Hip-hop gear, vintage purses and lots of spicentage purses and lots of spice

Most of you are probably aware of South Street – the long strip of boutiques, shops, restaurants and bars that are full of eccentric people and interesting buys. But just because it’s a well-known area doesn’t mean it isn’t worth visiting. Be sure to explore the region for yourself because it truly provides something for everyone.

1 One shop that caught my attention is Agent. Granted, about 80 percent of the merchandise is for men, according to the store’s manager, Steve Mackay. But that doesn’t mean the ladies shouldn’t peek in, too. I found a Yo! MTV Raps T-shirt for myself for $22 and a discounted green tee for my boyfriend for $9.99.

Agent is perfect for the urban male who prefers a retro or hip-hop look and appreciates hats that say more than “I’m a Phillies fan.” The store offers a variety of merchandise for relatively low prices.

Partnered with its sister store, Guacamole, Agent has been servicing Philly customers for 10 years now. With its wide range of clothing, hats, watches, belts and footwear, the boutique is great for self-shopping or holiday purchases. As an added bonus, they put gift items in pizza delivery-like boxes.

2 Two blocks away is Greene Street Consignment Shop, which was established in 1989. One of a handful of second-hand shops in the area, Greene Street sets itself apart by carrying higher-end goods. Yes, you will pay higher thrift store prices, but I found some items that were worth the cost.

One favorite was a Cul De Sac evening bag perfect for holiday parties. The burgundy velvet ’80s-style dip bag has two oversized gold hoops that accent the shoulder strap.

It costs only $16. I also perused the clearance racks, which offered quite a few high-quality choices.

Greene Street’s selection is perfect. There are tons of seasonally-appropriate name-brand options. Unlike low-end second-hand shops, you won’t find clothing with holes or stains here.

One thing that always bothers me is dressing rooms with curtains instead of doors. I can never close them just right and it feels like people are peeking in while walking by. This was only a minor disappointment. Overall, I was very satisfied with the store and the wardrobe additions I happily took home.

3 Over at Second and South streets, a warm, inviting Indian restaurant waits. Lovash is a small dining establishment that serves Southern Indian cuisine in a relaxing atmosphere. Dinner prices are quite reasonable: low-end to mid-range. And fortunately, Lovash is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week.

This BYOB, whose motto is “just like home,” staffs pleasant, attentive servers and hosts. The portions are ample and the spices are potent. Even though I left with my mouth and throat on fire, I loved every minute of it.

The Mulligatawny soup for $4.25 made from pureed lentils and mixed with julienned vegetable strips was savory but served at boiling temperatures. Being eager and hungry, I had to cool it with some ice.

My entrée, Mushroom Vindaloo, was mushrooms and potatoes served in a red tomato and onion sauce with a saffron basmati rice pilaf and a steamed vegetable medley on the side.

Thank God for all of that spice: the classical Indian music, tea light candles and yellow and gold wall tones made me feel ready for a nap.

I leave you with this in my last column of The Temple News before I graduate. One of the joys of writing this column was exploring hot spots in the city that I had never visited before.

Philly has a lot to offer. Why not take advantage of it?

Colleen Dunn can be reached at
colleen.dunn@temple.edu.

Agent
506 South St.
(215) 238-5880
www.agentaloha.com

Greene Street
Consignment Shop
700 South St.
(215) 733-9261
www.greenestreetconsignment.com

Lovash Indian Cuisine
236 South St.
(215) 925-3881
www.lovashindiancuisine.com

Pad thai, loose-leaf tea and Misconduct

I had a blast discovering these hidden treasures. At each, I was greeted with sincerity, helpfulness and a warm smile. In a country where most folks think it’s cool to complain regularly, I welcome a pleasant experience. Below lies an agenda for your downtown night of gratification.

1 Let’s begin the journey with some Southeastern Asian fare. the Pad Thai Shack serves quick, delicious appetizers and entrees for customers with a budget. With two Center City locations, this counter service spot is a takeout haven. If you’d rather sit down, tables are also available inside.

Service there is always fast and accommodating and all menu items are less than $10. There is a wide selection of hot and cold dishes, with sides and sweets that make any meal complete.

For vegans and vegetarians, several of the wok dishes contain fish sauce, so be sure to double check the ingredients. Two favorites were the marinated tofu with black bean sauce at $3.75 and the fried vegetable spring rolls made with a blend of veggies, dried mushrooms and ginger at $3.75 a pair.

My dining partner preferred the Saigon Style Stir Fry with chicken, tomatoes, cucumbers and jasmine rice in garlic sauce for $8.25. Portions are ample: you can share or have two meals in one.

The restaurant offers a large number of Asian juice choices, in addition to soda and bottled water.

