, salted tehina and blackberry walnut. Open daily 7 a.m.-7 p.m. or sell out. 701 N. Seventh St., federaldonuts.com.
Italiano’s | South Philadelphia water-ice aficionados can take a breath — after a year-long hiatus, Italiano’s is back in business. It’s not really all that much of a shock that the lines at the walk-up window grow long on hot summer nights for scoops of classic water ice flavors like cherry, lemon and pineapple. Italiano’s is the home of the gelati, an only-in-Philly parfait of water ice and soft serve ice cream. According to Italiano’s hand-painted signage: “Back in 1975 mom put water ice and ice cream together and decided to call it ‘Gelati.’ We are definitely the original … anyone using the ‘Gelati’ name is just playing follow the leader.” Open daily 9 a.m.-10 p.m. 2551 S. 12th St., 215-465-1780.