2 Tea and a light dessert should follow dinner, so the next stop at Tbar on 12th and Sansom streets is in order.

Co-owner Julia Chu noted several qualities that set the “urban tea bar” apart from the competition. The diversity of the drinks, which use the highest quality of teas imported directly from Japan, China, Taiwan, is one factor. The ambiance and lounge-type environment is a second.

“Ours is not like your living room [tea house], it is more like a spa,” Chu said, referring to the green walls, spacious quarters and contemporary Japanese furniture.

The menu offers steeped loose-leaf teas in regular, large or full teapot size. The teapot – great for sharing – comes with two cookies of your choice for $4.50. The fizz menu provides tea and herbal blends with sparkling water ranging from $4 to $4.25.

The pearl teas (also known as bubble teas) come in an assortment of flavors including black milk, honeydew, mango, taro and lychee for $3.50 each. Tea lattes are a final beverage option, and patrons can choose from iced or hot green tea, cocoa, caramel swirl, chai or the seven other flavors they have on special.

For a small bite to eat, try the tea-based dessert options. I liked the $2.50 green tea roll with moist green cake and spiral layers of mousse-like cream. Paninis and salads are an option for anyone with larger appetites.

3 If the concept of a tea bar puts you in the mood for something a little stronger, head to the island oasis of Misconduct Tavern. This bar, located at 15th and Locust streets, is jammin’ on Wednesday night.

The theme is nautical, but the bar doesn’t cater to an older demographic like you might expect. There was a good mix of 20- to 40-year-olds. Maybe it was the smooth electronica and fluid independent music playing that attracted the younger people. Or maybe it was the selection of 37 bottled beers.

While the food was decent, the drinks and the atmosphere were more impressive. On this particular Wednesday, they were testing a new drink special – the $5 fall cosmopolitan. It consists of cranberry-infused vodka, homemade apple cider with tasty spices and cranberry-flavored syrup. Apparently, it was a success that night. Look for it on special Tuesday nights.

A final comment: the name of the bar came from the former owner, a now-deceased sailor who named it after his boat. The new owners, also boaters, kept the name to honor him and the good times had by friends and patrons alike.

Colleen Dunn can be reached at
colleen.dunn@temple.edu.

Pad Thai Shack
127 S. 18th St.
215-557-0422

122 S. 12th St.
215-922-0414
www.padthaishack.com

Tbar
117 S. 12th St.
215-625-3936

Misconduct Tavern
1511 Locust St.
215-732-5797
www.misconduct-tavern.com

Discount clothing, tattoo-inspired merch

As November nears its halfway point, one thing is certain: the start of the holiday season is close at hand. But before you save up money to buy presents, why not indulge yourself? Head out and do a bit of spending for you.

1 – The first destination is Five Below, the new addition to The Gallery.

This store carries everything from board games to hand weights. The baby barbells came in an assortment of colors and sizes and ranged in price from $1 to $5. Yoga mats, workout DVDs and fitness balls were all $5 each.

The name “Five Below” is right on target: all merchandise is $5 or less. Walking around the store, I could see similarities to a standard dollar store – white walls, beaming fluorescent lighting and overstuffed racks placed too close together. Yet, with 65 stores currently open, it’s clear Five Below is doing something right.

“We don’t like to think of ourselves as a dollar store. We like to think of ourselves as a place that offers a lot of trend-right products for a great value,” said marketing manager Elizabeth Romaine.

Those products include Puma ankle socks for $2.50, assorted men’s and women’s T-shirts for $5, baseball caps for $5 and an attractive adult bike helmet for $5. The store’s target audience is teenagers and tweens, but, looking around, I saw products for everyone. How can you argue with an outlet that offers Eagles fan accessories, The Simpsons metal lunchboxes and iPod cases all in one place?

2 Daffy’s offers clothes and accessories from low- and high-end designers at discounted rates. Because most folks love a good deal, they show both prices on the tag. Think Marshalls – but with more selection.

Keep an eye open for the small diamond shop, clothing and shoes for kids, a stunning array of women’s lingerie that features tons of beautiful camisoles, women’s boots in a bounty of styles and colors and glamorous cocktail dresses at affordable prices.

With restocks every week, it’s important for the determined shopper to stop back from time to time.

Elevators provide quick access to other floors. But it’s important to note that all items must be purchased on the floor you found them on.

Give yourself at least one hour when stopping at Daffy’s. With its extensive selection, it might take you longer than usual to find exactly what you want, or you might find so much that you never leave.

3 For those with extra spending money, chart a course for Sailor Jerry, the boutique at 13th and Chestnut streets. The store’s design features hardwood floors, bamboo, rope-tied racks and large fish.

This second location is the flagship store for Sailor Jerry brand goods, sold in 1,400 locations around the globe. The concept is a tribute to Norman “Sailor Jerry” Collins, who was a tattoo icon in Honolulu. He provided American sailors arm ink that reflected a life of binge-drinking and sexual promiscuity.

While this shop does not promote such destructive behavior, they do appreciate Jerry’s role in defining a tattoo era of pin-up girls, birds, boats, anchors and boldly-lined designs with bright colors.

The store also carries T-shirts, hoodies, coats and jeans all adorned with Jerry’s art. Looking for something more defining? Try the high-top and super high-top Converse All Star with Jerry designs. The store has also welcomed the unique designs of Lucky Girl Handbags.

The store is perfect for gift-buying, with its stock of pint glasses, wallets, flasks, tattoo books, CDs, DVDs, vinyl, Zippos and jewelry. Perhaps you should shop for yourself and your mates all at once.

Colleen Dunn can be reached at
colleen.dunn@temple.edu.

In the know:

Five Below
The Gallery at Market East
Ninth and Market streets
215-627-4303
www.fivebelow.com

Daffy’s
1700 Chestnut St.
215-963-9996
www.daffys.com

Sailor Jerry
116-118 S. 13th St.
215-531-6380
www.sailorjerry.com

Maki rolls and pumpkin ice cream

Having been fortunate enough to get a substantial check from Temple, I decided to celebrate and take my boyfriend out for two days of Old City drinks and eats.

1. Hungry and eager for something new and a little romantic, we headed to Swanky Bubbles Restaurant and Champagne Bar. Swanky Bubbles offers sushi and “comfort food with an Asian flair,” said general manager Scott Forman.

The décor is very under the sea, with sparkly blue tables and a wave-shaped bar. Because of this, it was hard to tolerate the cheesy dollar store Halloween banners and plastic skeletons. Forman said the blue cubbyholes set behind the bar and its unique shape were modeled after the dream scene in The Nutcracker.

Our server was attentive and informative. I am sure she gets tired of telling customers that “food comes out family style, whenever it is ready,” but explaining this is necessary to avoid complaints later.

Having a tendency to over-order, we started with a tasty $8 seaweed salad with sesame oil and a small $8 spicy tofu stir-fry with soba (buckwheat) noodles and vegetables. This second dish was pleasant, but the consistency could have been better.

Our meals, on the other hand, were both splendid – $14 mushroom dumplings for me and $17 grilled barbecue shrimp for him. Dan was in tastebud heaven with the hoisin and vinegar-sauced, vegetable-fried rice. Moreover, I was “ooh-ing” and “ahh-ing” at the white creamy truffle sauce on my immense mushroom-filled, ravioli-like pasta.

We were dazzled by the palatable champagne cocktails and specialty martinis, which ranged from $7 to $10. Dan was pleased to get a 22-ounce Sapporo, his favorite Asian beer. Eight years in existence, Swanky Bubbles has had time to perfect itself.

“We are sort of a landmark here. We have been here the whole time [that Old City has been a culture hotspot],” Forman said.

2. After dinner, we moseyed around, burning calories and making room for dessert. Around the corner, the Franklin Fountain, open for more than three years, offers a blend of old-fashioned favorites and yummy seasonal ice cream.

This destination has the oldest working soda fountain in the country, built in 1905. The 1899 building has pressed tin walls and ceilings, as well as a porcelain tile floor, all of which take you back to an era of simpler times.

“We were inspired by the architecture of the building and we felt it was a good fit for the neighborhood,” co-owner Ryan Berley said.

A large selection of homemade ice cream flavors awaits customers. These ice creams are shipped daily from the Franklin Fountain’s commercial kitchen in Northern Liberties. Sundaes, banana splits for two, sodas, milkshakes and fruit pies also await you at the Franklin Fountain. For the Christmas season, you can order Victorian candy molds already filled both in house and online.

I welcome this concept that two entrepreneur brothers turned into a reality. Besides, it is a sweet treat to see the uniforms that the Temple student staffers wear around the shop. I recommend a cup of the pumpkin ice cream, now on special, drizzled with peanut butter sauce – see how heavenly it makes you feel. 

3. The following night we returned for more Old City yumminess, making our way to Anjou Lounge and Sushi Bar. One might think we would be tired of this food genre, but no – both restaurants provided offerings that were different from each other. Anjou classifies itself as a “contemporary French Asian cuisine.”

We enjoyed a heaping portion of $5 edamame with kosher salt and a $6 cream of carrot soup special that was pleasantly complemented by dried cranberries and soft carrot slices. The soup broth was heavy and the portion was enormous.

As we drank our respective Strawberry Mojitos and Mango Madness Martinis, which were $9 each, I reminisced about the cocktails of the night before – which were stronger and in larger glassware – offering more for your money.

When dinner arrived, I savored a $6 vegetable Maki roll – the way Maki should be done, with cucumber, soft avocado, tender strips of asparagus, rice and sesame seeds in a seaweed roll. Our entrees were once again delightful: the $12 vegetable tempura udon came with a plate full of lightly battered peppers, carrots, onion and asparagus. Then a second large bowl arrived with my udon noodles and vegetables in a smooth dark broth. Dan ordered the $16 grilled chicken breast teriyaki with white rice and mixed vegetables. The chicken breast was moist and Dan claims his entrée was “just right.”

Downstairs was additional seating for the fully staffed sushi bar as well as a separate VIP room. Owner Daniel Kim admits that dinners and late night are the prime business times for Anjou, now open six years. For lunch, they offer a lighter fare menu, adding salads and sandwiches to the mix.

While our server was clearly a new hire, the attractiveness of the crisp white and red linens overtop the tables and the bamboo screen separating the kitchen from the restaurant made Anjou a pleasant dining destination. Be forewarned, though, the music is a blend of pop and rock radio hits that downplayed the snazzy, relaxed atmosphere.

Colleen Dunn can be reached at colleen.dunn@temple.edu.

Swanky Bubbles Restaurant and Champagne Bar
10 S. Front Street
Hours: Open Daily 5 p.m. – 2 p.m. (the kitchen closes at 1 p.m. each night)
215-928-1200
www.swankybubbles.com

The Franklin Fountain
116 Market Street
Hours: Sun. to Thurs. noon – 11 p.m., Fri. and Sat. noon – midnight
215-627-1899
www.franklinfountain.com

Anjou Lounge and Sushi Bar
206-08 Market Street
Hours: Mon. to Sat. 11:30 a.m. – midnight, Sunday 4:30 p.m. – midnight
(Fri. and Sat. sushi is served till 1 a.m.)
215-923-1600
www.anjouphilly.net

Tiki umbrellas and monster margaritas

I live in a part of Philadelphia that is dominated by Latin tenants and homeowners. So, to honor them, this week’s theme brings it home with a little Latin flavor.

1. Have you ever passed by a building so many times that you began to wonder what was actually inside? That’s how I felt about Pura Vida. The tiki umbrellas always intrigued me, especially since Philadelphia is no island paradise. Spending some time at this small BYOB Latin restaurant, I found a moderately-priced eatery that serves staple items and dishes that explore new territories.

Despite the cheesy rope lighting and hot air inside, the facility had a kind, knowledgeable staff and appetizing fare. The $5 guacamole was delightful with its potent lime and cilantro flavors. And the $7 Pura Vida appetizer with grilled zucchini, yellow squash and mild cheese in a creamy curry sauce was worth a return visit.

Pura Vida’s blend of Mexican, Central American, South American and Caribbean dishes must have caught on by now. While the joint has been open two years, owner Charles Alvarez attributes the business’ success to word of mouth.

But there is a second ingredient is of equal importance. “I try to be more original, more rustic [than the competition],” he said. “How we marinate the meats. We make our own dried rubs and we let them marinade for 12 to 16 hours before we grill them.”

Whether you’re looking for a Sangria soda, a Cubano sandwich, Mexican enchiladas, Guatemalan tamales or Ginger Chicken soup, Pura Vida satisfies. But don’t visit with an empty wallet: a “cash only” policy is in play.

Pura Vida
527 Fairmount Ave.
Monday to Thursday
11 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Friday
11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Satuday
Noon – 10 p.m.
(215) 922-6433

2. During my first trip ever to the attractive, quaint town of Manayunk, I got a chance to visit an exciting store – Latin American Treasures. Located in the heart of busy Main Street, this boutique offers a mix of handbags, jewelry, paintings, tapestries, ceramic and glass work, children’s books, toys and more.

Understanding what type of clientele and income bracket would be needed for the store to be successful was part of the two owners’ business plan for Latin American Treasures. “We don’t sell primary products, so we need people who have a little extra money to spend,” co-owner Ariana Audisio said.

Supporting a mix of Philadelphia-based Latin artists and artisans who come directly from the countries of Peru, Columbia and Venezuela, the shop offers a wide variety of products and styles.

I particularly enjoyed the journals and scrapbooks made from earth materials like leaves, fruit shells and recycled paper. My other favorite is a top seller – gorgeous gold-painted mirrors carved out of wood, some with flowered glass inlays. I bought one made in Peru for $18 plus tax.

As an added store feature, the owners hung postcard-sized artist cards on the walls to educate guests about the crafters and their backgrounds. Be sure to stop in and see the massive wall of ceramic vases and sculptures. I was amazed at the beauty, variety and craftsmanship of the work.

Latin American Treasures
Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday
11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Thursday to Saturday
11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
4251 Main St., Manayunk
(215) 482-4630
www.latinamericantreasures.net

3. The last leg of this Latin-inspired tour is in University City. Mad Mex typically caters to the University of Pennsylvania crowd. However, the array of student deals available is just as advantageous for Temple students. Let me provide you with the goods.

On Monday through Thursday from 2 to 4 p.m., students with a valid ID get half off most food items. This excludes fajitas, tacos, chimis and desserts. If your afternoon is too busy with classes for sit-down dining, no worries. Mex runs the same half-off food special every night from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. It is important to note: the menu has a good mix of items and is vegan and vegetarian friendly.

Now, I do like the food at Mad Mex, but what make this establishment truly special are the margaritas. For fall, Mex has added new flavors to the yummy assortment – blackberry, white peach, Bartlett pear and green apple are the newbies. Raspberry, mango, strawberry, kiwi and original are the old favorites.

Here is the steal: every night from 10 p.m. to midnight, you can get “big azz margaritas” for $6 and, trust me, this glass is huge. Two of these mamas and you are done, if you know what I mean. It is 22 ounces of frozen goodness.

Mad Mex also offers a weekday Happy Hour from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., during which you can get the same margarita special and half off drafts, wings or the smaller 12- or 16-ounce margaritas. Four specials – how awesome. Do it up.

Mad Mex
The Shoppes at Penn in Moravian Court
3401 Walnut St.
(215) 382-2221
www.madmex.com

Colleen Dunn can be reached at colleen.dunn@temple.edu.

Soy meat and the right kind of ‘dive’

On my scavenger hunt for picks, I came across an area that often gets overlooked. It seems that everyone who parties in Center City hangs out on Chestnut or Walnut streets. Meanwhile, Sansom Street’s nightlife lies in the dark shadow of these two areas of heavy vehicle and pedestrian traffic.

1 – Two meat-loving guys (my friend Yoram and my boyfriend Dan) and I were hungry, so we decided to visit the Su Xing House, an all-vegetarian Chinese restaurant. I had been there once for their amazing Monday through Saturday lunch deal. It features soup, a side dish and an entrée all for $6-$7. So why not return again for dinner? While dinner prices weren’t as affordable, they were still reasonable.

The boys and I pored over the menu, debating on numerous options while drinking several cups of the free jasmine tea. I also ordered a $2.85 creamy coconut drink with tapioca balls, which was delightful but not chilled enough. To start, we scarfed down one $1.30 veggie spring roll each. I ordered the $10.95 Vegetable Heaven with stir-fried string beans, braised tofu and Chinese eggplant in a garlic sauce, served with lemon wedges. Every bite was tender and tasty and my next-day leftovers were top-notch.

The boys went a different route, ordering mock meat dishes. Dan got the $10.95 Sesame Seitan with cooked broccoli, and Yoram got the $9.95 Soybean Nuggut Szechwan Style with red and green peppers.

I envisioned these dishes as soft stir-fried seitan in a delicious sauce – boy, was I wrong. Both meals came with extremely chewy mock meat that was breaded and fried way too long. Although I thought their meals were poorly prepared, they were both quite happy. The texture and chewiness was what they were looking for in a soy-based dish.

2 – A hop, skip and jump away and you are outside the entrance of Nodding Head. This second-floor bar and restaurant has been a beer lover’s destination for almost eight years. While the menu has some interesting draws like the $6.95 Quiche du Jour, the $6.95 Baked Brie and the $9.95 Rasta Man Chicken, the food isn’t the main attraction. Nodding Head offers six rotating, home-brewed drafts. At $5 a pop, guests can try out new brews without going broke.

Bartender and manager-on-duty Amy Prozan cited “the fact that it is a brew-pub” and the well-laid out placement of tables as the main reasons for its popularity.

With a kitchen that is open late every night and ample seating in two different rooms, how can you go wrong? Not to mention, many of Nodding Head’s drafts are award winners. Try my two favorite award-winners: the Grog, an English style brown ale with chocolate accents, or the 60 Shilling, a light, smooth Scottish ale.

3 – A few more steps down the path and you arrive at Oscar’s Tavern. Don’t be taken by the smoky cloud exiting through the front door, because Oscar’s is not as divey as you might think.

Yes, it does have a stained ceiling from years of secondhand smoke exposure, the cute blond bartender wears a wife-beater and the menu doesn’t expand beyond standard bar fare. However, it still has atmosphere and flavor that transforms it from “the lame dive bar” into “the fun dive bar.”

These subtle differences include the music (Weezer favorites and Michael Jackson remixes), the lighting (outdoor street lantern replicas) and the trinkets (the Phillies bobble head collection behind the bar).

The bartender was a tad salty, but kind enough to let us bring in French fries after the kitchen closed. Yoram’s favorite aspect of this joint was the super-cheap drink prices. A large 23-ounce draft beer starts at $3, and drafts include Yuengling, Stella Artois, Guinness, Pabst Blue Ribbon, Rolling Rock and Flying Fish Oktober Fest.

So come in, have a cheap drink, and relax in a tavern that is reminiscent of how bars were when I was underage bar-hopping from spot to spot in upstate New York. But be forewarned: the bathrooms definitely scream “dive” with the stench and graffiti marks.

Colleen Dunn can be reached at colleen.dunn@temple.edu.

Stuffed pretzels and Stevie Nicks

This week’s picks are a mix of Old City and Center City locales. As a reminder, every place I feature has my seal of approval.

1: Ritz Theatres has three locations in the city, yet I have only ever been to the one at Second and Walnut streets, the Ritz 5, so that is the basis of my focus.

What I enjoyed about this theater was the ample amount of leg room between the rows of seats and the courteous concession staff. I had questions about the different kinds of products they sell, and the gentleman behind the register was considerate even though the line was long. Concession prices are very reasonable and the selection was great. I got a sweet crème-filled carrot muffin and a lower-sugar-content fruit spritzer. They have a pleasant mix of staple items like popcorn and less-common items like Italian sodas made with flavored syrups.

Ritz is operated by Landmark Theatres, the country’s largest chain for independent films. At peak movie times, prices are fairly standard: $9 per ticket for Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings.

But the Ritz offers some bargains that make it worth the visit. The student discount (available every day except Saturday and holidays) is $6.75 with student ID. Also, all Wednesday shows are only $6. And Monday through Friday matinees are a steal at $6. Prices this cheap make me reminiscent of the old days when going to the movies was the hot thing to do.

2: Euphoria, a café that specializes in smoothies and gourmet pretzels, is a new addition to Philadelphia. Their first location, right on the sidelines of City Hall, opened in July. Since then, two other locations with different owners have sprouted up in Philly.

Their concept is appropriate for the health-conscious age we live in: no preservatives and everything au natural. Euphoria offers dozens of smoothies – starting at $3.99 – to choose from, plus hot teas, bubble tea, stuffed pretzels and soups.

This counter service café was clean and the bright colors were inviting. There is some limited bench seating and an ATM available. Free stuffed mozzarella pizza pretzel samples awaited me and the drink options on the menu were extensive.

I decided on a stuffed breakfast pretzel with egg, cheese, onions and peppers for $2.49 and a regular-sized Euphoria Chai tea – a medium-spiced blend with creamy smoothness. After my snack, I left satisfied with the service and my menu choices.

Store Manager Young In said Euphoria’s customers are a mix of business people, folks hitting the gym and city employees, including police officers (all city workers get a 10 percent discount). She noted that the favorite smoothie of the nearby cops is the Iron Man – strawberry, banana power boost, antioxidant, whey protein and 2% milk. How appropriate.

3: Alfa is a bar and restaurant I have visited four times now. Not only does it have a convenient central location, but the bar service is always fast. Since I am not a beer drinker, this place suits my drinking habits – liquor and wine. While offering an immense selection of liquors is nice, the real hit is the Happy Hour that occurs there seven days of the week. For five to six months, Alfa has had a ’70s-themed happy hour. They are returning to an ’80s theme soon.

“It’s nostalgic – people pick out what their favorites are,” said Kristann Dolinsky, the bar manager, referring to the selection of more than 25 Happy Hour cocktails that Alfa serves.

Some favorites are the Stevie Nicks (champagne and raspberry liqueur with a sugar rim) or the Jonestown Massacre (Kool Aid of the day). Happy hour prices are $5 cocktails, $4 red or white wine (usually Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc) and $3 Miller Lite bottles or Yards drafts.

With a variety of seating available – the long bar, cocktail tables and booths for dinner clients, and a menu that offers gourmet food and low- to mid-range prices – you can’t go wrong. Also, every day during Happy Hour, $3 small plates are offered to satisfy the need to snack.

“You can come in here with $20 and get an appetizer and two drinks and still leave a tip,” Dolinsky said. “It’s great for a college budget.”

Colleen Dunn can be reached at colleen.dunn@temple.edu.

TGP: Sporting goods and chickpea salad

The Village People released a single called “Go West” in 1979. The lyrics for the chorus were “Go west, life is peaceful there. Go west, lots of open air. Go west, to begin life new. Go west, this is what we’ll do.”In honor of the 70s group, I traveled to University City this week.I’m not expecting you to pack up and move out of North Philly, but I am hoping that you’ll venture beyond the boundaries of Main Campus to see what else this city has to offer.

1. To savor some greenery and pleasant-smelling air, make a stop at Clark Park for the final open-air flea market of the season. Once a month from April to October, the park holds 75 to 80 vendors selling everything from jewelry to vintage clothing to crafts and artwork. In its third year, this market raises money from vending costs to support the Uburu Solidarity Movement. Uburu – meaning freedom – educates and implements programs for social justice and economic development for African people.

To clarify, the vendors keep the profits they make from the sales. And, for some of them, this exposure aids in the development and expansion of their own businesses, explained Deidre Martin, the coordinator of the flea market.

“The whole sense of community and diversity of the flea [market] is the thing that people in the community really
enjoy about it,” Martin said. She mentioned only one-third of the vendors register for the entire season, so the mix of goods varies from month to month.

2. If you’re heading back to the Market-Frankford Line around 34th Street Station, stop by the new Eastern Mountain Sports. Yes, it’s a franchise, but this is the only location in the city.

EMS is a store for all things active. Whether you fancy camping, cycling, hiking, snowboarding or running, this spot should have everything you need. Interestingly, they also offer freeze-dried food and women’s underwear with three different levels of warmth.

The clothing department is well-stocked for both men and women. Personally, I liked the wide array of beanies and hats.The store was originally located on South 36th Street, but they recently moved to a better spot and celebrated their grand opening during the last few days of September. If you missed the grand opening weekend of deals and giveaways, fear not. EMS will offer a 15 percent discount on all regular-priced merchandise for students with a valid ID until the end of the year. This discount should come in handy, since their high-quality, name-brand goods are not cheap.

3. Many have heard of White Dog Café, but few have actually stopped there for a drink or food. I don’t understand why: the prices are mid-range and my recent visit there was pleasant.

I ventured in on a Thursday night. The place was busy, so I decided to sit at the bar. My drinks, a $4.50 Woodchuck Cider and water with lemon, came quickly.As an appetizer, I ordered the $9 grilled citrus-marinated tofu on pita. It was served with curried slaw in a subtly sweet yogurt sauce and a side of yellow-spiced lime and chickpea salad, which was bitter at first but desirable in the end. The sandwich was good, but not exceptional. The tofu was very dense and the combination of that with the pita made the sandwich somewhat dry.

For my entrée, I ordered the $17.50 pan-crisped local seitan with roasted pepper sauce, served with soft ginger carrots and curried lentil puree. Now, for that price on a student budget, you want heaven in the form of food – and it was. Every bite was amazing and each flavor compemented the others perfectly. My seitan pieces were tender and my mouth said “Oh my God!” with each bite.

The bar service wasn’t exemplary, but it was good. What I like about this 24-year-old restaurant is that they support locally- and organically-grown produce. White Dog Café is socially conscious and plays an active role in community education, local environment and community development programs. I felt good about my purchase, knowing that 20 percent of what I paid would support non-profit organizations.Luke Blair, a third-year Ph.D. student studying modern religious thought, has visited White Dog Café five times. He only orders off the small plates and grill menu because he feels the other items are expensive.

“If you want a good hamburger without people bothering you too much, this is a good place to be,” Blair said. He recommends ordering guacamole on top of the burger.

Colleen Dunn can be reached at colleen.dunn@temple.edu.

Motocross, Talib Kweli and museums

Normally I try to change it up, providing a little of this and a bit of that. Instead this week, all events featured take place on Saturday, Sept. 29, and involve my favorite word – free. Here’s my recommended agenda.

1 College Day On The Parkway: the one day each year college students can visit the city’s top cultural institutions for free. Not to mention, raffle drawings reward students for visiting at least three of the 11 spots. Prizes include movie and restaurant passes and gift certificates. Be sure to turn in the raffle ticket at your last location and get it stamped at each site you visit.

Big yellow school buses shuttle students around. That way you can save up your walking energy and use it to view fascinating artwork, historical artifacts and oddities at each destination.

Area locations participating in this 10 a.m.-to-5 p.m. program are the Academy of Natural Sciences (open until 4:30 p.m.), Eastern State Penitentiary, the Fabric Workshop and Museum (open noon to 4 p.m.), the Free Library of Philadelphia, the Galleries at Moore College of Art and Design (open noon to 4 p.m.), National Constitution Center, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Rodin Museum, the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology (open until 4:30 p.m.), and their Institute of Contemporary Art (opens at 11 a.m.).

In its 21st year, College Day has grown considerably since 1987 when only one institution, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, participated. Last year 6,000 visits were tallied.

“It is a great opportunity to reach out to the college audience and also to let them know that this entire city, with all its institutions, is really an extended learning environment,” said Adam Johnson, the staff lecturer for academic affairs with the Division of Education at the art museum.

Note: Don’t forget your Owl Card for eligibility. The Franklin Institute is not participating this year due to the final weekend of the King Tut exhibit.

2 Stop number two on your day of enjoyment is the Benjamin Franklin Parkway for the Campus Philly Kick-Off.

The seventh-annual festival is Campus Philly’s biggest event. “This is our one day to say ‘welcome back to Philly’ for some students or ‘welcome to the area’ for others,” said Michelle Freeman, senior manager of events and media programs.

Highlights of the day include the art display village, the popular TNT Red Bull Freestyle Motocross, flatland freestyle skateboarding demos, a community involvement fair with options for students eager to volunteer, vendors and giveaways. Bring cash to purchase food or goods, and come armed and ready to carry stuff home – savoring the free samples along the way.

“Our main mission is to connect college students with resources to engage them more in social, professional and community opportunities,” Freeman said about Campus Philly’s purpose and attempt to further positive area experiences aimed at keeping people in Philadelphia after graduation.

3 Once you’ve seen the eye-popping skills of the talented boarders and bikers, shift your focus to the stages. A main stage provides top billing for this free event.

The Ataris, a pop-punk band with a new darker edge, is doing the first set at 2:45 p.m. Against Me! will perform at 4 p.m., bringing their Floridian anarchist rock to Philadelphia. The headliner, Talib Kweli, begins at 5:45 p.m. He’s had six solo albums since his debut with Mos Def on the album Black Star.

Let’s not just focus on the big names: Philadelphia has a thriving music scene well-represented on the local stage each year. Jealously Curve starts things on that stage. What I love about this group is that not only do they have an attractive sound but their popularity is completely raw. The one album and EP available are self-produced – gaining sales through word of mouth, gigs they have played and the Internet.

Trouble Everyday, a self-described punk-indie-power-pop band that toured with The Killers, is second in line. Next up is a local favorite, Philadelphia Slick. While the group was originally small – with just turntables, a sampler and a mic – it now has 10 members, each with a different skill. More than hip-hop, rap and soul, new members have brought horns and strings. Lastly, 215 Hip Hop is presenting Beats and Rhymes, a group of talented producers and hosts bringing you fresh Philly sounds.

Local DJs will be spinning between gigs, offering electronic beats and a dance area “so different break dancers can showcase their skills,” Freeman said.

Colleen Dunn can be reached at colleen.dunn@temple.edu.

Ratha yatra, Mexicali and magic

It’s only mid-September, but before you know it, students will be wearing heavy coats and sweaters. Until that day arrives, I’m providing outdoor things for you to do. Readers can soak up rays and breathe in that oh-so-fresh Philly air.

E-mail me with suggestions and, remember, all of the spots featured have the Colleen Dunn seal of approval.

1. I know West Philly is probably not in your backyard, but since students are movers and shakers, you should stop in at this dine-in or take-out spot.

Mexicali is a small café that serves delicious California-influenced Mexican food. I wasn’t familiar with that term, so the owner of the café, Richard (who didn’t want to give his full name) clarified what it means. They don’t use lard. They have tofu on the menu and unbleached flour and Canola oil are used to make the homemade tortillas.

The establishment has a large selection of burritos (they come in two sizes) ranging in price from $2.59 to $6.29. So cheap! They also offer stacked enchiladas (four per order), quesadillas, nachos with meat or veggies and soft tacos (two per order). I’ve eaten there on four occasions, and each time my experience was pleasant and the food was yummy. I’ve never seen it super busy, either, which is nice.

2. If you appreciate Indian music and culture, this is your event.

This Saturday, the Philadelphia Ratha Yatra Festival will take place. Its highlights include a free vegetarian/vegan meal for attendees and a parade starting at noon that leaves from Love Park and travels down the Parkway toward the Art Museum.

Performers will dance and present dramatic shows. Vendors will offer Indian clothing, crafts and books for sale. Exhibits will explain about different Indian religions, gods, types of yoga and meditation.

Even though this is a religious-based festival for Hindus, the beauty of it is that Ratha Yatra (translating to the pilgrimage and procession of chariots) is open to all ethnicities and religions. This festival is celebrated in major urban locations around the world.

Last year, I attended and enjoyed the street festival and felt welcome as an attendee.

3. Many of you have passed it, but how many have actually entered? This was my thought as I traveled through the mosaic corridors of Philadelphia’s Magic Garden at 10th and South streets. Isaiah Zagar began building the massive art sculpture in 1994 and it’s still a work in progress. Lucky for me, public tours cost a mere $3.

At first I was hesitant because I only had $4 with me. Thank God that I went in, because I was amazed. This Magic Garden, indoors and out, encompasses several levels with many passageways. Walking by it on the street, I had no idea how involved it was.

Zagar has a long history in Philadelphia. When he moved here with his wife in the 1960s, they rented a space, opening The Eye’s Gallery. Since that time, he completed over 100 murals in Philadelphia, most made using mosaic techniques. He offers a two-day workshop several times a year for outsiders to learn these techniques.

In 2005, he nearly lost the Magic Garden due to a lawsuit battle between him and the owner of the lot where it stands.

I tried to talk with Zagar, but he claimed to be too busy. According to a frequently asked questions handout, Zagar describes his interest with “found-art sculptural environments” and “folk art environments.”

“Art should not be segregated in museums; it needs to live free among us. No one can predict where art will emerge. It’s like a mushroom, with roots that extend for miles and miles underground, unseen,” Zagar said in his handout.

Colleen Dunn can be reached at colleen.dunn@temple.edu.

Next Page »